"First of all, I'm not retiring" - Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Manchester United in the near future as he considers who might one day become his successor.

Ferguson will bring up 25 years in charge of United on 6th November, before celebrating his 70th birthday at the end of December.

He planned to stand down almost a decade ago but changed his mind and has not looked back since, leading the Red Devils to another period of success.

The debate about who should eventually replace Ferguson has raged for years, and the man himself believes it would have to be somebody with great experience.

But the Scot feels it is virtually impossible to predict the identity of the next manager, as a host of names have been linked with the role in the past.

At various times, Bryan Robson, Steve McClaren, Mark Hughes,Martin O'Neill and a host of top continental bosses have been connected with the post.

Current favourite to replace Ferguson is Jose Mourinho, although a mounting disciplinary crime sheet at Real Madrid is not helping his cause.

Yet, speaking to the Italian media at an awards ceremony at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Ferguson confirmed he is going nowhere.

He said: "Over the years I've had the question who do I think could replace me? Now in those years, some of the coaches they were talking about to replace me don't have jobs anymore.

"So it becomes very difficult because someone who I think has potential may be sacked by his club and disappear.

"I think you would need someone very experienced in the long term. But I have absolutely no idea... first of all, I'm not retiring."

Petr Cech may face Sunderland

Chelsea have received a boost after goalkeeper Petr Cech returned to full training on Tuesday.

Cech was ruled out for up to a month on August 18 after suffering a medial knee ligament injury in training

Andre Villas-Boas had said after that game that he had "confidence in all of the three" goalkeepers, but it will be considered a significant boost if Cech proves his fitness in time for the weekend's trip to Sunderland in the Premier League.

Chelsea remain a "big threat" in the title race this season - Ferguson

Sir Alex.

United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen had branded Chelsea's squad 'too old' to provide any real competition for the title this season.

However, Ferguson is not of the same thinking and believes Chelsea will be up there challenging as he has a lot of respect for their experienced squad.

"They have tremendous experience with the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, John Terry, Alex, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres - there aren't any young kids in that team," Ferguson said.

"But they don't have 36 or 37-year-olds like Ryan Giggs. Lampard and Drogba are 33, Anelka is 32 - not dissimilar to (Michael) Carrick and Rio Ferdinand, and we wouldn't be saying they are dead and buried, would we? So why should they be?

"They'll still be a big threat and we expect them to challenge.

Ferguson will lock horns with new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas for the first time later this month and Ferguson admits he does not know a great deal about the Portuguese.

"He has a different set-up there to me, but I'm sure he'll get plenty of advice from others and he'll do fine. I don't know much about him," added Ferguson.

"He's a young man and it's a big step coming into the Premier League from the Portuguese championship, but given time and support anything is possible."