Sir Alex Ferguson believes that whoever succeeds him at Manchester United must implement his own philosophy within the club.

The 71-year-old, who has been at the helm since 1986, said that managers who change their approach after landing a big job rarely succeed.

"The other most important thing [about the job] is don't change who you are," the Scot told twentyfour7.

"It happens, you see it time and time again - a manager comes in and tries to change himself. Your job is not to change you, it's to change what you're taking over.

"Change the team, the philosophy of a football club to your philosophy. Never change who you are. That really will hold you in good stead, simply because the players understand what you are, who you are."

Ferguson has won 12 Premier League titles during his time at Old Trafford.