Sir Alex Ferguson was virtually untouchable during his trophy-laden 27 years at Old Trafford – but things have seemingly changed in the barren years since the Scot’s retirement.

The Red Devils have failed to win silverware since the 74-year-old retired in 2013 and both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal have struggled to replicate the brand of football that the fans demand at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho was widely regarded as the perfect successor to Ferguson in 2013 but the Portuguese boss had already agreed to rejoin Chelsea before the Red Devils even knew that Sir Alex would be retiring.

The 52-year-old is believed to have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to take over from Van Gaal this summer but there’s speculation that club ambassadors Sir Alex and Sir Bobby Charlton are against Mourinho’s appointment and would favour Ryan Giggs.

United fans are largely in agreement that Van Gaal should be sacked in the summer but Ferguson backed the Dutchman to turn things around in an interview released this morning.