Life's a beach for Fergie as former United boss skips win over Swansea and Ballon d'Or awards for celebration in Barbados (and he's joined by Russ Abbot!)



Sir Alex Ferguson obviously doesn't fancy his chances of winning the coach of the year award at Monday night's Ballon d'Or.

The former Manchester United boss was nominated for the award but he will not be present at the ceremony in Zurich as he enjoys a week-long holiday in Barbados.

Ferguson flew out to the Caribbean on Friday for a week-long celebration with family and friends, as revealed by Sportsmail.

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Smiles better: Ferguson (second left) poses for a picture at the Lone Star restaurant with ex-Manchester player Norman Whiteside (left) and comedian and musician Russ Abbot (centre)

Celebration: Ferguson is in the Caribbean with a party of around 30 people, including Bryan Robson (right)

View from behind: Ferguson and friends watch on as a local girl dances on the beach

Fergie time: The group share another joke as the day wears on in Barbados

Glass half full: The retired Ferguson enjoys a drop of rose during the meal at the Lone Star

WHO IS RUSS ABBOT?

For those younger readers wondering who Russ Abbot is, the man sharing a joke with Ferguson and Barbados is a comedian, musician and actor. The Cheshire-born 66-year-old's fame peaked in the 1980s with Russ Abbot's Madhouse and The Russ Abbot Show pulling in audiences of millions. A drummer and backing singer, Abbot peaked at No 7 in the charts with his single Atmosphere in 1984.

His Old Trafford successor David Moyes might be hoping that Ferguson extends his stay in the Caribbean after United ended a three-match losing streak with a 2-0 win over Swansea on Saturday.

Moyes has endured a tough first season in the United hotseat under the watchful eye of Ferguson, with the defending Premier League champions languishing down in seventh place in the table, 10 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Ferguson and his family are believed to be marking two landmark birthdays, with his grandchildren and extended family part of a group in excess of 30 people.

Among that group are former United and England captain Bryan Robson and another former player of Fergie's at Old Trafford, Norman Whiteside.

All three were pictured at the Lone Star restaurant on Sunday in St James Parish along with comedian Russ Abbot as they enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Caribbean island.

Back in the day: Comedian Russ Abbot in his heyday in the 1980s

Back to winning ways: Man United's players celebrate Danny Welbeck's goal in the 2-0 win over Swansea

Welcome break: David Moyes saw a three-match losing streak come to an end in Ferguson's absence