Sir Alex Ferguson believes Man Utd made a mistake with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Sir Alex Ferguson wanted Manchester United to move for Mauricio Pochettino (Getty Images)

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United should have appointed Tottenhammanager Mauricio Pochettino ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, according to reports.

Following the decision to sack Jose Mourinho in December, United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward opted to give Solskjaer a contract until the end of the campaign to get the club back on track.

But Solskjaer unexpectedly hit the ground running at Old Trafford by winning his first eight games, while he also guided United to a remarkable comeback victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

But since that 3-1 victory in Paris on March 6, United won just two matches and lost eight of their remaining 12 games in all competitions.

Solskjaer, however, was given a three-year contract at the end of March and is now tasked with a major rebuild of his United squad, who face the prospect of Europa League football next season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given a three-year contract by Manchester United (AMA/Getty Images)

According to the Mail on Sunday, Ferguson feels that United should have made an attempt to lure Pochettino away from Tottenham before Solskjaer was given a permanent contract.

Ferguson privately met with Pochettino for lunch in 2016 and is understood to be a huge admirer of the 47-year-old, who has guided Spurs to the Champions League final this season.

The report also claims that Ferguson is ‘disappointed’ that he has been marginalised by Woodward and is forced to keep up to date with the team’s plans via Solskjaer’s assistant Mike Phelan, who worked alongside the Scot at Old Trafford.

Ferguson is said to feel ‘isolated’ with the current situation at United, while Solskjaer reportedly does not turn to his former manager for any advice about the team.

Mauricio Pochettino has guided Tottenham to the Champions League final (Getty Images)

A source close to Ferguson told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Sir Alex feels conflicted.

‘He can see the irony that he still spends time thinking about United when he’s retired.

‘But he loves the club and does feel a bit hurt that his opinion is never sought.’