Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is being tipped to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Such has been his impact at Birmingham, that one veteran judge believes it is not fantasy to suggest he could be a candidate to succeed his former mentor Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United when - and if - he eventually heads into retirement.

Former Old Trafford boss Ron Atkinson told the News of the World: "I have seen a lot of Birmingham games since Alex took over and I have been very impressed with the job he has done.

"He has brought a stability and substance to the place which hasn't always been there. He has gone about the job quietly and efficiently. I reckon he will continue to to raise the bar gradually and establish them as a solid Premier League club without spending vast amounts of money.

"It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could be a candidate for the Manchester United job eventually. Sir Alex knows him and would encourage his appointment if he felt he was ready for it.

"I happen to think there is a dearth of good young British managers in the game and McLeish is one of the outstanding ones.

"Don't forget, he knows his way around a big club having been at Rangers so Old Trafford would not faze him."