Manchester United assistant Mike Phelan has paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson, who celebrates 24 years in the Old Trafford hotseat on Saturday.
And whilst he needs to shake off a virus in order to be at Old Trafford for the encounter with Wolves that commemorates his anniversary, it seems Ferguson could be around for a while yet according to one of the men who knows him best.
"If the manager gets over this illness he will probably carry on for a long while yet," smiled Phelan, a Ferguson signing as a player before returning to Old Trafford in 1999 as part of United's academy staff, eventually rising to his present position.
"It is a magnificent achievement. It is unique.
"I have been fortunate to see quite a few years of those 24. I started with him when I had hair - and a moustache.
"He deserves the plaudits he has received and he has more to offer football because he adapts all the time.
"That is one of his secrets. He is open to new ideas and open to changing things and players and building new teams."
