Mourinho reveals the only bit of advice Ferguson gave him at Man Utd

The legendary Manchester United manager only advised Jose Mourinho to sign just one player during his reign at Old Trafford.

Mourinho previously coached Manchester United for two-and-a-half years before leaving in December 2018.

The Portuguese coach enjoyed a brilliant start at Old Trafford by winning three trophies in the Community Shield, EFL Cup, and Europa League in 2016/17. He then led the Red Devils to a second-place finish in the Premier League for the following season.

A turbulent start to the 2018/19 campaign, however, resulted in Mourinho’s departure. He has since replaced Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham manager and linked up with the one player that Sir Alex Ferguson told him to sign for United.

“Sir Alex Ferguson gave me only one advice in two and a half years [at United]: buy Dele Alli,” said Mourinho Amazon’s All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur documentary as quoted on Goal.

“But he’s not a good trainer and we need to find the right motivation for the guy.”

When Mourinho took charge of Tottenham last November, though, he wasted no time laying into the out-of-form midfielder.

“F*cking lazy,” Mourinho allegedly told Alli on his first day.

“I am going to be a pain in the ass for you, and you are lucky because when I am a pain in the ass, it’s a good thing.

“I don’t know if it has to be to your lifestyle. If you want periods [when] you are an amazing professional, if in another period, you become a party boy. I have no idea. Only you can know that. Time flies and one day you will regret if you don’t reach what you can reach.”

Whatever Mourinho did in the end, it worked.

Alli has since rediscovered his best form, providing seven goals and five assists in his opening 28 appearances under the former Real Madrid boss.