Here, we look at the Old Trafford alumni currently forging a career in management with British league clubs.

STEVE BRUCE

Made a disappointing managerial start with Sheffield United and then moved from Huddersfield to Wigan and Crystal Palace in the space of just three years before joining Birmingham in 2001. Led the Blues to promotion to the Premiership but suffered relegation last season. However, he has guided them back into the top flight at the first time of asking.

ROY KEANE

Recruited by beleaguered Sunderland in August after the Black Cats lost their first four league matches of the season following relegation from the Premiership. Allowed to recruit freely, Keane has overseen an amazing transformation in the club's fortunes to leave them second in the Championship. A 17-match unbeaten run was brought to an end by Colchester last weekend but the Black Cats hit back to win at home to Burnley on Friday, and secured promotion today.

GORDON STRACHAN

Sealed a second Bank of Scotland Premier League title in succession with Celtic after taking the helm in 2005. It was his first job since opting to take 12 months out of the game after resigning his post at Southampton, who he took to the 2003 FA Cup final. Previously had a five-year stint in charge at Coventry but was sacked soon after their relegation from the top flight in 2001.

STEVE COPPELL

The managerial veteran is an outside bet to be named manager of the year after guiding his unheralded Reading side to the verge of UEFA Cup qualification in their first ever season in the Premiership. He cut his managerial teeth with Crystal Palace and led them to promotion in 1989 and the FA Cup final in 1990.

Had four separate spells in charge at Palace, punctuated by an unhappy stint at Manchester City. Also managed Brentford and Brighton.

MARK HUGHES

Made a fine start in management with the Wales national side, his team getting within a play-off victory of qualifying for Euro 2004. His efforts made an impression on former club Blackburn, who recruited him in September 2004. Turned around a struggling side to take them to sixth in the Premiership last season and a place in Europe. With three games left, they have an outside chance of playing in the UEFA Cup again next term.

PAUL INCE

Was appointed Macclesfield boss last October with the club winless, bottom of Coca-Cola League Two and seemingly doomed to relegation from the Football league. However, a record of 14 wins in his 35 games since has left the Silkmen one point clear of the relegation places with one game remaining. Should they stay up it would rank alongside the greatest of escapes.

CHRIS CASPER

At 31, the youngest manager in the English professional game having been appointed by Bury in 2005. The club have struggled towards the bottom end of League Two all season but are three points above the drop with one game to go.

DARREN FERGUSON

Took charge of Peterborough as player-manager in January after the sacking of Keith Alexander. Sir Alex Ferguson's son found first-team chances hard to come by at United and went on to play for Wolves and Wrexham before his move to London Road. A late bid for the play-offs has fallen short.

MARK ROBINS

Robins - credited with scoring the FA Cup goal that saved Sir Alex's job early in his Old Trafford tenure - took the reins at League One Rotherham in March. However, four wins in 11 games have not been enough to save the Millers, who will drop a division next season.

ANDY RITCHIE

Took over at Huddersfield earlier this month in controversial circumstances after Phil Parkinson's 11th-hour decision not to accept the job. Ritchie was linked to the Sheffield Wednesday job before being sacked by Barnsley in January, despite leading the Tykes to promotion from League One last term.

Before joining the Yorkshire club, Ritchie started his managerial career with Oldham.