Alex Ferguson has dismissed talk that he may carry on as Manchester United manager, claiming he still intends to retire in the summer as planned.

Ferguson had hinted at the weekend that he might have been prepared to reconsider his decision and stay on for another year.

But he now claims his words were misinterpreted. He told the Scotsman: "I was asked by a reporter about my retirement and I said, as I would about anything, that you never know what might happen.

"That's true, but it doesn't mean I was thinking about changing my plans. I've told you before that it's my intention to give up managing at the end of the season. That still goes.

"There are powerful reasons for the decision and those haven't changed."

The club will soon begin approaching the men on their short-list. So far virtually all of the contenders have ruled themselves out.

They were joined yesterday by Martin O'Neill, who insisted that the only way he would quit Celtic would be if he was sacked.

After yesterday's 2-0 victory over Motherwell at Parkhead, he seemed more concerned with the reaction to his comments that he would not "dread" an approach from Manchester United.

He said his words were blown out of proportion and stated he was happy to see out his contract, which expires in the summer of 2003.

"I was asked an innocent question about my contract which shouldn't have been a problem.

"There's nothing too much to read into it. In fact I have never gone out of my way to link myself with Manchester United . . . My contract here runs to the end of next season and if I leave beforehand it will be because the board has sacked me."

He added: "Manchester United is of no consequence to me and it is almost embarrassing.

"Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager in the modern era and he is still managing and he might want to stay for the next 30 years."

When asked earlier how he would feel if United came knocking at his door, O'Neill had been quoted as saying: "I wouldn't regret it if someone (at) United offered you something, and I assume then they might be pleased with the job that you're doing."

O'Neill has yet to be offered a new deal by Celtic.