Erik ten Hag delivers verdict on shock Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United exit

Erik ten Hag admits the decision to revoke Sir Alex Ferguson's ambassadorial role at Manchester United has had an impact on the club.

Ferguson, 82, will step down as an ambassador at the end of the season after 12 years, having raked in more than £25million from the status after he was manager for 26-and-a-half years.

United legend Eric Cantona described the power brokers behind the decision to revoke Ferguson's privilege as "a bag of s**t". Ten Hag stressed Ferguson's significance but also acknowledged the cost-cutting measure was in the club's interests.

“Of course it has an impact on us," Ten Hag said. "Sir Alex, of course, IS Man United, he built United to where the club it is now and it impacts us.

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"But on the other side, we know and Sir Alex knows, that is what he wants. He wants to see a winning Manchester United and I’m sure he’s always available for every advice and we will need him, definitely, in the short-term, as we did in the last two-and-a-half years I am here.

"Now and then we have a good contact. I would say, once in half a year I meet formally with him, but also of course, informally, around games, I meet him.

"At the moment, we can't mach the standards he set, but still we have won trophies. Remember, six years before, this club didn’t win trophies, so we are coming back, we are returning, but obviously we are not there.

"But what's very important is that we need all the processes right and that we can construct a team that we can line up the best players, to construct the best team."

Ferguson was in attendance for United's goalless draw with Aston