Rio Ferdinand’s first league goal in five-and-a-half years ensured Alex Ferguson was given a winning send-off, thanks to a 2-1 Premier League victory over Swansea at Old Trafford, in the veteran manager’s final home game in charge of the club.

Swansea’s Michu had equalised an opening goal from United forward Javier Hernandez and a day of celebration seemed destined to end in minor disappointment until Ferdinand, who signed for Ferguson in July 2002, appeared on the end of Robin van Persie’s 87th minute corner and shot home from six yards.

In an emotional post-match speech, Ferguson, who will be succeeded by Everton manager David Moyes, praised all at the club during his 26 years in charge.

“I had bad times here and the club stood by me, the players and fans did too. Your job now is to stand by our new manager,” said Ferguson.

As a typically torrential Manchester afternoon dampened proceedings – if not the mood – the fixture that marked Ferguson’s final home game was always to be largely irrelevant, with the manager having won his 13th English league title two weeks earlier.

But the significance of the occasion made for an electric atmosphere at Old Trafford as the teams came out and created a guard of honour for the retiring manager.

There was such an air of celebration and reminiscence around Old Trafford that one burning issue hardly registered – the fact that England striker Wayne Rooney was not even named among the substitutes by Ferguson.

News emerged this week that, for the second time in two years, Rooney had recently requested a transfer, one initially rejected by Ferguson who clearly made his feelings known in his penultimate ever United team selection.

Instead, all eyes on the pitch were cast towards Paul Scholes, the 38-year-old United midfielder, who had similarly announced he is to retire at season’s end and was handed a start by Ferguson.