Erik ten Hag: Man Utd will need Sir Alex Ferguson despite end to ambassador role

Erik ten Hag says Sir Alex Ferguson “is Man United” and believes he will remain available to help in their bid to return to the top, despite leaving his ambassadorial role.

The Old Trafford giants have struggled since the Scot bowed out as Premier League champion in 2013, with the club failing to make a sustained title bid since.

Ambitious Ineos are looking to revive the fortunes of the 20-time English league winners after Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner earlier this year, leading to some uncomfortable and wide-ranging cuts.

Around a quarter of United’s workforce has gone as part of those changes and it emerged this week that Ferguson was stepping away from his reported £2million-a-year ambassadorial role.

The 82-year-old is said to have reached an amicable agreement to cease those duties at the end of the season, but such decisions are having an impact on people around the club.

“Of course it has an impact on us,” manager Ten Hag said. “Sir Alex of course is Man United. He built Man United to where the club is now.

“It impacts us, but on the other side also we know and Sir Alex knows and he wants to see a winning Manchester United.

“I’m sure he’s always available for every advice and we will need him, definitely in the short term again as we did in the last two-and-a-half years I am here.”

Asked if he regularly talks to Ferguson, the under-fire United boss said: “Yes, so now and then we have good contact I would say.

“So, once in half a year I meet formally with him, but also of course informal around games I meet him.”

Ferguson is sure to be an interested observer as quick starters Brentford arrive at Old Trafford as United seek just their third league win of the season.

The Red Devils have endured their worst ever