MANCHESTER: Outgoing Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed after the 2-1 win over Swansea that he took his retirement decision last Christmas.

In a relaxed, post-match interview with Sky TV, Ferguson said he had taken the decision for family reasons after the death of his wife Cathy’s sister; it was then time for him to reciprocate the support she had always provided for him.

Ferguson said he had told his sons of his decision in March after having had some difficult not “blurting it out” at times.

Asked about the issue of Wayne Rooney, Ferguson said that the England forward had put in a formal transfer request and but that United would not be letting him go.

That was the reason he had not been picked in the squad for the Swansea game.

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