FERGUSON AAGWA OLD TRAFFORD, RAHA ILIYOJE

IMEWEKWA MEI 12, 2013 SAA1:00 USIKU

Rapturous applause: Sir Alex Ferguson walks out onto the Old Trafford pitch for the last time as boss

KOCHA Sir Alex Ferguson leo amewasili kwenye Uwanja wa Old Trafford kuiongoza timu yake kwa mara ya mwisho.

Kocha huyo anastaafu akiwa na umri wa miaka Manchester United baada ya kutwaa taji la 13 la Ligi Kuu ya England.

Mashetani hao Wekundu ambao sasa watakuwa chini ya kocha wa Everton, David Moyes kuanzia msimu ujao wanamenyana na Swansea City mida hii, lakini Wayne Rooney hayumo kikosini.

Paul Scholes was chosen as anticipated after also announcing his retirement yesterday, but Rooney was not named by Sir Alex, who said on Wednesday that his 27-year reign is ending.

Manchester United were leading 1-0 in the game at half-time after Javier Hernandez scored.

Sir Alex stated in today’s programme notes: 'I must pay tribute to my family. Their love and support has been essential.

'My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of stability and encouragement. I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication.

'Their backing and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular gave me the confidence and time to build a club rather than just a team.

'The Glazer family have provided me with the platform to manage Manchester United to the best of my ability. And I have been fortunate to work with a talented and trustworthy chief executive in David Gill.'

The move by Sir Alex to leave out Rooney - who was sold to United from Everton by Moyes in 2004 - has increased speculation that the striker could be on his way out of the club.

Great respect: Sir Alex emerges from a guard of honour before his last home match in charge of the club

Impressive spectacle: Sir Alex applauds as he takes to the pitch for his last home game in charge of the club

Support: Manchester United manager Sir Alex signs autographs after arriving on the pitch at Old Trafford

Emotional: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reacts after arriving on the pitch at Old Trafford

United insisted on Wednesday the England striker was not for sale, but a source said Rooney has held talks with Sir Alex in recent weeks and indicated he wanted to leave.

'I must pay tribute to my family. Their love and support has been essential'

Sir Alex Ferguson

Those discussions took place before Sir Alex announced he was retiring at the end of the season. The United legend stunned football when he announced he was stepping down.

Only last weekend, in his programme notes for the match against Chelsea, Sir Alex - who has won 38 trophies during his reign. including five FA Cups - insisted he wanted to carry on indefinitely.

Sir Alex, who previously managed Aberdeen, took over at United in 1986 after the sacking of Ron Atkinson. His first trophy was in 1990 as United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in an FA Cup final replay.

Appreciation: Manchester United manager Sir Alex shakes hands with supporters as he takes to the stands

Making his way: Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson takes his seat in the dugout for the last time

Hotseat: Sir Alex takes his place before kick off in the Barclays Premier League match against Swansea City

Last home game: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at Old Trafford ahead of the match today

Retiring: Red Devils manager Sir Alex walks into Old Trafford ahead of today's Barclays Premier League match

Meanwhile Scholes said he is happy for his retirement to slip under the radar as Sir Alex also bade farewell to Old Trafford.

The United midfielder announced his retirement for a second time yesterday, having resumed his career in January 2012 after initially quitting the game at the end of the 2010-11 season.

He is notoriously media-shy and joked that the news surrounding Sir Alex's retirement - plus continued speculation about Rooney's future, had given him the opportunity to slip away quietly.

'It couldn't be any better could it?' Scholes said. '(The speculation of) Wayne Rooney asking for a transfer - there's not much else that can go well for me. Yeah, it's the perfect weekend for me.'

Tribute: Supporters wave red flags before Sir Alex Ferguson's last home game in charge of Manchester United

A Manchester United supporter holding a mask of retiring manager Alex Ferguson prepares to take a picture outside Old Trafford

A Manchester United fan shows her appreciation for manager Sir Alex Ferguson, prior to the game

Capturing the moment: A Manchester United supporter holding a mask of Sir Alex Ferguson prepares to take a picture outside Old Trafford (left), where another fan holds up a sign showing her appreciation (right)