There are some who still believe this will be Ferguson’s last season in charge, pointing to the £24million signing of Robin van Persie, who at 29 has no resale value as a parting gift to the Scot as he aims to wrest the title back from Manchester City and bow out on top.
That coupled with reports of Ferguson meeting former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, who is currently enjoying a one-year sabbatical from the game, on more than one occasion has led many to conclude he is merely laying the groundwork for his imminent departure.
However, Ferguson insists that is not the case and that his only focus is on helping United banish the ghosts of last season and reclaim their position at the head of English football’s top table.
“In terms of football managegment, I have achieved everything I always wished for,” Ferguson said in his interview. “It’s been a grat journey for me. But being manager of Manchester United, you have to kick on. You can’t look back.
“The drive is always on to do better, although it’s not easy in the Barclays Premier League. It’s a difficult league. And European football is getting stronger and stronger.
Asked about managers who could one day replace him, Ferguson said with a smile: “There is no-one on the agenda, but somebody will have to replace me. I’m hoping to stay on for a bit of time, anyway.
“It’s very difficult. Over the years, names have been bandied about but football is such a precarious industry. But you could be talking about one of the potentially exciting young managers in the game, but is he going to be here in two or three years time.
He added: “There will always be names bandied about and they are all qualified people. Nobody knows where they are going to be in two or three years time. Top managers will always been in demand.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson also reserves special praise for his big-money summer signing, Robin Van Persie, who has already become the darling of Old Trafford with 17 goals in 24 games in all competitions this season.
Having already likened his impact at the club to the one made by Eric Cantona, Ferguson has added: “He certainly is a magnificent player. He brings maturity, he is a proven goalscorer, a proven international and and it as at a good age. He is helping our young strikers, Chicarito and Danny Welbeck. He’s been outstanding since he came.”
Watch the full interview below, where Ferguson also talks about the importance of Nemanja Vidic, gives his thoughts on the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo debate and why he’ll never sign Mario Balotelli.
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