“Buy this guy” – Mourinho reveals the player Ferguson URGED him to sign for Manchester United

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Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has explained just how much Sir Alex Ferguson pushed him to sign Dele Alli for Manchester United.

Mourinho had a spell in charge at Old Trafford and struggled to live up to expectations, though perhaps things could have gone better for him if he’d made some smarter signings.

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Many of Mourinho’s United signings flopped, with players like Alexis Sanchez, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and, to a lesser extent, Paul Pogba, never quite looking right for his style of play.

Dele might have been more of a natural fit for Man Utd, and Ferguson clearly saw a huge amount of potential in the England international.

Mourinho has spoken about his talks with Fergie, saying: “Sir Alex Ferguson gave me only one advice in two and a half years (at United).

Dele Alli was wanted at Manchester United by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson

“Buy Dele Alli – that guy, with that mentality, the way he plays, the aggression he has in his mind. This guy is a Manchester United player – buy this guy,” Sir Alex Ferguson told me.”

Dele has been a hit for Tottenham, though his recent dip perhaps shows it’s not entirely clear if he’ll have the career many expected a couple of years ago.

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