Erik ten Hag has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't need to do any talking to his Manchester United players ahead of their trip to Wembley.
The Red Devils have travelled to London in search of their first trophy in six years, having last got their hands on silverware under Jose Mourinho in 2017. Ten Hag has transformed United in a matter of months at the helm and a trophy would render his first season at Old Trafford a success.
Having sat down with Ferguson for a meal last Tuesday in Wilmslow, Cheshire, the Dutchman has opened up on what kind of message the legendary former Red Devils boss is sending the current United squad. "He is by doing (not words)," Ten Hag explained to Sky Sports.
"I think he left a legacy and that is Manchester United stands for winning and a winning culture. I think he's such a great example for all of us, for humanity, but for all of us around and in Manchester United, he's such a big example and we hope that we can make him proud on Sunday."
Speaking about having dinner with Ferguson last week, the United manager explained: "I always enjoy speaking with people who have a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience and he wants to share it, he wants to help and support. Man United is his club and he feels so committed. We are doing well. It was a great night and I look forward to the next night with him."
Asked whether he still feels the Scot's influence at the club, Ten Hag told BT Sport: "Every day he's here and you feel it. He brought the winning mentality, attitude and culture to this club. [Being] hard to beat, confidence, belief - he brought it and it's great to talk with him."
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Unlike Ferguson's many trips to Wembley while in charge of the Red Devils, Sunday will be the ex-Ajax boss' first visit to the home of English football. "It's a great moment I to go to Wembley, I think," the Ten Hag added in his interview with Sky. "It's a real theatre to play a game, to play a final. It's really exciting to go there. And of course if you go there, you want to win and it's a big day for us."
Once the pleasantries upon arriving at Wembley are over, though, he expects a tough test courtesy of Eddie Howe's resurgent Newcastle side. "It's a difficult game. It's a difficult opponent," Ten Hag admitted. "They are so difficult to beat and it's a big compliment for them, but we have to find a way to beat them and no matter what.
"And so we put all the effort in. I have all the respect for the opponent and what the manager, Howe is doing. It is great to see from the outside. And you see also there is a real team and good team spirit. So yeah, it's gonna be a great game between two really good teams."
