Manchester United favour Pep Guardiola as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor, it has been revealed.

But a blow to United's planning is that the former Barcelona coach would prefer to work in London.

The Telegraph says Ferguson, the chief executive, David Gill, and a member of the Glazer family reportedly met Guardiola in New York during the summer.

For Guardiola, who has spent part of year off in New York, London's size and the anonymity that affords is an attraction after the intensity of his four years in management in Spain's second city.