The Reds had been crowned champions of England for a record-breaking 20th time almost a month earlier, after a 3-0 romp past Aston Villa at Old Trafford had extended the gap over Manchester City, in second, to a mammoth 16 points.
But the story of the season's final weeks took a dramatic twist when Sir Alex announced his impending retirement after 26 glorious years at the helm and, more importantly, 13 top-flight titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two European Cups and two world titles.
A showpiece farewell had taken place in M16 a week before, against Swansea, but a trip to the Black Country still remained in order to complete the domestic campaign.