Sir Alex Ferguson tells Ryan Giggs: Prove you are the future – as Jose Mourinho begins his tenure at Old Trafford

JOSE MOURINHO began his Old Trafford era as Alex Ferguson told Ryan Giggs: Prove you are the future.

The Special One’s first official day at Carrington came with most of Manchester United’s stars still on holiday.

Mourinho, 53, is increasingly hopeful of landing £80million Paul Pogba, having already signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly, with Borussia Dortmund star Henrikh Mkhitaryan set to follow.

But the man every United boss will be judged against yesterday doled out a final piece of advice to Giggs, who quit Old Trafford after 29 years. Scot Ferguson, who was a father figure to the Welshman at United, said: “It’s time Ryan stood on his own feet, got out there and accepted the challenge.”

Giggs, who was No2 to both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, refused a demotion under new boss Mourinho.

The United legend, 42, felt he had earned a shot at the top job, but Ferguson understands Mourinho wanting to work with his own men.

Giggs’ assistant role has been taken by Rui Faria, the ex-Chelsea chief’s trusty lieutenant during his previous SIX jobs.

Ferguson, 74, said: “You have to have, in an assistant, someone you’ve trusted your whole life. But if Jose hadn’t had an assistant,  I know he would have taken Ryan.”

Now Giggs is set for life outside the Theatre of Dreams — and his mentor Fergie said: “I always talk about Ryan’s poker face.

“He has that bit of steel about him that you need. But now Ryan has to pick the right club to join.

“He is ready to manage and has a lot of quality.

“He can’t spoil that by joining a club that sacks a boss every two minutes.”