Rio Ferdinand has hailed Erik ten Hag for changing the culture at Manchester United by creating a squad full of leaders.
United have endured a six-year trophy drought and a decade-long wait for a Premier League title, with the squad frequently appearing fractured. Now though, Ten Hag has instilled a winning culture, with the Red Devils the only team in Europe fighting on four fronts.
They have the chance to end their trophy drought when they face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. And Ferdinand, who recently visited the United training ground at Carrington, has noticed a change in attitude since Ten Hag took over.
"It's nice to go to Carrington, Old Trafford and feel more optimistic than negative. Seeing Marcus [Rashford] just smiling. I've said this so many times, just seeing him smile, there's a different vibe about him," the United legend told Vibe with Five.
"He's enjoying himself, there's a spring in his step. Jadon [Sancho] as well. I had a nice chat to them. Malacia as well, there was nice vibes in the place. Obviously all the other guys who were training as well.
"But the vibe even when they were training while they were out in the rondos, there's an energy there that I probably didn't see for while. Not that I've been there loads. At United now I'm looking at the team and what have we been crying out for? Character, leaders. Not a character or a leader, but characters."
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That new-found leadership runs throughout the squad, with Ferdinand picking out players several players as key examples of the sea-change in the United team. The Red Devils legend hailed two players who have been brought in by Ten Hag in particular.
And he also praised the attitude of the likes of David de Gea, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford, who have all faced fierce criticism amid United's struggles over the past few seasons.
"You want a number of them and you look through the team now, David de Gea, character, I don't think there's been many goalkeeper criticised as much this season at the top level," he added.
"Luke Shaw, come back from the dead almost under different managers. Now he's the mainstay in this team. Whatever happens, he plays. Two centre-backs now, Martinez and Varane, leaders. I just met him today, stern handshake, that's enough for me.
"Then you've got Casemiro. I ain't got to say nothing about him. Then you've got Bruno leading, he's got the armband, Rashford's leading by example with the confidence and goals. So the spine of the team now looks like there's characters there.
"Because they're starting to win now and have confidence and form, you're seeing the best of it. And that's all backed and pushed by the management."
