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Here, we chronicle Ferguson's remarkable tenure.
1986-87: Ferguson is lured south from Aberdeen and appointed manager to replace Ron Atkinson on November 6, 1986. Manages a win at Liverpool but an unremarkable 11th placed finish indicates the work needed to be done.
LEAGUE: 11th. FA CUP: Fourth Round. Star Man: Paul McGrath.
1987-88: It seems progress is being made with a first top-two finish in seven years. But United are light years behind Liverpool, and Ferguson knows it. New signing Brian McClair becomes first player to score 20 league goals since George Best in 1967-68.
LEAGUE: 2nd. FA CUP: 5th Round. LEAGUE CUP: 5th Round. Star Man: Bryan Robson.
1988-89: The momentum of the previous season is lost, despite the emergency of Fergie's Fledglings. A home FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Nottingham Forest is a savage blow. The pressure is on.
LEAGUE: 11th. FA CUP: 6th Round. LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round. Star Man: Steve Bruce.
1989-90: The breakthrough season. Signings of Paul Ince, Gary Pallister, Mike Phelan and Neil Webb are making no discernible difference to league form. Ferguson's worst day comes in 5-1 defeat to Manchester City and fan holds sign up saying '3 YEARS OF EXCUSES AND IT'S STILL CRAP - TA RA FERGIE' after home defeat to Crystal Palace. But Mark Robins goal at Forest begins run in FA Cup that ends in glory at Wembley.
LEAGUE: 13th. FA CUP: Winners. LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round. Star Man: Mark Robins.
1990-91: The trophies continue as United claim the European Cup Winners' Cup with two Mark Hughes goals against Barcelona in Rotterdam. Agony at Wembley in the League Cup though and only marginal improvement in the league.
LEAGUE: 6th. FA CUP: 5th Round. LEAGUE CUP: Finalists. EUROPE: Cup Winners' Cup winners. Star Man: Paul Ince.
1991-92: Dramatic collapse with three successive defeats costs United the title and raises questions about whether they will ever win it. League Cup success is scant consolation.
LEAGUE: 2nd. FA CUP: 4th Round. LEAGUE CUP: Winners. EUROPE: Cup Winners' Cup 2nd Round. Star Man: Peter Schmeichel.
1992-93: United are contenders for the first Premier League title but no more - until the arrival of Eric Cantona in November becomes the catalyst for everything that is to follow. Two dramatic Steve Bruce headers help overcome Sheffield Wednesday in key end of season encounter and Ferguson learns on the golf course he is a champion.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: 5th Round. LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round. EUROPE: UEFA Cup 1st Round. Star Man: Eric Cantona.
1993-94: Almost the perfect domestic season. Title is retained and the FA Cup is won in some comfort against Chelsea. Only defeat to Aston Villa in League Cup final prevents clean sweep. United starting to become dominant force.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: Winners. LEAGUE CUP: Finalists. EUROPE: Champions League 2nd Round. Star Man: Ryan Giggs.
1994-95: Cantona launches himself into the crowd at Selhurst Park and gets eight-month ban that overshadows a dramatic conclusion to the campaign. Andy Cole gets five against Ipswich but United fail to win at West Ham to hand the championship to Blackburn, and are then beaten in the FA Cup final by Everton. Europe a disappointment too.
LEAGUE: 2nd. FA CUP: Runners-up. LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round. EUROPE: Champions League Group stage. Star Man: Andy Cole.
1995-96: Cantona's return catapults the Red Devils back to the top with the team of kids Alan Hansen said you could never win anything with. Frenchman scores a succession of key goals to reclaim the league and the FA Cup final winner against Liverpool. Europe continues to disappoint and bizarre League Cup defeat by York, but the momentum is forwards.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: Winners. LEAGUE CUP: 2nd Round. EUROPE: UEFA Cup 1st Round. Star Man: Eric Cantona.
1996-97: With domestic supremacy assured, Ferguson sets his sights on the Champions League. They come up short though, beaten in the semi-finals by Borussia Dortmund. David Beckham makes his mark though, with a goal from the halfway line at Wimbledon.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: 4th Round. LEAGUE CUP: 4th Round. EUROPE: Champions League semi-finals. Star Man: David Beckham.
1997-98: Arsenal's emergence under Arsene Wenger catches Ferguson out. With Cantona now retired, United win just four games out of 11 in a dreadful mid-season run and other competitions equally disappointing by their high standards.
LEAGUE: 2nd. FA CUP: 5th Round. LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round. EUROPE: Champions League quarter-finals. Star Man: Gary Neville.
1998-99: The greatest season in United's history as they become the first English team to win the Treble. Victories over Tottenham and Newcastle secure title and FA Cup on successive weekends. But it is the injury-time defeat of Bayern Munich, and those late, late goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that will never be forgotten.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: Winners. LEAGUE CUP: 5th Round. EUROPE: Champions League winners. Star Man: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
1999-2000: Most famous part of this season is not defending FA Cup in favour of woeful performance at Club World Championship. Ferguson claims the break in Brazil was the determining factor in United's comfortable title triumph.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: Did not enter. LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round. EUROPE: Champions League quarter-finals. Star Man: Dwight Yorke.
2000-01: Another title cruise but more frustration in Europe. Slowly Old Trafford is changing as Jaap Stam's abrupt departure is followed by the reduction in roles for Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. Fabien Barthez's arrival does not solve United's goalkeeping concerns.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: 4th Round. LEAGUE CUP: 4th Round. EUROPE: Champions League quarter-finals. Star Man: Teddy Sheringham.
2001-02: The arrivals of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Sebastian Veron are supposed to extend United's domestic dominance and bring further success in Europe. Van Nistelrooy scores 36 times but Veron flatters to deceive and United win nothing. Ferguson abandon's retirement plans.
LEAGUE: 3rd. FA CUP: 4th Round. LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round. EUROPE: Champions League semi-finals. Star Man: Ruud van Nistelrooy.
2002-03: Rio Ferdinand becomes the latest big-money recruit as the title is reclaimed once more. Van Nistelrooy scores an incredible 44 times but a row between Ferguson and David Beckham leaves the England skipper with a cut eye and heralds his exit from Old Trafford. Personal row erupts with major shareholders over ownership rights to Rock of Gibraltar.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: 5th Round. LEAGUE CUP: Runners-up. EUROPE: Champions League quarter-finals. Star Man: Ruud van Nistelrooy.
2003-04: Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival did not yield instant dividends and Kleberson, David Bellion and Eric Djemba-Djemba are a reminder that Ferguson doesn't always get it right. A first meeting with Mourinho also ended unhappily as United were beaten by Porto in the Champions League.
LEAGUE: 3rd. FA CUP: Winners. LEAGUE CUP: 4th Round. EUROPE: Champions League last 16. Star Man: Ruud van Nistelrooy.
2004-05: After Arsenal's Invincibles, Mourinho's formidable Chelsea outfit raise the bar even further. United endure only their fourth trophyless season in 17, as they are beaten in the FA Cup final by Arsenal, although the arrival of Wayne Rooney is a statement of intent.
LEAGUE: 3rd. FA CUP: Runners-up. LEAGUE CUP: Semi-final. EUROPE: Champions League last 16. Star Man: Wayne Rooney.
2005-06: The low point in recent times. Out of Europe at the group stage, Vodafone quit as sponsors and Roy Keane booted out after strong criticism on MUTV following defeat at Middlesbrough and Van Nistelrooy also shoved out. Season is saved by Carling Cup triumph and strong league finish.
LEAGUE: 2nd. FA CUP: 5th Round. LEAGUE CUP: Winners. EUROPE: Champions League group stage. Star Man: Rio Ferdinand.
2006-07: With Cristiano Ronaldo starting to show the form that would soon see him become the world's best player. United reclaim the title and go agonisingly close in Europe. Edwin van der Sar proves to be a significant addition.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: Runners-up. LEAGUE CUP: 4th Round. EUROPE: Champions League semi-final. Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo.
2007-08: Ronaldo dazzles spectacularly as Ferguson lands his second Champions League in the year of the 50th anniversary of Munich. Carlos Tevez also makes a telling contribution as United retain their title.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: 6th Round. LEAGUE CUP: 3rd Round. EUROPE: Champions League winners. Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo.
2008-09: Ferguson persuades Ronaldo to stay for another year, signs Dimitar Berbatov and gets another title. League Cup added as well as United go within one game of a complete domestic and european season - the FA Cup final being the only match they did not reach. Chastening experience in Champions League final though as United are badly beaten by Barcelona.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: Semi-final. LEAGUE CUP: Winners. EUROPE: Champions League runners-up. Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo.
2009-10: Ronaldo leaves, as does Tevez but Rooney revels on centre stage. United fall just short though, missing out on the title by a point and losing to Bayern Munich in Europe, in controversial circumstances. League Cup is retained though.
LEAGUE: 2nd. FA CUP: 3rd Round. LEAGUE CUP: Winners. EUROPE: Champions League quarter-final. Star Man: Wayne Rooney.
2010-11: Ferguson becomes longest serving manager in United's history and team equal club record of 29 games unbeaten. Late season stutter does not cost them a record 19th championship but yet again, find Barcelona too good in what proves to be the Scot's last European final.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: Semi-final. LEAGUE CUP: 5th Round. EUROPE: Champions League runners-up. Star Man: Nemanja Vidic.
2011-12: United suffer an unexpected mishap in Europe, and then a rare trophyless season on the domestic front as a late season slump allows Manchester City to seize the initiative, before winning it in stoppage time on the final day. Ferguson tells his players never to forget how they feel.
LEAGUE: 2nd. FA CUP: 4th Round. LEAGUE CUP: 5th Round. EUROPE: Champions League group stage, Europa League last 16. Star Man: Wayne Rooney.
2012-13: Red Devils motor to their 20th title with four games to spare after the arrival of Robin van Persie proves the catalyst for their superiority. At one stage, the Treble looks on, but Ferguson's last European campaign ends in acrimony following Nani's red card against Real Madrid and Chelsea end hopes of another FA Cup.
LEAGUE: Winners. FA CUP: Quarter-final. LEAGUE CUP: 4th Round. EUROPE: Champions League last 16. Star Man: Robin van Persie.
Fergie's Great Games
Sir Alex Ferguson has plenty of memorable matches as Manchester United manager. Here are the best of them.
Man United 2 Barcelona 1, May 1991
Following the end of a five-year ban on English clubs for hooliganism, United made the most of their return to European football to claim the Cup Winners' Cup by beating mighty Barca in a Rotterdam decider. The Red Devils went into the game as underdogs but Mark Hughes, who had been discarded by the Catalan giants after an unsuccessful spell at the Nou Camp, stunned his former club with a second-half brace and United hung on for victory despite Ronald Koeman's late free-kick.
Man United 2 Sheff Wed 1, April 1993
After finishing second best behind Leeds the previous year, United were battling it out for top spot with Aston Villa towards the end of the inaugural Premier League campaign and trailed the Owls with time running out. However, Steve Bruce headed in an equaliser with four minutes left on the clock and then nodded in a dramatic winner six minutes into stoppage time to spark an ecstatic on-pitch celebration from Brian Kidd and give the Red Devils the impetus to end a 26-year wait for title joy.
Man United 4 Chelsea 0, May 1994
Having retained the Premier League crown by an impressive eight points, United became only the fourth team of the 20th century to do the Double when crushing the Blues in the FA Cup final. The scores were still level on the hour but then Eric Cantona hit home a couple of penalties and Hughes also netted in a devastating 20-minute spell to put Ferguson's side in total control before Brian McClair completed the rout late on.
Man United 2 Arsenal 1, April 1999
One of the all-time great FA Cup matches took place at Villa Park and ended with United booking a place in the final after extra-time thanks to a brilliant solo effort from Ryan Giggs. David Beckham had put the Red Devils ahead with a long-range strike, but Dennis Bergkamp equalised for the Gunners and they looked to hold the upper hand when Roy Keane was sent off. However, Peter Schmeichel saved a last-minute spot-kick from Bergkamp and then Giggs intercepted a Patrick Vieira pass before racing 50 metres and past three defenders to net the winner in extra-time.
Juventus 2 Man United 3, April 1999
United went into the second leg of this Champions League semi-final all square at 1-1 and looked set to suffer Turin heartbreak when trailing 2-0 early on through a Pippo Inzaghi brace. However, Keane proved a captain marvel for the Red Devils to inspire a famous comeback, heading in from a corner to give his side hope and then inspiring Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole to book a place in the final of Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 1968.
Man United 2 Bayern Munich 1, May 1999
Sadly Keane and Paul Scholes had to sit out this Champions League decider through suspension and their presence in the heart of midfield was sorely missed as United fell behind to a Mario Basler free-kick. Bayern dominated for long periods and should have added to their lead several times, notably when Mehmet Scholl hit the crossbar. However, United drew on their never-say-die attitude to stay in contention before an amazing last two minutes saw goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turn the tie on its head and spark wild celebrations from the huge English contingent at the Nou Camp.
Man United 6 Arsenal 1, February 2001
The Gunners were runners-up behind United for three straight seasons and would win the title in two of the next three campaigns, but on this occasion the Red Devils were simply a cut above their big rivals of that era. Thierry Henry had equalised an early Yorke goal after 14 minutes but then the Trinidad & Tobago striker completed his hat-trick soon after, while Keane and Solskjaer helped put the hosts 5-1 up at the break. Despite cruising through the second period, Sheringham made it six late on to put United 16 points clear at the top of the table and on course for a title hat-trick.
Man United 1 Chelsea 1 May 2008
United gave Ferguson a second Champions League trophy by beating the Blues 6-5 on penalties on a rain-soaked Moscow night. Cristiano Ronaldo had headed the Red Devils in front but Frank Lampard's equaliser just before the interval proved enough to send the game into extra-time. Chelsea had Didier Drogba sent off following a mass fracas but still had a chance to prevail after Ronaldo missed his spot-kick. However, John Terry hit the post with his penalty and when Edwin van der Sar saved from Nicolas Anelka in a sudden death shoot-out the Red Devils celebrated an emotional success.
Selection of Alex Ferguson's most memorable quotes
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson's time at Manchester United has produced some memorable quotes. Following is a selection of some of them:
AFTER WINNING THE 1999 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL WHEN THEY CAME BACK FROM A GOAL DOWN WITH TWO STOPPAGE-TIME GOALS:
"I can't believe it. I can't believe it. Football. Bloody hell!"
ON ARCH RIVALS LIVERPOOL:
"My greatest challenge is not what's happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their perch. And you can print that."
DURING THE 2003 PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE RACE:
"It's getting tickly now - squeaky bum time, I call it."
ON RYAN GIGGS:
"The first time I saw him, he was 13 and just floated over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of paper in the wind."
AFTER KICKING A BOOT THAT HIT DAVID BECKHAM IN THE FACE:
"It was a freakish incident. If I tried it 100 or a million times it couldn't happen again. If I could I would have carried on playing."
SOON AFTER ARSENE WENGER WAS APPOINTED ARSENAL MANAGER:
"He's a novice and should keep his opinions to Japanese football."
ON HIS RETIREMENT PLANS BEFORE A U-TURN IN 2002:
"I will be leaving Manchester United at the end of the season and that is it. Then I will have to decide what I want to do. There are some offers and options, so I will make a decisions over the next few months."
ON NOTION OF SELLING CRISTIANO RONALDO TO REAL MADRID, MONTHS BEFORE DOING JUST THAT:
"Do you think I would enter into a contract with that mob? Absolutely no chance. Jesus Christ, I wouldn't sell them a virus. That's a 'No' by the way. There is no agreement whatsoever between the clubs."
ON JOSE MOURINHO:
"He was certainly full of it, calling me 'boss' and 'big man' when we had our post-match drink after the first leg. But it would help if his greetings were accompanied by a decent glass of wine. What he gave me was paint-stripper."
ON RAFA BENITEZ AFTER SPANIARD'S 'FACT' RANT:
"I think he was an angry man. He must have been disturbed for some reason. I think you have got to cut through the venom of it and hopefully he'll reflect and understand what he said was absolutely ridiculous."
ON REFEREE ALAN WILEY, EARNING HIMSELF A TOUCHLINE BAN:
"The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butchers' dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous."
ON HIS INFAMOUS HAIRDRYER TREATMENT:
"Myths grow all the time. If I was to listen to the number of times I've thrown teacups then we've gone through some crockery in this place. It's completely exaggerated, but I don't like people arguing back with me."
ON RETIRED ITALIAN STRIKER FILIPPO INZAGHI:
"Inzaghi was born in an offside position."
DURING WAYNE ROONEY'S CONTRACT SAGA IN 2010:
"Sometimes you look in a field and you see a cow and you think it's a better cow than the one you've got in your own field. It's a fact. Right? And it never really works out that way."
ON THE EMERGENCE OF MANCHESTER CITY AS TITLE RIVALS:
"Sometimes you have a noisy neighbour. You cannot do anything about that. They will always be noisy. You just have to get on with your life, put your television on and turn it up a bit louder."
Fiery Fergie: Sir Alex's history of bust-ups
Sir Alex Ferguson has never been afraid to speak his mind or worry about the consequences.
As a result, he has come into conflict with fellow managers, players, match officials and the authorities over the years.
Here, we look at some of his most famous bust-ups.
RAFAEL BENITEZ
Having famously set out his stall to knock Liverpool off their perch, Ferguson had - and still has - an interesting relationship with their former manager Benitez. It was the Scot who prompted the Spaniard's "facts" rant in January 2009, claiming he was nervous because the Reds were leading the race for the Premier League title. "I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they are nervous because we are at the top of the table," Benitez said. United ultimately won the league, finishing four points ahead of the Merseysiders.
ARSENE WENGER
Frenchman Wenger and Ferguson were involved in a series of spats as Arsenal threatened to break United's stranglehold on English football. The war of words came to a head in the famous 'Pizzagate' incident in October 2004 in which, after the Red Devils ended the Gunners' 49-game unbeaten Premier League run at Old Trafford, Ferguson took a slice of pizza full in the face. The Scot's comments on his French counterpart over the years have included, "He's a novice. He should keep his opinions to Japanese football", while Wenger once insisted he would "never speak about that man again". There has, however, been a thaw since, perhaps as a result of the decreased threat posed by the north London club.
KENNY DALGLISH
The rivalry between Ferguson and Dalglish dates back to their Old Firm days in Glasgow, although the former Celtic man has proved a redoubtable opponent when it comes to verbal jousting. The older man reportedly told friends after one on-field encounter with the future superstar or Scottish football, "That plump wee Dalglish boy won't make a player", and later suggested his Blackburn side did not have the "bottle" to win the Premier League. He was wrong on both counts. Dalglish has had his moments too, and after overhearing a Ferguson rant in the wake of a 3-3 draw at Liverpool, he told reporters: "You'll get more sense out of my baby than him."
ALAN PARDEW
Newcastle boss Pardew got both barrels in December last year after expressing his surprise that Ferguson had not been punished for a furious broadside aimed at referee Mike Dean at half-time in United's 4-3 league win over the Magpies. The United manager, who had disputed the visitors' second goal, said: "The press have had a field day. The only person they have not spoken to is Barack Obama because he is busy. It is unfortunate, but I am the manager of the most famous club in the world - not Newcastle, a wee club in the north-east."
DAVID BECKHAM
Beckham was left with a reminder of his brush with Ferguson after being caught just above the eye by a boot allegedly sent flying by the enraged manager in the wake of a 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Arsenal in February 2003. "It was a freakish incident. If I tried it 100 or a million times it couldn't happen again. If I could I would have carried on playing!" the Scot said later.
JAAP STAM
Holland defender Stam was dealt with summarily after revelations in his autobiography cast Ferguson in a poor light. Stam claimed, among other things, he had been poached by United and that the manager had ordered his players to dive in European matches. He was sold to Lazio weeks later.
ALAN WILEY
Referee Wiley found himself in the firing line after Anton Ferdinand's last-gasp own goal had rescued a 2-2 draw for United against Sunderland at Old Trafford in October 2009. He said: "The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous." Ferguson later apologised, but received a four-game touchline ban and a £20,000 fine.
MARTIN ATKINSON
Ferguson landed himself a five-game ban and a £30,000 fine after lashing out at Atkinson in the wake of a 2-1 league defeat at Chelsea in March 2011. Ferguson landed an improper conduct charge after remarking: "You want a fair referee - or a strong referee, anyway - and we didn't get that. When I saw who the referee was, I did fear it. I feared the worst."
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
The FA itself was the target of a Ferguson rant in April 2004 after midfielder Paul Scholes was charged with violent conduct after referee Paul Durkin failed to spot his clash with Middlesbrough's Doriva. He said "There is a scenario for every club in the country and another one for us. We expect Paul to have a difficult hearing. Put it this way - I don't think he will get the same hearing as other players get."
PREMIER LEAGUE
Ferguson was dismissive of Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore's efforts to bring a new respect into top-flight football. Asked to comment on the 2011 initiative, Ferguson replied: "Richard Scudamore doesn't have a lot to do. He is trying to elevate the Premier League. That is his job. But I feel he is jumping off a high diving board here without thinking about it."
Bitter rival Benitez joins Fergie tributes
Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez, one of Alex Ferguson's bitterest rivals, led an avalanche of warm tributes to the Manchester United boss who shocked football by announcing his retirement on Wednesday.
Ferguson and Benitez often clashed when the Spaniard was coach at Liverpool.
But, four years on, Rafael Benitez preferred to concentrate on the positive legacy of the 71-year-old Ferguson's 26-year Old Trafford legacy.
"I have always liked to compete against him as a manager," said Benitez ahead of his team's Premier League clash against Tottenham on Wednesday.
"As a person, I wish him health in his retirement and I hope he enjoys his football in a different way."
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas said Ferguson has left a legacy to be enjoyed by all inside the game.
"It's sad and surprising news. The EPL has lost one its most charismatic managers," said the Portuguese.
"He is the reference point in terms of coaches and in terms of being a successful manager. He is also a great human being.
"We will miss his charisma and dedication and passion. It's a legacy we can cherish. I hold him in high esteem."
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand hailed Ferguson's "work ethic".
"The bosses (sic) work ethic, his desire to win + to make us better players were unrivalled. Thanks boss," said United defender Ferdinand on Twitter.
David Beckham said Ferguson had been like a father to him.
"As I have said many times before the boss wasn't just the greatest and best manager I ever played under, he was also a father figure to me from the moment I arrived at the club at the age of 11 until the day I left," said Beckham, now with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Gary Neville, who along with Beckham and Paul Scholes was one of 'Fergie's fledglings' -- the youth system players who graduated into the first team -- said he was proud to have worked with the "greatest manager of our time".
Bobby Charlton, one of the United directors who appointed Ferguson in 1986 and who persuaded the club's board to stick with the manager when results were going against him four years later, said Ferguson's dedication had been exceptional.
"He would get up in the middle of the night and travel 300 miles if he thought there was a schoolboy he could sign. He loves the game and we at the club have had nothing to do really," said Charlton, United's captain when they won the European Cup for the first time in 1968.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the sport may never again see a reign like Ferguson's at United that spanned 26 years and an astounding 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League triumphs.
"His achievements in the game place him without doubt as one of the 'greats'," Blatter said on Twitter.
"Will his longevity at the top ever be repeated?"
Ottmar Hitzfeld, manager of the Bayern Munich side beaten in dramatic fashion by United in the 1999 Champions League final, said Ferguson's successor -- widely tipped to be Everton's David Moyes -- "will automatically be measured on Ferguson's success".
British Prime Minister David Cameron, a supporter of Premier League strugglers Aston Villa, tweeted: "Sir Alex Ferguson's achievement at #MUFC has been exceptional. Hopefully his retirement will make life a little easier for my team."
But Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, said his fellow Scot's record at his previous club Aberdeen -- rather than the success he had at United -- was the real proof that he was an all-time great.
While at Aberdeen, Ferguson won the Scottish league three times, in 1980, 1984 and 1985, breaking the dominance of Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers, who between them have monopolised the title ever since.
"I still think the greatest test of a real football manager is the ability to win the biggest prizes with unfashionable sides or less powerful teams," Salmond told AFP.
"Winning the European Cup Winners' Cup with Aberdeen in Gothenburg (in 1983) is the indication that what we're talking about here is one of the all-time great football managers."
Current Scotland manager Gordon Strachan had the unusual experience of playing under Ferguson at both Aberdeen and United, as well as when he was in caretaker charge of the national side at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico following the death of Jock Stein.
"It really is the end of an era. Sir Alex Ferguson is a force of nature in world football and it truly was an honour to be managed by and to work with the best manager ever," said Strachan.
Moyes the favourite for Old Trafford post
David Moyes has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager and an appointment is expected by the end of this week.
The other leading contender, Jose Mourinho, is not a candidate for the position, senior sources have confirmed.
Sources have told Press Association Sport that Ferguson's successor will be cut from the same cloth as him - with a similar passion for playing attractive football, bringing in top-class players and a strong record in youth development.
United will be looking to the long term with the appointment, rather than a quick fix.
Moyes, 50, may not have won any trophies in his 11 years at Everton but fellow Scot Ferguson himself is a fan of his achievements - and Moyes is out of contract at the end of the season.
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