Wednesday 9 January 2019 19:20, UK
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's decision to have Sir Alex Ferguson talk to the Manchester United players "makes sense", says Liam Rosenior.
The interim manager reportedly invited Ferguson to the training ground to chat to the players about the club as he looks to turn around the fortunes at Old Trafford.
It's a move that former full-back Rosenior agrees with and believes United are moving back towards the traditions Ferguson instilled at the club.
"It is a unique situation but it is also a unique football club and an extraordinary man in Ferguson," he told The Debate.
"I think one of the problems for Manchester United over the last few years is that they've gone away from his ethos so much and I think the fact that Solskjaer has taken the job and Mike Phelan has gone back, who is not only an outstanding coach, he's an outstanding man too and he stands for all the right values that Man Utd are built on over the last few decades.
"I think it makes complete sense. If I was in Solskjaer's shoes, why wouldn't you use probably the greatest manager of all time?
"It's going to be interesting at the end of the season if the results do continue the way that they do, if they stick with him [Solskjaer] and try to get that Man Utd DNA and ethos back into the football club.
"For me, if you play for Manchester United and you step into that football club, you have to be aware of the history. You have to put on that shirt and be proud to wear that shirt and know what it represents. I think it is the biggest football club in the world because of the history and tradition and a huge part of that is Ferguson.
"Why not use that as a motivational tool to say 'this is what you're representing'. Every football club has its own personality and I think they're just getting that back. It's going to be fantastic to see on Sunday how they do away at Tottenham."
Danny Murphy agreed that it was a good idea to bring in Ferguson for a visit and the players would have enjoyed a visit from the legendary manager.
He added: "I think they're unique circumstances because of Manchester United being in such a poor position. They're not used to being out of the Premier League title race and there is so much discontent around the club, especially with supporters and I think you should use the tools you've got to make that situation better.
"Solskjaer obviously knows Fergie well and Fergie knows Mike Phelan well and lot of the players love and respect him as well and have worked with him.
"You could look at it a different way if you're talking about going backwards and bringing an old manager back and is it belittling to the current manager? I don't think so, I think there is a comfort and assurance in Solskjaer's decision in that.
"If he's going to help me by motivating the players with a talk or whatever it was he did, so be it. I don't see the problem with it and you just have to look at the results on the pitch."
