Alex Ferguson’s last major honour in football was to win the League Managers Association (LMA) Manager of the Year award.

It was the fourth time the Manchester United manager claimed the prize, and came after his final season in football.

71-year-old Ferguson sat in the dugout as United boss for a staggering 1500 games, winning 38 major trophies in the process.

The last silverware he held aloft was United’s 20th English top-flight title, after a campaign in which the Red Devils were simply too strong for their stumbling competitors.

Speaking after the award ceremony on Monday night, which came hot on the heels of United’s incredible 5-5 draw with West Brom on the last day of the season, Fergie told the BBC: "In a way I am glad it is all over now because it has been hard work.

"It has been overwhelming.

"The club has been fantastic and congratulations to West Brom with the way they handled yesterday (Sunday).

"I think (West Brom manager) Steve Clarke should get an award because anyone who scores five against United deserves it."

At the ceremony, LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson was effusive in his praise of United’s now retired living legend.

"There is no doubt that the LMA Annual Awards are perceived as the most accurate measure of a manager's ability because there are no better judges of your performance than your peers," Wilkinson said.

"Finding words to adequately describe the monumental levels of achievement and the indelible legacy Sir Alex Ferguson leaves in the game, is nigh on impossible."