Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand admits he can't imagine the club without manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Speculation as to how much longer he can go on for continues to rage, but Ferdinand hopes it will be long after he finishes playing before Ferguson finally decides to slip into retirement.
"I don't see the club without the boss," he told the Jakarta Globe.
"I like how the manager works and we enjoy being with him.
"I hope he can stay longer than all of us."
Numerous names have been offered up as potential successors to Ferguson, but Ferdinand is not convinced that there is anybody working in management at the moment that could fill his shoes.
He added: "It's difficult to imagine (United without Ferguson). I think being the manager of Manchester United is the hardest job in the world.
"You could say this man or that man, but when they get there they may crumble or fail. It's hard to say."
