SIR Alex Ferguson is the longest serving manager in British football.

At 23 years and counting, he is second in Manchester United’s history to Sir Matt Busby.

It could be argued Brian Laws had a hand in his longevity.

For it was the former defender’s self-confessed “hospital pass” that led to United earning a 1-0 win over his old club, Nottingham Forest, in the FA Cup third round in January 1990, and a stay of execution for their under-fire manager on the back of eight games without a win.

A poor ball to Thorvaldur Orlygsson allowed Lee Martin to tackle the Icelandic on the touchline, pass inside to Mark Hughes and Mark Robins headed in the subsequent delivery.

Today, Laws wants payback.

“I think he owes me one!” smiled the new Burnley boss ahead of his first game in charge.

“I was distraught that day but history is fantastic.

"I remember Alex Ferguson being under immense pressure but look what has happened since.

“A stable team, they get a result and now look where he is. He’s the best manager in the world, bar none.

“I haven’t spoken to him but I’m looking forward to seeing him, and Micky Phelan as well, I speak to him quite a lot.”

But United’s management duo, and players, will be out for revenge after being stung by a Robbie Blake screamer in the second game of the season.

“I will assume they will be looking at it and saying ‘we can’t afford to slip up here because Burnley are a good side’.

"They’ll know not to take us lightly. But they won’t - they’re not that type of team who switch off,” Laws warned.

“Yes, they might have one or two issues and problems. I think they have had a lot of injuries to cope with.

"They have got fantastic players and they have had a lot of injuries particularly in defensive areas so they’ve not had that settled back four.

“But they are well switched on and they go out to win every game, with a purpose. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing against.

“You look at the way they move forward and they’ve got goals in them all over the park.

"They are an excellent side and anybody who thinks they are a vulnerable team would be a fool.”

After a rare month off following his departure from Sheffield Wednesday in December, Laws is tackling his new job head on.

Even his favourite television programme, Coronation Street, has had to take a back seat until he works his way through a pile of match dvds.

“I’ve got matchsticks in my eyes. I’ve been going to sleep with the DVD player!” he smiled.

“I’m a great fan of the soaps, in particular Coronation Street.

"It’s my release from football, but I’m having to tape it at the moment.

“I’m trying to get as much information on the players and the way they’ve been playing, and the opposition as well - it’s part and parcel that we have to experience (what’s gone before).

“There have been some pleasant pluses, I know I have got some good bits to work with. More importantly the players have been doing the right things and deserve what they have been getting so far.

"The only downside has been their away form. Having to score lots of goals to get points is something we have to work on.”

But one goal he hasn’t been allowed to forget since Thursday is Blake’s stunning volley against United in August.

“Robbie has been on my shoulder like a little parrot - 'Have you seen that goal? Have you seen that goal? Have you seen that goal?'

“He is dropping a few gentle reminders! It’s not a nudge either!” Laws laughed.

“I’m frightened to stand next to him because I know what’s coming.

“But that’s the kind of attitude that they have here - they’ve got humour and they’ve obviously got the utmost respect for each other. And that’s what you want from players, that bravery.

“Robbie has obviously had a fantastic game against them and scored an absolute scorcher of a goal.

“He has been quality.”