Monday, May 13, 2013

Ferguson says emotional farewell to Manchester United supporters

RETIRING Manchester United Manager, Alex Ferguson, Sunday bid fans farewell at Old Trafford and urged them to back his successor, David Moyes. The Premier League champions produced a battling display in Ferguson’s final home match Sunday, winning 2-1 against Swansea thanks to a late Rio Ferdinand strike after Michu cancelled out Javier Hernandez’s first-half opener.

Ferguson took centre stage as the trophy was presented after the victory and thanked those involved at the club during his 26-and-a-half years in charge before reasserting that despite his retirement, he will continue to be involved behind the scenes.

I have no script in my mind,” said Ferguson. “I’m just going to ramble and hope I get to the core of what this football club has meant to me. Thank you to Manchester United. “My retirement doesn’t mean the end of my life with the club. I will be able to now enjoy watching them, rather than suffer with them. “But if you think about the last-minute goals, the comebacks, even the defeats, are all about this great club of ours. It’s been an unbelievable experience for all of us.

So thank you for that. “I have been able to manage some of the greatest players in the country. All of these players have represented the club in the proper way. They have won the championship in fantastic fashion. Well done to the players.” The 71-year-old went on to look to the future and implored fans to get behind Moyes, the man set to replace him, before congratulating Paul Scholes as he also approaches retirement at the end of this season. “I’d like to remind you that through the bad times, the club, fans and players stood by me.

Now stand by the new manager,” added Ferguson. “Before I start blubbing, I want to pay tribute to Paul Scholes. He is an unbelievable player, one of the greatest players this club will ever have. “Paul, I wish you a good retirement, though I know you’ll be around, annoying me.

And I wish Darren Fletcher a speedy recovery for the club. “I wish the players every success for the future. You know how good you are, the jersey you are wearing, and all the people here. Don’t let yourselves down. “Thank you once again, from all the Ferguson family. They’re all up there - 11 grandchildren. Thank you. Thank you.”

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