Moyes was months into his first management job at Preston when Fergie began his search for a reliable no.2 following Brian Kidd’s decision to leave and take over at Blackburn.
In the end, Derby County assistant Steve McClaren got the job.
“I do know there were a few people in the frame and I think it was David Moyes and myself who were top of the charts,” McClaren told talkSPORT as part of a special documentary called ‘Football, Bloody Hell! How United won the Treble’.
In addition to his obvious talent at winning trophies, McClaren believes recruitment was one of one of Fergie’s great strengths whether it be picking the right players or staff.
However, he thought someone was winding him up when the legendary boss called him one evening to offer him the role.