Paul Ince has suggested that he sees similarities between the job Erik ten Hag is currently doing with Manchester United and the revival the club enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson in the early 1990s.
Reading manager Ince was part of the Reds side who won the FA Cup in 1990, with United defeating Crystal Palace in the final to secure Ferguson's first trophy as manager. The Scot went on to win 38 trophies during his reign as Reds boss, including 13 Premier League titles.
It came after the club had gone 26 years without winning the league, and Ince believes that the triumph over Palace at Wembley was the catalyst for the success that followed. Now, as his Reading side prepares to take on United in the FA Cup fourth round, the former United midfielder has identified similarities between Ferguson and Ten Hag.
ALSO READ: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gives update on Phil Jones
United looked much-improved under the management of Ten Hag this season and have won 10 of their last 12 matches. The Reds are also currently the only side in England still competing on all four fronts.
Ince has praised Ten Hag for giving his side a 'presence' and suggested that, in recent years, teams were arriving at Old Trafford believing that they could get something out of the game.
"The important thing for us in 1990 was winning the FA Cup," said Ince. "Man United have to be seen to be winning trophies. That year I think we finished 13th in the league. To win an FA Cup was great.
"The second year, when we went to Rotterdam and beat Barcelona in the Cup-Winners’ Cup, the next pre-season after winning that there was a different feel around the changing room and the club. There was a belief that we could win the Premier League.
"With previous Man United teams (before Ten Hag), teams were going to Old Trafford believing they could get something.
"What Ten Hag’s doing now, he’s given this team a presence. They’re a lot tougher now than what they have been for four or five years. Were they a soft touch? Probably, yeah. But I sense that he’s building something here."
Reading currently sit 14th in the Championship table having won 11 of their 28 league matches this term. The Royals overcame Watford in their FA Cup third round tie, while United cruised past Everton to reach the fourth round.
Win a pair of tickets to the Premier League or Women's Super League match of your choosing! Enter below. CLICK HERE
READ NEXT:
