updated 8:41 a.m. ET Dec. 31, 2011
MANCHESTER, England - Alex Ferguson celebrated his 70th birthday Saturday by pledging to stay as Manchester United's manager for at least another three years.
Ferguson told the famed soccer club's in-house TV channel he still hungers for more trophies even after 25 years in charge of the team.
"I think I've got three years with the club," Ferguson said. "As long as my health stays up, as long as I'm still enjoying it, still giving the satisfaction of the team doing its best."
Ferguson has been reluctant to discuss retirement since announcing a decade ago he would quit after the 2001-02 season. He went back on that promise at midseason and has since led the club to another four league titles ? with last season's triumph giving United a record 19 overall. He has won 27 major trophies with United, including two Champions League titles and five FA Cups.
"You don't win every time. I've had plenty of defeats. But, in the context of the achievements, it's minuscule, the defeats," Ferguson said. "We're all very good at losing here. People say we're great winners, but we're also great losers. You know why? Because we don't let it happen too many times."
Ferguson was greeted by a standing ovation at Old Trafford before United's game against Blackburn on Saturday and serenaded with "Happy Birthday." The Scotsman celebrated his 25th anniversary as manager of United in November and the club marked the occasion by naming a stand at Old Trafford after him.
He's had a few setbacks this season, with United knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage and facing a stiff challenge from crosstown rival Manchester City for the league title. With United in a bit of a rebuilding phase, Ferguson said there is still a lot of work to be done.
"The new players coming into the club ? (Phil) Jones, (Chris) Smalling, Ashley Young ? they didn't win any league medals yet," he said. "We have to continue the dominance of winning leagues and also, without question, winning the European Cup is important to the club. We should have been in at least three other (Champions League) finals. So, yes, I'd be very keen to win a third one."
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Blackburn pulled off the biggest surprise of the Premier League season, defeating Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford on Saturday to spoil Alex Ferguson's 70th birthday.
Off-field woes
Football in 2011 was dominated by events off the field rather than on it.
Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45833251/ns/sports-soccer/
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