Emotional Day For Players

After being presented with the Barclays Premier League trophy, the players reflected on a hugely emotional day at Old Trafford...

"I think today is a special day. In one way we are happy for the trophy but in another way we are sad the manager is not here for another year. It will be strange not to see him in the dressing room. This is a big club and will always be a big club but it is sad after so many years. Without him it is going to be sad. Even on the last day he wanted to win the game. He told us this is the mentality you have to have when I go. Always fight, always want to win."
Nemanja Vidic

"It's been a good day. We've won the game, that's all that matters. We'll celebrate tonight and hopefully in more years there will be more trophies for these players. Today it was just nice to get through the game. I thought Sir Alex handled it well, he spoke really well and he has done a fantastic job here. I know it's the right time for me to go. It's not been the season I would have liked personally, but we've won the league and it's a great day."
Paul Scholes

"It's a personal moment between the squad and manager but it was emotional [when Sir Alex told the players about his retirement]. We were devastated. It's a great club and we have to move on and he wants that. I have to go speak to the board [about a new contract] and hopefully the boss can put in a good word for me!"
Rio Ferdinand

"Obviously with the manager retiring, the atmosphere here is even more emotional. It's a great day to be involved. He's had a big effect on my career. It's hard to put into words. We probably won't notice it until a few years down the line when he's not here anymore. I think he's always had the ability to get the most out of his squad, with rotating the team and motivating players."
Jonny Evans

"It means the world to me [winning the title]. I couldn't have wished for this year to be better, it's been amazing. Only in my wildest dreams could have imagined this. It was a really sad day [when we were told the manager was retiring]. Everyone understands it and everyone is thankful to him. It's a massive honour for me to work with him for a year. It's only a year but he's had a massive impact. The way he is in general as a person is incredible."
Robin van Persie

"It's been an emotional day for everyone. It was a strange feeling and it's been like that all week. It was a special, special day. Even in the changing room he tried to keep it as normal as possible but in the back of your mind you were thinking this is the last one. With the reception he got, it was amazing."
Michael Carrick

"Sir Alex just said play the game and not the occasion. He wanted to win the game, wanted it to be an entertaining game and for us to do the things which he has wanted us to as a manager. The memories of him that stick out are when I was younger. When I was 13 playing for Salford Boys and looking to the sidelines and there was Sir Alex Ferguson watching."
Ryan Giggs

"It's been incredible [working under Sir Alex Ferguson]. He's a fantastic manager. What he's done for me has been fantastic and I can't thank him enough."
Phil Jones