Sir Alex Ferguson retires: Reaction to Man Utd announcement

Former Manchester United and England captain Bryan Robson believes Sir Alex Ferguson is "probably the best club manager there has ever been".

Ferguson, 71, will step down as United manager at the end of the season after winning 38 trophies during his 26 years in charge.

"It is unbelievable to change around probably four different squads and have the success he has," Robson said.

Prime Minister David Cameron described Ferguson's record as "exceptional".

Mr Cameron, an Aston Villa supporter, added: "Hopefully his retirement will make life a little easier for my team."

Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer, who almost joined Manchester United from Blackburn in 1996, said: "If it wasn't for my love of Newcastle, then I would have signed for Sir Alex. I was that close I'd actually found a house in Manchester.

"His know-how, his desire, his hunger, his will to win and longevity are absolutely staggering. He's an absolute genius. If you could bottle that, it'd be worth a fortune."

Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: "Proud man. Great manager. Staunch Labour Party supporter. Sir Alex Ferguson will never be forgotten."

A host of former United players joined Robson, who was at United from 1981 until 1994, in paying tribute to Ferguson, who took over from Ron Atkinson on 6 November, 1986.

United legend Sir Bobby Charlton spoke fondly of a "fantastic" and "sensational" manager.

"I am a director at United but I hardly do anything because we are winning all the time and it is all down to Sir Alex Ferguson," said Charlton, who made more than 600 appearances for United between 1956 and 1973.

"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."

Steve Bruce, who captained Ferguson's 1993-1994 double winning team, said his former boss has a "wonderful humility", adding that he would "treat the groundsman the same as he would a star player".

Former England captain Paul Ince, who played under Ferguson between 1989-1995, does not believe there will be another manager who will replicate the Scot's achievements.

"You will never see anyone of his kind again," Ince said. "His standards were so high. He was so demanding. Yes, we had our ups and down. The way he treated me was like a son."

Champions League winning goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said he could not make sense of the timing of the announcement.

"It's come as an absolute bombshell," he said. "I'm sad and disappointed. I was really, really hoping he was going to stay for another couple of years."

Dwight Yorke, Schmeichel's treble-winning team-mate of 1999, said he could understand why Ferguson has decided now is the time to retire, given that he had regained the Premier League title and was due to have hip surgery in the summer.

The former striker also cited David Gill's decision to stand down as United chief executive as a factor.

"I just feel it's the right time for him to go," said Yorke.

Former England striker Michael Owen, who played under Ferguson at United from 2009 until 2012, said he was proud to have worked with the Scot, while Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who played for United for six years from 2003, simply tweeted a message of thanks along with a picture of the two of them together.

Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in a five-year spell at Old Trafford, tweeted: "It was a unique privilege."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, current manager of Norwegian side Molde, spent more than a decade at United, playing more than 200 games from 1996 until 2007. He was also a coach for a time.

The former forward told MUTV: "I will never forget the loyalty he showed me. Everything I have learnt I have learnt from the boss."

England manager Roy Hodgson described Ferguson's announcement as "a sad day for English football".

"It marks the end of an era in football management," Hodgson added. "No one will be able to match his achievements, his dedication, his support for colleagues in need and his team building know-how."

Senior figures at football governing bodies spoke highly of Ferguson's contribution to the sport as a whole.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter tweeted: "His achievements in the game place him without doubt as one of the 'greats'. It was an honour to present Sir Alex with award at 2011 Ballon D'Or. Will his longevity at the top ever be repeated?"

Uefa president Michel Platini described Ferguson as a "visionary" who "has made a massive contribution to football across Europe", while Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said he defined the Premier League era.

"The Premier League has had the privilege to witness many great players, managers and teams," he said. "No one has made as great a contribution to the Premier League than Sir Alex Ferguson."

League Managers Association chairman Howard Wilkinson said: "He is the epitome of the mantra 'Survive, Win, Succeed'. In private, with those he trusted, he was the very best sort of friend you could ever wish for."