Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Roberto Mancini will still be the Manchester City manager next season.

The City boss has had his future speculated on for months after his side fell away in the Premier League title race to their fierce local rivals, but Ferguson thinks that the former Inter Milan coach will still be in the Etihad Stadium dugout next term.

"If a manager doesn't win for a few games, then he will hear all kinds of stuff," the Daily Mirror quotes Ferguson as saying.

"I don't see any reason why Mancini won't be there again next year. [The speculation] goes with the territory and Mancini will know that.

"I don't think he'll be worried about that. He knows what he's capable of."

Latest reports have claimed that Ajax coach Frank de Boer will take over from the Italian next season.