No quit plans for Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he has no plans for retirement, heralding his next generation of stars as motivation.

The 69-year-old Scot celebrates his 25th year in charge of the English Premier League club in 2011, having shelved plans to retire in 2002.

He said that, with a youthful squad at his disposal, the hunger for success at Old Trafford was still burning brightly.

“I just don’t think about retirement any more,” Ferguson said.

“We’ve got a good young team and a lot of youth at the club as well as some tremendous staff. The future is good.”

Ferguson picked up a record 19th Premier League title with United in season 2010/11 and said he would continue on as long as his health allowed him to.

“When you’ve been on the treadmill for so long, 25 years in my case, and my health is good at the moment, it’s just a matter of looking forward to being the manager of Manchester United, rather than worrying about Alex Ferguson,” he said.

“The great part for me is still to be out on the field with the players and coaching them. As the game has changed, I have had to change with it. For example, sports science in the last decade has seen a phenomenal improvement and that has become a major development in the game.”

United are top of the table on 19 points from seven games, ahead of bitter rivals Manchester City on goal difference, but face a tricky test against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.