LONDON - Emotions will be running high at Old Trafford on Sunday for Alex Ferguson's last home game as Manchester United manager - with his retirement overshadowing the presentation of the Barclays Premier League trophy to the champions.
Ferguson will take his seat in the dugout for the final time - against Swansea City the visitors - for his home farewell after the Scot announced on Wednesday that he would step down at the end of the season following more than 26 trophy-laden years at the helm.
Fans unable to get a ticket will be able to line the streets and toast the Scot on Monday evening when United embark on an open-top bus parade through the city.
After that, Ferguson will bow out at West Brom on the final day of the season.
While there is nothing at stake from Swansea's visit, United having long since sealed a 20th English title and their opponents set for a top-10 finish, the battle for the remaining two Champions League places and one relegation spot is guaranteed another twist or two in the dying embers of the season.
Chelsea (69 points), Arsenal (67) and Tottenham Hotspur (66) remain in the mix, with last season's European champions Chelsea missing the chance to all but guarantee a top-four finish when they were twice pegged back by Spurs in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.
They get another chance when they visit resurgent Aston Villa on Saturday, Paul Lambert's side having revenge firmly on their minds after an 8-0 mauling by Chelsea in December.
Spurs visit Stoke on Sunday while Arsenal, not in action at the weekend, face relegation-threatened Wigan at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Wigan's build-up to their first FA Cup final appearance against Manchester City on Saturday would have been far more relaxed had they managed to hold on to a 2-1 lead against Swansea on Tuesday.
Instead, Roberto Martinez's side imploded to lose 3-2 and their perennial Houdini act of escaping the trapdoor is now in serious jeopardy.
Wigan's defeat, which kept them third from bottom on 35 points, will have been greeted by relief by the teams above them with Newcastle, Norwich and Sunderland holding a three-point cushion with two games to play.
Last home match for Fergie
LONDON - Emotions will be running high at Old Trafford on Sunday for Alex Ferguson's last home game as Manchester United manager - with his retirement overshadowing the presentation of the Barclays Premier League trophy to the champions.
Ferguson will take his seat in the dugout for the final time - against Swansea City the visitors - for his home farewell after the Scot announced on Wednesday that he would step down at the end of the season following more than 26 trophy-laden years at the helm.
Fans unable to get a ticket will be able to line the streets and toast the Scot on Monday evening when United embark on an open-top bus parade through the city.
After that, Ferguson will bow out at West Brom on the final day of the season.
While there is nothing at stake from Swansea's visit, United having long since sealed a 20th English title and their opponents set for a top-10 finish, the battle for the remaining two Champions League places and one relegation spot is guaranteed another twist or two in the dying embers of the season.
Chelsea (69 points), Arsenal (67) and Tottenham Hotspur (66) remain in the mix, with last season's European champions Chelsea missing the chance to all but guarantee a top-four finish when they were twice pegged back by Spurs in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.
They get another chance when they visit resurgent Aston Villa on Saturday, Paul Lambert's side having revenge firmly on their minds after an 8-0 mauling by Chelsea in December.
Spurs visit Stoke on Sunday while Arsenal, not in action at the weekend, face relegation-threatened Wigan at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Wigan's build-up to their first FA Cup final appearance against Manchester City on Saturday would have been far more relaxed had they managed to hold on to a 2-1 lead against Swansea on Tuesday.
Instead, Roberto Martinez's side imploded to lose 3-2 and their perennial Houdini act of escaping the trapdoor is now in serious jeopardy.
Wigan's defeat, which kept them third from bottom on 35 points, will have been greeted by relief by the teams above them with Newcastle, Norwich and Sunderland holding a three-point cushion with two games to play.
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