The hip operation booked in for Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson influenced his retirement decision, it has been revealed. The Mirror says the procedure will leave Ferguson sidelined for up to three months and, with the prospect of missing the start of United's title defence at the start of next season, the 71-year-old heeded it as a message from his body that it was time to call it a day.

Despite insisting the operation was planned for after United's pre-season tour of Thailand, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong, the lengthy recovery period meant Ferguson being back in the dug-out for the start of the new season was a fanciful notion.

Add to that the imminent departure of United chief executive David Gill and Ferguson's brother Martin, the club's European scout, and all the elements were there for the perfect exit strategy for the Old Trafford boss.