Manchester United: Jose Mourinho invites Sir Alex Ferguson back to club's training ground

The Scot had previously stayed away from United's Carrington base since retiring in 2013

Mourinho and Ferguson greet each other prior to the 2007 Community Shield (Getty)

Jose Mourinho has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson has re-visited Manchester United’s training ground on several occasions this season.

The most-decorated manager in the club’s history brought his 26-year-long spell in charge at Old Trafford to an end following his 13th Premier League title win in 2013.

Ferguson had stayed away from Carrington, United’s training ground, since standing down, but after taking the reins at United earlier this year, Mourinho made a point of inviting Ferguson to return.

“He had not been back since he left, but I brought him back to be with his people,” Mourinho told the United We Stand fanzine.

“I wanted the players to see the big man and for me and him to share some minutes and have lunch together. I enjoyed it, he enjoyed it.

“I'm the type of person who does not see ghosts. I respect the past and I know he loves the club," Mourinho added.

“We have good relations and I know this is his house. When he wants to come here, to the dressing room, to see the players train, he knows he is more than welcome.”

Mourinho is the third man to follow Ferguson’s reign at United, having succeeded Louis van Gaal in May.

David Moyes was Ferguson’s immediate successor and on Boxing Day, he returns to Old Trafford for the first time as a manager since his dismissal in April 2014.

Moyes' relegation-threatened Sunderland will be looking to pick up consecutive Premier League victories for only the second time this season when they face Mourinho's United.