The curtain was brought down on a remarkable career as Sir Alex Ferguson took charge of Manchester United for the last time against West Brom.
The 71-year-old Scot, who will be replaced by David Moyes, won 13 league titles, two European Cups, five FA cups and a European Cup Winners' Cup at Old Trafford.
And his 26-year reign ended with a 10-goal thriller as West Brom fought back from 5-2 down to draw 5-5 with the champions.
Ferguson was given a guard of honour from both teams and a rapturous ovation from the fans as he walked onto 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 in the 50th minute 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 Youssef Mulumbu.
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.
20,000 copes were printed, 17,500 more than the amount produced for West Brom's home fixture against Wigan two weeks ago.
The 71-year-old Scot, who will be replaced by David Moyes, won 13 league titles, two European Cups, five FA cups and a European Cup Winners' Cup at Old Trafford.
And his 26-year reign ended with a 10-goal thriller as West Brom fought back from 5-2 down to draw 5-5 with the champions.
I'm off: Sir Alex Ferguson absorbs the standing ovation from United's fans at the final whistle
Missing you already: Fergie walks towards the fans in the away end at The Hawthorns
Out on his own: Ferguson heads towards the United supporters inside The Hawthorns
Take a bow: Fergie praises the United fans who travelled to West Brom on the final day
Sign of the times: A Manchester United fan aims a cheeky message for Fergie's successor
Farewell: Incoming David Moyes gestures to the Everton fans after losing 2-1 at Chelsea
Farewell: Ferguson was given a guard of honour by both teams prior to the match
Here's a gift: Baggie Bird, the West Brom mascot, hands Ferguson a fresh packet of chewing gum
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 in the 50th minute to spark hopes of a West Brom comeback, but Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez extended United's lead.
Snappers: Fans desperate to catch a glimpse of Ferguson as he arrives by coach at The Hawthorns
Legends: Ferguson and Scholes are both retiring after today's game
Amazingly, West Brom pulled it back to 5-5 with four minutes remaining through two goals from Lukaku and one from Youssef Mulumbu.
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.
Smoke: Manchester United fans set off a red flare during the match
Early lead: Shinji Kagawa opened the scoring for Manchester United in the sixth minute
20,000 copes were printed, 17,500 more than the amount produced for West Brom's home fixture against Wigan two weeks ago.
Tributes: Banners, flags and scarves featuring Ferguson messages are in abundance at The Hawthorns
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.
Special edition: One fan bought 700 copies of the 144-page souvenir programme at a cost of £2,800
The programmes, which feature a 40-page tribute to Ferguson, are in hot demand and the club had already sold over 5,000 online by Friday.
