Sir Alex tips Ryan Giggs to succeed him as United boss

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Ryan Giggs could one day succeed him as Manchester United manager.

The United boss has confided to friends that he considers the record-breaking Welsh winger to have a big enough personality - and the right presence at the club - to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining success at Old Trafford.

Following Ferguson will be a daunting task for whoever is chosen, but after serving under the 70-year-old Scot for 21 years, few have a better understanding of how his manager runs the club than Giggs.

Liverpool kept up their success in the 1970s and '80s by recruiting from within and Ferguson, Sportsmail understands, believes there is a strong case for following that example.

Giggs's next game for United will be his 900th for the club - the latest milestone in a staggering career.

He has been rewarded with another one-year contract that will take the 38-year-old into his 22nd season at United.

He has won 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two Champions League trophies, so his pedigree as a player is unrivalled.

Giggs is working through his coaching qualifications and Paul Scholes recently suggested his colleague could fill the void that will be created when Ferguson eventually retires.

Scholes told FourFourTwo magazine: 'People have talked about Jose Mourinho. It can change quickly - it's about who is successful at the time.

'Whether they are British or foreign, you just want the best man for the job. I could see Ryan Giggs becoming manager.'