Manchester United: Can Speculation Over Sir Alex Ferguson's Replacement End?

The greatest manager of this era, Sir Alex Ferguson has helped Manchester United to one of the greatest stretches in club football history during the last 24 years.

During this stretch, Ferguson has won countless trophies and has helped to make Manchester United into the most popular and richest sports team on the planet.

However, ever since Fergie was able to complete the English treble in May of 1999, many have wondered who would be the next manager of Man United.

Some of the managers considered to replace Ferguson are Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and David Moyes.

However, Fergie continues to state that he will not retire and announced today in Doha before Argentina and Brazil faced each other in a friendly that, "I'm in no mood for it; as long as my health is good I intend to carry on."

Fergie went on to say: "If my health deteriorated it would be different, but retirement is for young people—they can do something else. If I get off that treadmill where do you think I'd go—only one way: down."

When it was put to him that three years ago he tentatively mentioned 2011 as a potential date for stepping down, Ferguson replied: "I've changed my mind—again."

From this you can see that the 68-year-old wants to and should be able to manage Manchester United for many years to come.

Like two of his players, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who have been with him during every step of this journey, he sees no reason yet to call it quits.

Instead, Fergie will look to carry on the dynasty that he created by maximizing the young talent that he has either bought or produced during the last several years.

Players such as Javier Hernandez, the Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio, Chris Smalling and Bebe can all become elite players by learning under Sir Alex.

Plus, after the recent incident with Wayne Rooney, Man United appear ready to go into another golden era.

During the upcoming winter and summer transfer windows, United will work to keep Rooney and the fans happy by finally breaking the bank to collect strong talent.

Already, names such as Franck Ribery and Gareth Bale have been thrown around as potential targets of the Red Devils.

When you add all of this together with the enjoyment that Fergie still clearly has, it is unlikely that we'll see Sir Alex Ferguson leave his managerial role anytime soon.

Despite that, many people still claim that Sir Alex will retire at the end of the season.

But based on what he's saying, it doesn't seem likely. Sir Alex continues to have fun training up United's young guns and winning silverware, and he has never lost the taste to achieve it.

He knows how to get underneath the skin of opponents and rivals with his infamous "mind games" and knows exactly what is needed for United to succeed.

The fact of the matter is that Sir Alex Ferguson will not retire anytime soon, and everyone should stop speculating over his future.