Fergie Fire Still Burning

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has mellowed but his fierce determination is still as strong as ever, according to Rio Ferdinand.

The Premier League's manager of the season has guided United to a record-breaking 19th league title and has fulfilled his ambition of knocking arch-rivals Liverpool off their perch.

At the same time, Ferguson is also planning for next Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley, where he could win his third European Cup.

It has been speculated that the 69-year-old could retire in the summer if he completes a magnificent trophy double, despite his insistence that he wants to continue in management for as long as his health allows.

But Ferdinand, a 2002 signing from Leeds, has indicated that Ferguson remains as committed as ever to driving United towards future success.

The defender said in The Sun of Ferguson ahead of Sunday's final game of the season against Blackpool, who could be relegated: "The fire is still burning. You see it every day.

"You look at the detail he goes into in terms of pre-match talks, the videos with the staff, the research that they do, and you can't do all that without having the desire and hunger he's got.

"In fact he goes into more detail than he did when I joined nine years ago and has become a bit more meticulous. That's probably because the competition has got stronger over the years.

"He's embraced everything, like the scientific stuff and has brought that into the club. Everyone's had to move with the times and he's done that.

"He's mellowed because you've got different animals now, there's more foreign players. But if something needs to be said there's no half measures.

"After what he's achieved, he's got to command that respect when he walks into a room with what he's won and the way he carries himself.

"But he knows you can't be a schoolteacher all day long. He has a laugh and a joke with some of the players but when it's business time, it's business.

"He will come in and take the mick out of people and you can do it back but only slightly. There's a definite line between the manager and the players.

"It's not a line in the floor where you can actually see it but you know in your head where it is."

Ferdinand also believes that the work of Ferguson in convincing Wayne Rooney not to quit United and consequently sign a contract extension in October was crucial in this season's title race.

The England international said: "Rooney staying was a big part of what we achieved this season. There was a sense of relief from the players, the fans, everybody.

"Wayne is one of the best three players in the world, so to have him on our team-sheet is a bonus."