MANCHESTER (AFP) -- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson marked his 70th birthday on Saturday with a vow to stay at the club for at least three more years.
In an interview with United’s official website, Ferguson said he envisaged remaining at Old Trafford until 2014 and possibly beyond provided his health and passion for the job remained.
“I think I’ve got three years at the club,” Ferguson said. “As long as my health stays up and as long as I’m still enjoying it and still getting the satisfaction of the team doing its best.”
Ferguson also said he was motivated by the challenge of building a new side capable of dominating English football and conquering Europe once more.
When asked if he is still motivated by the challenge, Ferguson said: “There are new players that have come in, like (Phil) Jones, (Chris) Smalling, Ashley Young, (Danny) Welbeck, and they haven’t won any league medals yet.
”We have to continue the dominance of winning leagues and, without question, winning a European Cup is important at this club. We should have been in at least another three finals. But you can’t be greedy, I suppose, and having won two in my time is an achievement.
“They were special, it was terrific to win them. I think I’d be very keen to do that (again).”
Ferguson, whose team will finish 2011 on top of the Premier League with a win over Blackburn later Saturday, has seen his team claw back a five-point deficit from Manchester City in recent weeks.
The United manager said the club owed its success to the way players reacted in adversity.
“You don’t win every time,” he said.
“People maybe say we’re great winners and all that type of thing, but I think we’re great losers. You know why? Because we don’t let it happen too many times and we’ve a certain attitude about that.”
