Neil Warnock skirted over a long-standing issue with Sir Alex Ferguson in his Aberdeen unveiling press conference.

The veteran manager - appointed at Pittodrie until the end of the season - hasn't spoken with Manchester United and Aberdeen legend Ferguson since a fallout 17 years ago.

And Warnock hinted at the issue when asked whether he had received a text from Ferguson after taking over at Aberdeen.

"No, not yet. We're not really on Christmas card lists if I'm honest," said Warnock.

"But I don't think we should go into that because he's a legend up here, isn't he?

"No, I don't think I ever...since the Tevez situation I don't think I've ever spoken to Alex since."

The furious fallout happened back in 2007 when Warnock's Sheffield United side were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season.

United had only required a draw against fellow relegation rivals Wigan but fell to a 2-1 defeat.

It meant Sheffield United and Warnock were left relying on results elsewhere going their way with Manchester United against West Ham United a key fixture.

Should Ferguson's United have beaten West Ham then Warnock's side would have avoided the drop on goal difference.

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But Ferguson's side were beaten at Old Trafford 1-0 which kept West Ham up and meant Warnock's Sheffield United were relegated. 

Warnock had been left disappointed by the result as he stated he felt "let down" by Ferguson's team selection for the match as he rotated his squad ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea the next week.

The current Aberdeen boss was also frustrated for Carlos Tevez to score the crucial goal to send his side down as he branded the striker "football's equivalent of a murderer out on bail".

In his book Made in Sheffield, Warnock wrote: "I felt really let down. I've so much time for Sir Alex but he had said he'd play his best side against West Ham. And this was nowhere near his best side.

"And then Carlos Tevez, football's equivalent of a murderer out on bail, had scored the goal that kept West Ham up and put us down. So much for the integrity of the Premier League. So much for fairness and justice in English football."

Warnock then revealed Ferguson called to apologise for the situation.