Powerball Jackpots Set Another Record

With Sir Alex Ferguson suggesting that he could have several seasons left at Old Trafford and his assistant Carlos Queiroz reportedly hinting that he may look for a managerial job elsewhere, William Hill have opened a book on who will succeed the venerable Fergie as permanent boss of Manchester United.

The bookies make Mark Hughes and Martin O'Neill 7/2 joint favourites, also offering 8/1 Marcello Lippi; 12 Queiroz; 14 Hitzfeld; 16 Roy Keane; 20 Allardyce; Capello, Eriksson;Hiddink; 25 Moyes; 33 McClaren; Phelan;Scolari; Strachan; 40 Jol; Mourinho; 66 Bruce; Curbishley; Ince; Bryan Robson; 80 McClair; Venables; Smith; 100 Cantona; Le Guen; 150 Wenger; 1000/1 Brooklyn Beckham.

"If Fergie quits sooner rather than later a currently high profile manager would seem the likely option for Old Trafford, but if the old boy stays on for as long as he has hinted then Brooklyn Beckham might be about the right age when Fergie finally goes!" said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

William Hill offer 3/1 that Sir Alex will no longer be United boss on the first day of next season, and 2/9 that he will be.

Chelsea's Premiership title odds were lengthened after their draw with Villa, from 6/4 to 13/8 by William Hill, who shortened Man United's from 1/2 to 4/9 favourites with Arsenal and Liverpool both at 80/1.

William Hill offer 6/1 that United and Chelsea dead-heat on points and 9/2 that any side other than those two finishes in the top two.United are 33/1 to win the Treble, United 40/1 to win all four trophies.

Charlton are now 1/4 to be relegated and 11/4 to stay up.