Sir Alex Ferguson backs Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes

Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes to bring success to the club.

The former Dons boss watch his old side thrash Partick Thistle 4-0 on Monday, a result that took McInnes's side second in the Scottish Premiership.

"I'm really pleased for him," Ferguson said of his latest successor at Pittodrie.

"I think Derek, given time at Aberdeen - and they have always been that way anyway - will do very well."

McInnes took over from Craig Brown earlier this year shortly after being sacked by Bristol City.

"I thought he was a little bit unlucky down in England," said Ferguson, who won eight domestic and two European trophies as Aberdeen manager.

"He got Bristol City at a time when they were on a downer. It was very unfortunate. But you see the job he is doing now."

The former Manchester United manager was speaking after conducting the draw for the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, which handed Aberdeen an away tie against Thistle.

McInnes's Aberdeen have started the season well

"I watched them last night and I think they have every chance," Ferguson said of Aberdeen's prospects of winning this season's tournament.

"An away draw is always difficult in the cup. I saw Partick against Celtic a couple of weeks back and I thought they did okay, they played some good football.

"It won't be easy but Aberdeen are the only side who have really given Partick a bit of a thrashing (this season) - 3-0 at Firhill and 4-0 last night.

"In my time I thought it was the best tournament to win in terms of cups.

"Aberdeen's record in the League Cup wasn't very good in my time here, we won it once.

"But the Scottish Cup was possibly the starting point. Although they won the league in 1980, it really took off in '82 when they won the cup and went on to a great run of success after that.

"If you are involved in the Scottish Cup, you cherish it, there is no question about that."