Premiership: United silent over Fergie hints

Manchester United today declined to comment on hints by Alex Ferguson that he might change his mind about retiring at the end of the season.

The United manager admitted in several Sunday newspapers that he may have a rethink as he nears the end of his contract at Old Trafford.

He said: ‘‘At the moment my mind is made up about retiring at the end of the season.

‘‘Is there any possibility of me changing my mind? I don’t think so, but you never know what might happen.

‘‘The club are looking for my successor, but when the thing comes, nearer the time, who knows what will happen? But at the moment my mind is fixed on retiring.’’

Ferguson, 60 tomorrow, added: ‘‘Being 60 doesn’t bother me. I am still as hungry to win things as I ever have been. That hasn’t changed. I am still enjoying the job very much.’’

It has quickly become clear to United chief executive Peter Kenyon that replacing Ferguson is going to be nigh-on impossible.

However, it appears there are no plans for the United board to make further attempts to persuade Ferguson to stay on as manager when his contract expires at the end of this season.

And the search for his replacement looks set to be stepped up in the new year, although several of the club’s possible targets appear to have already ruled themselves out of the running for the Old Trafford hotseat.

United’s reported number one target, Sven-Goran Eriksson, claims he will not walk out on England, while the other leading contenders - Ottmar Hitzfeld, David O’Leary, Marcello Lippi and Arsene Wenger - have all said they are not interested in the job.