Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has revealed he is in “regular” contact with Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Boro boss said he actually met up with the Manchester United legend very recently, where he received a number of tips from his former coach:

“I speak to him quite regularly. I saw him last week at my dinner for my Foundation. I had a good chat to him. He is pleased things are going well for me – a few pointers here and there, which he always does. That was nice.”

“He [Ferguson] was calm in terms of knowing what he wanted, He knew exactly what he was doing, He was quite calculating in terms of what emotions to use. Quite clever in terms of that. There was always a reason behind his mood and his attitude towards the players to get the response he needed. But I learnt a lot from him that way in terms of how to get the best out of players.”

It doesn’t come any better than having Ferguson as an advisor and perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising that Carrick has taken to management like a duck to water.

Since arriving at the Riverside Stadium in late October, he has made a massive impact. While there was talk of relegation before he took over, there is now a genuine possibility of automatic promotion, especially after Wednesday’s comprehensive victory against Sheffield United.

Boro were clearly the better team at Bramall Lane and, while there is still seven points between the Teessiders and the Blades, Carrick’s side will now be convinced that they can hunt down their promotion rivals between now and May.