The club's record appearance holder says his veteran boss, who turned 69 last month, has an enduring passion for the game.

In an interview with Sky TV magazine, Giggs said: "I really do not see him (Ferguson) finishing any time soon, he will go on, at least another five years.

"His desire gets stronger. After a Champions League game we can get back at 3.30am and then a few hours later he will be the first in at the training ground.

"Earlier in the season we had a virus at the club. He got it himself and was dying during the week, really sick, but come the day of the game, he was there in the dug-out. He just loves the challenge."

Giggs intends to follow Ferguson and become a manager somewhere. He is currently taking his A coaching badge.

He added: "I want to remain in football so I can continue to do something I have done since school. If I have a day off I am bored.

"I hope I can be a good manager, I like helping players and improving them. But the life expectancy of a manager is just 18 months, so you do not get long."