Manchester United’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson had secretly met with former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in New York this week, reports The Sun. Pep Guardiola is still undecided over his future.

Guardiola is available and the Old Trafford job is his No 1 target ahead of Bayern Munich and Chelsea as SunSport revealed on November 25. Also he is United’s preferred option ahead of Jose Mourinho but Everton boss David Moyes, 49, is also heavily favored by Ferguson and the board.

Alex Ferguson flew out to New York with wife Cathy for a pre-Christmas break.

But he also arranged to meet Guardiola — as he is understood to have done twice before — in the American city where both men have apartments.

It is not clear whether the United boss, who turns 71 on New Year’s Eve, will extend his 26-year reign beyond this season.