Ferguson eyes Guardiola or Mourinho as successor.

AS he collected another three points on a day he was embroiled in a controversy with a player 50 years his junior on Sunday, Alex Ferguson’s fire looked at Liverpool like it was burning as strong as ever.

Yet away from the pitch, the Scot’s focus is no longer fixed solely on leading Manchester United back to the summit of the Premier League or snaring a third European crown of his reign - but also on putting in place a cast-iron succession plan that will see the club succeed long after he decides to call it a day.

With whispers growing within Manchester United’s corridors of power that the flames could finally be ready to flicker on one of the greatest managerial dynasties of all, Ferguson is actively drawing up a precise succession plan to ensure a smooth transition when he retires as manager.

Already, he is in constant contact with the club’s chief executive, David Gill, who is in control of the day-to-day running of the club, as well as being involved in regular conference calls with the United States (U.S.)-based owners, the Glazers, as he finalises plans.