Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce has laughed off chairman Dave Whelan's clams that he would be the ideal successor at Manchester United for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Bruce said: "Sir Alex will look at the fact that he has put together another very good young team, so why should he walk away.

"It is something I have never really thought about although it is flattering to hear my chairman saying things like that about me.

"I have great memories of the club and still look for their results, I must do after playing their for 10 years. But managing there is a long way off.

"But coming into management you want to be in the Premier League, but us English ones have to start off the hard way.

"You learn your trade and try to do better. You always want to go to the top, and Manchester United are right at the top.

"We all strive for it but there are probably a few people around better qualified than me.

"But I have only been here 18 months. I have enjoyed my time here - not the last couple of months though - because the hard work we have put in has unravelled a bit."