Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed talks of retirement following his 71st birthday, insisting he hopes to be at Manchester United for "a bit of time" yet, the Telegraph reports.

Ferguson celebrated 26 years in charge at Old Trafford in November, but speculation has continued to mount that this could be his last season, with the likes of former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho and Everton's David Moyes being touted as possible replacements.

However the United chief, who changed his mind on an initial decision to retire in 2002, is adament this won't be his last season.

“I’m hoping to stay on for a bit of time,” he said. “In terms of football management, I have achieved everything I always wished for.
“It’s been a great 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.” Speaking of potential successors to him at United, the Scotsman described the nature of today's football management as "precarious", and that many names are linked with the job but you can never be sure that those names are still going to be about when he does finally decided to call it a day and vacate the Old Trafford  hot seat. Ferguson's side currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League following their 4-0 victory at Wigan on New Years Day.