Watford chairman Jimmy Russo has revealed Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him about naming rookie Malky Mackay as new manager.

"Sir Alex rang on another matter but while he was on I asked for his advice and he said Malky was an excellent candidate," Russo told the London Evening Standard.

"Maybe he saw something of himself in him. Malky also has a strong character, he's a disciplinarian and his personality is what you're looking for.

"He just said that if we went with Malky we wouldn't go far wrong and that was good enough for me."