Now is the perfect time for Fergie to retire.

It is now time for Sir Alex to retire. I have no doubt that the man who will go down as the greatest club manager of all time should step away at the end of this season. It is the perfect ending to an amazing tale.

All the great stories end at the right time. Lord of the Rings, The Office and Fawlty Towers to name but a few. Going on too far is only guaranteed to sour your legacy. Muhammad Ali is the greatest sportsman to have ever lived yet I challenge you to think of him without thinking of the sad sight of the great man defeated by Trevor Berbick in his final fight. Fergie deserves a better ending.

With United’s historic nineteenth title sewn up he has taken the club to the top of the pile, the front of the history books. He has succeeding in creating the most powerful footballing dynasty that this country has ever seen. He has seen off challengers, conquered Europe twice and has created no less than four separate great teams.

I know that there are those of you reading this of a red Mancunian tilt that wish the old master to go on forever but it can not happen. One would excuse United fans the occasional anxiety attack over what comes after him. Looking into the future and seeing uncertainty where for decades there has been for clarity is unsettling for all concerned. But that should not ruin Fergie’s ending, it is a question for later.

The chances of United improving on this season’s outcomes next year must be in doubt. They will surely face better opposition in Europe than they have this campaign whilst even if they win the league it will not be as special as this title has been in terms of what it means to the club’s fans. Fergie will forever be the man who overtook Liverpool.

For all that it is worth, I think that all this is pointless pontificating. I am almost certain that he will carry on beyond the end of the month because of the same reason that has got him to where he is now. He is so competitive; he does not know when to give up. Without this quality he would have never become what he is today but it does threaten to damage the way that he is remembered in decades to come. Fergie, please stop now.