Football: Vox Pop: After Brian Kidd's move to Blackburn, who is the natural successor to Alex Ferguson at United?

PAT CRERAND

Former Man Utd player

Steve Bruce could make the biggest impact at Old Trafford. He knows all the young lads who have come through the ranks and is enormously respected by everyone at the club. Brucie has all the qualities to become another Brian Kidd for United. He's not happy at Sheffield United, but he's still doing a terrific job on very limited resources. He was promised a lot of money when he first took the job but it has not turned out like that. I think he would jump at the chance of returning to Old Trafford.

JONATHAN PEARCE

Commentator

I can't see Alex Ferguson leaving Manchester United in the foreseeable future. I think he will be bitterly disappointed United couldn't keep Brian Kidd, but he will have the utmost respect for his decision, and everyone in the game wishes Brian well. I would hope that United maintain continuity by elevating another former Old Trafford player to become assistant, like Brian McClair. Should Fergie for some reason decide to go, Bryan Robson would be the obvious big-name replacement.

DAVE SEXTON

Former Man Utd manager

Jim Ryan would be a good bet for the meanwhile - he knows all the players and certainly deserves the chance. But Alex has had such a wonderful career there, it is hard to suggest anyone at this stage to take over in the future. Gordon Strachan is doing a good job at Coventry and has the qualities of all the great Scottish managers and players - a real passion for the game. But Bryan Robson would be a wonderful choice eventually. He is tailor-made for the job. He's a good bloke, a good football man and I love him.

TREVOR BROOKING

TV and radio summariser

Whoever gets Brian's job is going to have a great opportunity to make his mark and become Alex's long-term replacement - if everything stays the same after the Sky takeover. Names are always mentioned as possible successors when Alex does finally call it a day, men like Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce and Gordon Strachan. But Jim Ryan, Mike Phelan and the other coaches who have helped bring through this stream of quality youngsters must have an excellent chance to fill in for Brian and eventually Alex.

PAT NEVIN

Motherwell chief executive

Alex Ferguson gave me my first cap for Scotland and would have succeeded Jock Stein permanently had he not taken the Manchester United job. Stein had groomed him, the way Fergie has done with Brian Kidd. For that reason, I think Kidd is the long-term successor. I know from speaking to United players just how highly regarded Kidd is. Kidd now has the chance to go away and cut his teeth elsewhere and when Fergie is ready to stop, United will look for the nearest thing to Ferguson - and that is Kidd.

ALEX FERGUSON

Manchester Utd manager

With any assistant you have, you've got to pick someone who blends with you. There's no point in having someone that doesn't get on with you and doesn't share the same views. I have to get someone who can embrace the Manchester United ideals. That's going to be difficult. It might amaze you what I do. I may surprise myself. It's never an easy time for someone to leave a club, but this is a particularly bad moment. But you can't wallow in pity. This club's too big for that.

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