ERIK TEN HAG has had a meeting with Sir Ale Ferguson ahead of Manchester United’s huge clash with Barcelona on Thursday.
The pair of them were seen deep in conversation over dinner in Cibo restaurant in Wilmslow on Tuesday night.
After Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City, Ten Hag shouted towards the Stretford End that he needed their help for the Barcelona game.
Now he has gone to the club’s greatest boss for the same.
Sir Alex is a huge admirer of Ten Hag and what he has done for the club since taking charge in the summer.
He believes that the Dutchman has taken the control of the team and the squad that has been needed.
Ten Hag is currently steering the Red Devils to trophy chances on four fronts.
And Sir Alex, who won United the treble in 1999, was clearly happy to share his wisdom on football and the club itself over dinner on Tuesday evening.
Ten Hag has United in the title race, the fifth round of the FA Cup, and they take on Newcastle in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday in search of their first trophy since 2017.
But the next game is a huge one against the La Liga leaders.
Old Trafford will host the second leg of United’s play-off with Barcelona to get into the last 16 of the Europa League.
The tie stands at 2-2 after the first leg in the Nou Camp last week.
Of course, Barcelona and current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would also inflict two final defeats on Ferguson, the following year by 2-0 and then 3-1 in 2011.
According to United insiders, Ten Hag had obliged Fergie’s request for a sit-down before the crucial Thursday night encounter.
The timing of the meeting which didn’t last long suggests Fergie was filled with praise for the Dutchman’s record thus far steering the English giants.
Ferguson of course claimed Manchester United’s last win over Barcelona by 1-0 in the Champions League semi-final second-leg in 2008 having fought out a goalless draw in the Nou Camp.
They went on to lift the last of their three European Cups in the final on penalties against Chelsea.