Manchester United legend Paul Scholes credited retiring manager Sir Alex Ferguson as the pair said goodbye to Old Trafford by beating Swansea 2-1.
The veteran midfielder, 38, played over an hour of the game and received a rapturous reception from the Red Devils fans having helped the club to 11 Premier League titles.
Scholes, who insists that this time his retirement is final, said afterwards: “It’s been a good day. We’ve won the game and that was all that mattered. It’s always nice to pick a trophy up. We’ll celebrate tonight and hope that there are more trophies to come for these players.
“I was worried about playing the game because I haven’t played for four or five months so I’m just pleased to get through it.
“I know it’s the right time to walk away. It’s not been the season I would have liked to have had but we’ve won a trophy and it’s a great day for the manager. We’ve won the game and the league and it’s a great send off for him.”
On Ferguson’s post-match speech, the former England playmaker added: “He handled it quite well. You’d have thought it would have been a bit emotional for him but he spoke really well at the end of the game. He’s done a fantastic job here. He’s just happy now and looking forward.”
Fellow veteran Ryan Giggs, who has signed a one-year contract to play on, said: “It’s always special. It’s a great achievement for this team to be as consistent as we have been this year – especially with what happened last year. Great credit to the manager, the fans and the lads.
“He said ‘just play the game and not the occasion.’ We wanted to win in his last game and do all the things that we’ve done over the years since he’s been manager.
“All players have got a part to play. The young players, who’ve not achieved much or the older players who are driving on those young players.
“There’s not one favourite time for me. The memories that stick out are probably when I was younger – 13 or 14. I was playing for Salford boys and I’d look over at the touchline to see the manager of Manchester United watching me.”
