Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Alex Ferguson will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of the season, the Premier League champions announced on Wednesday.

Ferguson, 71, guided United to 13 Premier League titles and two European Champions League crowns in the 26 years he was in charge at Old Trafford.

“The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time,’’ Ferguson said in a statement.

Ferguson, who will remain at United as a director and club ambassador, said he was confident he was stepping down as manager with the squad in good shape.

“It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so,’’ he said.