The conspiracy theories continue to abound Manchester United, with the latest from the Metro suggesting that Carlo Ancelotti was Sir Alex Ferguson’s primary choice to succeed him, and David Moyes was approached after the Italian rejected the opportunity to move to United.

According to reports, Sir Alex had tried persuading the 53 year old former Chelsea manager to succeed him at Old Trafford, last week. It was only after Ancelotti declined the offer, that Moyes was approached.

The unlikeliest scorer you could find on the Manchester United team sheet turned out to be the match winner as Rio Ferdinand ended his nearly 200 match goal drought to score the last goal by a Manchester United player at Old Trafford in the Sir Alex Ferguson era. On what was certainly a party atmosphere at United, Swansea contributed well to the spectacle on the pitch with signing of the year Michu cancelling out Chicharito's first half opener, before Ferdinand popped up with the winning goal in the 87th minute to give the Champions the perfect crowning glory.

Sir Alex Ferguson was in the Old Trafford dugout one last time as Manchester United faced Swansea at home in the second last match of the season for both teams. With very little to play for in terms of position on the table, both the teams were looking to win this encounter to make sure they end the season on a high. Manchester United were additionally motivated to perform for the retiring Paul Scholes who was hanging up his iconic red jersey for a second time. With both teams playing an attack minded team, this match was always going to be a very open and fluid affair.

Paul Scholes was only when 17 he was signed up by Manchester United in 1991. Ever since then the midfielder has prospered under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson having scored 155 goals in 716 appearances and has become one of the finest midfielders to don the England and Manchester United jersey. Therefore, it seems fitting that he is all set to hang up his boots alongside his boss.

Already having retired once, earlier in the summer of 2011, the Ginger Ninja came back to the Manchester United team in early 2012 after having realized that he had left the game that he loved too early. After that he proceeded to play another season for the red half of Manchester and shone in his deep lying midfield role.

Current Everton manager David Moyes has been officially announced as the successor to Sir Alex Ferguson, as the next Manchester United Manager. The 50 year old was recommended for the post by Sir Alex Ferguson, himself, and received the unanimous approval of the Manchester United Board.

Announcing his successor at Old Trafford, the Legendary Scot Sir Alex Ferguson said: "When we discussed the candidates that we felt had the right attributes we unanimously agreed on David Moyes.  David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I've admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to discuss the position of Assistant Manager here. He was a young man then at the start of his career and has since gone on to do a magnificent job at Everton. There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this Club.”

There are times when adjectives fail you. Metaphors fail you. Comparisons fail you. On such an occasion, perhaps, the statement is all that remains. ‘Sir Alex Ferguson retires’.

The Red Devils’ fans should have perhaps seen it coming. Sir Alex has done everything that there’s to do in the English top flight. A haul of 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 Champions League titles are not found in most football clubs in the world, let alone a single manager’s cabinet. Yet he has won them and countless other trophies. In a span of 26 years, he has won 38 trophies. The fact that he has won more than half the Premier League titles since its inception, alone goes a long way to show that he was the greatest club manager of all time. He was even knighted for his services to British football in 1999! The man was rightfully immortalised outside Old Trafford in the form of a bronze statue.

It is official. An Era of Glorious Football has finally come to an end... an Era which personified the very meaning of the word “success”... an Era which saw Manchester United being lifted from the depths of the abyss and being placed atop the highest altar of football... an Era which was ruled by the one and only – Sir Alex Ferguson.

The 71 year old Scot, who changed the face of football in his nearly 27 year reign at Old Trafford, has formally announced his retirement. In an interview with the club’s official website, the Living Legend, said: “The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time.

Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, is likely to miss the start of the 2013-14 season, and United’s defence of their 13th Premier League title, due to a hip surgery schedule for the summer.

The 71 year old Scot has been troubled by the hip problem for quite some time now, and has set the time after United’s pre-season tour, for the surgery.