SIR ALEX FERGUSON arrived at the San Mames stadium ahead of the Europa League final - marking his final away day as Manchester United's global ambassador
Ferguson, 83, showed his support for Man Utd ahead of their European heavyweight bout with Tottenham in Bilbao - but was left bitterly disappointed by a 1-0 defeat.
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Sir Alex, who managed United for 26 years, has been kept on the books at Old Trafford as an ambassador since his exit as boss in 2013.
But as part of new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's brutal cost-cutting measures, Ferguson's paid role was axed back in October.
The legendary Scottish manager had to wave goodbye to a £2.16m-per-year salary as a result, with the decision kicking in at the end of the current season.
Which means his attendance at the Europa League final on Wednesday night was his last away game as a club ambassador on the payroll.
Sir Alex had certainly been enjoying his trip to the Basque Country, stopping by Bilbao's San Mames stadium before the match to visit Athletic Club officials.
He even took the time to sign a match ball and pennant in the hallways of the ground from Athletic's 2011/12 victory over United in the Europa League round of 16.
Ferguson led United to 13 league titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
But he can rest assured that his ambassadorial axing wasn't personal, but instead part of a slew of cost-cutting measures put in place by Ratcliffe and his Ineos team.
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The billionaire Brit and his company cut costs by announcing nearly 500 redundancies at the Premier League giants.
While other more marginal financial savings have been made by scrapping free meals for Old Trafford staff, cancelling the staff Christmas party and stopping access to private chauffeurs and company credit cards.
United had the opportunity boost their dire financial situation with a victory over Spurs in Bilbao, a win that wouldn't have just earned them a major trophy, but also a place in the Champions League.
A place amongst Europe's elite would have helped line the pockets of the Manchester club, who have been struggling financially since their drop in form over the past few years.
But that dream was snatched away from them as Brennan Johnson scored Tottenham's only shot on target and ended Spurs' 17-year wait for a trophy to defeat United 1-0.
Despite the mass cost-cutting, United announced in March plans to build a brand new £2billion 100,000-seat stadium in the near future.
Man Utd vs Spurs - Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clash
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