Sir Alex Ferguson's big send-off at West Brom marred by crowd trouble

The start of his 1,500th and final game in charge of Manchester United was marred as fighting broke out between home and away supporters in the Smethwick End. Stewards intervened, and more than 30 Albion and United fans were ejected from the stadium during the first 20 minutes of yesterday's match.

One supporter was seen running in front of the East Stand, seemingly to make his way to the away end but was quickly apprehended by the security staff. Red smoke flares were also seen billowing out of the left side of the stand where the United supporters were sitting.

The atmosphere turned nasty when a small number of home fans began making aeroplane gestures to mock the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, which claimed 23 lives, including those of eight United players.

Meanwhile, a group of up to 20 of the away following also attempted to break into the players area in the West Stand but were blocked and ejected by stewards. Police said around 13 fans – the vast majority United supporters – were arrested at the match for disorderly behaviour.

• West Brom provide historic send-off for Sir Alex Ferguson

As the game went on, tempers calmed and attention was drawn back to the action on the pitch.

Ferguson, the country's longest serving manager, may have been hoping for a winning send-off at his 1,500th game in charge of Manchester United.

But he was denied victory by a spirited West Bromwich Albion side who bounced back from a three-goal deficit to clinch a point with a dramatic 5-5 scoreline. Before kick-off, Sir Alex had come out of the tunnel to be greeted by a guard of honour formed by players from both sides, mascots and officials. There was thunderous applause from both sets of fans, albeit with some booing, as he walked onto the pitch.

After waving at the 2,600 United supporters and the spectators in the home stands, he began signing as many autographs and programmes as he could by the away dugout.

He was also handed a packet of chewing gum by Albion mascot Baggie Bird, a nod to his habit of chewing throughout a game. The away fans had been chanting his name long before kick-off and many had brought huge banners and flags with them with messages for the manager.

One read 'Fergie the great', another said 'Only one Alex Ferguson' while one of the largest said 'Thank you dinosaur. You made us winners and you made our dreams come true.' Delighted Baggies fans celebrated as the final whistle went and the majority stayed to watch the players do their lap of appreciation around the ground.

Among those at the game was life-long Albion fan Paul Burton. The 42-year-old telecoms engineer, of Milking Bank, Dudley, had taken along his six-year-old son Jacob. "It was truly superb. I would never have predicted that scoreline in a million years," he said.

Season ticket holder Matt Taylor, 44, said he was pleased with the final result, despite the team's poor start to the match. Npower worker Simon Palmer, 25, from Gornal, said: "It was quite unbelievable. You couldn't make it up.

Wednesbury resident Benjamin Miller, 19, a student at the University of Southampton, said it was day Albion fans 'will never forget'. The match broke Premier League records for being the first in its history to end in a 5-5 draw.

• Read our live blog from the Albion v Manchester United match below: