Sir Alex Ferguson, 82, is spotted leaving private members club in Mayfair with Dougie Freedman – a week after the Man United target signed a new deal to stay as Crystal Palace’s sporting director

Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted at the chic private club Oswald’s in Mayfair on Friday evening.

Legendary Man United manager Ferguson was back in London a week after watching the Red Devils win the FA Cup at Wembley by beating Man City 2-1.

The 82-year-old, who is expected to be back at the national stadium on Saturday for the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, was photographed leaving the venue, one of the most exclusive private clubs in the capital.

Oswald’s, which has no social media presence, has seen celebrities and royalty such as Prince William, Beyonce, Victoria Beckham, Boris Johnson, Amber Heard and Prince Albert II of Monaco visit in recent years.

One item in The times even described it as: ‘A private dining club that has become one of the capital’s most exclusive retreats for senior members of the government, deep-pocketed donors, show business stars looking to party privately, and members of the royal family .’

Ferguson stopped in front of fans and signed autographs while accompanied by Dougie Freedman

Ferguson stopped to pose for photos and sign autographs for fans before getting into a car as he left the area.

Perhaps surprisingly, Dougie Freedman was pictured next to Ferguson as he left the venue, although the Crystal Palace sporting director is believed to have a strong relationship with his compatriot.

Mail Sport previously reported how Freedman was mentored by Ferguson for years.

The pair first met when Freedman’s Crystal Palace upset United in the League Cup at Old Trafford in 2011, and became neighbors and friends the following year when he moved north to coach Bolton.

Freedman was immensely respectful and always referred to him as Mr. Ferguson, the way Scots usually call their seniors out of respect, but the one time he politely declined Fergie’s advice worked out in his favor.

In 2017, after losing his job at financially ailing Bolton and Nottingham Forest, Freedman was asked by Hearts to become their manager but was counter-offered by Palace chairman Steve Parish to become their sporting director.

Fergie urged the younger man not to turn down Hearts – ‘it’s a big club’ – but Freedman opted for a career change and headed south.

Ferguson then got into a car as the Scot headed to the Champions League final tonight

Freedman is believed to be mentored by Ferguson and has received critical acclaim for his work

He’s done so well recruiting the likes of Marc Guehi, Michael Olise, Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze that he’s been in demand lately.

He was strongly linked with a move to United as they continue to overhaul their technical structure under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, while he was one of the leading contenders to replace Dan Ashworth as sporting director at Newcastle.

However, the 50-year-old rejected interest from Eddie Howe’s side as he instead signed a new contract with Crystal Palace, who finished the season in good form and have high expectations for next season.