Football: Old Trafford Considers the Continental

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HE WAS to be found this week pursuing his second best-loved sport on the Roodeye, Chester's charming racecourse. In the coming month, word has it that his rasping vowels may be heard in expressions of support for candidates bearing Labour's red silks on the hustings.

Few doubt that both the Turf and politics may gain Sir Alex Ferguson's attention all the more - dare we suggest that Lord Ferguson of Govan could be on a certain prime minister's mind? - once he retires next year from the daily responsibility of maintaining Manchester United as Britain's premier club.

His legacy is inestimable, but with the loss of that patriarchal figure (albeit he may stay on in a …