Sir Alex Fergsuon ‘back as Man Utd consultant to aid Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’

New Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer has already admitted he has been in contact with Sir Alex Ferguson.

But now there are claims the Scot is pulling the strings behind the scenes at Old Trafford in a consultant role.

The legendary boss has always been on the board of United since his retirement – lending his expertise to on-the-pitch matters.

But now The Sun claim that since Jose Mourinho left he has played a more central role – even aiding Solskjaer’s Old Trafford return.

This is after the Scot suffered a brain haemorrhage earlier in the year – which left him having to endure an emergency operation.

The 76-year-old is now a regular visitor to Old Trafford again – with claims he and Solskajer will be in regular contact.

The report also says Ed Woodward turned to Sir Alex for advice after sacking Jose Mourinho – with the Scot pulling the strings to allow assistant Mike Phelan to return.

Solskjaer said he will follow Sir Alex’s attacking philosophy as he talked to the Press on Friday ahead of his first game in charge – which they won 5-1

Solskajer described Ferguson as his “mentor” and said he wants his side to play with the same attacking qualities laid down by the legendary former boss.

“It’s about getting very player to the best, speaking to them, the training ground, philosophy, principles, how we want to play,” said Solskjaer, who revealed he has been in touch with Ferguson in the past few days.

“It doesn’t matter what team you’re coaching, they all want to have a picture of how you want to play, they’re all quality players, so it will be easier to get players expressing themselves.

“You play with courage, go out there and express your skills. Sir Alex said ‘go out and express yourselves and take risks’.

“The last game he had as a manager, 5-5 [at West Brom], that was almost the perfect end for him as a manager, and I want the players to be similar, be the kids that love to play football and go out in front of the best fans in the world.

“Sir Alex influenced me with everything, to be fair, the way he’s dealt with people, the way he was manager of the club, how he kept 25 international players happy and hungry wanting to improve, but also the staff in and around the place.

“He’s been my mentor, but I didn’t understand early on he’d be my mentor. Towards the end, maybe the injury in 2003, I was making all the notes about what he did in certain situations and I’ve already been in touch with him – there’s no one to get better advice from.

“I’ve been here as a player, 11 years as a player, a coach for three-and-a-half years, the best part 15 years of my life.

“It’s a third of my life. I’m getting old, but that’s life, that was the same when I signed as a player, Nicky Butt the first lad I meet, says hi to me, you’re excited but it feels like home.”

source: Irish Mirror