Sir Alex Ferguson has delivered the ultimate show of praise to Jurgen Klopp by admitting he's glad he's retired so he doesn't have to face his "phenomenal" Liverpool side.
The former United boss was at the helm when the Red Devils took over Liverpool's dominance of English football from the mid-90s.
Ferguson famously quipped his "greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f***ing perch."
It took three decades for their Merseyside rivals to return to the summit, but it may be short-lived, with Klopp's men currently trailing United in the table.
The two sides meet again on Sunday in a clash which could provide a strong indication of United's title credentials this season, amid doubts over their ability to last the course.
And Ferguson is just pleased he's not the one spearheading United this time round, after the mammoth task he oversaw during his 27-year stint as boss.
"United against Liverpool is the game of the season - the most successful sides in the country," he said during a 'talk with legends' where Klopp was present.
"I had to build a club not just a team to surpass them.
"Thank goodness I've retired, because when I see Liverpool’s performances over the last two seasons - phenomenal."
Klopp takes charge of his 200th Premier League game on Sunday, during which time he has accumulated 127 wins so far - five more than Ferguson had at the same stage in his United tenure.
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And he has thrown down the gauntlet to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United to prove their worth at Anfield on Sunday, where the Reds have not lost a league match in over three years.
“I’m really looking forward to this game, to be honest," Klopp said in his pre-match press conference.
"I know Ole said that this is the best moment to play against Liverpool… yeah? Let’s see."
