Fergie to be consulted over appointment of 'sacked' Moyes' successor at Man U

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will reportedly be consulted over the appointment of the successor of the sacked David Moyes at the Old Trafford club.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is currently leading a three-man shortlist of candidates to become the new manager at United while Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola and Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp have ruled themselves out of contention for the position within hours of confirmation of Moyes's dismissal.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ferguson, who has been criticised by supporters for anointing Moyes as his successor last May, will play a central role in helping executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward identify the new manager, who needs to be experienced in winning major trophies.

Although United refused to answer Ancelotti's claims that Ferguson had approached him about the possibility of replacing him as manager, however, the report said that even if Real resist attempts to prise the Italian from his three-year contract, Old Trafford are not worried over matching his six million pounds-a-year-salary at Real.

The Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal remains a strong candidate, however, after making it clear to United that he would be keen to take charge at the club, although the report said that there is also some support for Ryan Giggs to be handed the job on a permanent basis, with some players concerned by the abrasive reputation of Van Gaal.