Jose Mourinho has lavished praise on Sir Alex Ferguson after the Manchester United icon was recently relieved of his duties as a club ambassador.
The Scot, who won 13 league titles during his time in charge at Old Trafford, will still be able to attend matches.
But Ferguson won't represent the club any longer and has also been banned from the United dressing room.
It is a decision that has raised eyebrows, with club legends such as Eric Cantona and Dwight Yorke criticising the Red Devils for their decision to part ways with the 82-year-old.
Jose Mourinho has lavished praise on Sir Alex Ferguson after the Manchester United icon was recently relieved of his duties as a club ambassador
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Mourinho, speaking as his Fenerbache side prepare to lock horns with United on Thursday, has opened up on his relationship with Ferguson.
The 61-year-old believes he remains a significant figure for United, no matter what, and insists his standing among fans is the 'most important thing'.
“My relation with Sir Alex was amazing, incredible and when my Netflix documentary comes out you will know more about the reason why I have so much respect for him," he said.
"The ambassadorial role...I don't know in depth the situation.
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"It doesn't matter why, what.
"Sir Alex has the most important thing, which is the love and respect of every Man United fan around the world."
Mourinho was in contention to replace Ferguson at United when he left his role as manager in 2013.
However, the Portuguese was overlooked with David Moyes instead arriving as the club's first boss of the new era.
Mourinho did eventually take charge of United in 2016, with Louis van Gaal sacked despite winning the FA Cup.
His time at Old Trafford started well, with the fallen giants winning the EFL Cup and Europa League during his maiden season at the helm.
United also finished second to Manchester City in 2018 but, mere months later, decided to axe Mourinho following a poor start to the season.
Nearly six years on and the Red Devils continue to languish behind their rivals, having experienced a chastening season so far under Erik ten Hag.
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Jose Mourinho has nothing but positive things to say about Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson
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Yet Mourinho is adamant the glory days will return to Old Trafford, despite their ongoing issues.
"Maybe you English guys think I'm bluffing, playing mind-games. I'm not playing anything - they have a better team than results are showing," he continued.
"I studied them the maximum I could. We watched everything in the Premier League, [and previous Europa League games against] Twente and Porto - there is work there.
"They will succeed sooner or later. Hopefully sooner and before one day I go back to the Premier League and they become my opponents.
Jose Mourinho is confident Man Utd will bring the glory days back to Old Trafford sooner rather than later
GETTY"At this moment they are just my opponents for one match."
On who could win the Europa League, he continued: : "If I have to say now which are the two biggest candidates to win the Europa League, I think it's easy - Manchester United and Tottenham.
"The Premier League is a different level of quality, intensity, pace, tactical culture - a different level of everything.
"Tomorrow, I think we are going to play against one of the two strongest teams."
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