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Fergie addicted to Man United

Manchester - Sir Alex Ferguson admits that his addiction to Manchester United and football will keep him from slipping quietly into retirement.

Ferguson, who steered United to a record 19th league title last weekend and whose side tackle Barcelona in the Champions League final next weekend, fears stepping off the treadmill.

"I have no plans to retire, I must say that and (my wife) Cathy is delighted. She would have thrown me out, " he told MUTV.

"The salient point is that whilst my health is good, carry on. You hear many stories of people who come off the treadmill and their system breaks down. I don't want that happening to me."

Ferguson, whose team bring the curtain down on their league season at home to Blackpool on Sunday, believes United have been unfairly criticised this campaign.

"If we are not scoring 10 goals every game, we have our critics. The expectation is high. But it is high from us too, and the fans. They want to see their best," he added.

"Yes, you could criticise a lot of our away performances. They have been disappointing. But our home form has been fantastic. We have scored more goals than anyone else. It is hard to criticise that kind of form."

United also have the Champions League final to look forward to with Ferguson aiming to lift the trophy for a third time in his career following a late, late victory against Bayern Munich in 1999 and the 2008 triumph over Chelsea via a penalty shootout.

He admits he already has an idea of his side to face Barcelona on May 28 at Wembley.

Ferguson said: "We have the nucleus of a team in place. There are others that deserve a place. But we can only pick 11. That is the horrible part of being a manager. It is absolute agony.

"It is something you don't relish at all. I have to pick a team and I have to leave some very good players out.

"Hopefully those who have all played a part in the European campaign will feel satisfaction at the end of the night and we win the cup."

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