Alex Ferguson's final Man Utd XI and where they are as remaining duo to leave
Legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out in a way that not many had done before - with a Premier League title in hand and a thrilling 5-5 draw.
The Red Devils travelled to the Hawthorns to take on West Brom on the final day of the 2012/13 season and one of the most encapsulating games was produced. The recently-crowned champions raced into a 3-0 lead with goals from Shinji Kagawa, Alexander Buttner and an own-goal from Jonas Olsson.
James Morrison and Romelu Lukaku got the hosts back into contention before further goals from Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez appeared to secure Ferguson a dream end. West Brom were not to be denied as two more goals from Lukaku either side of a Youssouf Mulumbu strike saw the Belgian secure the match ball and a draw.
Given the game was a decade ago, it is no surprise to note that the vast majority of the Red Devils' squad has changed - goalkeeper David de Gea is set to become the final member of the squad to bid farewell. Take a look at where all of the players are now:
Anders Lindegaard
Despite Spaniard De Gea being Ferguson's number-one stopper, he actually afforded Danish keeper Lindegaard a chance against West Brom. It was one of 13 appearances that he had made throughout the campaign.
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He went on to sign for West Brom permanently in 2015 before switching to Preston North End, Burnley and most recently Helsingborg. Lindegaard retired back in 2021 at the age of 37.
Anders Lindegaard made 13 appearances for Man United during the 2012/13 season (Getty Images)What is your David de Gea highlight at Manchester United? Share your suggestions in the comments below
Alexander Buttner
Back-up defender Buttner got his chance with the Red Devils during the 2012/13 season, with his appearance against West Brom also representing his 13th appearance. The left-back made a further 15 appearances the following campaign.
He has embarked on a journeyman career over recent years with moves to Dynamo Moscow, Anderlecht, Vitesse Arnhem, New England Revolution, RKC Waalwijk and De Graafschap. He scored a stunning goal for the latter last season with a ridiculous volley from distance.
Jonny Evans
A product of the Man United academy, Northern Irish defender Evans made just under 200 Red Devils appearances and won three Premier League titles before also moving to West Brom.
His three-year spell at the Hawthorns ended in relegation to the Championship. Evans was then picked up by Leicester and played a key role in the East Midlands as the Foxes won the FA Cup and played in Europe under Brendan Rodgers.
His contract with Leicester has now officially ended with Evans having another relegation added to his CV.
Phil Jones
Whilst the Red Devils are hopeful of keeping De Gea, another of the duo still at the club, Phil Jones, has already been confirmed to be leaving. An extremely promising defender earlier in his career, the 27-time England international has seen recent seasons ruined by injury.
He has made just 13 appearances for the Red Devils over the last four seasons. Jones departs Old Trafford at 31 years of age having been signed as a teenager but with just a solitary Premier League title and a Europa League success to his name.
Antonio Valencia
A fan favourite with the Red Devils, the Ecuadorian winger - turned full-back - he made over 300 appearances for United. In that time, he won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Europa League.
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Valencia also earned the opportunity to captain the club for one season in 2018. He left the club in 2019 to join LDU Quito back in his home country before a short spell with Mexican club Queretaro.
He then decided to retire from the game in May 2021 but made the trip back to Old Trafford last season to take in a victory against Wolves.
Antonio Valencia spent a year as Man United's captain (Getty Images)Michael Carrick
Another to have captained the Red Devils in the post-Alex Ferguson era, the midfielder was consistently an under-appreciated player during his time with the club. The 34-time England international played a key role in a whole host of title victories during his time with the club.
After retiring at the end of the 2017/18 season, he remained with the club and was handed a position on the club’s coaching staff under Jose Mourinho. He remained under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and actually managed the club as a caretaker following the Norwegian's sacking.
He led United to two wins from three games but immediately left following the arrival of Ralf Rangnick. Carrick has carried on cutting his managerial teeth with Middlesbrough and helped the side to the Championship play-off semi-finals last term.
Anderson
Signed from Porto in 2007, Anderson arrived at Old Trafford as an extremely exciting youngster but would leave during his peak years having failed to live up to his promise. Across his eight years at the club, he made just 105 Premier League appearances - but did manage to secure four winners’ medals.
A loan move to Fiorentina all but signalled the end of his Red Devils’ career and he has had spells with Internacional, Coritiba and Adana Demirspor since. The eight-time Brazilian international officially retired from the game in September 2020.
Tom Cleverley
One of the youngest members of the squad to take to the pitch at the Hawthorns, Cleverley was a consistent player during the 2012/13 season, before he enjoyed another campaign in the first team in the following campaign.
However, opportunities soon dried up with the midfielder sent out on loan to Aston Villa. A season-and-a-half with Everton came before Cleverley’s return to one of his loan clubs, Watford.
He has spent the last six seasons with the Hornets as they have bounced between the Premier League and Championship. He remains in talks to extend his stay at Vicarage Road.
Tom Cleverley is still in talks to extend his Watford stint (Getty Images)Shinji Kagawa
Getting the scoring started at the Hawthorns that day, that strike would prove to be Kagawa's final goal for United after what was a forgettable stint at Old Trafford. The Japanese playmaker was allowed to rejoin former club Borussia Dortmund after just two seasons.
He managed to rediscover his best form with the German giants before embarking on what has become a journeyman career. Kagawa took in spells with Besiktas, Zaragoza, PAOK and Sint-Truidense.
The midfielder now finds himself back with former club Cerezo Osaka as he rounds off his career back in his home country.
Javier Hernandez
Another Man United cult hero, the Mexican striker is still playing at the age of 35. Since leaving Old Trafford, the Mexican striker enjoyed a prolific spell with German side Bayer Leverkusen.
He was tempted back to the Premier League by West Ham in 2017 but failed to find his best form before a move to Sevilla. Since 2020 he has been plying his trade with MLS outfit LA Galaxy.
Despite crying upon signing for the club, Hernandez has been a success in the States with 39 goals in 82 appearances, although Galaxy have endured a rotten campaign this time around with just three wins from 18 games. The striker has also been dealt a serious knee injury so appears unlikely to play again this season.
Javier Hernandez will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury (Getty Images)Robin van Persie
From one prolific striker to another, the Dutchman proved to be one of Ferguson’s best-ever signings. The 26 Premier League goals he scored in his debut campaign helped the Red Devils to secure the title.
After 58 goals in 105 appearances, he was allowed to leave for Fenerbahce and then Feyenoord - Van Persie continued to score goals with regularity. He retired in 2019 before securing a coaching role with the Dutch side and a year later becoming the head coach of the club's under-16 team.
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