Harry Redknapp admits he would love to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson and continue to manage until he is 65 as the pair prepare to meet in the FA Cup fourth round at Old Trafford.

Portsmouth travel to the north west to take on Barclays Premiership leaders Manchester United in one of the few glamour ties of the round between two managers who have both presided over more than 1,000 games apiece.

Ex-Saints boss Redknapp turns 60 in March, five years younger than his Red Devils counterpart, and admits he too would love to continue in the game.

He said: ''If I could I would like to go on as long as Alex.

''If I'm enjoying it and if people still want me I will do that. You have to enjoy it and I'm sure Alex is.

''He has built another fantastic team. They have pace and I think, the more you look at football now, the more you find you need people who can run. And he has players who can do that.''