WILLIAM Farish, US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, hailed Manchester's ''magnificent gesture'' after watching last night's event.

''Thank you, the people for what you have done,'' he said. ''What has been done does not really surprise me, because there is a very special and great bond between our two great countries.

''It was an honour to be here and to see it for myself. It was also good to meet up again with Sir Alex Ferguson - we share a keen love of horse racing.

''Sir Alex is a fine man and Manchester is a truly great city - the people can be proud of what they have done to help the people of my country. I enjoy English football and this was a tremendous occasion at an excellent venue.''

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