United fear mistake in appointing Ferguson's successor

Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon says making a mistake in appointing Alex Ferguson's successor could cost the club a fortune.

"Everyone who knows a little about the current situation at Manchester United knows that we will handle the succeeding of Alex Ferguson very carefully," Kenyon told the club's website.

"Thirty years ago we learned our lesson when the legendary Sir Matt Busby said goodbye to the club. His heritage was such a heavy burden for other managers that one after another failed and in the end, United were relegated.

"Due to what is at stake, we cannot allow ourselves to make one single mistake. The heritage of Ferguson and our drastic growth of media and marketing policy simply do not allow that," Kenyon said.

"That is why we only will start the process of finding a suitable successor at the beginning of 2002, when we will first meet with the board to discuss possible candidates."

Ferguson retires as manager next June after turning United into one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the world.

The club will begin to sift through candidates early in the New Year and Kenyon has revealed that United are keen to appoint an experienced candidate capable of handling the expectation levels built up during Ferguson's 15-year reign.

Kenyon is worried that the club could suffer a dramatic slump in fortunes if future managers are unable to cope with the pressure of following in the Scot's footsteps.

When Sir Matt Busby retired as manager in 1969 after winning the European Cup, his successors Wilf McGuinness and Frank O'Farrell both failed to keep the club on track and United were relegated to the old second division in 1974.