Fergie tips Queiroz as successor... eventually

Sir Alex Ferguson believes his assistant Carlos Queiroz will be a strong contender to replace him as Manchester United manager - but he still has no idea when he will retire.

The Scot performed a u-turn after announcing his intention to step aside in 2002 and hinted he wanted to see his team of young players such as Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo reach their potential.

Former Real Madrid boss Queiroz has admitted he would like to succeed the 65-year-old United boss, who took charge at Old Trafford in November 1986.

But Ferguson does not know what criteria American owner Malcolm Glazer will use to pick his successor.

'Thankfully, I don't have to make the decision,' said Ferguson.

'I have a great assistant in Carlos Queiroz, I think he will be a strong candidate.'

But he added: 'We have new owners now and I don't know how they look at the situation over in America.

'They have been great supporters of everything we have done but they may have their own ideas.

'The thing is I have not made my mind up when I'm retiring. It's a difficult one. It's not going to be an easy decision.

'The important thing is to leave a good team. The present team is very, very good but they will get better.'

The former Aberdeen boss had planned to retire five years ago but changed his mind with the help of wife Cathy.

Ferguson, who was speaking to an audience at the Citizens Theatre in his home city of Glasgow, said: 'I had won the European Cup, I wanted to leave a good team.

'But it's difficult when you get to that stage and you have been there that long, when you choose the moment to retire.

'One New Year's Day with the family we all went for lunch and I was dozing on the couch when the boss came in and kicked my feet and said 'you're not retiring'.

'The three sons were sitting behind her and what could I do?' Read more...

Ryan to stay for two more years

Manchester United will extend Ryan Giggs’ contract for another year – to take him through to the end of next season.
United officials will sit down with the Welsh winger within the month to renegotiate his £75,000-a-week contract.
Giggs, 33, has made 721 appearances and is just 38 away from Bobby Charlton’s record.
Boss Alex Ferguson has told the club’s board he believes the Welsh winger can play for at least another two years.
He is already the most decorated player in English football history – with nine titles – and has bagged 141 United goals.
But Giggs knows he will need to keep his high standards up with the likes of Nani now at the club.
He admitted: “Over the last few years the manager has bought young players as he looks to the future. Eventually these young players will be United’s future. The club never stands still and never will.”
Neil Custis, The Sun Read more...

Saha aims to prove he's fit for Fergie test

The road to redemption has been long and painful for Louis Saha, plagued with weeks of self-doubt and hindered by the knowledge that he had lost the confidence of the one man he needed to stand by him. But as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson thanked his one true centre forward for dragging his team from another early season hole on Saturday, Saha could finally look ahead with just a hint of optimism. "I know what I can do for this team and it's just great to get an important goal again," said Saha, who had to look back as far as February for his previous scoring contribution. "The reason I'm often injured is because I'm totally committed and give everything - the same as every other United player."
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail Read more...

Tribute to Manchester United legend; Ole Gunner Solskjaer

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Boss: We've missed Louis

ir Alex Ferguson admitted the introduction of matchwinner Louis Saha gave his side more direction in Saturday's 1-0 win over Sunderland.

The French striker's substitute cameo transformed a sluggish United performance into a vital three points, as he headed home Nani's corner with 19 minutes remaining.

"Louis gave the players a good target to play to," Sir Alex told Setanta Sports after the game. "It improved their play enormously. I thought we deserved to win the game, but it was a long day."

The United Manager conceded that the presence of an out-and-out target man upfront was a welcome sight, having missed Saha for the majority of 2007 through injury.

"He showed his penetration, strength and speed," said Sir Alex. "They're great assets to have and, of course, we've missed them for the last eight months now.

"It's a delight to have him back, particularly as he's got us the win today. He's come through fine, we're delighted with that also. Having been out for such a long time, he knows that that kind of injury can come back again, but thankfully he's ok."

Sir Alex lamented his side's overly patient build-up play prior to Saha's introduction, but cited a lack of understanding between an unfamiliar front four players as the root cause.

"In the first half our passing was far too slow," he said. "I think we lacked what Saha gives us. Although the passing and possession was comfortable, we weren't making any chances through it. The front four had never played with each other before.

"Anderson played his first game, Tevez played through on his own and I think he's better when he's playing behind someone, Eagles is a young lad, Nani too. It's new for them so there was a lack of understanding, and naturally you would expect that."

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