Legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly taking an increasing interest in Manchester United as Erik ten Hag continues to impress.
The Red Devils last won the Premier League title under Ferguson's management and are in the midst of a six-year trophy trophy. But Ten Hag is beginning to finally set United back on the right path, having already guided them to the Carabao Cup final.
United have also won 13 home games in succession to help them overtake Newcastle in the table and push to the periphery of the title race. But it is their away form that is understood to currently be impressing Ferguson the most.
According to the Daily Mail, United's stunning run has 'lifted the spirits' of their former manager. The Scot has long visited Old Trafford for home games, but he is not increasingly travelling to away matches too.
The run has also left Ferguson 'enthused' by Ten Hag, something that can not often be said for many of his successors. Ferguson and Ten Hag have often been spotted conversing before matches.
And the Dutchman has previously revealed he is trying to emulate United's legendary boss as he looks to turn things around. After a difficult period since Ferguson's retirement, Ten Hag is now basing his rebuild on the way the Scot built the Red Devils up.
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“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 also noticed it in my first weeks at the club," he said earlier this month.
"I looked at the culture of the club. I asked ‘how did Manchester United become great?' And for me, it was about Sir Alex Ferguson. His teams excelled in togetherness, collectivity, spirit. You just couldn't beat them.
“United always had top strikers like Cantona, Cole, Sheringham, Yorke, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie. And top goalkeepers like Schmeichel, Van der Sar, De Gea. In the centre, there were big personalities like Jaap Stam, Vidic, Rio Ferdinand.
"And always a strategist in midfield. Roy Keane, the boss. Paul Scholes, a magnificent footballer and personality. And think of players like Ryan Giggs or David Beckham. That’s the culture of Manchester United.
"I looked at that very carefully and then saw that last season's team looked fragile and vulnerable. When we get players, you look at their quality and technical skills. But you also look at their mental quality, that mental resilience - and we had to bring that back.”
As well as reaching the Carabao Cup final, United have also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup and the knockout stages of the Europa League. After defeating Crystal Palace on Saturday, they will host Leeds on Wednesday.
