Jose Mourinho remains arguably one of the best managers Manchester United have employed since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
The Portuguese coach won the Carabao Cup and the UEFA Europa League with the Red Devils in the 2016/17 campaign – before finishing second behind Manchester City in the 2017/18 season.
It was Manchester United’s first top-two finish since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
However, there was a piece of advice the Glaswegian gave to Jose Mourinho which never ended up happening – although it was probably for the best.
When Sir Alex Ferguson told Jose Mourinho to sign Dele Alli
Speaking on All or Nothing for Amazon Prime while at Tottenham back in 2020, the 62-year-old revealed that Ferguson urged him to buy Dele Alli during his time at Manchester United.
Mourinho – who feels Mario Balotelli was his most problematic player – said: “Sir Alex Ferguson gave me only one bit of advice in two and a half years. Buy Dele Alli. That guy, with that mentality, the way he plays, the aggression he has in mind. This guy is the Manchester United player. Buy Dele Alli.”
However, the man born in Setubal was unconvinced by the England international after eventually getting to work with him at Hotspur Way, adding: “I told already Dele very directly that he doesn’t train well, he is not a good trainer. I am not saying a disaster but I am not saying Harry Kane, Harry Kane is a very good trainer.
“He (Ferguson) has an eye for a player, but he (Dele Alli) is not a good trainer, we need to find motivation for the guy.”
The recommendation by Ferguson ultimately proved to be an ill-advised one.
Dele – as he prefers to be known – was eventually offloaded to Everton by Spurs in January 2022, but after failing to score or assist in 13 appearances, he was released.
The 28-year-old is now playing for Como in Italy, coached by Cesc Fabregas.
Unfortunately, Dele endured a nightmare on his debut for Como, receiving a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to coach Dele Alli
Dele was only 17 when Ferguson – who won 38 trophies at Old Trafford – retired in 2013 and was still learning his trade at MK Dons, before his £5m move to Tottenham in 2015.
Remember when @dele_official did THIS?! 🤯#GoalOfTheDay @SpursOfficial pic.twitter.com/EWiILIgtum
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 19, 2019
However – had the Scot stayed in management a bit longer – he most likely would have signed the attacking midfielder, after suggesting to Gary Neville he would have loved to coach him.
When asked if there were any players he wished he had signed for Manchester United, Ferguson said: “I thought Dele Alli was going to be a top player, I must admit. I don’t know what’s happened there.”
