Top five sporting moments of 2013

Alex Ferguson lifts final EPL trophy

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Sir Alex Ferguson addresses the crown from an open-top bus at the start of their Barclays Premier League Trophy Parade through Manchester on May 13, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)p0pp0p

For the 13^th time in total, Alex Ferguson led the Red Devils to a Premier League title when his side overcame Swansea 2-1 at Old Trafford. In a manner befitting a team that seemingy only Fergie could build, the home side had to fight to secure a late winner to ensure the party wasn’t spoilt for the country’s most decorated manager.

Looking on as the two-time Champions League winner joined in the celebrations of yet another title win, it was clear to see that although it had spanned over 27 years, Fergie’s time seemed over altogether too quickly – his tenure as manager thankfully coming to an end in the best way imaginable.

Praising the players, the backroom staff, his family and, of course, the fans who had backed him and the squad to the hilt time and time again in an emotional speech, the on-field party that erupted on May 12 underlined exactly how touching and visceral sport can be.

For Ferguson, the journey may be over, and while the club he helped build and transform is sure to experience times of plenty and times of drought, one can be sure that the invisible ties between the 71-year-old football icon and the Theater of Dreams will hold firm long after their troubles blow over – something his fans would do well to remember on Fergie’s birthday and on the cusp of a New Year.