Alex Ferguson’s last home match in charge of Manchester United ended in a 2-1 Premier League victory over Swansea City as the Old Trafford crowd gave their long-serving manager a warm and emotional send-off yesterday.
Defender Rio Ferdinand struck the winner for the champions three minutes from time, yet another one of the late goals which have been a feature of Ferguson’s 26-year reign at the club.
Ferguson, in his 1,499th game at the helm, received a rapturous reception from the fans and a Guard of Honour from the players of both teams as he walked out in heavy rain. He returned to the pitch with a microphone after the match.
“Everyone at the club and you the fans you have been the most fantastic experience of my life,” a clearly emotional Ferguson said.
“Thank you. I have been very fortunate to manage some of the greatest players in the country. These players have won the championship in fantastic fashion. Well done to them.
“When we had bad times here, everyone stood by me and your job now is to stand by your new manager (David Moyes).”
Ferguson left the field and the United players returned to collect their medals and the Premier League trophy, the club’s 20th top-flight crown.
United captain Nemanja Vidic was handed the trophy but he passed it on to Ferguson who gleefully held it aloft.
Ferguson proved before the game he was still prepared to make tough decisions by leaving Wayne Rooney out of the squad after the striker asked for a transfer.
“I don’t think Wayne was keen to play, simply because he has asked for a transfer,” Ferguson told Sky Sports 1.
“I think he wants to think it through in his mind – I think that’s a good idea. We’re not going to let him go.
“I think maybe he is a bit frustrated. He has been taken off once or twice in the past couple of weeks.”
United started brightly and Javier Hernandez scooped a shot on to the underside of the crossbar after five minutes.
The home side dominated possession and they opened the scoring after 39 minutes when Mexican Hernandez reacted sharply to sweep a loose ball low into the net from six metres.
Swansea briefly silenced the crowd when striker Michu equalised four minutes after halftime, getting in front of Phil Jones to steer a cross firmly past David de Gea for his 18th league goal of the season.
Midfielder Paul Scholes, making his 717th and final appearance for United, was substituted after 66 minutes and left the field in typically modest fashion to more warm applause.
Ryan Giggs, who has played in each of Ferguson’s 13 title-winning teams, came on as a late replacement and although Swansea threatened to grab a winner it was United who found one.
A right-wing corner fell kindly to Ferdinand at the far post and the England defender gleefully lashed the ball into the net from six metres.
United are 13 points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.
Summaries
Premier League
Everton 2
Mirallas 6, 60;
West Ham 0
HT: 1-0. Att: 39,475.
Fulham 1
Berbatov 33;
Liverpool 3
Sturridge 36, 62, 85;
HT: 1-1. Att: 25,640.
Man. United 2
Hernandez 39; Ferdinand 87;
Swansea 1
Michu 49;
HT: 1-0. Att: 75,572.
Norwich 4
Snodgrass 25; Holt 62; McAuley 65og; Howson 90;
West Brom 0
HT: 1-0. Att: 26,837
QPR 1
Remy 11 pen;
Newcastle 2
Ben Arfa 18 pen; Gouffran 35;
HT: 1-2. Att: 17,278.
Red card: Elliot (N) 81.
Stoke City 1
N’Zonzi 3;
Tottenham 2
Dempsey 20; Adebayor 83;
HT: 1-1. Att: 27,531.
Red card: Adam (S) 47.
Sunderland 1
Bardsley 68;
Southampton 1
Puncheon 76;
HT: 0-0. Att: 41,988.
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Man. United | 37 | 28 | 4 | 5 | 81 | 38 | 88 |
| Man. City | 36 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 62 | 31 | 75 |
| Chelsea | 37 | 21 | 9 | 7 | 73 | 38 | 72 |
| Tottenham | 37 | 20 | 9 | 8 | 65 | 46 | 69 |
| Arsenal | 36 | 19 | 10 | 7 | 67 | 36 | 67 |
| Everton | 37 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 54 | 38 | 63 |
| Liverpool | 37 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 70 | 43 | 58 |
| West Brom | 37 | 14 | 6 | 17 | 48 | 52 | 48 |
| Swansea | 37 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 47 | 48 | 46 |
| West Ham | 37 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 41 | 51 | 43 |
| Stoke City | 37 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 33 | 44 | 41 |
| Norwich City | 37 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 38 | 56 | 41 |
| Newcastle | 37 | 11 | 8 | 18 | 45 | 67 | 41 |
| Southampton | 37 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 48 | 59 | 40 |
| Fulham | 37 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 47 | 60 | 40 |
| Aston Villa | 37 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 45 | 67 | 40 |
| Sunderland | 37 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 41 | 53 | 39 |
| Wigan | 36 | 9 | 8 | 19 | 44 | 67 | 35 |
| Reading | 36 | 6 | 10 | 20 | 41 | 67 | 28 |
| QPR | 37 | 4 | 13 | 20 | 30 | 59 | 25 |
Playing tomorrow
Arsenal vs Wigan - 20.45
Reading vs Manchester City - 21.00
Top scorers
25 goals: Van Persie (Man. United).
23 goals: Suarez (Liverpool).
20 goals: Bale (Tottenham).