Old Trafford, Sunday, 4pm
SIR ALEX FERGUSON first walked through the doors of Old Trafford on November 6, 1986. In his first game in charge he saw his side lose 2-0 at Oxford United – and they were lucky to get nothing.
On Sunday afternoon – 26 years, 187 days, and 38 trophies later – Sir Alex will exit the Theatre of Dreams pitch for the last time as manager of Manchester United.
It promises to be a momentous and highly emotional occasion. In 26 and a half years Ferguson has done it all – reduced intelligent and highly-regarded managers to embarrassing rants, invented squeaky bum time, brought us Fergie-time and even light-heartedly questioned whether Gary Neville's dad really is his dad!
But above anything else the Scot is a winner and quite possibly the greatest football manager who has ever lived, a legend in the world of sport, and a genuine living icon and boss should aspire to be.
This is a match preview so you'll doubtless find far more in-depth and lengthy tributes to the outgoing United boss elsewhere but I'm pleased to have had an opportunity to share my own sentiments here.
So will Sir Alex depart Old Trafford on a winning note? If the man himself has anything to do with it you bet he will. Odds of just 1.32 – although perhaps they should be even shorter – about a home victory tell us all we need to know about how punters expect this game to go, and it's impossible to debate otherwise.
For the record, Swansea are available to back at 13.0 for the win, while the draw can be backed at 5.8.
The only glimmer of hope for Swansea backers is the possibility of the United players becoming too emotional they lose focus. In a completely different way to how I questioned United's focus ahead of their defeat to Chelsea last week, becoming distracted is certainly possible against Michael Laudrup's men.
But last week I called United's focus into question because of their desire to win a game they didn't need to win. This week there will most certainly be a desire to win and one that will probably burn more than any other game this season.
Put simply then, the United players will be desperate to give Sir Alex the Old Trafford send-off that will reflect his managerial career – as a winner – before the packed stadium bid him farewell in their own way.
And if the Man Utd boys are on song, as I expect them to be, then they will be far too good for Swansea. A home win yes but better bets surely lie elsewhere.
Swansea's record away from home against the top clubs in the country reads particularly poor. A victory at Arsenal is their only win and that came at a time when the Gunners were out of form.
Michael Laudrup's men scored two late goals that day and they remain the only goals they've scored at a “big ground” this season. They lost at Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham without scoring while they also drew a blank in a 0-0 draw at Everton.
United have won to nil six times in the eague on home soil this season, all coming against clubs mid-table and below, and at 2.1 to do so again they look a decent wager.
I can understand the opinion United might take their foot of the gas as the game goes on if holding a comfortable lead and if it weren't for Sir Alex's retirement I'd be in complete agreement.
But I just sense every single player will be busting a gut in this game and they'll be desperate to win as handsomely as possible. They could be a few goals up quite early and when the subs arrive they'll be wanting to put on a show too.
The 2-0 correct score is available to back at 8.0 with the 3-0 score at 9.2 but I'm willing to take a chance on at least four goals being scored by United and will back Any Unquoted at 3.8.
They say there's no room in football for sentiment but just once in a while perhaps there is. I can't envisage a more apt outcome than an easy home victory with the club's other Mr Manchester United – Ryan Giggs – getting on the scoresheet.
In fact I'm going to tell you exactly what will happen. Giggs will put on a dazzling show, score yet another Premier League goal, before running down the touchline to embrace the man that has guided him throughout his glittering career. There won't be a dry eye in Old Trafford.
No room in football for sentiment? You bet there is!
Recommended Bets
Back Man Utd Win to Nil @ 2.1
Back Any Unquoted Correct Score @ 3.8
Back Ryan Giggs To Score @ 3.8 or better
Milesey (Betfair)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
RVP to score
Fergie to Score Anytime