It was also the farewell game at Old Trafford for veteran United midfielder Paul Scholes who too has announced his retirement from football. (AFP)
AFP/London
Paul Scholes led the tributes to Alex Ferguson from Manchester United players past and present as the veteran Scottish manager bid farewell to his adoring Old Trafford public yesterday.
The English champions’ 2-1 Premier League win over Swansea gave Ferguson a victory in his final home game before retirement after 26 years in charge. Yesterday's fixture also marked long-serving United midfielder Scholes’s final home match before he too retired.
The one-club man, a member of the celebrated ‘Fergie fledglings’, came through the Old Trafford youth system revitalised by Ferguson and into the United first team.
“Today it was just nice to get through the game. I thought Sir Alex handled it well,” former England midfielder Scholes said. “He has done a fantastic job here. “I know it’s the right time for me to go,” the 38-year-old added. “It’s not been the season I would have liked personally, but we’ve won the league and it’s a great day.”
Ryan Giggs, who made his United debut in 1991 and has become synonymous with the club’s success in winning 38 trophies under Ferguson, said his most vivid recollections of the manager were some of his oldest too.
“The memories of him that stick out are when I was younger. When I was 13 playing for Salford Boys and looking to the sidelines and there was Alex Ferguson watching.”
While Giggs has known Ferguson since he was a teenager, for Robin van Persie this term was a new experience following the Dutch striker’s pre-season transfer from Premier League rivals Arsenal.
“From my point of view, I think it’s a massive honour for me to have been involved with him,” said van Persie, Ferguson’s last major signing.
Ferguson confirms Rooney wants transfer
Wayne Rooney took some of the gloss off Alex Ferguson’s Old Trafford farewell party after the United manager confirmed the striker has asked to leave the club for the second time in three years.
Ferguson dropped Rooney for the win over Swansea City in his final home game, and said the England international 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.”
Asked to confirm that Rooney had submitted a transfer request, Ferguson replied: “Yes, he’s asked, yeah.” He added: “We have refused it. I think he should go away and think it over again."