Sir Alex Ferguson prediction after Sergio Aguero goal has been proven wrong at Manchester United

Martin O'Neill's Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United predictions from 2012 have been proven wrong in the past decade, illustrating the downturn in fortunes at Old Trafford.

Prior to the final day of the 2011/2012 Premier League season, the then-Sunderland manager O'Neill predicted that his Scottish counterpart would go on to be at the helm of a football club until his late 90s. United were made to rue letting their eight-point lead at the top slip that season, as Roberto Mancini's Manchester City side scored a late winner to become league champions on the final day.

Ferguson stayed at the helm for one more year, denying City the chance to defend their crown, but then retired aged 71. O'Neill also claimed that the United wouldn't 'let' the Blues dominate — however things haven't gone as predicted.

READ MORE: John Murtough attends Tottenham vs Arsenal as Ten Hag contacts De Jong

"He may still be ­manager when he’s 98," O'Neill declared via the Mirror. "I think he will only leave United when he feels it’s right.

"It won’t be ­because of a setback. I think to ­accuse Sir Alex of lacking hunger, ambition and determination would be tantamount to heresy.

"He will have that till he’s 98 and he may still be manager when he’s 98 with five European Cups on top of that. Those are things the man certainly does not lack.

"Those setbacks will only serve to make him ­madder. It will spur him to go on and win more trophies.

"He will not want to let Manchester City become dominant. He will do something about it," he added.

Sign up to our City newsletter so you never miss an update from the Etihad Stadium this season.