Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson congratulates old rival Kenny Dalglish on Liverpool's title

Fergie was determined to 'knock Liverpool off their perch' when he became United manager

Sir Alex Ferguson, former manager of Manchester United, during the League Cup semi final second leg match between Manchester City and Manchester United in January. EPA

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson sent a text message to congratulate old rival Kenny Dalglish after Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a top-flight title by winning the Premier League.

Both Scots are icons at their former clubs and Ferguson, who managed United from 1986 to 2013 and famously declared he wanted to knock Liverpool of their perch, led his team to 13 Premier League trophies, five FA Cups and two Champions League titles.

Dalglish, who first played for and subsequently managed Liverpool, won three European Cups, eight First Division titles and two FA Cups during his time at the club.

"He [Ferguson] contacted us to say congratulations by the modern medium," Dalglish said.

"You go through the older generation – Fergie at Manchester United, Brian Kidd, Mike Summerbee; all the old foes who went through football at the same time as us – and at the end of the year you sent a letter of congratulations to say well done.

"That continues through. It is a great compliment. You are in competition and rivals, but you are magnanimous enough to send a letter saying congratulations. Everyone is in the same game, aren't they?"

Kenny Dalglish is formally introduced as the manager of Liverpool at Anfield on January 10, 2011 in Liverpool, England. Getty Images

Liverpool player-manager Kenny Dalglish celebrates with the trophies on the teams homecoming bus parade after completing the Football League and FA Cup double, on May 11, 1986 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Getty Images

1979: (Left to right) Graeme Souness, Alan Hansen and Kenny Dalglish of Liverpool hold the trophy after the Charity Shield match against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in London. Liverpool won the match 3-1. Getty Images

May 1986: Kenny Dalglish of Liverpool takes on an Everton defender during the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium in London. Liverpool won the match 3-1. /Getty Images

1987: Kenny Dalglish of Scotland in action during a European Championship qualifying match against Luxembourg at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Scotland won the match 3-0. Getty Images

16 May 2000: Kenny Dalglish plays for Celtic during the Ronnie Moran Testimonial match against Liverpool at Anfield in Liverpool, England. Liverpool won the match 4-1. Getty Images

Steve Clarke and Kenny Dalglish, manager of Liverpool, look on during the BPremier League against Sunderland at Stadium of Light on March 10, 2012 in Sunderland, England. Getty Images

The Kop display a banner honouring Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish prior to the Premier League match against Everton at Anfield on January 16, 2011 in Liverpool, England. Getty Images

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish looks on during the Premier League match against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on March 21, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images

Liverpool fans display banners dedicated to former player and manager Kenny Dalglish during the Barclays Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on May 15, 2011 in Liverpool, England. Getty Images

Kenny Dalglish, manager of Liverpool, and Jamie Carragher celebrate with the trophy after the Carling Cup Final against Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2012 in London, England. Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties. Getty Images

Kenny Dalglish of Liverpool scores past FC Bruges goalkeeper Birger Jensen in the European Cup final at Wembley, 11th May 1978. Liverpool won the match 1-0. Getty Images

Liverpool player Kenny Dalglish is congratulated by Graeme Souness after scoring in a First Division match against Arsenal at Highbury on September 10, 1983 in London, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Kenny Dalglish of Scotland pictured before an Under-23 International against England at the Baseball Ground on 16th February 1972, in Derby, England. Getty Images

Former Liverpool FC player and manager Kenny Dalglish is applauded after giving a speech during a memorial service to mark the 27th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, at Anfield on April 15, 2016 in Liverpool, England. Getty Images

Kenny Dalglish speaks to Sky Sports ahead of the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at Molineux on December 21, 2018 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Liverpool player manager Kenny Dalglish shouts from the touchline during a First Division match against Coventry City on October 22, 1988 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Getty Images

Liverpool won the title after second-placed Manchester City were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea on Thursday, leaving the new champions with an unassailable 23-point lead with seven games left.

Dalglish, the last manager before current boss Jurgen Klopp to win the league with Liverpool, also praised skipper Jordan Henderson, who he signed from Sunderland during his second stint at the Merseyside club from 2011-12.

"He was determined to be a success in football. He's the only Liverpool captain who will have lifted this trophy but also the Club World Cup as well," the 69-year-old said.