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It has been 5 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired and it is fair to say that the Manchester United fans miss the Scotsman very much. United have looked like a mere shadow of their former selves ever since the legendary Scottish manager retired.
Sir Alex won the Premier League for the 13th time in his last season with the Red Devils which to this date remains United's last league title. Over the next 5 seasons, Manchester United have been managed by David Moyes- whose stay can rightly be termed as disastrous.
Manchester United's legendary winger Ryan Giggs served as an interim manager in the aftermath of David Moyes's infamous sacking. Then came Dutch manager Louis van Gaal whose 2-year spell didn’t excite United fans much.
Louis van Gaal's departure got the Red Devils their new manager in the form of Jose Mourinho. The Special One might have improved United but to say he has brought the glory days back might be too much.
With all that said it is no argument that Sir Alex Ferguson was indispensable and deservingly the greatest British manager of all time. Over the years many players have had the opportunity to play under the legendary Scotsman. Let us look at the last XI to play for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Sir Alex last took the manager role for Manchester United in a memorable 10 goal thriller at the Hawthorns as Manchester United battled West Bromwich Albion in a 5-5 draw.
Anders Lindegaard
The Danish international was given the responsibility between the sticks in Sir Alex's last match in charge. Lindegaard spent 5 seasons at Manchester United and was predominantly used as a backup to first Edwin Van Der Saar and then David De Gea.
It is fair to say that Anders Lindegaard didn't have a very pleasant outing in Sir Alex Ferguson's last match as West Bromwich Albion scored 5 past him. Manchester United were leading 3-0 at one point and 5-2 at another which seemed to have put the game to bed but Lukaku and company achieved an amazing comeback at the expense of Lindegaard.
The Danish international made 29 appearances in 5 seasons for Manchester United before moving to English club West Bromwich Albion.
Lindegaard is currently signed with Burnley.
Antonio Valencia
One of only two players of that lineup against West Brom who still are at Manchester United, the Ecuadorian has spent last 9 years at Old Trafford winning numerous trophies. Valencia did start in Sir Alex Ferguson's last outing as a manager of Manchester United but as a winger.
The Ecuadorian arrived at Old Trafford as a winger but some transitions are meant to be and so Antonio Valencia transformed into a right back post-Ferguson-era.
It is fair to say that Valencia has excelled at the right back position. The Ecuadorian is the first choice right back for Manchester United and has been the Red Devils' bright spot in an otherwise dull period since Sir Alex Ferguson.
Jonny Evans
The big Irishman spent 9 years at Manchester United, winning a plethora of trophies. Evans was mostly used as a backup for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic but his impressive performances earned him a lot of first-team opportunities.
The Irishman left United in 2015 to join Sir Alex's last Premier League opponents- West Bromwich Albion. Evans gave many solid performances for the baggies and was recently signed by former Premier League champions Leicester city.
Phil Jones
The English international is the only other player apart from Antonio Valencia who is still part of Manchester United amongst the last XI who started for Sir Alex. Jones has had a mixed campaign so far at United with injuries hindering his progress at the theatre of dreams.
Jones has been a mainstay in the United squad for many years now with his ability to play in multiple positions working in his favour. The Englishman started the famous 5-5 encounter against West Brom at the right back position.
Jones has always been a talented player but injuries have had a huge impact on his career
Alexander Buttner
The left-back from the Netherlands spent two seasons at Manchester United. The Dutchman was one of the scorers in United’s famous 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
Though Buttner started his United career with a bang, scored 1 and assisted 1, the Dutchman failed to dethrone the dynamic Patrice Evra as the club’s leading left back. The Dutchman suffered a dip in form under David Moyes and was sold after just 2 seasons at Old Trafford.
Alex Buttner left Manchester United in 2014 to join Dynamo Moscow. The Dutchman is currently playing for his native club Vitesse in Eredivisie.
Anderson
The Brazilian was once thought to be one of United's great signing but Anderson failed to perform consistently and ended up being labeled as one of the worst signings made by Sir Alex Ferguson. His initial performances had him being compared to Wayne Rooney courtesy of both the players' debut seasons but where Wayne performed at the highest level season after season, Anderson failed to live up the hype.
The Brazilian spent 8 years at Manchester United winning trophy after trophy but was mostly used as a backup midfielder. Anderson's career went dwindling down as he reached new low season after season. He joined Brazilian side Internacional on a 4-year contract but couldn't establish himself at the Brazilian club and was sent on loan to another Brazilian team- Coritiba. Things didn't work out there as well as Anderson was soon released and now is a free agent. It is a shame that a player who was once considered the next big thing couldn't fulfill his potential.
Michael Carrick
The former Manchester United midfielder might go down as one of the most underrated players of all time. Michael Carrick spent 12 seasons at Manchester uniter, winning a plethora of titles including 5 Premier League medals.
The midfield maestro started in Sir Alex Ferguson's last premier league as the chief commander in the midfield and was as classy as usual. The former Spurs man had the ability to control the tempo of the game. In a physical league that is English Premier League, players like Michael Carrick are a rare breed.
Carrick retired from club football at the end of 2017-18 season and was immediately offered a coaching job at his beloved club. The midfield maestro is currently a part of Manchester United's first-team coaching staff.
Tom Cleverley
The Englishman was once the hottest midfield property in English Premier League. His initial performances for the Red Devils had the English fans excited. Unfortunately, things didn't work out for Cleverley post-Sir Alex era as he struggled to get game time under rest of the managers.
Sir Alex once identified tom as the homegrown replacement of the legendary United midfielder Paul Scholes but it is fair to say things went on a different path for the English international.
Cleverley left Manchester United in 2015 to join Everton. Tom spent 2 years at the Merseyside club before moving to Watford. The Englishman is seen playing for Watford these days but the initial spark shown by him under Sir Alex Ferguson is still missing.
Shinji Kagawa
The majestic playmaker from Japan was a delightful footballer. The Japanese attacker was signed by Sir Alex from Borussia Dortmund in 2012. Kagawa made an instant impact and became one of the most promising players in the Premier League.
The Japanese star did get on the scoresheet in Sir Alex Ferguson's last match as United drew 5-5 with West Brom. Kagawa won the League in his very first season with Manchester United. Post sir Alex's retirement, Kagawa was never the same. He was often overlooked by David Moyes and as a result, Kagawa moved to his former club Borussia Dortmund.
The Japanese attacker is still playing for the German outfit in the Bundesliga.
Robin Van Persie
The season Robin van Persie arrived at Manchester United turned out to be the last season for Sir Alex Ferguson. But the Dutchman helped his boss to end on a high note as Manchester United won their 13th league title under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Robin van Persie turned out to be one of the best signings made by Sir Alex Ferguson as he made a devastating impact on the title race. Van Persie did score in the 5-5 draw vs West Brom to add to his goal tally for that season. The Dutchman notched up 26 goals in that season as he ended up winning the golden boot for a second successive season
He left United for Fenerbahce in 2015.
Van Persie is currently playing for his boyhood club Feyenoord- the club where Van Persie started his senior career.
Javier Hernandez
The Mexican Chicharito was one the most loved footballers at Old Trafford. Often called as the baby-faced assassin by the Old Trafford faithful for his goalscoring exploits, Hernandez was one the most prolific goalscorers for Manchester United.
The Mexican did score in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final outing as Manchester United drew 5-5 with West Brom. Hernandez had a pretty good stay in Sir Alex Ferguson's management but the things turned sour as soon as David Moyes took over. The Mexican did spend a season on loan in the Spanish capital with Real Madrid before joining German outfit Bayer Leverkusen permanently in 2015.
Hernandez is seen playing for English side West Ham United these days.
