"Once the entire first-team squad had arrived for training, Ferguson held an eight-minute meeting with the players and senior staff during where he informed them of his decision. Sources say the players were "quiet and shocked" as they left the meeting, with some clearly emotional.
"Ferguson was the last man out of the room and was seen supportively patting assistant manager Mike Phelan on the back.
"At 9.20am, around the same time that United made an official announcement on their website, Ferguson went to the main dining hall at Carrington to address the entire staff, from the tea ladies to the coaches. The atmosphere was described as "pensive" and "sombre"."
Emotional commentary for Sir Alex Ferguson in Arabic
"Once the entire first-team squad had arrived for training, Ferguson held an eight-minute meeting with the players and senior staff during where he informed them of his decision. Sources say the players were "quiet and shocked" as they left the meeting, with some clearly emotional.
"Ferguson was the last man out of the room and was seen supportively patting assistant manager Mike Phelan on the back.
"At 9.20am, around the same time that United made an official announcement on their website, Ferguson went to the main dining hall at Carrington to address the entire staff, from the tea ladies to the coaches. The atmosphere was described as "pensive" and "sombre"."