This weekend’s Barclays Premier League fixtures will be overshadowed by two emotional farewells taking place at Old Trafford and Goodison Park.
Sir Alex Ferguson will lead champions Manchester United out at Old Trafford for the last time after confirming his plans to retire at the end of the season.
Ferguson will be succeeded by Everton manager David Moyes, who has signed a six-year contract with Manchester United but vowed to see out the season at Goodison Park.
While United host Swansea, Everton play their final home game of the season against West Ham in what will be Moyes’ final home game in charge after 11 years at the club.
Everton still have something to play for as they chase the honour of finishing above Liverpool for the second successive season, to be the top club on Merseyside.
“I have had a terrific job at Everton, with a tremendous chairman and board of directors and a great set of players,” Moyes said.
“Between now and the end of the season, I will do everything in my power to make sure we finish as high as possible in the table.
“Everton’s fantastic fans have played a big part in making my years at Goodison so enjoyable and I thank them wholeheartedly for the support they have given me and the players.
“Everton will be close to me for the rest of my life.”
Elsewhere in the Premier League, the tussle for the final Champions League places and the battle for survival is set to go down to the wire.
Chelsea can secure the top four finish that was set out as the target for interim manager Rafael Benitez if they beat Aston Villa on Saturday.
Following their midweek draw with Chelsea, Tottenham are now reliant on the Blues or Arsenal slipping up over the final two weekends of the season if they are to make the Champions League.
But Spurs could put the pressure on Arsenal with a win at Stoke, with Arsene Wenger’s side not in action against relegation-threatened Wigan until Tuesday.
Manager Andre Villas Boas urged the Spurs fans to “keep the faith”.
He said: “Our destiny is not in our hands but anything can happen. The Premier League is completely unpredictable and the next fixtures, with the emotion of the last few games of the season, can be decisive.”
Newcastle, Norwich and Sunderland are all tied on 38 points, three better off than Wigan and with the ability to open a potentially decisive safety cushion this weekend.
Paolo di Canio’s Sunderland host Southampton, Norwich face West Brom at Carrow Road and Newcastle travel to QPR, who are already relegated but pushed Arsenal close last weekend.