Ferguson: Still going strong

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Fergie Hart-felt on retirement

Sir Alex Ferguson reiterated he’ll carry on as long as he’s healthy, although he wished he could go back in time and maybe sign Joe Hart.

The Manchester United supremo celebrated his 25th year at the helm this season, but the evergreen 70-year-old has accepted that four more years in the managerial game would be a stretch.

“I think you always want to go out on a winning note,” said the Scot, who has won 12 top-flight titles, two European Cups and five FA Cups in his lengthy tenure.

“Hopefully we can do that. I don’t know how long I can last now, but if my health stays up I don’t think another two or three years would harm me.”

Meanwhile, the United tactician revealed that he opted to bring in experienced goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from Fulham in 2005 over whipper-snapper Hart from League Two’s Shrewsbury.

Little did the former Aberdeen boss know that the Manchester City shot-stopper, now 24, would be England’s number one and arguably the best gloveman in the Premier League this term.

“I could have bought Joe Hart for £100,000 so we all make mistakes,” mused Ferguson. “If you look at the England goalkeeper situation for the last 20 years, I would think he’s easily the best.”