Sir Alex Ferguson has announced he will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of the season, ending his 26-year reign in charge at Old Trafford.

The Scot, who took over in 1986, has made his announcement just two weeks after the club's record-breaking 20th league title win. Ferguson has delivered 13 of those triumphs, along with two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups, four League Cups and a FIFA Club World Cup.

The 71-year-old legend's retirement brings an end to the longest managerial reign in recent British football history.

And as to questions over who could possibly replace Ferguson, it would appear to all boil down to either Jose Mourinho or David Moyes. The Real Madrid and former ex-Chelsea coach is widely expected to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer and the Portuguese was expected to re-join Stamford Bridge. However, given the surprising turn of events at the red half of Manchester, could we see the Special One follow Ferguson?

Meanwhile, Moyes may be the underdog in this race but the Everton boss is believed to have a staunch admirer in Ferguson. The younger Scot may not have the Champions League experience Mourinho will bring but his quieter and more controlled demeanour may work in his favour, given the theatrics that have surrounded Mourinho and Madrid in recent months.

For now though, regardless of his successor, IBTimes UK takes a look back at some of the best moments of Sir Alex Ferguson's United career