United finished trophy-less last season, with big-spending Chelsea and Manchester City picking up the major honours.

However, Ferguson has no doubt United will get back to the top, even after he eventually leaves Old Trafford.

"Of course, there will be life after me," he said. "Absolutely.

"Manchester United is an institution and the history of the club forces everything.

"We have support all over the world and that in itself raises expectation levels.

"But it won't be an impossible job to succeed me with the structure we have at this club. It will need an experienced manager – and I don't think the club will choose a young manager because of what the job demands.

"But no one will refuse this job after me – whatever the situation."

The 70-year-old believes the promising youngsters in his squad combined with the training facilities and the biggest stadium in the English Premier League mean it will not be a daunting prospect for whoever has to fill his boots.

"This is a club with solid foundations. We've got a great stadium, a great training ground and a lot of good young players. If you look at it, I could play a full team of players aged 22 or 23," Ferguson said.

"(David) De Gea, Rafael, (Chris) Smalling, (Phil) Jones, (Jonny) Evans, (Tom) Cleverley, (Nick) Powell, Chicharito, (Jesse) Lingard, (Danny) Welbeck and (Shinji) Kagawa.

"These players will be the United team in years to come, so it would not be a daunting prospect to follow me.

"Whoever does come in will have his own way, but he will have a foundation to work from."