Marcello Lippi: 'I had a great rapport with Sir Alex Ferguson'

Former Juventus boss Marcello Lippi has claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson modelled his Manchester United side on the Turin club.

Ferguson, who will officially step down at the end of the season, has also been branded "a person with culture and intelligence" by the Italian.

"Many times he told me that he took the example of Juventus to build his great Manchester United [sides]," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I don't speak English and his variety is very unique and we always required an interpreter. Then we discovered that we both spoke French and communicated that way. We had a great rapport.

"We exchanged bottles. He gave me whisky and I gave him wine that he appreciated a lot. We discussed everything. I didn't expect it. A person with his culture and intelligence can do any work that he desires."

Everton boss David Moyes is the favourite to succeed Ferguson.