"Teddy is very sad," wrote Instagram user @ejgemmag In Manchester, England, of her toy after hearing news of United manager Alex Ferguson's retirement.
(CNN) -- It was as if someone had died. Fans from across the world poured out their grief after English soccer team Manchester United revealed that their legendary manager, Alex Ferguson, is to retire at the end of this season.
The showing of emotion was particularly apparent on the mobile photo sharing site Instagram, where fans shared photos of themselves and loved ones in United gear in honor of the famed manager, who steered the club to countless victories both in the UK and abroad.
"When I heard the news I got a tear in my eye, felt like I had been punched in the stomach and contemplated calling in sick to work," said Instagram user @jplubrani, who serves in the military in Los Angeles, California.
In Florida, Instagram user @sosogeed813 said he was "shocked" but at the same time was thankful for the legacy that Ferguson will leave the club.
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Thousands of miles away in Malaysia, Instagram user @shar316 pictured herself with a commemorative scarf and t-shirt as she reflected Ferguson's achievements at Old Trafford.
"Seeing my favorite team with another manager next season, that's gonna be tough," she wrote. "But nonetheless thank you for everything you've done, Sir Alex!"
One devastated fan went as far to make his devotion permanent.
After hearing the news, Instagram user @alexbalding went and got a tattoo of a "Red Devil" logo -- the team's nickname.
While the accolades poured in for the world's most famous football club manager, others pondered what life would be like for Manchester United after "Fergie", as he is affectionately known by fans, makes his exit.
"I was very sad to hear the news, but I guess that change might even be good," said @mrsagatha_sari in southern Finland.
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Instagrammer @johnwalker021, who is half English and half Swedish, displayed his shirt with pride and posted a football chant in honor of Ferguson: "So here's to Alex Ferguson. He'll take us all the way! We're on the road to glory now! Winning at home and away."
"I felt like I had been punched in the stomach and contemplated calling in sick to work," said Instagram user @jplubrani, in active service in the U.S. military from Los Angeles. "I got a tear in my eye ... All those emotions at once!"
"Lifelong fan" @alexbalding shows his red devil tattoo -- Red Devils is the club's nickname -- done the very morning of the announcement Ferguson was to retire. He said he was "devastated" by the news.
"The man will definitely be missed," said @sosogeed813, who shared this picture from his first Manchester United game. "It was an experience of a lifetime ... It is the beautiful game after all. Thanks Sir Alex Ferguson!"
In Oatley, Australia, @frankiegram1 showed off a sad look while wearing a Manchester United top (with help from his owner, Matt).
"It's going to be interesting without him," said Instagrammer @kurto12.
"Seeing my favorite team with another manager next season, that's going to be tough to get used to," said Instagrammer @shar316 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Thai-Brit Instagrammer @KrisRedford posted a picture of himself proudly wearing his United team shirt.
Instagrammer @mrsagatha_sari's young son Waltteri wears his United jersey to play football in the southern Finland where they live, in this photo from last summer. She said she was "very sad" about Ferguson's retirement, but "I guess that change might even be good."
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