Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan believes that Sir Alex Ferguson will step down from the helm of Manchester United after one more season.

The 70-year-old has boasted an impressive 25 years in charge of Old Trafford, bringing in vast amounts of silverware including 12 Premier League titles.

Despite previous calls for retirement, the Scotsman has continued year after year but Whelan believes that a recent health scare will make Ferguson reconsider his plans.

"After next season, Sir Alex will call it a day," Whelan told ESPN. "The pressure is telling, especially when you are at the top for so long.

"The older you get the harder it is to cope with all that pressure, and eventually it will affect you. Sir Alex is resilient and I know he will want to carry on until he drops, and I respect what he has achieved as everyone does.

"I am sure his intention was to carry on for two or three, maybe even more years, but he has had a little scare in the last week or so and that tells me he will think very hard, and realise there is no point trying to carry on for another five years and take the risk."

Ferguson was taken to hospital by ambulance on Saturday with a heavy nose bleed but is now believed to be resting at home.