Sir Alex Ferguson only ever told Jose Mourinho to sign one player for Man Utd but he refused

Jose Mourinho refused Sir Alex Ferguson's transfer suggestion during his time in charge of Manchester United.

Mourinho received a piece of transfer advice from Ferguson upon being appointed as Man United manager.

The legendary boss, who retired from management in 2013, gave the Portuguese manager one advice in his two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford.

Buy Dele Alli.

However, Mourinho did not follow through on Ferguson's suggestion, but managed the star midfielder during his managerial stint at Tottenham.

In a clip from Amazon's 'All or Nothing' series, the AS Roma manager complains to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy about Dele.

"I told already Dele very directly that he doesn't train well, he is not a good trainer," he said.

"I am not saying a disaster, but I am not saying Harry Kane. Harry Kane is a very good trainer."

Dele Alli in the stands for Everton vs. Fulham. Image: Getty

Mourinho added: "Sir Alex Ferguson gave me only one bit of advice in two and a half years: Buy Dele Alli. 'That guy, with that mentality, the way he plays, the aggression he has in mind. This guy is the Manchester United player. Buy Dele Alli'.

"And he [Ferguson] has an eye for a player. But he [Alli] is not a good trainer, we need to find motivation for the guy."

Dele made a huge impression at MK Dons and starred in their stunning win over the Red Devils in the EFL Cup back in 2014.

He signed for Spurs after impressing in League One. He was a regular at Spurs in his first three seasons, then fell down the pecking order before enduring a slump in his career.

Dele left Spurs to join Everton but failed to make a huge impact, then signed for Besiktas on loan, where he was unable to make an impression.

The 27-year-old has returned to training at Everton following a lengthy absence on the sidelines.