Ferguson hints at Queiroz as successor

Alex Ferguson has dropped the clearest hint yet that he views trusted assistant Carlos Queiroz as his long-term replacement at Manchester United.

Queiroz was a major factor behind United's Champions League success in Moscow this week, showing why he has been the subject of intense speculation himself recently.

Benfica are among his admirers while there has even been talk he might be offered the Portugal job if, as expected, Luis Felipe Scolari stands down after Euro 2008.

Ferguson generally navigates his way round talk of his possible successors and predictably side-stepped a direct question on the matter today as he basked in the glow of United's triumph over Chelsea.

But the Scot then went on to give Queiroz the most glowing reference imaginable, adding his own tantalising postscript.

'Carlos is well respected,' said Ferguson.

'His preparation for the game on Wednesday, from all aspects, was fantastic.

'There has been a lot of talk about him recently and I am sure the Portugal job would be a big attraction for him.

'But I feel he is at his club here.

'What happens after I go is not my domain.

'But there is no doubt I think Carlos will be here for a long time. As long as me anyway.'

The last sentence was added with a definite twinkle in his eye but there is no doubting Ferguson's faith in Queiroz.

Indeed, having recruited the Mozambique-born former South Africa coach twice, the second time after an ill-fated year at Real Madrid, Ferguson is relying heavily on Queiroz to help keep Cristiano Ronaldo.

The coach has a persuasive influence on the winger and was pivotal in his decision to remain with the Old Trafford outfit in the aftermath of his row with Wayne Rooney at the 2006 World Cup.

And, as Real Madrid step up their interest in the 23-year-old, Ferguson feels Queiroz can be a useful ally in providing first-hand experience of life at the Bernabeu.

'Carlos has the experience of being at Real Madrid,' said Ferguson.

'That is helping us now with all the nonsense we have to talk about.

'Carlos' experience means he can advise Cristiano quite well about that kind of club. That is a plus point for us.'

By his own admission, Ferguson remains a 'dinosaur' in some aspects of the game's development.

Having spent years at Aberdeen merely attempting to recruit a second physio, only to be met with total resistance from Dons chairman Dick Donald, it is perhaps little wonder that, at 66, the Scot requires assistance in some areas, which Queiroz happily provides.

'Carlos is improving a lot of things,' said Ferguson.

'I am a bit of a dinosaur in that respect. I have recognised progress needed to be made in different areas that I am expert at.

'We have five physios now. I would have been happy with that, plus a nutritionist, a weight coach, a fitness coach.

'I even brought an orthoptist to assist on the eye training. That kind of thing is fine.

'But the levels we are going to now are unbelievable. Carlos has increased it in all sorts of ways.

'The entire medical side is fantastic. I don't think there is anywhere better in the world now. That is all down to Carlos' vision of the future which I would not have had.'