FORTY NINE

"There was a phase of playing one day, managing a big club the next: people like Bryan Robson, Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit and Kenny Dalglish," said Ferguson. "It seemed a topical thing to do. There were some seriously experienced men who couldn't get a job because of that culture. Then you see recent events with younger managers coming up against a brick wall and not knowing whether to go round it, over it or through it. They have had no preparation.

Ferguson, who initially intended to retire last season, at 60, benefited from an apprenticeship at smaller clubs. "When I was younger at East Stirling, all I went in with was instinct and having been a player," he said. "Some managers have proved they don't have instinct. If I hadn't had the experience of eight and a half years at Aberdeen, I would never have handled the problems coming here to United."

Continual development has been Ferguson's philosophy. "There has been a stepping-stone progress at United: we win the Cup-Winners' Cup and I said we must go and win the League. We win the League and it's 'we must win the European Cup'.