Manchester United Premier League champions' parade - in pictures

Manchester United fans gather in Albert Square to view the closing ceremony of the Premier League winners' parade Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

Supporters line the parade route, some holding banners and messages of thanks for the club's retiring manager Sir Alex Ferguson Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

A Manchester United fan wears a number 13 on his neck chain, signifying the amount of times the club has won the Premier League. They've actually won the top-tier league title 20 times Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

A poignant message of support for Sir Alex Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

United fans, some wearing masks of Sir Alex Ferguson, line the route of the parade Photograph: Clint Hughes/AP

An inflatable Premier League trophy balloon rises above the crowds Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

A fan displays a tribute shirt Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic hold the Premier League trophy aloft as they board the bus outside Old Trafford stadium Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Fans pack the streets as they wait for the parade to pass Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Rio Ferdinand 'entertains' the crowd as he celebrates with team-mates on board the champions' bus Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic lift the trophy up in front of the thousands of fans packed around Old Trafford Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA

The trophy is soon passed along to Sir Alex Ferguson, the man who the fans most want to see holding it Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Meanwhile Wayne Rooney, who put in a transfer request last week, may be holding the trophy for the last time as a Manchester United player Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA