Steve Coppell is amazed how quickly Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has managed to rebuild his team.

Coppell hailed Ferguson's capacity to adapt to football's ever changing landscape.

Coppell, currently looking for a return to football management after leaving Bristol City at the start of last season, told the Sunday Mirror: "He is the ­gaffer. He is the manager in the old sense of the word.

"He has adapted to everything that has evolved in ­football - transfer fees, ­Bosman, wages.

"And he still looks as ambitious and as keen as ever. Look at his reaction when United score a goal.

"I was speaking to him recently and he told me: 'The thing in football that makes you old is ­losing.' Well he must start every season looking to lose five games, max. What a fantastic position to be in. But that is down to his work and his eye for a player.

"The business he did this summer was tremendous.

"Ok, for me there is still a question mark against the keeper David de Gea. He hasn't got the presence of a Peter Schmeichel or Edwin van der Sar and has still to be tested.

"But Ashley Young and Phil Jones - square pegs in square holes. His squad has the ­terrific blend of youth and ­experience and the options he has are so numerous.

"You would have thought that without Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic against Chelsea last week there might be a soft spot. No chance.

"And look what he can do up front… Rooney, Berbatov, ­Hernandez, Wellbeck.

"He has choices all over the pitch - and that is not an accident.

"That is his reward for the way he goes out to choose players that fit into the United way of doing things. And he is the best ever at keeping things under wraps. No-one has any idea of what is going on in that dressing room."