Sir Alex Ferguson believes Reading manager Steve Coppell should have been given the manager of the year award for last season.
Ferguson scooped the prize himself for leading United to the Barclays Premier League title - but Coppell won a huge number of fans as newly-promoted Reading finished eighth in their debut season.
Manchester United open the defence of their title at Old Trafford on Sunday as striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists the Red Devils will not underestimate the challenge ahead.
"It was an amazing achievement (last season)," the Norwegian international told Reading's website.
"Reading had not been here before and at first you think they will struggle but straight from the off you did well.
"I think the start you had was amazing and as our gaffer said Steve Coppell had to be manager of the year.
"Through Steve Coppell's work and the way you played it was difficult to play against. I don't think any team was looking forward to the Madejski Stadium."
United raced into a 3-0 lead inside six minutes in the fifth round of the FA Cup, before the home side hit back wth two goals.
Captain Graeme Murty said: "We showed last season we can give anyone a game.
"We know that with United's array of attacking talent we will need to be full out.
"We gave them a real fright in the FA Cup , coming from 3-0 down and I think if we'd have got an equaliser we'd have gone on and won the game.
"They will want to beat us. We want to get off to a good start as well."
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