Ferguson dismisses retirement talk as he backs Rooney over change of mind

Rooney stated last month that he would not sign a new contract with United, after failing to receive assurances over squad-strengthening.

But two days later he agreed a five-year stay, with Ferguson glad the England striker realised he had been hasty in going public over his concerns, which were met by an angry response from many supporters.

Ferguson believes the advice Rooney received was not in the 25-year-old's best interests.

"You don't necessarily have to heed advice after listening to it," said Ferguson.

"Some young people take bad advice. He has an agent who is not the most popular man in the world and he obviously sold it to Wayne to ask away. The boy rushed in. But the minute he heard the response of the public and our supporters, he changed his mind, he knew he'd made a mistake.

"There's nothing wrong with that as long as you recognise it. He immediately apologised and agreed a new contract within a couple of hours. It wasn't done to get the contract, I don't think that for a minute. Maybe he should have listened to better advice."

Ferguson also dismissed retirement as "for young people" and vowed to carry on working.

He turns 69 next month but has no plans to relinquish the post at Old Trafford which he has held since 1986.

"Retirement is for young people," said Ferguson. "I'm too old to retire. I would have nothing to do. As long as my health is good I will carry on. My family will make this decision."

Ferguson, was speaking at the Aspire4Sport conference in Doha.