After 26 successful years at the helm of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson has now been immortalised outside Old Trafford by way of a statue.

Former Tottenham striker turned TV pundit Gary Lineker and Edwin Van Der Sar both hailed the manager for his time at the club, while Lineker compared the lengthy stay to Mark Hughes’ dismissal at QPR which dominated the headlines.

Elsewhere, Jose Enrique offers Liverpool team-mate Lucas Leiva support in his injury recovery, Fabrice Muamba reveals one of his inspirations and Anthony Pilkington gets egg-stremely annoyed.

It’s all here in Friday’s Word on the Tweet…

“Sir Alex Ferguson has statue unveiled after 26 years managing MUFC. Half my lifetime. ?#Incredible?”

“Same day as statue is unveiled a former player is fired by QPR. How different history may have been had MUFC been equally impatient?”

Gary Lineker reflects on the very differing fortunes of long-serving Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and one of his former stars Mark Hughes (pictured right), who of course was sacked from his post at QPR.

“Statue for a great manager of Manchester United Footbalclub!!”

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar, who attended the ceremony, also pays tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson at the unveiling at Old Trafford.

“@LucasLeiva87? all the best today my friend. One of the best midfields for sure in the premier league. Have a good game :)”

Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique sends his wishes, complete with smiley face, to Lucas Leiva, who as part of his continual recovery from injury featured in the Under-21 League game with Middlesbrough.

“Watching documentary on sky 108. Bradley Wiggins I got nothing [but] huge respect for this guy. True champion”

Fabrice Muamba is a big fan of Tour de France champions, Olympic cyclist and sideburn enthusiast Bradley Wiggins.

“This traffic on the A47 has just ruined all my chances of getting in on time for my poached eggs on toast ?#Fuming? ?#starving”

Norwich City winger Anthony Pilkington bemoans the traffic in his hunt for some eggs on toast. Poached not scrambled, though? Madness.

“Morning all , unlucky with the result yesterday. But we will b back! And move on to the next game YNWA”

Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey promises a swift return to winning ways after the disappointing 2-2 Europa League draw with Young Boys.

“Just heading into the Training Ground!light training this morning before we fly to Wigan!! I’m only packin the Bare essentials! ?#lazy”

It’s just pants and a toothbrush for Reading striker Noel Hunt as he gets ready for the Royals’ trip to the DW Stadium.

“Good to see Mark Clattenburg restored to his duties. Common sense finally prevails…”

Exiling Joey Barton to France won’t stop him contributing to controversial topics via WOTT – this time he comments on the Mark Clattenburg case.

“Maaaaaaarning world! Crisp this morning on the cough splattered school path! The melting pot for runny noses + coughs!”

You can see the headlines now: ‘Manchester United sweating on Rio Ferdinand fitness after sniffly nose picked up on school run.’ Hmm…