Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson singles out two stars from Erik ten Hag's team

When Sir Alex Ferguson speaks about the “heart and soul” of Manchester United, it’s safe to assume that people listen. And now English football’s most successful ever domestic manager has outlined two current players who he believes epitomise those values at Old Trafford, as the team looks to build under Erik ten Hag.

The Dutch manager, the sixth boss to take charge since Ferguson oversaw their last title win in 2012/13, landed the FA Cup last season but was criticised throughout an erratic campaign.

United finished eighth in the top-flight after a record 14 Premier League defeats, with Ten Hag’s position under huge scrutiny until he was offered a contract extension this summer.

But one thing he was credited for was bringing youngsters into the fold. Indeed, the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were among the squad’s best performers, with both starting the Wembley win over Manchester City in May that arguably saved Ten Hag’s job.

And speaking at a recent golf event, Ferguson was asked by TikToker Jamal Niaz about the impact of the pair in the 2023/24 campaign. In his answer, the legendary Scot cited another famous manager in the club’s history.

"It's the foundation isn’t it?" Ferguson said. "It's the heart and soul of what Manchester United has been since the days of Sir Matt Busby, who started the whole process of trusting young players playing.

“They're young. What they’re showing at the moment, the composure and confidence to play in the first-team, and not be daunted by it. In a way, it shows you the kind of courage they have."

Ferguson’s own policy of putting faith in young players became synonymous with an unprecedented era of success at Old Trafford. The now fabled ‘class of 92’, including the likes of Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, all went on to become pivotal figures in the club’s treble winning season of 1998/99.

They were also central to the famous Alan Hansen line on the opening day of the 1995/96 campaign, when the pundit quipped “You won’t win anything with kids” after a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa. The words came back to haunt him as United proceeded to win a Premier League and FA Cup double.

And the potential of Mainoo and Garnacho has already been recognised at international level. The 19-year-old Englishman was included by Gareth Southgate in England’s Euro 2024 squad, and started all four knockout games.

Garnacho meanwhile, was part of the Argentina squad that retained their Copa America title in the US. Unlike Mainoo, the 20-year-old was an ever present for his club from the start of last season, making 50 appearances and scoring 10 times.