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Carlo Ancelotti reveals Sir Alex Ferguson asked him about succeeding him at Manchester United in 2013, but the Italian was already committed to Real Madrid: 'I appreciate the fact that he talked to me'

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke for the first time last night of how Sir Alex Ferguson approached him about becoming Manchester United manager after deciding to step down seven years ago.

The Italian, whose side face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team this evening, said he had always been grateful to the Scot for considering him but had committed himself to Real Madrid instead. United have not approached him since.

Ancelotti said: ‘I can say that I keep a fantastic relationship with Sir Alex. We met when he decided to stop but I was close to Real Madrid.