"Of all the people I've seen dealing with celebrity superstar status, Ryan has handled it best, " Pallister says.

BBC: Ryan Giggs in a league of his own

Ella Pallister, 17, died in hospital on Wednesday from injuries sustained while competing at Kingston Maurward, near Dorchester, on Sunday.

BBC: Showjumper Ella Pallister dies after fall in Dorset

Council leader Ric Pallister, a Liberal Democrat, said the council had to follow clear government guidelines on sustainable energy and farm diversification.

BBC: Illminster solar farm in Somerset approved

Pallister played in three League Cup finals during his time at Old Trafford and claims United's attitude toward the competition was often ambivalent.

BBC: Pallister played in three League Cup finals for Man Utd

Downing, 24, who grew up on the Pallister Park estate in the town, admitted the proud honour was slightly tainted by the manner of the loss.

BBC: Stewart Downing

The other three are long shots: Michael Fortier, a Quebec lawyer, Brian Pallister who was a Manitoba cabinet minister and businessman, and David Orchard, a Saskatchewan farmer.

ECONOMIST: Canada

And he likes to celebrate winning trophies, according to Pallister, by "rapping on the stage and doing a bit of singing and dancing and entertaining the whole banqueting hall".

BBC: Ryan Giggs in a league of his own

Mr Pallister sounds almost like a Reformer, and would be happiest of the five in the anti-Liberal coalition that the Reform leader, Preston Manning, hopes to launch (as the United Alternative) next February.

ECONOMIST: Canada