Darren predicts May 2010 retirement for Dad

Increasing speculation suggests that Sir Alex Ferguson will retire as Manchester United boss next summer. The reports follow a prediction from Sir Alex’s son Darren that his father may step down from the Old Trafford hotseat in May 2010 if he secured an eighteenth league championship for the Reds this season.

When Ferguson took the reigns at Old Trafford in 1986 aiming to "to knock Liverpool off their bloody perch'', few would have predicted what the next 23 years would hold for the football club.

Since joining the club from Aberdeen, Ferguson has secured ten Premier League titles and is hoping to see his side equal the Scousers' record of eighteen league championships.

If United can cling onto top spot this season then Fergie will, next season, have the opportunity to surpass Liverpool's record and secure United's place as the most successful team in English league football history.

Getting that opportunity would, according to Darren Ferguson, prompt Sir Alex's retirement. The Peterborough boss believes that his father will step down as Reds boss if United beat off Liverpool and Chelsea to seal this year's title.

Speaking to the Sun, Darren said: "If they win this year then they catch Liverpool in terms of titles won. I can see him doing this year and next - and then that might be it for him."

The 67-year-old has been in football management in 1974 when he took charge of East Stirlingshire.