While speculation continues over who will take over from Sir Alex Ferguson, when the greatest manager in Premier League history decides to retire, the Scot himself revealed he plans to carry on for a few more years yet.

Ferguson turned 71 on New Year's Eve, and has been tipped to retire at the end of the season, leading to suggestions Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho could take the helm at United next season.

The enigmatic Scot has been the boss at Old Trafford for over 26 years now and does not see himself calling it quits anytime soon.

"I'm hoping to stay on for a bit of time," Ferguson told the Abu Dhabi Sports channel when asked if he would retire at the end of the season.

Along with Mourinho and Guardiola, David Moyes has also been linked with the manager's job at United, but Ferguson is not sure what the future will hold when it comes to his successor.

"Over the years, names have been bandied about but football is such a precarious industry," he added.

"You could be talking about one of the potentially exciting young managers in the game but is he going to be here in two or three years' time? The sack race is horrendous.

"Sometimes a manager can only survive four games if he doesn't win a match.

"Top managers will always been in demand but nobody knows where they are going to be in two or three years' time."

Meanwhile, Ferguson praised Robin Van Persie's performance against Wigan, after the Dutch striker added two goals in another masterful performance, leading United to a 4-0 win over Wigan.

"We knew we were getting a top player who would make a difference to the team, that's why we went for him," Ferguson said. "Robin's a completely rounded footballer.

"He has international experience, he's played for Arsenal for seven years and he came to us at the very peak of his career.

"His ability to make and take goals is fantastic. His play was absolutely magnificent."

Roberto Mancini bemoaned City's inability to land Van Persie in the summer, saying the prolific Dutchman could be the difference maker in the title race. Ferguson agreed with the Italian, while adding the importance of maintaining United's seven-point lead.

"Over the years, December has been a good month for us," he said. "This time it has put us into a seven-point lead with 17 games left.

"It's not what I would say is a healthy lead, but it is a lead. It gives us something to kick on with."