FERGUSON AWATAJA WATAKAOMRITHI KUIFUNDISHA MANCHESTER UNITED

Sir Alex Ferguson finalising Manchester United succession plan headed by Guardiola and Mourinho

The 70-year-old will have the biggest say in the identity of his successor and has identified only two potential candidates for the Old Trafford hot-seat

As he collected another three points on a day he was embroiled in a controversy with a player 50 years his junior on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson’s fire looked at Liverpool like it was burning as strong as ever.Yet away from the pitch, the Scot's focus is no longer fixed solely on leading Manchester United back to the summit of the Premier League or snaring a third European crown of his reign - but also on putting in place a cast-iron succession plan that will see the club succeed long after he decides to call it a day.

With whispers growing within Manchester United’s corridors of power that the flames could finally be ready to flicker on one of the greatest managerial dynasties of all, Ferguson is actively drawing up a precise succession plan to ensure a smooth transition when he retires as manager.

Already, he is in constant contact with chief executive David Gill, who is in control of the day-to-day running of the club, as well as being involved in regular conference calls with the US-based owners the Glazers as he finalises plans.

And the key to both the Old Trafford legend's succession plan and the timing of his retirement from management lie in part at least at the feet of the only two managers Ferguson himself considers serious candidates to succeed him; Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

Any appointment will have to be ratified by the board and Gill but, on both sides of the Atlantic, they are comfortable with Ferguson having the biggest say in the identity of the man who takes his seat in the dugout and when he comes to sit in it.