Alex Ferguson thanked Manchester United's
supporters and urged them to stand behind his successor, David Moyes, after an
emotional final home game as manager on Sunday.
Ferguson, who announced his shock retirement
earlier this week, addressed supporters directly during an unscripted on-pitch
speech after a 2-1 win over Swansea City closed his 26-year association with
the Old Trafford dug-out.
"You've been the most fantastic experience of
my life," he said, as fans in the crowd of 75 572 fell silent to listen to
the man who has brought 38 trophies to the club since arriving from Aberdeen in
1986.
"I've been very fortunate I've been able to
manage some of the greatest players in the country, let alone Manchester
United. All these players here today have represented the club the proper way
and won the championship in fantastic fashion. Well done to the players.
"My retirement doesn't mean the end of my life
with the club. I'll be able to enjoy watching them, rather than suffer with
them.
"If you think about it, those last-minute
goals, those comebacks, even the defeats, are all part of this great club of
ours. It's been an unbelievable experience for all of us, so thank you for
that.
"I'd also like to remind you that when we had
bad times here, the club stood by me, all the staff stood by me, and the
players stood by me. Your job now is to stand by our new manager."
Ferguson, 71, later hoisted the Premier League
trophy in front of his jubilant players, three weeks after United secured an unprecedented
20th English league title with a 3-0 home win over Aston Villa.
He was then joined on the pitch by his
grandchildren, as his players celebrated the 13th league crown of the Ferguson
era beneath a steady downpour of rain and red ticker-tape.
Everton manager Moyes will take over as manager on
July 1, having signed a six-year contract, with Ferguson taking up a role as a
director and ambassador.
Fittingly, an 87th-minute goal by Rio Ferdinand in
front of the Stretford End earned United victory, after Javier Hernandez's
first-half strike was cancelled out early in the second period by Michu.
Ferguson had earlier been given a guard of honour
by players from United and Swansea as he made his way onto the pitch before the
game.
The occasion was slightly overshadowed by
Ferguson's confirmation that Wayne Rooney has asked to leave the club.
Ferguson dropped the 27-year-old striker from his
match-day squad and explained afterwards that he had not been in the right
frame of mind to play.
"I don't think Wayne was keen to play because
he's asked for a transfer and he wants to think it through in his mind. I think
that's a good idea," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"We're not going to let him go. I think maybe
he's a little bit frustrated that he's been taken off once or twice in the last
few weeks."
In another sign of the changing times at Old
Trafford, Paul Scholes made his farewell appearance after announcing that he is
to retire for the second time.
The 38-year-old English midfielder, who returned
from retirement in January last year after only seven months out of the game,
played for 66 minutes before departing to a standing ovation.
"Today it was just nice to get through the
game. I thought Sir Alex handled it well. He has done a fantastic job
here," said Scholes, who was only the third United player to make 700
appearances for the club after Ryan Giggs and Bobby Charlton.
The final game of Ferguson's United reign will be
at West Bromwich Albion next weekend.
Moyes was given a warm send-off by Everton's fans
after his side beat West Ham United 2-0 at Goodison Park in his final home
game.
Everton's players formed a guard of honour after
the game for Moyes and captain Phil Neville, who is also leaving the club at
the end of the season following eight years' service.
"There's always a worry when you're joining
another club, but Everton fans were magnificent for me today," Moyes told
BBC Sport.
"David Unsworth scored my first goal at
Goodison 11 years ago after about 25 seconds and I'm delighted I finished it
off here with a win. I thank all the players who have worked with me."
Elsewhere on Sunday, Emmanuel Adebayor scored an
83rd-minute winner for Tottenham Hotspur to snatch a 2-1 win at Stoke City that
sent Spurs into the Champions League places at the expense of Arsenal, who host
freshly-crowned FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic on Tuesday.
Wigan's hopes of avoiding relegation were
compromised after Norwich City beat West Bromwich Albion 4-0 and Newcastle
United won 2-1 at relegated Queens Park Rangers to secure their top-flight
statuses.
Fulham are all but mathematically assured of
escaping the drop despite a 3-1 loss to Liverpool, but Sunderland, who drew 1-1
at home to Southampton, and Aston Villa remain in danger.
