Phelan fine in spotlight

MIKE PHELAN is relishing the responsibility of stepping into the assistant manager’s shoes at Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson is still drawing up his short-list of candidates to replace Carlos Queiroz, who quit to take over at Real Madrid this summer.

However, despite previously indicating he would be looking outside the club for a permanent successor to the former Portuguese national coach, Ferguson must have been impressed at the way United’s squad have responded to Phelan over the past few weeks.

After winning all four games on their pre-season US tour, the Red Devils have also captured the Community Shield at Arsenal’s expense and opened the defence of their Premiership title with a 4-0 hammering of Bolton at Old Trafford last weekend.

“The manager has said he is not rushing into anything, he gave me an opportunity to do pre-season and it has gone pretty well,” Phelan said. “I like the responsibility. It is something I have always fancied doing and long may it continue.

“I am taking it one step at a time but this is a great opportunity for me. The manager is happy with what he has seen and we will have to see where that goes.”

As a former United midfielder and a native of the north-west, Phelan is steeped in the traditions of Old Trafford and provides a useful link with the first of Ferguson’s trophy-winning teams.