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Cape Town - Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says Sir Alex Ferguson isn't really involved in the club's day-to-day running, although he is pleased to have the former manager's support.
Since leaving the Old Trafford hot seat after 27 years in charge in 2013, Ferguson has been appointed as a club ambassador and director but has kept his distance from how the first team is run.
During a series of interviews earlier this week, Ferguson spoke very highly of Mourinho's impact on the squad since taking over at the start of the season, and the Portuguese repaid the compliment in kind.
"Very little - very little, to be honest," Mourinho told reporters during United's press conference ahead of Thursday's EFL Cup semi-final against Hull City.
"The support I feel is the support I always felt with him except when I was a direct competitor and playing against his teams.
"I always felt this kind of support. I felt the same when I was abroad in Italy and Spain. Friends wishing good luck and support to each other by a simple SMS - that can mean a huge amount in certain moments.
"He is very respectful too, he doesn't want to be around, doesn't want to come many times.
"I think he feels completely free because I told him that this is his house always and forever, but just a couple of times he travelled with us on the bus or train. He visited us once.
"We know that this is his club and his life. I appreciate (what he said), but I don't think I should comment.
"He is obviously an important person in the club and obviously means a lot but I don't want to comment because I wouldn't even if it was negative, I have too much respect."
United go into Thursday's match at Hull with the advantage after winning the first leg 2-0 and Mourinho revealed that he has a virtually full squad to select from.
"Eric Bailly is out of the African Cup – he is obviously not ready for Thursday but he is coming back, so no problem," Mourinho added.
"Everyone is available - no injuries. Marcos Rojo is back too.
"My choices will be to try to go with a team that I think can guarantee us a good match.
"How well (new Hull boss) Marco Silva is doing is no surprise for me. I knew it. I knew that Marco was such a good coach that the team would really improve.
"He still has a very difficult job in hand, still a big fight with some other five, six, seven teams for relegation, but a good coach. Very good."
