Alex Ferguson's departure from Aberdeen FC to Manchester United 40 years ago remains a raw memory for supporters who saw it as a betrayal of the club's golden era. The move on 6 November 1986 triggered a period of uncertainty for the Dons, a stark contrast to the unprecedented success Ferguson would later achieve at Old Trafford.

Club vice-chairman Ian Donald described the exit at the time as a 'shattering blow'. Fans gathered at the Pittodrie Bar expressed anger and disbelief, with one supporter predicting Ferguson would come to regret the decision. "It is a sad case for Aberdeen, and I think he is making a wrong move," the fan said. "I think he will regret it in years." Captain Willie Miller later spoke of the 'uncertainty' that settled over the playing squad following the manager's abrupt exit.

Ferguson had built a formidable side over eight years, delivering three league titles, four Scottish Cups, the European Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. He later described the Aberdeen job as 'probably the most secure job in British football with a life contract'. Yet the lure of Manchester United, the only club he said he would have left for, proved irresistible. His subsequent 26-year tenure there yielded 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League victories.

The anniversary arrives as Aberdeen handle a challenging present. The club currently sits 10th in the Premiership with 11 points from 11 games, a record of three wins and two draws against six defeats. Their recent form shows one win and four losses from the last five matches, including a run of three consecutive defeats. The most recent of those was a 1-0 defeat away to Rangers on Saturday 31 October. That result followed a 1-0 home loss to Falkirk on Wednesday 28 October and a 3-2 defeat at Dundee United on Saturday 24 October. Prior to that, the team had secured a 3-1 win over St Mirren on Saturday 17 October and a 1-0 loss to St Johnstone on Sunday 11 October. Overall this season, the team has scored 12 goals while conceding 14.

Kevin Nisbet leads the scoring charts this season with four goals in 11 appearances, a contribution the team will need as they look to climb the standings from their current position, 17 points adrift of leaders Celtic.

This story first appeared at BBC Sport Football