Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson does not expect his assistant Carlos Queiroz to become coach of Benfica next season.

Portuguese media reports said Benfica wanted Queiroz to take over from Fernando Chalana, who has been in temporary charge since Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho left this month.

"I can't speak for Carlos but I'm quite certain he'll not be going to Benfica next year," Ferguson said.

"The Real Madrid experience was something else. It was a job he had to take.

"But he learned how difficult it is. He wasn't allowed to buy and instead told to sell players."

Ferguson said there had been no approach from Benfica for former Portugal national coach Queiroz who is in his second spell at the Premier League champions.

The 55-year-old had a stint as coach of Real Madrid in the 2003-04 season.

Reuters