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The veteran manager believes that the two club legends will pass on their wisdom when they hang up their boots, following the model of European giants Bayern Munich

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes will join the technical setup at Manchester United once they decide to call time on their playing careers.

The Red Devils boss has confirmed that they will look to the duo to help teach the club's next generation of stars in a similar model to German giants Bayern Munich, although he dimissed the idea of either one of them succeeding him as manager.

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"Those two will join my technical staff," Sir Alex told reporters. "Everything is ready for that.

"I do not want to put pressure on them and I think, for my direct successor, it must be a coach with experience. They [Giggs and Scholes] must start with youth players, reserves.

"They have time, though. In 10 years, we'll see where they are. Both are intelligent, determined workers. They will be with us. I see them integrated in the staff, just like Gerd Muller and Sepp Maier at Bayern Munich.

"At Bayern, the big players exert a strong influence on the lives of the group. Today you can see [Michael] Tarnat, [Wolfgang] Dremmler, [Paul] Breitner and many other former players who work for the club. It is part of the administrative, financial and diplomatic structure with [Franz] Beckenbauer, [Karl-Heinz] Rummenigge, [Uli] Hoeness. This is also why they need a manager and they found one from the outside with Pep Guardiola."

Asked by L'Equipe what makes a Manchester United legend, Sir Alex pinpointed several qualities which he also thinks helped Robin van Persie settle in at the club.

"I'm only interested in players who really want to play for United and who are bad losers, like me," said the Scot.

"Van Persie meets these requirements. He integrated very quickly. With me, there is sometimes an atmosphere in the dressing-room. These periods can be 'colourful' when I'm not happy.

"I'm only interested in players who really want to play for United and who are bad losers, like me" - Sir Alex Ferguson

"Robin soon realised that I have one idea in mind: to win. He now plays with [Rio] Ferdinand, [Nemanja] Vidic, [Patrice] Evra, Giggs, Scholes, [Michael] Carrick and these guys. They are the winners.

"This mentality, he breathes it every minute and without doubt should tell himself that he should have signed here much earlier.

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"He was spotted by us in Holland when he was 18. We watched a Feyenoord reserve game and he was sent off. Jimmy Ryan, who was watching, said: 'He is a fantastic talent but he needs to improve his behaviour and control his frustration'.

"We gave up then. We were wrong on this issue, at the time. It happens. It happened and it will happen again. But the percentage of players we sign who impose themselves is excellent."

Ahead of the huge midweek Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, the United boss gave his view on what is in store for Cristiano Ronaldo when he makes his first return to Old Trafford since his £80 million departure.

"Cristiano gave his heart to Manchester United," opined Sir Alex. "When he was involved in the incident that saw [Wayne] Rooney sent off at World Cup 2006, I liked his attitude. Here in England, though, we raged against him and he wanted to leave.

"I gave him a promise: Give me one more season and you can go to Real. He put in an exceptional season. He never sulked. He was on fire. He is a nice guy. I do not know if he is as happy at Real but I must admit that his goal ratio is better in Spain than in England.

"He will receive a special ovation on Tuesday but, once the game starts, that will be over. They will boo the same guy they applauded."