Ferguson determined to repay United

Alex Ferguson has vowed he will not leave Manchester United “in a shambles” when he eventually departs Old Trafford.

Over the past few seasons, Ferguson has been revamping his squad as the famed team built around the ‘Class of 92’ reaches its sell-by date.

Ferguson’s efforts have met with mixed success, with effective arrivals such as Gabriel Heinze, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo counter-balanced by the notable failures of Eric Djemba-Djemba, Liam Miller and Kleberson.

However, despite reaching his 64th birthday on New Year’s Eve and now moving on to a new one-year rolling contract, Ferguson is determined to look towards the future.

His most recent signings, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic, are both 24 – while the idea of trying to lure Michael Ballack or Thomas Gravesen to Old Trafford has apparently been rejected because the pair are too old.

“Age catches up with everyone,” he said.

“Evolution happens in football, and the target is to bring this team together. I am working for the future, as well as the present.

“I owe Manchester United my foresight. I am not going to leave this club in a shambles when I go. They have been too good to me for that.

“The manager who follows me will find that he inherits a squad in good shape, with quality players.”

The rumour mill has already gone into overdrive as to who Ferguson’s next signing may be, especially now Paul Scholes has been ruled out for the season with a serious eye complaint.

With John O’Shea sidelined for the next six weeks by fractured ribs, Ferguson’s squad is acutely short of midfield cover – so despite chief executive David Gill’s claims that United’s cheque-book is now closed until the summer, almost everyone expects the manager to bring in one more new face, even if it is only on loan.

The first man in the frame is AC Milan’s out-of-favour Swiss international Johann Vogel.

The 27-year-old has made just three appearances for the Serie A giants since arriving from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, and it is reported in Italy that Ferguson has inquired about Vogel’s availability.