Manchester United are already planning for the retirement of manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Sunday Mirror says chief executive David Gill and United legend Sir Bobby Charlton have been tasked with selecting candidates capable of filling the massive void that will be left when Ferguson steps down.

They will call on Ferguson's massive wealth of football knowledge in that hunt.

Three names are already on the table, Laurent Blanc (Bordeaux), Jose Mourinho (Inter Milan) and Carlos Queiroz (Portugal).