Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists he has ‘no plans to retire’

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that he will remain at the Old Trafford helm for the foreseeable future after revealing he has no plans to retire.

The 69-year-old originally considered retirement in 2002 before reversing his decision and has since gone on to win five Premier League titles, including this season’s record 19th championship, taking the club one clear of rivals Liverpool.

Speaking to MUTV at the club’s annual awards ceremony, Ferguson said: “I have no plans to retire, I must say that, and my wife Cathy is delighted. She would have thrown me out.

“The salient point is that whilst my health is good, carry on. You hear many stories of people who come off the treadmill and their system breaks down. I don’t want that happening to me.”

Ferguson’s men welcome Blackpool to Old Trafford on Sunday, but will no doubt have the Champions League final at Wembley against Barcelona on their minds.

The former Aberdeen boss has hailed his side’s fantastic form in Europe and revealed that it has left him with a selection headache.

Ferguson continued: “We have the nucleus of a team in place. There are others that deserve a place. But we can only pick 11. That is the horrible part of being a manager. It is absolute agony.

“It is something you don’t relish at all. I have to pick a team and I have to leave some very good players out.

“Hopefully those who have all played a part in the European campaign will feel satisfaction at the end of the night and we win the cup.

“Our form in the European Cup has been sensational. We have not lost a goal away from home. You have to play well to beat Chelsea. They are a very experienced, powerful team. You have to give credit to the players for these tremendous performances.”

The Scotsman also insisted winning his 12th Premier League title this season was just as difficult as lifting his first, and conceded that critics of the champions away form may have been justified at times this year.

He continued: “It is no easier now than it was in 1993. It is a great achievement. Everyone has shared in it. I enjoyed it as much as my first title. It becomes more of a challenge the longer you are at the club.

“If we are not scoring 10 goals every game, we have our critics. The expectation is high. But it is high from us too, and the fans. They want to see their best.

“Yes, you could criticise a lot of our away performances. They have been disappointing. But our home form has been fantastic. We have scored more goals than anyone else. It is hard to criticise that kind of form.”