Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson admits Manchester City and Liverpool ties still make him nervous... and claims the Europa League is 'best chance' of making Champions League

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Sir Alex Ferguson admits he still gets nervous watching Manchester United play against their old rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.

The 75-year-old Scot has been a regular spectator at United games since retiring in 2013 when he accepted a role as director and club ambassador at Old Trafford.

Ferguson was known for his explosive temperament during a period of unprecedented success at United, but insists that he keeps calm in the stands these days – unless United are up against Liverpool or City.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson sits in the stands at Old Trafford

‘Being at the club for 26-and-a-half years I didn’t want to wipe it out of my life,’ said Ferguson.

‘When they made me a director and an ambassador, I thought that was the perfect position to be in – watching the team, enjoying it and travelling with them at times.

‘Strangely enough, I don’t get over-excited about it. I enjoy watching because they’re a great club to watch. 

'There’s always something exciting about that club, there’s always something going to happen. No matter whether they lose or win, there’s always something really exciting about it.

The Scot has been in regular attendance at Old Trafford since retiring from management

‘The only time I get a bit anxious is when we play Liverpool and Man City because those are the biggest games.

‘The things about English football is the tribalism. You’ve got the London clubs, the Midlands clubs and the Yorkshire clubs. That creates a real competitive edge to matches.

‘But nothing compares to the Liverpool game. Of course, Manchester City now have risen to a very prominent position in the game and those games have become very important too.’

In an interview with US radio station SiriusXM, Ferguson praised current boss Jose Mourinho for winning the League Cup in his first season and claimed that adding the Europa League probably represents United’s best chance of returning to the Champions League next season.

Ferguson says he has got on well with Jose Mourinho since he joined Manchester United

He added: ‘I get on well with Jose and I think he’s doing a really good job.

‘He’s been a bit unlucky because they’ve been absolutely brilliant in most of their home games and drawn (seven of) them. If they had got the wins they deserved they would be challenging for the league, no doubt about that.

‘Their season is still alive. They’ve won the League Cup, they’re in the Europa League and I think they have a great chance there. It’s very important now because if you win it you are in the Champions League.

‘In the Premier League at the moment, there is a real fight for the positions behind Chelsea – Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, ourselves. It’s not going to be easy to get into the top four.

Ferguson believes Manchester United's have a strong chance to win the Europa League

‘They could do it. But I look at the Europa League as a great chance. First of all, they’ve never won the Europa League. We’ve not been in it many times but none the less it adds to the CV.

‘Winning a trophy at United is the most important thing. That’s what the club’s history is about, winning trophies.

‘I looked upon the League Cup as the manager did, and his build up to it was “this is an important trophy”. I was fortunate enough to win it four times. No matter the trophy, if you get to a final you’ve got to win it.’

United have announced plans for a pre-season tour of the United States this summer when they will play City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake.

United have announced plans for another pre-season tour of the United States this summer

It was no secret that Ferguson preferred visiting America to touring other parts of the world, largely because his players were not subjected the same hysteria as places like the Far East, and he is looking forward to seeing Mourinho’s team in action there in July.

‘You’ve got four of the biggest clubs in the world. Whenever you play Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City, now they’ve become prominent, it is an important game and I know that United’s attitude will be to win. It’s your status as a top club.

‘Since we came over to America way back in 2002, it’s grown and grown. The crowds were fantastic when we played, always full houses.

‘Also it gave the American public a chance to see Manchester United in the flesh and doing their very best. American sports followers like to see people doing their very best.

Alex Ferguson always preferred the anonymity that America afforded in his pre-season tours

‘Our attitude was always “we’re going there and we’re going to do well”. It’s increased our supporter base in America.

‘At the beginning that (anonymity) was very much of the case. The next time we came over it was more prominent in terms of people recognising them. People like (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Ryan) Giggs and (Paul) Scholes are recognised all over the world anyway.

‘The other thing about coming to the States was the food, the language and the climate are all perfect for going on pre-season tour, so these are all important issues.’

Ferguson was reminded of the time that he had to put his players straight when they did not stop to sign autographs in Philadelphia.

‘It’s a responsibility that,’ he said. ‘It was unusual to do that. But sometimes you have to give them a reminder. It’s always good to remind them of their responsibility.’

Ferguson says signing autographs for fans is a 'responsibility' of the Manchester United stars