Ince relishing Fergie reunion

Paul Ince is looking forward to doing battle with the man he rates as the best manager in the history of the game on Saturday.

The Blackburn boss is the latest of Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United alumni to join the ranks of Premier League management, joining Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce and Roy Keane as well as the likes of Steve McClaren and Brian Kidd, who went on to coach in the top flight after working for the Scot.

"This is the exciting thing about coming to the Premier League," said Ince. "It's a chance to pit yourself against the manager of all time, as far as I'm concerned."

He added: "Fergie has such high standards. I played under a lot of managers but they don't come close. That is no disrespect to them because I don't think anybody does.

"But it's not about me and it's not about Alex Ferguson, it's about the 22 players that go out on the pitch and hopefully we will perform."

Former England captain Ince long hoped to have a future on the touchline and he predicted that Ferguson's days of meeting former players may continue for some time to come.

He expects the likes of Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand to join the next generation of top British managers.

"I always wanted to stay in football and when the Macclesfield job came up I thought I would see if I liked it. And the more you do it, the more you like it.

"Brucey, Keano, Sparky (Hughes), even his son Darren, have all done well in management.

"Looking at Keano, I always thought he would be a manager with his characteristics, but the surprise is Sparky. He was always so quiet off the pitch - he wouldn't say boo to a goose. But he's turned out to be a great manager and I'm sure there are plenty more."