McDermott praises Ferguson character

Reading manager Brian McDermott has revealed it took Sir Alex Ferguson just five minutes to ring him when he asked the Scot for advice in January.

McDermott said he was taken aback by the quick response from the Manchester United boss and feels it is testament to the 70-year-old’s character.

He told reporters: “I spoke to him in January about something that I needed to address and he was very helpful to me and giving me good advice.

“I spoke to his son and asked him if he wouldn’t mind Sir Alex giving me a ring. And, five minutes after that conversation, a private number came up and it was him.

“So, that just tells you the calibre of the man and what he’s about.”

When asked what their conversation was about, he said: “That’s between him and me and obviously just talking to him was good for me.

“I don’t know him particularly well but I just know him from that instance and I know that he’s done that with a lot of young managers in the past.

“He does a lot for football and he does a lot for people in the game, and everyone respects that.

“He has done it, been there, seen it,” he said. “Everybody’s got the ultimate respect for Sir Alex and everything he’s achieved.”

Reading take on Manchester United on Saturday at the Madejski Stadium.