Alex Ferguson delivers bad news to ole Gunnar about his appointment

Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles as United manager [Courtesy]

Sir Alex Ferguson wanted Mauricio Pochettino to be given the Manchester United job ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - and the Old Trafford icon is 'hurt' that club chiefs no longer rely on his opinion.

The former Red Devils manager achieved unprecedented success at Old Trafford and lifted 38 trophies during his silverware-laden 27-year spell before retiring in 2013.

Since the Scot called time on his hugely memorable career, United have gone through three permanent managers without much success, and current boss Solskjaer has endured a tough start to his tenure.

Ferguson is undoubtedly held in high regard by the club, even having a stand named after him at The Theatre of Dreams, but it is claimed that he feels isolated by how he is being treated by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

The Daily Mail claims that Ferguson made clear his feelings that the club should plump for Tottenham boss Pochettino following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in December.

Solskjaer was hired initially on an interim basis and impressed early on, winning 14 of his 19 games in charge, and the club opted to hand him a permanent contract

However their form soon flopped, the Red Devils missing out on a top-four spot in the Premier League while also underwhelming in their Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona.

Ferguson always fought for Pochettino to be hired, but Woodward and his fellow powerbrokers Richard Arnold and Matt Judge were not keen on taking any of his advice on board.

It is also claimed that Ferguson's relationship with Solskjaer isn't as close as their public image suggests, with the Norwegian opting against taking advice from his former manager.

Instead, the legendary Scot relies on his former right-hand man Mike Phelan, now Solskjaer's assistant manager, for any behind-the-scenes information.

"Sir Alex feels conflicted. He can see the irony that he still spends time thinking about United when he's retired," a League Managers' Association source reportedly told the Daily Mail.

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

"He knows he's not in charge any more but it would still be nice for him to be asked."

While Ferguson has made clear his frustrations, he would never publicly criticise the club which helped him become one of British football's greatest managers.

Ferguson is fondly remembered for bringing youngsters through including David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Phil and Gary Neville - who became known as the Class of '92.

He called time on his career at the end of the 2013 campaign after winning his 13th and last Premier League title with United.