Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement as the manager of Manchester United after 27 years in the role. He has gone out in a blaze of glory, with United winning the Premier League for the 13th time, and is widely considered to be the greatest manager in the history of British football. The only constant element has been the quality of the manager's league-winning squad and United's run of success, which included winning the Champions League for a second time in 2008. Sir Alex created a purposeful, but welcoming, and much envied culture at the club which has lasted the test of time. It was directly due to his vision, energy and ability that he was able to build teams both on and off the pitch. He was a manager of phenomenal skill, and increasingly had to deal with global stars. His relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, was excellent and David Beckham has described him as a father figure. In this autobiography, he reflects on and jots down the highlights of his extraordinary career and reveals his amazing story as it unfolded, from his very early days in the tough shipyard areas of Govan.

Hotspot

The Beatles Story

Situated at the Britannia Vaults, Albert Dock in Liverpool, the creative, charismatic and eternally cool museum dedicated to legendary rock band The Beatles, The Beatles Story, tells the roller coaster journey of four blokes who took over the world of music.

When visiting this unique space, you can join The Beatles on their journey; first conquering Liverpool, and then the world, through engaging recreations of key locations from the band’s career that include The Cavern Club, Abbey Road Studios and The Casbah Club. The one-of-a-kind museum has information, imagery, memorabilia and video interviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono, telling visitors the story of the world’s greatest band.

The ‘Living History’ audio guides are available in 10 different languages including Mandarin, Brazilian Portuguese, French and German and is beautifully narrated by John Lennon’s sister, Julia. The museum is also home to John Lennon’s last piano, which was heard on albums including Walls and Bridges and Double Fantasy, and was also used to compose hits with David Bowie and Elton John. Additionally, a collection of famous photographs taken of John by his New York photographer and close friend, Bob Gruen is also on display in the space’s main exhibition. An interactive Discovery Zone is a great recreational facility, especially if you’re visiting with kids, you can play a giant piano or make your own Merseybeat paper and take it home.

If you feel like having coffee or cake, you can relax in the Beatles-themed coffeehouse, The Fab4Cafe. The museum’s award-winning Fab4Store has stacks of fantastic Beatles gifts and memorabilia – both the Fab4Store gift shop and Starbucks coffeehouse are free to enter. At the structure’s Pier Head, you will find another Beatles Story location in the Mersey Ferries terminal, along with an additional Fab4 Café and Fab4 Store.

GAMING CIRCUIT

Rocket League Switch

This unconventional sports game is a blend of vehicular acrobatics and soccer that's instantly engaging, but a high skill ceiling ensures that you can put hundreds of hours into the game online and continue to improve your control over car and ball alike. The game is unique, complex, and being a part of the Nintendo Switch, it's brilliantly portable. Those new to the game have a lot to look forward to, as it's one of the most fascinating games currently. If you don't like soccer or couldn't care less about the growing esports community, Rocket League is a unique game that redefines the concept of what a sports game can be, and Psyonix continues to support it with regular new content. It has been around for a while, and if you haven’t already, now is the time to give it a shot.

Tune In

Tinak Dhin – Ali Sethi, Ali Hamza & Waqar Ehsin

Bom Diggy – Zack Knight, Jasmin Walia

Mi Gente – J Balvin, Willy William featuring Beyoncé

Baazi – Aima Baig & Sahir Ali Bagga

Havana – Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug

The Sibbi Song – Abid Brohi & SomeWhatSuper

New Rules – Dua Lipa

Dusk Till Dawn (Radio Edit) – Zayn Malik featuring Sia

Sambhal Sambhal – Zeb Bangash & Haroon Shahid

Chorh Day – Bilal Khan

READS OF THE WEEK

Pakistan Heritage Cuisine - A Food Story by Sayeeda Leghari

The book explores how the cuisine of a country is intricately woven into its fabric and is shaped by the history and characteristics of the region and its people. Here, the author has tried to give readers an insight into the incredible journey of Pakistani cuisine, its grandeur, simplicity, finesse, ruggedness and the historical influences that have shaped it.

The Three Innocents and Ors. by Ismat Chughtai, Translated by Tahira Naqvi

The book is a pleasant anthology that offers an extraordinary peek into the lesser known aspects of Ismat Chughtai’s writing – the warmth, humour and affection with which she writes about her childhood. Shedding all of the certainties of an adult, Ismat steps into a child’s shoe and presents us with scrapes, situations and sentiments that are refreshing in their candour.

Secular and Nationalist Jinnah by Ajeet Jawed

Mohammad Ali Jinnah is the most misrepresented figure in the political history of the subcontinent. The book talks about the secular and nationalist Jinnah, and challenges many of the myths that have grown round his role in the freedom movement and reveals his true character to readers around the world.

Turtles All The Way Down by John Green

This book is about a lifelong friendship, the intimacy of a sudden reunion, Star Wars fan fiction, and tuatara. But at its heart is Aza Holmes, a young woman navigating daily existence within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. John Green shares her story with shattering, unflinching clarity in his long-awaited novel.