Sir Alex Ferguson's final home match as Manchester United manager was ten years ago today, with the legendary boss bowing out in front of the Old Trafford faithful with a 2-1 win against Swansea.
The title had already been secured with a win against Aston Villa on April 22, with Ferguson announcing his retirement on May 8, 2013. His next match in charge following the announcement was a fixture with Swansea, with the Old Trafford crowd witnessing a late winner at the Stretford End from Rio Ferdinand to secure a 2-1 win.
The match was in the balance in the closing stages, with a Michu goal having equalised for Swansea in the 49th minute after Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez had put United ahead before half-time. However, Ferdinand won the game with seconds remaining, sparking joyful scenes as a customary late goal handed United a thrilling win in driving Manchester rain.
The win was followed up a week later on the final day of the season with a thrilling 5-5 draw at the Hawthorns against West Brom, with Ferguson's final match making history as the first time such a scoreline had been recorded in the Premier League. Ten years have followed since, but no Premier League titles, with fans longing for the success of the Ferguson years.
Some current players will remember this era, while many are long gone. Here is our look at where United's players from their final home game under Ferguson are now.
GK - David De Gea - Man United
In his second season at United, De Gea kept 12 clean sheets as he won a first and only Premier League title for the Red Devils. Now a veteran of the club, with over 540 appearances to his name, De Gea is currently reported to be signing a new deal at Old Trafford on reduced terms, but his place as first-choice is more under threat than ever following some high profile errors.
RB - Phil Jones - Man United
Another player still at the club, Jones was expected to push on to become a United legend, with Ferguson describing the then 21-year-old as the successor to club legend and victim of the Munich Air Disaster, Duncan Edwards.
However, things have not panned out that way, with the defender suffering 'serious distress' following a relapse of a knee injury on the first day of the training last summer. This has ruled him out of the whole season, with his departure expected this summer as his contract expires.
CB - Nemanja Vidic - Retired
One of the best players of Ferguson's final years at Old Trafford, the club captain led United to two league titles during his four seasons as skipper. However, his powers looked to have waned the following season and a move to Inter Milan in 2014 proved unsuccessful, with retirement following in 2016. Still lives in Milan, performing Ambassadorial duties for Man United.
Still lauded as one of the greatest Premier League centre backs in history, with Jamie Carragher's recent comparison to Virgil van Dijk drawing criticism s from the Serbian's former United teammates.
CB - Rio Ferdinand - Retired
Similarly to Vidic, the match-winner from this match never quite hit the same heights again, with the pair unable to replicate their iconic partnership under David Moyes. Left the club along with Vidic in 2014, choosing to join QPR but was not the player he once was and retired after a single season. Now a pundit with BT Sport with a number of other media interests.
LB - Patrice Evra - Retired
One player who stayed at the top level for a few years following Ferguson's departure, with the Frenchman being one of the better players under Moyes. Joined Juventus in 2014, winning two Serie A titles and playing in the 2015 Champions League final.
Latterly joined Marseille before ending his career with West Ham and is now a pundit and a social media personality through his I Love This Game catchphrase.
RM - Danny Welbeck - Brighton
Still playing at the top level, Welbeck remained a consistent performer for club and country over a number of years, with 42 caps to his name. Arsenal swooped for the versatile forward in 2014, with a number of crucial goals for the Gunners.
His last England appearance came in 2018, but has recently become a reliable player for Brighton. He was part of a Seagulls side who won 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier this season, with the 32-year-old earning an assist.
CM - Michael Carrick - Retired
With a PFA Team of the Year nod to his name this season, it was probably the best campaign of Carrick's career as he was also named as the club's Player of the Year. Went on to play for six more years, with his retirement in 2018 before becoming a coach.
Acted as an assistant to Jose Mourinho and then Ole Gunnar Solksjaer before becoming caretaker boss following the latter's departure. However, despite two wins and a draw, he left the club and has since gone on to become Middlesbrough manager, guiding 'Boro to the Championship play-offs this season, with promotion to the Premier League a very real possibility.
CM - Paul Scholes - Retired
Having initially retired in 2011, Scholes returned to playing in January 2012 and continued for a further 18 months until retiring for good after one final title win. Played his last match the following week as a substitute against West Brom, but was trusted from the start for Ferguson's final home match after 718 matches and 11 league titles together.
LM - Shinji Kagawa - Cerezo Osaka
Having joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2012, Kagawa is the most likely pub quiz answer from this starting XI. The Japan international played just 20 matches in the Premier League for Ferguson, but scored six goals.
His role continued under David Moyes, but left the club in 2014 as he returned to Dortmund. Having earned 97 caps for Japan, he has returned to the J-League with Cerezo Osaka at 34-years-old.
ST - Javier Hernandez - LA Galaxy
The player who scored the opening goal in this match, the Mexican poacher was a popular figure at the club between 2010 and 2014. Joined Real Madrid on loan in 2014 before Bayer Leverkusen in a permanent transfer which provided two goal-laden seasons in the Bundesliga.
Left to join West Ham in 2017 before a loan move to Sevilla in 2019/20. Made an emotional move to the MLS in 2020, with four seasons playing for LA Galaxy to follow, yielding 39 goals in 75 games.
ST - Robin van Persie - Retired
The final gift to Ferguson ahead of his retirement, the Dutchman was said to be more hurt than anyone by the Scotsman's departure. Was a key player in the title win with 26 goals and some of the best football of his career but was never the same player afterwards and saw out his final years in Turkey and Holland before becoming a coach with Feyenoord.
