Final Score: Manchester United 5 West Bromwich Albion 5
Alex Ferguson was given a guard of honour from both teams and an amazing ovation from the fans as he walked onto the pitch.
Manchester United's Trophy Cabinet
Premier League (13) 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
First Division (7) 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67
FA Cup: (11) 1908–09, 1947–48, 1962–63, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
League Cup: (4) 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
FA Charity/Community Shield: (19) 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
European Cup / UEFA Champions League: (3) 1967–68, 1998–99, 2007–08
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: (1) 1990–91
European Super Cup: (1) 1991
Intercontinental Cup: (1) 1999
FIFA Club World Cup: (1) 2008
He was greeted with applause and cheering as the crowd waved masses of red flags when he walked on to the pitch before kick-off
Alex Ferguson's emotional speech
"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."
"You the fans have always stood by me and your job now is to stand by our new manager."
"I want to pay tribute to Paul Scholes who retires today. He is an unbelievable player, one of the greatest players this club will ever have."
"I have been able to manage some of the greatest players in the country. All of these players today have represented the club in the proper way. They have won the championship in fantastic fashion. Well done to the players. 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."
After leaving the pitch Alex Ferguson said, "I was bubbling there for a bit. All those flags, the atmosphere today was unbelievable the whole game. I'm proud of my fans today."
Alex Ferguson celebrates his first title win.
Watch Manchester United's amazing Champions winning season below.
Manchester United Official 20 x Champions 2013 Red T-Shirt Football Gift
The Man - The Legend.
Sir Matt Busby closed his reign at Old Trafford when he was 62. Bill Shankly left Liverpool at the age of 60. Bob Paisley lasted at Anfield until he was 64. Brian Clough was 58 when he left. Alex Ferguson is 71, with a pacemaker in his chest and a hip replacement coming soon, yet we are still shocked at him leaving the great game.
With a total of 49 trophies collected over the years, Sir Alex Ferguson has a managerial record that will never be surpassed.
ABERDEEN
Scottish Premier Division (3): 1979-80, 1983-84, 1984-85.
Scottish Cup (4): 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86.
Scottish League Cup (1): 1985-86.
European Cup Winners' Cup (1): 1982-83.
European Super Cup (1): 1983.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Premier League (13): 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13.
FA Cup (5): 1989-90, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04.
League Cup (4): 1991-92, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10.
Charity/Community Shield (10): 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011.
Champions League (2): 1998-99, 2007-08.
European Cup Winners' Cup (1): 1990-91.
European Super Cup (1): 1991.
Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999.
FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008.
What is Alex Ferguson's lasting legacy?
Please share your memories, your stories and feelings about the great man and his time in football.
He also praises Arsene Wenger for planning to uphold the tradition of forming a guard of honour to welcome the champions onto the pitch.
United have clinched the title with four games to spare but have other goals in mind, including beating Chelsea's 2004/05 record points total of 95.
Ferguson believes Robin van Persie will not be intimidated if he gets a hostile reception when he makes his first return to Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger insists he has no regrets about selling Robin van Persie to Manchester United, yeah right!!
Champions of England - 20 times
Alex Ferguson believes the sublime effort, as Van Persie manoeuvred himself on to the end of a 50-yard pass from Wayne Rooney before rocketing a first time shot past Brad Guzan deserves to get the goal-of-the-season prize.
Own a piece of sporting history - Robin van Persie Hand Signed Manchester United Shirt
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra celebrates the title triumph by biting a fake arm to mock Luis Suarez. Haha!!
It is Manchester United's 13th title in 21 Premier League seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"I feel 10 years younger after that," said Alex Ferguson after the game.
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick celebrate in style.
Just like the Busby Babes in days gone by, We'll keep the red flags flying high, Your gonna see us all from far and wide, Your gonna hear the masses sing with pride.
United, Man united, We're the boys in red and we're on our way to Wembley!
Manchester United sit 13 points clear at the top of the table, bookmakers have paid out on them regaining their crown and victory tonight against Aston Villa will see them officially take the title - but Alex Ferguson has something more to play for tonight, and for the rest of the season.
With five games of the season left, United have 81 points and need 15 more to break the record of 95 which was set by Chelsea in 2004/05. A strong finish to the season will also see them pass their own Premier League era record of 92.
"If we get to 96 points I'd be absolutely delighted," said the Manchester United manager. "That would be a fantastic season."
Come on UNITED!!!
Manchester United is life! Followed by over 659 millions supporters worldwide, Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world.
Alex Ferguson has it on his mind. This is what he said yesterday:
"The way to look at it is that we've got great games coming up. It will be really exciting going to Madrid and having them here. There's the FA Cup tie at home to Fulham. It's a brilliant period for the club. This is exactly the situation you want to be in, involved in everything. FA Cup, league, European Cup. Absolutely brilliant. And we've got the squad to do it. If you go back to the year we won the treble we got a replay against Chelsea and won there 2-0. We got a replay against Arsenal. The FA Cup's the FA Cup. You expect the unexpected, but you also want to win it because its a great competition."
Patrice Evra also believes that Manchester United are good enough to win the Premier League, Champions League and the FA Cup this season.
"I'm really confident this year, because we've won against City, we've won against Chelsea, we've won against Arsenal, now we've beaten Liverpool twice. For our confidence, you couldn't get much better."
Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1. Old Trafford, Sunday Jan 13th, 2013.
Entertaining game, if of slightly lower quality than you'd hope for a Manchester United v Liverpool game. United were in charge of the first half but a Sturridge-led Liverpool were massively improved after the break. Let us collectively take our hats off for Brendand Rodgers for sorting his side out at half time. Let us also take off our hats for United hanging on to a precarious lead. And for their strikers, RVP and Welbeck, who were both great.
"I still have a great feeling of friendship and love for them, they are a team that have done a lot for my career. The fans know me well and I have a lot of friends there that I keep close to my heart. But now I'm defending Real Madrid's colours. It's a bit of a sad feeling I guess. But I want to score, and for us to win, and that would make everything better."
Top scorer: Robin van Persie struck for his 14th league goal of the season!!
At the age of 15, George Best was discovered in Belfast by Manchester United scout Bob Bishop, whose telegram to United manager Matt Busby read: "I think I've found you a genius."
He reached dizzying heights with his outrageous skills in a career that lasted a mere six years at the top, where he became the first real football celebrity, before self-destructing.
In those six magical seasons with United, he scored 115 goals in 290 games - six of them in one game! He won two League Championships, the European Cup and was voted European Football of the Year. Pele named him as his favourite player, which was remarkable considering Best's international career with Northern Ireland never allowed him the opportunity of appearing in the World Cup finals.
George Best was in many ways the perfect footballer on the field, being quick, two-footed, able to pass with accuracy at all ranges, dribble and with a deadly imagination in front of goal given half a chance.
Widely considered the best football player ever produced in Britain and it could be argued he may have become greater still. In his native Northern Ireland, the admiration for him is summed up by the local saying: "Maradona good; Pelé better; George Best."
Ryan Giggs knows all about the pressure that comes with winning titles, having won 12 during his Manchester United career. And the veteran midfielder reckons title rivals Manchester City are struggling to cope with the pressure of being Premier League champions. Roberto Mancini's side remain the only team unbeaten in the league this season, but have drawn six of their 15 games to trail leaders United by three points. City are now under pressure to hold onto the title after their woeful Champions League campaign, which saw them exit the competition with three points – the lowest-ever total by an English club.
Giggs scored his first goal for United in a 1-0 win over City way back in May 1991, when he was just 17. Now 39, the Welshman is nearing the end of his illustrious career and is likely to make his 38th derby appearance off the bench, but has not lost the desire to keep United's local rivals in their shadow.
