The 7 sons! Tributes from Fergie's legendary midfielders

Touching ... Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham

THREE of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most famous Number 7s last night paid tribute to their “father figure” boss.

David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bryan Robson — who all wore the iconic shirt for the Red Devils — hailed the legendary boss’s impact on their careers.

England hero Becks, 38, told how Ferguson had protected him as a young player after his infamous sending off during the 1998 World Cup in France.

He said last night: “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.

“Without him I would never have achieved what I have done.

“After ’98 without the manager I would have found it virtually impossible to cope with the attention I was getting and for this I will always be grateful to him.

Tribute ... Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo

“I am truly honoured to have been guided by the greatest manager in football and to have had the career that I had under him. Thank you boss and enjoy the rest!” Portuguese ace Ronaldo, 28 — brought from Lisbon to Old Trafford for £12million when he was just 18 — was sold to Real Madrid for a record £80million in 2009.

He saluted Sir Alex by posting a photo of the two of them on Twitter with the simple message: “Thanks for everything, boss.” By late afternoon it had been retweeted more than 66,600 times.

United’s “Captain Marvel” Robson, 56, said Sir Alex had given no hint of his decision when the pair chatted after the club clinched its 20th league title last month.

He said: “He was right up for it, talking about next season. That’s why it has come as a surprise.

“The boss has done such a fantastic job. When you have won as many things as he’s won, all he can go out with is satisfaction.

“I’m sure there are good reasons. Whether it’s to put his feet up and spend more time with the grandkids I don’t know.”

Other stars saluting the 71-year-old included fellow Scottish United legend Denis Law, 73.

He said: “I was very surprised as I was with him last week and he said nothing. I always thought he would go on until 90 and then say, ‘That’s it.’ He’s too young to retire.”

Ex United hitman Ruud van Nistelrooy, 36, tweeted a snap of him with Sir Alex and the message: “2001-2006, 219 games, 150 goals under the most successful manager in football history. It was a unique privilege.”

Striker Michael Owen, 33 — who spent three years at Old Trafford before moving to Stoke — said: “What a man — and great that it has ended on his terms. What a privilege to have played under arguably the best manager the world has ever seen.”

Forward Louis Saha, 34, spent four years at the club before moving in 2008. He said: “He is the most powerful man I ever met in my life after my dad. Huge respect for Football God.”

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker joked: “Surprised to hear Sir Alex Ferguson is stepping down as manager of Manchester United. Thought he was doing an OK job.” Sprint king and United fan Usain Bolt dubbed Sir Alex “a major iconic football figure.” He added: “Always words of encouragement even though we were in different sports.”

Heartfelt ... Sir Alex Ferguson and Bryan Robson

Golfer and supporter Rory McIlroy said it was “an end of an era”. He went on: “United will have a tough time trying to replace him!”

Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford said: “I feel a huge level of sadness and pain. No matter what people think of United, he is a true legend.”

Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall called him “the greatest football manager in the history of the game”. The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, of which Sir Alex is a patron, said his support for the charity had been “truly invaluable”.

Chief executive Paula Chadwick said: “As a Scouser, you won’t often hear me praising a Manchester United manager but Sir Alex is the exception.

“His legendary status in football goes without saying but what many people may not realise is how much he does for charity.”

TV presenter and friend Eamonn Holmes said: “For a man who runs probably the biggest football club in the world he finds time for the little things that mean so much — writing letters, attending funerals and even recently learning to text.

“I often bumped into him at airports and on one occasion going to Belfast we sat beside each other and he said to me, ‘Do you still live at the same address?’ He then recited it.

“My jaw dropped open in disbelief as I asked, ‘How did you know that?’ He replied, ‘Because I write the Christmas cards!’”.

Stock price stumble

MANCHESTER UNITED suffered an £80million stock market plunge as Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement spooked investors yesterday. Shares fell nearly five per cent as the New York exchange opened. But in a typical Old Trafford late recovery last night, the price was just one per cent down for the day.

Professor Chris Brady, of Salford University Centre for Sports Business, said: “The shares are likely to be fairly flat for a while — and if they lose four or five games next season they will wobble." US-owned United’s revenue is up from £25.2million in the 1992-93 season to £320.3million last year.

Sir Alex is thrashing the blues

Over-the-top ... Labour leader Ed Miliband

LABOUR stalwart Sir Alex got one over the Government when his shock retirement overshadowed the Queen’s Speech.

Some party figures even suggested that Sir Alex — one of their biggest donors — may have timed his announcement deliberately to bury news of the Coalition’s plans.

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott even thanked him “for helping the reds in football and politics”.

PM David Cameron, an Aston Villa fan, quipped: “Hopefully his retirement will make life a little easier for my team.”

Chancellor George Osborne, Sir Alex’s local MP, said: “Have memories of spectacularly unsuccessful attempt to canvass his house as a young candidate.”

But Labour leader Ed Miliband sparked ridicule on Twitter for an over-the-top tribute more fitting if Sir Alex had DIED.

It read: “Proud man. Great manager. Staunch Labour Party supporter. Sir Alex Ferguson will never be forgotten.”

You want Mourinho

REAL Madrid boss Jose Mourinho should replace Fergie, say Sun readers.

A poll yesterday saw 39 per cent back the Special One.

Everton’s David Moyes, the bookies’ favourite, got 32 per cent and Borussia Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp 13 per cent.

Next came Reds’ legends Ryan Giggs (7%) and Gary Neville (3%), then Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes (3%) and ex-France manager Laurent Blanc (2%). More than 73,000 voted.

£23k to see last game

DESPERATE fans will pay up to £3,000 to witness Sir Alex’s final game in charge at Old Trafford.

Almost 76,000 will see him lift the Premier League trophy for the 13th time before his team take on Swansea City on Sunday.

He is also expected to say an emotional farewell to the home fans.

Basic tickets costing up to £650 are on sale while hospitality seats range from £900 to £2,850. Tickets are usually from £30 to £52.