Sir Alex Ferguson: 'Crazy' West Brom game epitomised what Manchester United are about
Sir Alex Ferguson has lifted the lid on his final day in charge at Manchester United and praised Albion's classy send off.
The ex-Manchester United boss labelled the 5-5 draw at The Hawthorns in May "crazy" in his book My Autobiography.
It is released tomorrow and Ferguson has hailed the Baggies after he ended his Old Trafford reign.
"West Brom handled it with real class and looked after me perfectly. Later they sent me the team sheet signed by both sets of players," he wrote.
"Most of my family were with me, three sons, eight grandchildren and one or two close friends. It was a joy to have them there and for us to experience the final instalment together. Our family reached out as one.
"Descending the steps of the team bus outside West Brom my intention was to savour every moment. It was not too hard for me to let go because I knew the time was right."
Albion came back from 5-2 down with 10 minutes to go to draw 5-5 on the final game of last season's Premier League.
Romelu Lukaku bagged a hat-trick but Ferguson admitted he was not bothered about the result.
He wrote: "If I needed a result to epitomise what Manchester United were about it came in game No. 1,500, my last. West Bromwich Albion 5 Manchester United 5. Crazy. Wonderful. Entertaining. Outrageous.
"If you were on your way to watch Manchester United you were in for goals and drama.
We were 3-0 up within half an hour but West Brom were in no mood to give me an easy send off. "John Sivebaek scored the first United goal of my time in charge on November 22, 1986. The last was registered by Javier Hernandez on May, 19 2013.
"At 5-2 to us it could have finished 20-2 in our favour. At 5-5 we might have lost 20-5. Defensively we were a shambles. West Brom scored three goals in five minutes with Romelu Lukaku running up a hat-trick.
"After the final whistle we stayed on the pitch to wave to the United end. Giggsy pushed me forward and all the players held back. I was alone in front of mosaic of happy faces.
"Despite the late avalanche on our goal it was light-hearted in the dressing room.
"I could have no complaints about us throwing away a 5-2 lead against West Brom with nine minutes left.
"I still went through the emotions of expressing my annoyance but the players could see right through it.
"I told them 'Thanks boys. Bloody great send-off you've given me'.
"David Moyes had already been named as my successor; as we sat in the dressing room after the match Ryan Giggs teased: 'David Moyes has just resigned'."
