Ferguson to quit next year?

Sir Alex Ferguson will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of next season, according to his son Darren.

Speculation about when Ferguson will end his long reign at Old Trafford has been ongoing since he changed his mind about quitting when he turned 60 seven years ago.

Now Darren Ferguson, manager of League One side Peterborough, has hinted it could be the summer of 2010 when his father finally walks away from the game.

''His health is fine and he's building a new team,'' said Darren. ''If they win (the Premier League) this year then they catch Liverpool in terms of titles won.

''I can see him doing this year and next - and then that might be it for him.''

Ferguson senior has already cancelled one retirement date, which was originally scheduled for the end of the 2001-02 season, and passed the retirement age of 65 two years ago.

Since then he has stubbornly refused to clarify his intentions and has fluctuated from saying he has "many years" left to insisting that he will not work beyond the advanced age of 70.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso claims that Fergie's men are still favourites for the title this season.

"It's going to be difficult because we can't afford to drop many points and we know that United have a very good team," he told Sky Sports News. "They are the main favourites, of course, but we are going to be doing our best to be challenging until the final weeks of the season."

When questioned whether the pressure is on United, he responded: "Yes, I think so. They are the champions.

"They are in the best position and they have that advantage. We have to do our job and try to make things difficult for them."