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Ferguson hails impact of Queiroz

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he believes his assistant Carlos Queiroz will be at Old Trafford for a "long time" to come.

Ferguson hailed Queiroz's contribution to United's Champions League final win over Chelsea in Moscow this week.

"I feel he is at his club here. What happens after I go is not my domain," Ferguson said.

"But there is no doubt I think Carlos will be here for a long time. As long as me anyway."

Queiroz's future has been the subject of speculation, with Benfica among his admirers.

There are also rumours he might be offered the Portugal job if, as expected, Luis Felipe Scolari stands down after Euro 2008.

Ferguson admitted: "There has been a lot of talk about him recently and I am sure the Portugal job would be a big attraction for him."

But he insisted that the Portuguese assistant would want to stay in Manchester.

And the Scot said the impact of Queiroz behind the scenes could not be overstated.

"I am a bit of a dinosaur in that respect. I have recognised progress needed to be made in different areas," he said.

"We have five physios now. I would have been happy with that, plus a nutritionist, a weight coach, a fitness coach.

"I even brought an orthoptist to assist on the eye training. That kind of thing is fine.

"But the levels we are going to now are unbelievable. Carlos has increased it in all sorts of ways.

"The entire medical side is fantastic. I don't think there is anywhere better in the world now.

"That is all down to Carlos' vision of the future which I would not have had."

Ferguson also said he hoped Queiroz's season as coach of Real Madrid could play a role in helping to secure the future of star winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real coach Bernd Schuster and president Ramon Calderon have both expressed a desire to see Ronaldo at The Bernabeu.

That led to Ferguson accusing Real Madrid of lacking morals in their pursuit of the Portugal star, but the Scot said: "Carlos has the experience of being at Real Madrid.

"That is helping us now with all the nonsense we have to talk about.

"Carlos' experience means he can advise Cristiano quite well about that kind of club. That is a plus point for us."

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Man Utd | Ferguson hails impact of Queiroz

Quieroz really has done a fantastic job, more noticeably in his second spell than in his first but just awesome. I've got to say I wouldn't mind if he got the job when Ferguson chooses to leave.