Manchester United have been told that Steve McClaren is the perfect man to inject some much-needed discipline into their squad on and off the training ground. Erik ten Hag worked under McClaren at FC Twente and has decided to go full circle and welcome him back to Old Trafford as part of his own backroom team.
McClaren will serve as one of two assistants to Ten Hag along with Mitchell van der Gaag. It's a position the former England coach last held under Sir Alex Ferguson more than two decades ago.
However, over the course of those seasons which have passed, the 61-year-old has developed a strong reputation for player and team organisation. According to a man who knows McClaren well, Stewart Downing, that's something United critically lacked under previous management set-ups and must address in time for the new season.
READ MORE: Steve McClaren hints Manchester United will have leadership group under Erik ten Hag
Speaking before the 360 Sports TV Masters Cup, former Middlesbrough star Downing said: "The one thing I will say about [Steve] McClaren is that he's a very good on-field coach. I think that team does need coaching.
"When I watch United they're so ill-disciplined and [he] is really good at organising the team and getting them how he wants them to play. I'm sure he and Ten Hag have got the same sort of ideas."
On his time at Middlesbrough with the now United assistant, Downing added: "We were a very well organised as a team. He overachieved with us and instilled a winning attitude. We got to a UEFA Cup final and beat some amazing teams by pure hard work and being very well drilled."
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