Everton boss David Moyes is in pole position to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Sky sources understand.
United confirmed in a statement on Wednesday morning that Ferguson would retire this summer after more than 26 years in charge.
Moyes has long been tipped as a possible replacement for English football's most successful manager but the Scot is now in pole position to take the Old Trafford helm, with an announcement expected in the next 48 hours.
The 50-year-old's Everton contract runs out in the summer and no agreement has been reached over a new deal.
He has previously said that he wants to wait until the end of this campaign before deciding whether to extend his time at Goodison Park into a 12th year.
Moyes has brought stability and consistency on a relatively small budget to the Merseysiders, despite not winning a major trophy, and is viewed by United chiefs as a man who, like his outgoing compatriot, values youth development and longevity.
Everton have yet to comment on the speculation and Moyes has left the club's training ground and is en route to watch Chelsea take on Tottenham Hotspur, according to Sky Sports News' Alan Myers.
Jose Mourinho, widely expected to replace Rafa Benitez at Chelsea, and Jurgen Klopp, who has led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final, are also head the betting with the bookies with Sky Bet, who make Moyes odd-on for the post, while former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also in the running.
Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen said he would choose the Everton boss.
Owen, the former Liverpool striker who played under Ferguson for two seasons, said on Twitter: "What an act to follow. I guess only Mourinho would have the confidence to strut through the door. If it were me, I'd go for Moyes."
Former United keeper Peter Schmeichel also believes Moyes would be a good fit as a successor as he has proved he can stay at one club for a long time, spending 10 years at Everton.
"What we are looking for is, not someone to come in 10 months or three years, we want someone to come stay there and give stability," he added.
"When we talk about Moyes, he has been a decade at Everton and done a fantastic job on limited funds.
"Is he cut from the same cloth? I dont know. Don't forget there will be major changes with David Gill stepping down - the club is really changing in the summer, the more stability they can add the better.
"David Moyes, he sounds like a good solution."
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