United chief executive David Gill has pledged Ferguson's advice will be sought when the Scot decides to stand down, but insists there have been no indications that such a decision is likely to come soon.
'We don't know when Alex is going to retire and long may he continue,' Gill said.
The key: Sir Alex Ferguson will have a large say on his successor
But when he does decide to retire, 68-year-old Ferguson, who has spent 23 years in charge of United, is set to be joined by Sir Bobby Charlton on a selection panel as the club seek a man capable of following him and maintaining the high levels of achievement.
'It will be discussed with Alex, Bobby Charlton and the owners, added the United chief.
'I think Alex will be the key. He knows people. He will have a big role in advising and being a sounding board. I am sure we will talk with the owners and look at who is there and determine who we would like to appoint.
'It would be remiss of us not to use the expertise and knowledge that we have,' Gill told the Independent.
Gill declined to discuss the names of those managers likely to be in contention, and given the decision could still be several years away any existing shortlist could change dramatically.
He described Jose Mourinho as 'a winner', as his record, not only in the past season with Inter Milan, only serves to demonstrate.
A winner: Jose Mouinho lifts Old Big Ears for the second time, equalling Sir Alex Ferguson's record in the competition
However United would not welcome any approach from the Portuguese manager for striker Wayne Rooney once Mourinho takes charge at Real Madrid.
Mourinho is a long-time admirer of the former Everton player, and told Spanish sports newspaper AS: 'I would like to train Rooney, both as a player and how their mentality. But my friend Ferguson can rest easy because it is impossible.'
Going nowhere: Wayne Rooney is staying at United, says David Gill
Gill suggested United would discuss a new contract for Rooney, and dismissed the notion of the England forward moving to the Bernabeu.
'He won't go there. He won't want to go there. There may be some noise aroundit. I don't care,' Gill said. You're boring! United chief executive Gill blasts fan protests as 'tiring'United reveal they have £95m spare cash as Glazers insist: We're not sellingManchester United's finances under Glazer family to be investigated by BBC's PanoramaMANCHESTER UNITED FC
Source: Daily_Mail
