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Sir Alex Ferguson speech to Manchester United players: Don't call me boss

Sir Alex Ferguson has told his players they can call him all the names under the sun - but never to refer to him as 'boss' again.

The Scot took charge of his final game as manager of Manchester United on Sunday as his Premier League champions were held to a thrilling 5-5 draw by West Brom at the Hawthorns.

And the 71-year-old, who made the speech just hours before the news of his retirement was made public, was at pains to ensure his replacement - Everton boss David Moyes - has the respect of the dressing room.

Scroll down to watch match highlights

End of an era: Sir Alex Ferguson takes the applause as he bows out of management at West Brom

Incoming: David Moyes will take over from Ferguson after deciding to leave Everton following 11 years in charge

'You’ve been fantastic servants to me. We’ve achieved some great things,' Ferguson told his players, reports The Sun.

'And if all that we’ve done together means anything to you, there’s just one thing I’d ask of you all.

'After I’ve gone and we bump into each other, I don’t want to hear you call me Boss ever again.

'Call me anything but that. Call me whatever you’ve called me behind my back for years — but just not Boss.

'You’ll have a new boss by then and he’s the only one you should call that.'

Ferguson ended his magnificent managerial career just the way he would have wanted - with a nice glass of red wine.

He declared himself satisfied with the 2003 Chateau Pontet Canet, bought especially for the occasion, with West Brom boss Steve Clarke delighted it did Ferguson justice.

'He knew what it was,' said Clarke proudly. 'He said it was a good year.'

Dig in: Ferguson and chief executive David Gill were presented with personalised cakes after the match

The post-match drink followed a staggering game, as United cruised into a 3-0 lead, and then 5-2, before being pegged back by a dogged West Brom side, who salvaged a 5-5 draw.

It was the first time a United team had drawn by such a score since Newton Heath were held by Lincoln in 1895. It was also the highest scoring draw in the Premier League era.

'I am not sure Sir Alex enjoyed it that much,' said Clarke.

'There is no point analysing the game. We had a great Plan A, which went out of the window after 10 minutes.

'It was a great occasion. That game will be remembered for a long time.

'He was quite complimentary about our season and I wish him all the best.'

Thriller: Romelu Lukaku (right) scored a hat-trick as West Brom came from behind to earn a point

Ferguson opted not to speak to the media afterwards.

Earlier, the Scot was given a guard of honour from both teams and a rapturous ovation from the fans as he walked on to the pitch at The Hawthorns.

He was then comically handed a fresh packet of chewing gum by the West Brom mascot, Baggie Bird.

It didn't take long for Ferguson's team to go in front as Shinji Kagawa opened the scoring in the sixth minute, before a Jonas Olsson own goal three minutes later gave Manchester United a 2-0 lead.

Alexander Buttner made it 3-0 for United after half an hour but James Morrison pulled one back for the hosts just before half time.

Romelu Lukaku then scored minutes after the break to spark hopes of a West Brom comeback, but Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez extended United's lead.

Amazingly, West Brom pulled it back to 5-5 with four minutes remaining through two goals from Lukaku and one from Youssouf Mulumbu.

Farewell: Ferguson takes his leave from the pitch as his reign as United manager comes to an end

There was a feverish atmosphere outside the ground prior to the match with souvenir scarves and programmes selling rapidly.

One cunning fan incredibly snapped up 700 of the special edition programmes at a cost of £2,800.At 144 pages, the programme, selling at £4 each, is the biggest ever produced for a domestic fixture in England.

Twenty thousand copes were printed, 17,500 more than the amount produced for West Brom's home fixture against Wigan two weeks ago.

Another supporter purchased 300 copies for £1,200, which means that one twentieth of the total editions printed are in the hands of two people.

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  More... Farewell Fergie! A super send-off at The Hawthorns for his 1,500th and final game in charge of Manchester United West Brom 5 Manchester United 5: Fergie's career ends with ten-goal thriller Fergie Time... for an autograph! After 27 years of blasting refs, Sir Alex lines up for photos and souvenirs for officials All the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion







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