May 19, 2013 marked the end of an era. Sir Alex Ferguson took charge of his final game as Manchester United manager, capping off a legendary 26-year reign. His farewell match—a wild 5-5 draw at West Brom—was fittingly unpredictable. Here’s a look at where every player from that starting XI ended up.
Anders Lindegaard
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The Danish goalkeeper started in Ferguson’s final game while David de Gea was rested. Lindegaard left United in 2015 and had spells at West Brom, Preston, and clubs abroad. He retired in 2023 and now works as a Business Development Specialist at Swiss bank UBS.
Antonio Valencia
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Originally signed to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, Valencia reinvented himself as a right-back and even captained United. He returned to Ecuador in 2019 and played briefly in Mexico before retiring in 2021. Today, he’s an assistant coach at Academia AV in Ecuador.
Once tipped by Ferguson to become one of United’s greats, injuries plagued Jones throughout his career. He never truly fulfilled his potential and retired after the Ten Hag era began. Jones is now part of the coaching staff for Manchester United’s Under-18s.
The only player from the lineup still at Manchester United. After stints with West Brom and Leicester, Evans rejoined United in 2023 and earned a contract extension. His future remains uncertain, but his return has been a nostalgic boost for fans.
Alexander Büttner
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The Dutch left-back scored in Ferguson’s final match but never established himself at United. He left in 2014 and played in Russia, the U.S., and Belgium. Büttner is now back at Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands, with a contract running until 2026.
Michael Carrick
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A quietly brilliant midfielder, Carrick became a leader after Ferguson’s retirement. He later joined United’s coaching staff and had a short stint as interim manager. He now manages Middlesbrough in the Championship and is viewed as a rising English coach.
Anderson
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Once a Golden Boy award winner, Anderson’s talent was overshadowed by inconsistency and fitness issues. He returned to Brazil after a loan to Fiorentina and retired in his early 30s. His career remains one of the biggest “what ifs” in United history.
Cleverley came through the United academy and had his best years under Ferguson. After spells with Villa, Everton, and Watford, he moved into coaching. He managed Watford in the 2024/25 season but was sacked following a poor run of results.
Shinji Kagawa
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The Japanese playmaker never replicated his Dortmund form in Manchester, despite moments of brilliance. He eventually returned to Japan and now plays for Cerezo Osaka. Kagawa remains a cult favorite among United fans for his technical ability.
Javier Hernandez
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“Chicharito” became a fan favorite with his poacher instincts and crucial goals. After spells at Real Madrid, Leverkusen, and LA Galaxy, he returned to Mexico. Hernandez now plays for Chivas and remains a beloved figure in the football world.
Robin van Persie
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Van Persie was the difference-maker in Ferguson’s final title-winning season, scoring 26 league goals. He stayed two more years before moving to Fenerbahce. Today, he is the manager of Dutch giants Feyenoord and seen as a top coaching prospect.
