The 71-year-old Scot entered retirement having watched his Premier League champions draw 5-5 at West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the season having led 5-2 with 11 minutes to go.
Before the game he had spoken of his desire to go out on a high after more than 26 years in the job but he was not really referring to the type of score.
"The gaffer is certainly going to remember his last match in charge! He is going to remember this game. It's probably the first time United have been 5-2 ahead and not won," striker Javier Hernandez told the BBC.
"5-5... what a mad result! Let's be honest the boss was never going out with a boring 0-0!!" United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter.
"The gaffer has put the club on the top and we're going to miss him," Hernandez said on a day when United were also bidding farewell to midfielder Paul Scholes who was hanging up his boots.
"I can't remember playing in a match with 10 goals. We're a little bit frustrated because we wanted to win it for the gaffer and Scholesy."
United were not the only club saying their goodbyes as Ferguson's successor David Moyes took charge of his final game at Everton.
"It's emotional because it's the last time I walk away from the players but part of the job is you move on," Moyes said.
"It's rare to stay in a job for 11 years so I'm thankful for getting that opportunity and hopeful they're in a strong position to push on. It's really not sunk in."
His opposite number in Sunday's game, Rafa Benitez, was also at the helm of his club for the final time although he will not be missed quite so much by fans despite leading them to a third-place finish and victory in the Europa League.
An unpopular figure since replacing Roberto Di Matteo in November, the Spaniard has enjoyed a slight mellowing in fans' attitudes of late and there were even some banners declaring "Thanks Rafa" and "We forgive you".
