MARTIN O'Neill has been earmarked to take over at Old Trafford in 15 months time, according to a report in today's (Thursday) national press.

The article in the Daily Express claims that although Ferguson is set to sign a new three-year deal, he will actually only stay on for a further 15 months, paving the way for O'Neill to take charge when his Celtic contract expires next summer.

And the report suggests that Ferguson will then move upstairs into a position similar to that held by Franz Beckenbauer at Bayern Munich as the club's president.

The scheme has been devised, apparently, to put a stop to the sort of uncertainty that has surrounded Old Trafford this season as the club has looked for a successor to Sir Alex.

And it is also suggested that Ferguson will provide stability for the club while his racing associates J.P McManus, John Magnier and Celtic chairman Dermot Desmond look into the prospect of investing heavily in United.

Would Martin O'Neill be a good choice as the next manager at Old Trafford? Have your say on this story.