Is David Moyes the right man to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson?

Sir Alex Ferguson with David Moyes during a match in 2012. Credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Sir Alex Ferguson has announced his retirement from football after 26 years in charge of Manchester United where he won 38 trophies.

The legendary manger's retirement has now raised the question - who will his replace him?

Despite some fans wanting former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho or Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp to take charge at Old Trafford, one man seems certain to take the reins at Manchester United.

Everton manager David Moyes is the bookmakers heavy favourite to succeed Sir Alex and take charge of the club from next season.

Moyes was a central defender in his 19-year playing career, which saw him play for a host of English and Scottish clubs.

David Moyes celebrates after scoring for Preston North End against Lincoln City in 1994. Credit: Barry Coombs/EMPICS Sport

The 50-year-old Scot started his career at Celtic before moving south of the border to Cambridge United, Bristol City and Shrewsbury Town.

He moved back to Scotland for spells at Dunfermline and Hamilton Academical before ending his playing career in 1999 with Preston North End.

It was at Preston where Moyes got his managerial breakthrough in 1998 and during his spell at the club he took them from near the bottom of Division Two to the Division One playoff final - which they lost to Bolton Wanderers.

David Moyes celebrates Preston's promotion in 2000. Credit: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport

In March 2002, Moyes was appointed the Everton manager and guided the club to a 15th place finish in the Premier League.

During his 11-year stint at Everton, the Scot helped them reach the Champions League qualifiers in 2005 and took the club to an FA Cup final in 2009 - which Chelsea won.

Chelsea beat Everton 2-1 in the 2009 FA Cup final. Credit: Szwarc Henri/ABACA

Moyes has failed to win any trophies at Everton and has only guided the club through four European campaigns, never going beyond the last 16 phase in any competition.

He also has a poor away record against the historic 'big four' clubs - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United - having won none of the 45 matches against those teams.

David Moyes holds a disappointing record against the big teams. Credit: John Walton/EMPICS Sport

However, Moyes' consistency has seen him been named the LMA's Manager of the Year on three separate occasions - a feat only matched by Sir Alex.

Everton also look set to finish above rivals Liverpool for the second successive season - the first time that has been achieved in the top flight since 1937.

David Moyes applauds Everton fans at the end of their derby draw with Liverpool. Credit: Barrington Coombs/EMPICS Sport

Moyes previously said he wanted to wait until the end of this season before deciding whether to carry on at Everton.

With Sir Alex's decision to retire, it seems likely that Moyes will end his time at the Toffees and embark on a new challenge at Old Trafford.