TEN HAG FERGIE TIME

Sir Alex's golden era is the inspiration for Dutch boss to lift gloom at Old Trafford

- SIMON MULLOCK

ERIK TEN HAG is taking Manchester United back to the future by using Sir Alex Ferguson's blueprint to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has revealed how he has tried to invoke the spirit of Ferguson during the early months of his reign as he looks to put some devilment back into a team that had become a soft touch.

In an interview in his homeland, the Dutchman namechecked United legends such as Eric Cantona (below), Roy Keane and Paul Scholes as he outlined his plan to make the Reds great again.

And, although Ten Hag admitted that United cannot hope to challenge rivals Manchester City and Liverpool this season, he insists that a top-four finish would complete the first part of his master plan.

Ten Hag said: "Manchester United didn't exactly have the fear factor last season, there was no spirit. I saw no team dynamic in the squad, the mental resilience was very low.

"I saw that as an outsider and I also noticed it in my first weeks at the club.

"I looked at the culture of the club and I asked, 'How did Manchester United become great?'.

"And, for me, it was about Sir Alex Ferguson. His teams excelled in togetherness, collectivity and spirit. You just couldn't beat them.