LONDON (AFP) - Alex Ferguson could be about to sensationally retire as manager of English Premier League giants Manchester United, according to British media reports on Tuesday.

The Daily Telegraph claimed the 71-year-old Scot was "giving serious consideration" to leaving Old Trafford and could announce his retirement before the end of the week.

The newspaper did not cite sources but said that "senior figures" at the club could not be contacted to either confirm or deny the information.

British bookmakers reported a rush of bets on Everton manager David Moyes to become Ferguson's successor. Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has also been linked with the position in the past.

Ferguson has been at United since November 1986 and is the most successful manager in the history of English football.

In his 26-and-a-half-year reign, he has led the club from the English north-west to 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Champions League titles, as well as a host of other honours.

United claimed an unprecedented 20th English league title last month, having narrowly lost out to local rivals Manchester City the previous season.

During Ferguson's tenure, United have become one of the most famous teams in world sport, with American business magazine Forbes recently reporting that they are worth US$3.17 billion (S$3.9 billion).