The perfect goodbye

Scholes played 66 minutes in his last home match before coming off to a standing ovation from more than 76,000 fans taking one final opportunity to salute a manager and player who have contributed so much to the club over the past three decades.

Javier Hernandez put United in front in the 39th before Michu equalized for Swansea 10 minutes later. But the match was effectively meaningless as United had already wrapped up its 13th Premier League title. United still has one game left this season at West Bromwich Albion next Sunday but this was the final opportunity for the club8217;s fans to witness,and savor,the end of a trophy-filled era overseen by Ferguson.

Both teams formed a guard of honor as Ferguson emerged from the tunnel onto the pitch,with a sea of red flags bearing Champions 20138217; providing an eye-catching backdrop. Rarely has Old Trafford hosted an atmosphere like this,and Ferguson was clearly emotional.

As Ferguson made his way to the dugout,waving to the crowd and signing a batch of autographs along the way,the focus of the majority of the crowd turned to the 38-year-old Scholes,who was playing his 717th match for United and first since the end of January because of a knee injury.

Zinedine Zidane and Xavi Hernandez are among the players past and present to describe Scholes as one of the greatest players of his generation,and the Englishman showed his full repertoire of skills. Scholes had one good chance to mark his final home match with a goal,but he dragged a shot straight at goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel in the 23rd minute.

Scholes will end his career having played 17,606 Premier League minutes at Old Trafford since signing professional terms with the club in 1993.

By the time Scholes had jogged off to a standing ovation in the 66th minute,Hernandez had put United ahead with a low drive after a mistake by Swansea defender Ashley Williams. However,Michu equalized soon after the start of the second half by volleying in Nathan Dyer8217;s right-wing cross.

With the game approaching what is widely known in British football as Fergie Time coined due to the amount of injury-time goals scored by United in Ferguson8217;s tenure that started in 1986 _ an inswinging corner from Robin van Persie crept through to Ferdinand,who volleyed home amid a cacophony of noise for his first goal since January 2008.

Everton keep CL hopes alive

Emmanuel Adebayor struck late to earn Tottenham Hotspur a 2-1 Premier League victory at Stoke City on Sunday that kept their slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive.

David Moyes watched Everton beat West Ham United 2-0 in his last home match in charge of the Merseyside club. Norwich City and Newcastle United ensured their Premier League survival with one match left in the season. Norwich crushed West Bromwich Albion 4-0 and Newcastle won 2-1 at relegated Queens Park Rangers.

Sunderland were held to a 1-1 home draw by Southampton and can still go down as they are just four points above third-bottom Wigan Athletic who have two games left. Elswhere,Daniel Sturridge scored a hat-trick to lead Liverpool to a 3-1 win at Fulham.

Rooney wants out: Ferguson confirms

Wayne Rooney has asked for a transfer,Ferguson said after the match. The striker had been left out of the squad.

8220;Wayne has asked for a transfer,8221; Ferguson told Sky Sports. I don8217;t think he wanted to play today. I think that was a good thing, he said.

Rooney joined the United players to collect his Premier League winner8217;s medal after the game but the club8217;s new manager David Moyes will have to make a quick decision about the forward8217;s future at the club. Moyes managed Rooney at Everton before the England international moved to United nine years ago as an 18-year-old.