Sir Alex Ferguson has shown his support for Nigel Adkins by praising the job he did at Southampton before his sacking earlier this month.
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Speaking ahead of his side's clash with the Saints at Old Trafford on Wednesday, the Manchester United boss also admitted to not knowing a whole lot about his successor, Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine replaced Adkins at St Mary's almost instantaneously, and the trip to the Premier League leaders will be his first-away game since joining from Spanish outfit Espanyol.
"I don't know a lot about him to be honest but I will have a chat with my brother [Martin] as he's been scouting in Spain," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
The Scot admitted to being a bit confused by Saints chairman Nicola Cortese's decision to sack Adkins, particularly when the south-coast club's form appeared to be turning.
"I spoke to him the day before he was sacked," revealed Fergie. "He phoned me about his situation there.
"I mean I can't understand these things. I think their form had picked up. Was it two defeats in 12 games? That's not bad for a team at the bottom of the league.
"Southampton's fans have got a way of demonstrating and there were a few banners up at the Everton game. It's nice in terms of recognising the contribution Adkins made. He brought them up into the division and it's not an easy job."
United needed a hat-trick by Robin van Persie to claim all three points when the teams met at St Mary's earlier this season, and the long-serving manager is fully aware of the threat they pose.
"We're not taking anything for granted," Ferguson declared. "We've got Southampton on Wednesday, then we go to Fulham and then it's Everton at home. These are big games, massive games.
"Teams will drop points in the title race. Not just us but Manchester City will drop points, absolutely, it's a certainty Chelsea and Arsenal will drop points.
"We'll probably drop two or three ourselves but the important thing is accepting the challenge that every game is just as difficult as the rest."
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