Alex Ferguson has admitted that he has no plans to step into retirement any time soon. The Manchester United boss has been involved in management for over 30 years, with 22 of those coming at Old Trafford.

It had been widely assumed that the legendary Scot would be ready to call time on his illustrious career at the end of next season - having achieved all there is to achieve in the game.

However, the 66-year-old insists he has given no consideration to when he plans step down, suggesting he could be around for some time yet.

"Why would I pack it in at the moment?" the United chief said. "I don't ever think about it any more - it's all out of my mind. It doesn't even come into it now. I don't even think about it.

"I am not even going to put myself into that situation where I am thinking: 'Should I this year, should I next year?'"

Ferguson then went on to reveal that deteriorating health would be the only thing that could convince him to leave his Old Trafford post.

"If my health deteriorated, that solves the problem for everyone," he added.

"You would be rid of me for good!

"Secondly, it's about my team. If they are doing well, then there's no pressure on me."

Ferguson had previously stated that he would step down at the end of the 2001/02 campaign, only to then go back on that decision.

He insists he will not be making any further rash decisions in the future, believing he will know when the time is right to slip into the shadows.

"No, I won't wake up one day and say that's it. I wouldn't do that," he said.

"The time to retire would be at the end of the summer.

"I used to say top players don't retire at the end of the season. I remember Billy McNeill (former Celtic and Scotland defender) retiring at the end of the season then he got through the summer and he was wanting to go again.

"He was sorry he retired."