Manchester United chief executive David Gill has insisted that the manager to replace Sir Alex Ferguson must understand the "values and vision" of the club.
Ferguson celebrated 25 years in charge at Old Trafford last weekend. However, the 69-year-old has admitted that he has no intentions of retiring.
"It will be difficult to replace him - it's naive to say anything other than that," Gill told MUTV.
"But we are a great club whose values go back in history to our heritage to the '50s and '60s and the last 25 years with Alex.
"To continue with that, the new manager needs to understand those values and the vision for the club and must buy into that."
While the search for Ferguson's successor has yet to begin, Gill revealed that they are already preparing a young squad for the potential replacement manger.
"The important point to make is the new manager, whenever that may be and whomever that may be, will be taking over a great, great club, in a great, great sport and Alex, in particular, will want to make sure he inherits a great squad," he added.
"That's our goal - to make sure when the new manager comes in he does have a great squad to work with in terms of age and profile."
Meanwhile, the Red Devils will continue Premier League action after the international break with a fixture against Swansea City.
Danielle Joynson
