Journalist Harry Harris, who has written two books about Sir Alex Ferguson and his legacy at Man United, has now shared an incredible detail about the Scot almost joining Tottenham.

Ferguson remains the ultimate architect of Manchester United’s rise during the Premier League era, transforming the club into a global footballing superpower during his legendary 26-year tenure.

His reign yielded an astonishing 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns, and he established a culture of relentless winning and iconic late triumphs.

One only has to look at United’s downfall since Ferguson’s departure in 2013 to see the kind of impact he had at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils still struggling to get anywhere close to the standards set by their most iconic manager.

Alex Ferguson came close to becoming Tottenham manager in 1984

The story of Ferguson coming close to becoming Spurs boss may be known to some Tottenham supporters, as it was first revealed by former Lilywhites chairman Irving Scholar.

Harris, who has done a deep dive on the 84-year-old’s career, has now shared what he knows about his proposed move to the North London club, two years before he eventually accepted the role at Old Trafford.

When asked about how close Ferguson was to taking over at Spurs, Harris told Football Presse: “Well, it’s hard to tell really, because in Irving’s mind, it was a fait accompli. He had agreed the deal, signed the deal, and there wasn’t too much opposition at that particular time. So he thought he’d secured the agreement.

“And for Irving, you know, his word is his bond. And he, you know, Fergie gave his word. For him, that was good enough. But he was quite new to the world of football. And all sorts of things can change overnight in football. And of course it did.

“You know, he did so well at Aberdeen. And Man United needed a new manager. And at that particular time, and possibly even to this day, Man United are far bigger of a club. And it was not much of a choice for Fergie once Man United had made him an offer, which was in any case superior to the Spurs one.

“Yeah. Not that Irving wouldn’t have increased it. But so was he close? Well, he thought so for a time. And it was in his mind sealed with that handshake. But no contest when Man United came knocking.”

Harry Harris is not convinced Ferguson would have succeeded at Spurs

Sir Alex may now be widely hailed as someone who was transformative to English football, but he was far from an immediate success at United.

In fact, he faced immense pressure in early 1990 and was even potentially at risk of being sacked, but he never looked back after winning the FA Cup the same year, which was his first trophy in Manchester.

Harris is not 100 per cent convinced that things would have worked out for Tottenham or Sir Alex had he arrived at White Hart Lane from Aberdeen, but he conceded that history could have been very different had the move gone through.

Asked whether he had ever wondered what might have happened had Ferguson arrived at Spurs, the journalist said: “I haven’t wondered. I’ve known what could have been. It could have been vastly different.

“I don’t think Fergie would have put up with some of the antics of the players at Spurs, nor would he have mismanaged the team. I think he would have brought great results from the team and the players down the years. Yes, it would have rewritten history for both clubs, I think.”