…………….The 69 year old took over at Old Trafford on the 6th November 1986- with United languishing in 19th place in the old First Division.
Since then the Scot has led the club to 37 major trophies including 12 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions Leagues.
The former East Stirling, St Mirren and Aberdeen manager has faced Barnsley five times during his quarter of a century in England with four of those occasions coming in the 1997-1998 season- The Reds sole campaign in the Premier League.
Ferguson got the better of then Reds boss Danny Wilson in both league encounters winning 7-0 at Old Trafford and 2-0 at Oakwell, but Barnsley secured one of the best results in their history in the FA Cup that season, knocking United out of the competition 3-2 in an Oakwell replay, after a 1-1 draw in Manchester.
The other meeting occurred in the fourth round of the League Cup in the 2009-2010 season with United winning 2-0.
Incidentally, during Ferguson’s tenure at Manchester United, Barnsley have gone through 18 managers including caretaker stints. They are listed below.
Allan Clarke- 1985-1989
Mel Machin 1989-1993
Viv Anderson 1993-1994
Danny Wilson 1994-1998
John Hendrie 1998-1999
Eric Winstanley 1999-1999
Dave Bassett- 1999-2000
Eric Winstanley 2000-2001
Nigel Spackman 2001-2001
Glyn Hodges 2001-2001
Steve Parkin 2001-2002
Glyn Hodges 2002-2003
Gudjon Thordarson 2003-2004
Paul Hart 2004-2005
Andy Ritchie 2005-2006
Simon Davey 2006-2009
Mark Robins 2009-2011
Keith Hill 2011-present.