Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game at Manchester United was a thrilling 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
Sir Alex Ferguson won 38 trophies at Manchester United and a further 11 at Aberdeen, making him the most successful manager in the history of the game. The 74-year-old Scot retired from management in 2013, ending on a high, winning the Premier League title in his last season in charge of the Red Devils.
The title had already been sewn up against Aston Villa long before United headed to the Hawthorns to face West Brom for Fergie’s final game in charge. It was a thrilling finale and an incredibly open game, although perhaps ending on a win would have been more befitting for a man who was a serial winner throughout his career.
Ferguson’s men raced into a 5-2 lead early in the second half, but 3 goals in 6 minutes at the end of the game from the Baggies saw the game finish 5-5. Sir Alex introduced a trio of his most loyal and successful servants in Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs as substitutes, but 3 years on from that memorable match-up, we take a look at where his starting XI are now:
Banner displayed at Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game in charge of Manchester United
Goalkeeper: Anders Lindegaard
It may have been forgotten now that David de Gea is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, but back in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons, he struggled to adapt to the English game and was dropped on more than one occasion. Anders Lindegaard was his replacement in such instances, making 23 appearances during those two seasons at Old Trafford. The 32-year-old Dane left Manchester United for West Brom in 2015, before joining current club Preston in 2016.
Left-Back: Alexander Buttner
Former Netherlands youth international Alexander Buttner looked a little out of his depth at Manchester United, it is fair to say. A versatile player who is happy to play anywhere on the left side of the pitch, he was most commonly deployed as a left-back under Ferguson, where he looked a threat going forwards but somewhat vulnerable in the other direction. Now aged 28, Buttner is back at his first club, Vitesse, following three years at Dynamo Moscow.
Centre-Back: Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans played against West Brom in United’s final game under Sir Alex, but now he plays for the Baggies. The central defender joined West Brom in 2015, after just shy of 200 appearances for Manchester United. A Northern Ireland international, Evans has impressed at the Hawthorns, and he was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in 2016.
Centre-Back: Phil Jones
Manchester United defender Phil Jones
In 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson said of Phil Jones that he could be Manchester United’s “best ever player.” It hasn’t quite worked out like that for the former Blackburn defender just yet though. Aged 24, he still hasn’t nailed down a regular starting spot under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal or Jose Mourinho. Injuries have troubled the England international, but he is one of just a trio of United players to start Fergie’s final game that is still at Old Trafford.
Right-Back: Antonio Valencia
Valencia wasn’t regularly utilised as a right-back under Ferguson, but he was in the Scots last ever game, and it is a position he has become much more familiar with since the legendary boss’ retirement. The second of three Red Devils featured here that remain at Manchester United, Valencia has now racked up more than 250 appearances over 8 years in Manchester.
Left-Midfield: Shinji Kagawa
It was supposedly a choice of Eden Hazard or Shinji Kagawa for Manchester United when they brought the Japanese international to the club in 2012. In truth, Kagawa may have shifted more shirts, but Hazard is the better player. That’s no criticism of Kagawa though, given Hazard is among the finest players in the game today. After a couple of years at Old Trafford, Kagawa returned to former club Borussia Dortmund, where he has scored 25 goals in 114 games since his return.
Central Midfield: Tom Cleverley
Tom Cleverley and Alex Buttner in action vs Norwich
A man whose rise was as sudden as his fall. Tom Cleverley looked brilliant upon his emergence in the Manchester United team, but soon became the butt of many jokes, particularly when pulling on the white of England.
The former Bradford trainee played 79 games for the Red Devils, but despite his early promise, he looked distinctly average by the end of his time at Old Trafford. He joined Everton in 2015, but will join former club Watford in a permanent switch on July 1st.
Central Midfield: Michael Carrick
The third and final starter for Manchester United’s trip to West Brom back in 2013 that is still on the books at Old Trafford is Michael Carrick. Now a real veteran of Jose Mourinho’s side, the former Tottenham man put in a very astute performance in United’s last outing away at Swansea. The 35-year-old has now been at the club for more than 10 years, making 459 appearances and having won 18 trophies.
Right-Midfield: Anderson
Manchester United fans were often divided when it came to Brazilian midfielder Anderson during his time at Old Trafford, and that discord has continued in their memories of the player. The 2008 European Golden Boy winner, an award previously won by the likes of Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney, Anderson had exceptional potential, and perhaps would have developed into a better player had he been utilised further up the pitch by Sir Alex.
Often deployed deep in midfield, Anderson didn’t become the player many, including himself, hoped that he would. He left Manchester United after 7 and a half years in 2015, returning to Brazil, where he stars for Cortiba on-loan from Internacional.
Centre-Forward: Javier Hernandez
Hernandez shoots for Bayer Leverkusen vs Tottenham in the Champions League
Prolific for both club and country throughout his career, Chicarito’s 4 seasons at Manchester United were no exception. The predatory striker often had to come off the bench, but still managed a highly creditable 59 goals in 157 games. Louis van Gaal’s decision to sell the Mexican international was criticised by some, and Hernandez has scored 39 goals in 76 games since joining his current club Bayer Leverkusen.
Centre-Forward: Robin van Persie
A Manchester United hero and Arsenal villain now, a reversal which seemed unlikely during much of the Dutchman’s time at the Emirates. Having joined Manchester United in 2012, van Persie scored 58 goals in 105 appearances, despite a relatively poor final season at the club. One of five scorers in Ferguson’s last game in charge, the Holland international was also sold by compatriot Louis van Gaal, and has scored 36 goals in 82 games since moving to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
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