Lawrie McMenemy has admitted he is not surprised that his great friend, Sir Alex Ferguson, has decided to retire as manager of Manchester United.

Ferguson confirmed this morning that he will step down at the end of the season, following a 26-year reign at Old Trafford, and will move onto the club’s board.

There had been rumours that the 71-year-old was considering retirement towards the end of last season.

But former Saints manager McMenemy, who has been a long-standing friend of Ferguson, said the United boss would never have bowed out on the back of losing the Premier League title, especially to Manchester City. Instead, he would only go out on top.

“I’m not entirely surprised,” he said. “I knew for a fact when the rumours were around last year that he certainly wouldn’t go out on what he would call a loss, although others would say it was simply a near miss.

“He was certainly in a very relaxed mood when I was with him last week at the (PFA) awards evening.

“He’s achieved everything possible in the game, not only by winning trophies, but by setting an example to everybody in the game.

“He’s produced footballers by standing by them and bringing them through the ranks. He’s also famous for helping young coaches and managers within the game.

“He is a strong committee member of the League Managers' Association and I am sure he will carry on doing that sort of thing and, if anything, will have even more time to give up to it.

"Even after all these years, and at 71, he kicks every ball and contests every decision.

"Yet he is the first to shake hands at the end of the game, win, lose or draw and he invites you in for a glass of wine in his room after the game, and long may that sort of thing continue.

"In a week when we had a manager sacked after 20 games and who have an average of 1.7 years in the job across the board, hopefully Manchester United are an example which other clubs and owners will continue to follow – stand by your man through thick and thin."