Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that he picked up "signs" throughout the course of the season that Sir Alex Ferguson was going to retire as Manchester United boss.

The Scotsman lifted the Premier League trophy for the last time yesterday as he waved farewell to the fans in his final match in charge at Old Trafford following a late 2-1 victory over Swansea City.

"I was not surprised and I told my staff I thought it would be his last year," the Daily Mail quotes Wenger as saying. "I detected a few signs throughout the seasons.

"It's sad that he has retired because it is the end of a remarkable career. But you have to respect his decision."

Ferguson will address the fans once again this evening before he and his players embark on an open-top bus parade around the city of Manchester.