Erik ten Hag is in regular discussion with Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, but is keen for the club to look to the future rather than the past.
Ferguson's presence on the United board and in the stands at Old Trafford has been a regular talking point in the nine years since his retirement from management. Former managers like David Moyes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leaned heavily on the great Scot, whereas the likes of Jose Mourinho wanted to forge a new way.
Ten Hag is under no illusions that United cannot be stuck in the past, though he waxed lyrical about former great players like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand. He was speaking before United's league clash with Arsenal — with whom some of Ferguson's great sides enjoyed a fierce rivalry.
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On the Arsenal rivalry, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: "Top games, big history between the two clubs, both with incredibly good players and good managers but it is now about Sunday, it is new, we have to build a future.
"My team in England was always Manchester United, I always supported this club, from the past I loved watching Beckham, Scholes, Ferdinand and Giggs, I always liked them."
On Ferguson, he added: "What [Arsene] Wenger did at Arsenal was great, his philosophy I really respect that, but Fergie built all of this."
"I speak with him, and we are happy with that, so are his advisors, we are grateful but now we have to build a new future, that is also clear," added the Dutchman and the current relationship he enjoys with United's most successful ever manager.
Ten Hag was also asked to choose between United and Arsenal's great captains of the past — Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira?
"That's clear, no question. Keane."
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