MANCHESTER UNITED were going to replace Sir Alex Ferguson with Ryan Giggs, according to former Old Trafford No 2 Rene Meulensteen.
Manchester United saw Ferguson depart five years ago today, with the Red Devils then handing the job to David Moyes.
Moyes left Everton for Old Trafford after Ferguson tipped him to bring stability to the club.
However, United axed the Scot just 10 months into his reign.
Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have both struggled to restore Manchester United to Premier League champions in the time since.
Giggs, meanwhile, is currently Wales manager.
And Meulensteen has revealed that Giggs could have been United’s next boss after Ferguson had chief executive David Gill not left in 2013 as well.
“If (chief executive) David Gill had not quit, too, then maybe Giggsy would have been appointed manager, with Ferguson in the background taking care of certain aspects, and the machine room – the coaching staff – would have remained the same,” he said.
“Five years on, I still think it was an unbelievable opportunity for David, which he misjudged.
“He misread the difference between Everton and Manchester United, which is like going from a yacht to a cruise ship.
“He will never admit that, though.”
Meanwhile, Giggs hopes Ferguson recovers from a brain haemorrhage.
The legendary Scot remains in hospital with reports claiming he is now sitting up and talking with his family.
And Giggs said: “Now is the time to pray and hope he can make a full recovery.
“He has been the biggest influence in my career, both on and off the pitch.
“I know the operation has been a success – but he is a fighter and that is what makes me think that he will be able to make a recovery.”
Source:www.express.co.uk