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Sir Alex Ferguson has uttered the unthinkable – he hopes a future Manchester United manager will smash his Old Trafford trophy record, reports Steve Bates in the Sunday People.

The former United boss spent 27 years ­amassing an incredible haul of 38 trophies ­before finally hanging up his famous hair-dryer almost two years ago.

It’s the biggest collection of silverware ever won by a top-flight British manager – but Ferguson claims he would love another United boss to better it.

And with current gaffer Louis van Gaal too long in the tooth, many believe LVG’s No.2 Ryan Giggs is being groomed as the man to surpass his old mentor.

For Fergie, there’s no question of allowing professional jealousy or a desire to protect his astonishing legacy get in the way of the club’s future success.

(Image: Getty)

The Scot captivated a 300-strong audience at Old Trafford a few days ago with a magical trip down memory lane.

Ferguson is 73 but his passion for United to succeed still burns hot.

And he was on top form as he revealed that the late goals United had a knack of scoring to win games is the most ­cherished memory of his time in charge at Old Trafford.

But top of his agenda was his desire to see United back where they belong – winning titles

Fergie said: “We had a wonderful run of success when I was here and we won a lot of trophies.

(Image: Matthew Peters)

“But I really hope s­omeone comes along and breaks my record here, I really do.

“I’d like to see another United manager come in and win 45 ­trophies in 25 years. Nothing would make me happier.

“Why? Because it’s a food chain at this club. First there was the great Sir Matt Busby and then there was me.

“Now I’d love someone else to come in and establish a long run of success because that’s what this club is all about.”

With current boss Van Gaal due to celebrate his 64th birthday in August, Ferguson doesn’t ­envisage the Dutchman being that man.

The obvious candidate to ­re-write the history books would be United legend Giggs, who has already had a taste of managing the club.

(Image: Getty)

The Welshman was put in charge for the last four games of last season after David Moyes was sacked.

Many behind the scenes, ­including Ferguson, believe Giggs has the right credentials for the job.

And it is believed he is being groomed for the role when his current guv’nor leaves the post some time after 2017.

The theme of the evening for guest of honour Ferguson at the 30th-anniversary dinner of the Manchester United Old Boy’s Association was “thanks for the memories.”

And as he delved back into the treasure trove of great moments that littered his reign, Ferguson confessed it was the late goals his players scored that gave him the biggest buzz of all.

(Image: Matthew Peters)

“The one thing that I will always take from my time here as manager will be those last-minute goals,” he said.

“I considered it was my job to send everyone home happy when they came to see us play and ­nothing did that like a last-minute goal.

“And I’m not just talking about the 1999 Champions League ­final. The number of last-minute goals we scored was incredible.

“The effect on everyone was something I still remember. I’d get back to the dressing room and my players would be jumping all over each other, my staff would be embracing one another, and the fans would leave the ground and head to the pub on a high.

“Those goals gave me the ­greatest memories and the impact they had on people made it the best part of the job for me.”

(Image: PA)

Ferguson’s success was built on a platform of man-management that went way beyond the dressing room.

His techniques are now a ­fascination for American academics and students at Harvard University in Boston.

Ferguson agreed to a teaching role with the revered Ivy League establishment which wants to tap into the leadership skills that made him such a great manager.

He told guests: “One of the Harvard students asked me what was the most effective ­management skill I used as a manager at Manchester United.

“I said it was a simple one: know everyone’s name. I’m ­talking about the canteen staff, the ground staff, people who work in all departments.

(Image: Reuters)

“If you greet them by their name, whether it’s ‘good morning Claire’ or ‘morning Robert,’ it’s important that you know who they are. And that THEY know you know that.

“Inside a club you are building a fortress and when times aren’t great you need the people with you.

Ferguson admitted he has a Manchester United App on his phone which gives him statistics about everything.

“I know how many times we’ve won 1-0, how many times we’ve scored late goals to win games – everything,” he said. “It’s an ­amazing thing, I can’t put it down.”

For Ferguson, old habits die hard.