Former Manchester United youth team manager Eric Harrison has died at the age of 81.
Harrison, who was diagnosed with mixed dementia four years ago, passed away peacefully on Wednesday night surrounded by his family.
Harrison became youth team manager at United in 1981 and was in charge of the club's academy when it produced the famous Class of '92, which included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Gary Neville.
Harrison was in charge of United's academy when it produced the Class of '92
He also spent four years as Wales assistant manager under Mark Hughes and was awarded an MBE for his services to football in the Queen's New Year Honours list in 2018.
Manchester United offered their condolences to Harrison's family in a statement, which read: "We are extremely saddened to report that our former youth coach Eric Harrison passed away last night.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric's family and friends at this sad and difficult time."
Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Harrison on Thursday, describing the Yorkshireman as "one of the greatest coaches of our time".
We are extremely saddened to report that our former youth coach Eric Harrison passed away last night. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric's family and friends at this sad and difficult time.
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"Eric's contribution to football and not just at Manchester United was incredible," said Ferguson.
"He built character and determination in those young players and prepared them for the future. He was a teacher, he gave these players a path, a choice and he only did that through his own hard work and sacrifice.
"He was able to impart that education to the young which made him one of the greatest coaches of our time."
We’ve lost our mentor , our coach and the man who made us. He taught us how to play , how to never give up , how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club. Eric we owe you everything
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Eric Harrison had a huge influence in shaping the club and its dedication to developing young players over the last 30 years . His place as a club legend is definitely assured . RIP
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A group of former United players paid tribute to Harrison in a statement released through Beckham's Instagram.
"We've lost our mentor, our coach and the man who made us," it read.
"He taught us how to play, how to never give up, how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club.
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