Howard Webb retires from refereeing – Twitter can't make enough Manchester ...

End of an era: Webb has retired (Picture: AP Photo)Howard Webb has announced his retirement after 25 years as a referee to become Technical Director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

The 43-year-old reached the pinnacle of his profession, taking charge of both the Champions League final and World Cup final in 2010, and also refereeing during this year's World Cup in Brazil.

But Webb's retirement was, somewhat predictably, greeted on Twitter with a torrent of Manchester United jokes.

Rightly or wrongly, the referee has long been accused by fans of bias in favour of the Red Devils. Here are the pick of the tweets:

Louis Van Gaal said he'd tell Man U players of their future after the tour of America...I thought it'd be Nani&Kagawa to go not Howard Webb!

- Ben Hammond (@BenH94) August 6, 2014

Will @ManUtd give Howard Webb a testimonial? #MUFC

- AFC Followers (@AFC_Followers) August 6, 2014

Which squad number will Manchester United retire in Howard Webb's honour, then? Answers on a postcard, please.

- ESPN.co.uk (@ESPNUK) August 6, 2014

BREAKING: Howard Webb retires as a referee. Unconfirmed reports: Statue to be built outside Old Trafford.

- Eurosport.com (@EurosportCom_EN) August 6, 2014

Howard Webb retires as a ref, Man United set to appeal the decision

- Ezzedine Said (@ezzsaid) August 6, 2014

Manchester United fans react to the news that Howard Webb has retired from refereeing http://ift.tt/1zTywx0

- FansAllStar Football (@FASfootball) August 6, 2014

BREAKING NEWS: Howard Webb is to retire from refereeing after 25 years. Reports suggest that he'll be taking a position as Fergie's butler

- The Sun - Football (@TheSunFootball) August 6, 2014

And finally - one tweet wasn't even a joke, but a fact:

9 - Howard Webb awarded nine penalties to Man Utd in the Premier League, more than any other club (Liverpool 6, Bolton 5). Retired.

- OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 6, 2014