Sir Alex Ferguson shows the world what he thinks of Jimmy Thelin as Aberdeen boss earns Man United VIP status

The Dons boss was snapped alongside managerial great Ferguson during United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin put his side's Premier Sports Cup semi-final horror show defeat to Celtic behind him by meeting up with Sir Alex Ferguson to take in a Manchester United game at Old Trafford.

The Swede's superb run of 16 games without a defeat since taking up the reins at Pittodrie came crashing down at Hampden on Saturday, with the Dons shipping three goals in either half in a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of the Hoops. The former Elfsborg boss admitted after the game that his team have learned some harsh lessons from the dismal loss but insists they will do everything in their power to make amends when joint-Premiership leaders Aberdeen welcome Dundee to the Granite City next weekend.

But before that, Thelin and club chief executive Alan Burrows joined Gothenburg Greats John Hewitt and Ferguson in the corporate section for the 1-1 draw between United and Chelsea on Sunday. The Red Devils have confirmed Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim as their next man in the dugout, but with ex striker Ruud van Nistelrooy still in interim charge played, saw a second half penalty cancelled out by Chelsea's Moises Caicedo.

Earlier in the week, Thelin, 46, revealed he had met Ferguson for the first time after the Dons had fought back to claim a 2-2 draw against Celtic at Parkhead on October 19. Speaking on what he discussed with the legendary former Aberdeen and Man United gaffer, he said: "I met him and had a short talk as he is a busy man. He's very popular. We talked a little bit about the game we played there and about living in Aberdeen. We didn't talk about this game, we just talked about football generally. Sir Alex in my age as a manager is the top man with how he performed at Aberdeen and also his next club for so many years.

"How he can reinvent himself so many times. We talked about how it is to live here and he wished me luck. I was very young when he was at Aberdeen. It was not about tactical things, it is all about leadership and how he can be for such a long time at two clubs. He can be an inspiration to new players and to keep going. That is the thing we try to do ourselves as a coach, to be consistent."

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