Mark Clattenburg reflects on working as a fourth official for Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match as Manchester United manager.
It has been almost 15 years since Sir Alex Ferguson decided to retire.
After spending 26 years at Old Trafford, Ferguson left the job to David Moyes in 2013. His departure contributed to the difficult period that would follow at the club, with his successor only getting 10 months in the hot seat.
United have not won the Premier League title since Ferguson retired, and the standards have dropped a lot since then. The Red Devils finished 15th last season before losing the Europa League final against Tottenham.
Who is Manchester United’s best manager since Sir Alex Ferguson?
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Current head coach Ruben Amorim is the one now being tasked with bringing the glory days back to United, but he has struggled since arriving in November 2024.
Sir Alex Ferguson signing autographs in 2013 for officials
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Mark Clattenburg reflects on Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match
Mark Clattenburg was among the most high-profile referees during his professional career, having worked in many big matches – many of them involving United.
In 2016, Clattenburg became the first person to referee three major finals in a single calendar year, including United’s win over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. The other finals were in the Champions League and the European Championship.
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Clattenburg officiated 40 matches involving United throughout his career, including Ferguson’s last ever match that ended as an extraordinary 5-5 draw at West Brom.
“I remember was being the fourth official for his very last match,” Clattenburg told Beyond The Back Four.
“Standing there looking at that team, I thought: ‘How the hell have you just won the Premier League with this side?’
“I mean no disrespect to the players who were in that squad, but they weren’t the world-class superstars he’d had in the past. To achieve what he did and leave at that perfect moment was the icing on the cake.
“It’s interesting now, Sir Alex Ferguson if he was managing in this current situation, probably would have been sacked. Started off his Manchester United career so badly, but he was allowed to be given time.”
Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson perfectly captures the ethos of believing in youngsters 🔥👏
Giving young people an opportunity is a fantastic thing and they very seldom let you down. These lads never let me down when they put that jersey on.
Sir Alex Ferguson speaking at the opening of Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium in 2017
Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at Old Trafford to watch Manchester United.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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United had an ageing team that season, with Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra coming to the end of their careers. The starting line-up also consisted of players such as Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young and Jonny Evans.
Clattenburg also points to how Ferguson was given time when he got the United job in 1986.
Sir Alex Ferguson reached milestone with final game
Ferguson’s final game as United manager was his 1,500th match in charge.
It was a 10-goal thriller with four different United scorers.
Shinji Kagawa, Alexander Buttner, Robin van Persie, and Javier Hernandez all got on the scoresheet – while Jones Olsson scored an own goal that proved costly to West Brom.
It remains the only 5-5 draw in Premier League history.
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