Exclusive Insights: Manchester United's Exceptional Journey under Sir Alex Ferguson and the Dynamic Vision of Phelan, Solskjaer, Rangnick, and ten Hag

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan recently gave an exclusive interview to We, where he delved into the high standards set by Sir Alex Ferguson and discussed the ongoing work of Erik ten Hag. With a lengthy tenure as assistant manager to Sir Alex, Phelan's insights are valuable as he now serves under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford.

During an extensive interview with We, Phelan also discusses his experience working alongside Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gary Neville.

The 60-year-old provides valuable insights into the dynamic of the dressing room during Sir Alex's successful era at the club. Moreover, he sheds light on the smooth integration of players like Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand into the team after their respective transfers from other clubs.

At United, the beauty lay in the exceptionally high standards it set. These standards were not only enforced by the manager and coaching staff, but were also upheld by the players themselves. To be a part of the team, one had to embrace and maintain these lofty standards, constantly pushing oneself to exceed them.

Our role as coaches was to facilitate the growth of the players. Although they are already exceptional athletes, we aimed to foster incremental progress rather than expect significant transformations. If every player demonstrates even a small level of improvement, the overall impact would be remarkable.

When engaging with Ronaldo and Rooney, both formidable individuals in their own regard, it is undeniable that they possess strong personalities. However, their ultimate aspirations lie in achieving success and creating a lasting legacy.

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Phelan served as Sir Alex Ferguson's dependable aide, providing guidance and support to the team.

"It was effortless for me to be present for them. My role involved effectively communicating important messages: stay focused, give your best effort, you possess great skill - that's why you are part of the team - and success will follow."

During Ronaldo's second stint at Manchester United, his presence had a significant impact on the team's standards, according to Phelan. The former assistant coach revealed that some players were unable to meet the high training standards set by the Portuguese forward, resulting in their departure from the club. Phelan also observed that Ronaldo had matured and become more assertive during his return to Old Trafford. Despite his strong personality, Ronaldo maintained his exceptional work ethic and proved to be a pleasure to collaborate with. Having previously played for Manchester United, represented Portugal consistently, and experienced success at Real Madrid, Ronaldo possessed a determined mindset that made him even more formidable.

"I appreciated his commitment to maintaining high standards and his desire for others to raise their own standards. It was inevitable that we would lose some individuals along the way. There were specific instances when he exerted immense effort, yet received minimal reaction or response. It was a source of frustration.

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Cristiano Ronaldo had a turbulent second spell at Old Trafford

"When engaging with highly accomplished individuals, their aspirations and achievements are of paramount importance. They yearn for a sense of fulfillment and the ability to reflect on their accomplishments with awe. Perhaps, without personally conversing with him, he came to the realization that he couldn't attain this level of success at Manchester United. Consequently, he sought out new challenges elsewhere.

Presently, he continues his involvement in international football, notably in Saudi Arabia, where he continues to showcase his talents and score goals. He is demonstrating all the exceptional qualities that we were aware of during his time at Manchester United."

Phelan on... Ronaldo's first spell at Man Utd

He possesses an exceptional personality, committed to putting in immense effort and seeking out challenges. He continually pushed me as a coach, Carlos Queiroz as a coach, and Sir Alex as a manager. Yet, this is advantageous as it propels you to reach new heights.

When Cristiano first arrived at Manchester United, he carried with him a firm belief in his own potential to become the best player in the world. In one hand, he held his individual aspirations, while the team held their collective goals.

It is worth noting that Cristiano was just a young kid from Portugal who had already established himself there. However, he made the courageous decision to leave his comfort zone and join a prestigious club like Manchester United. This move allowed him to immerse himself in English and British football, learning from a fresh perspective.

"He possessed the necessary skillset and mentality. Our aim with former assistant manager Carlos Queiroz was to seamlessly incorporate him into the team, which he successfully achieved. His exceptional work ethic and dedication greatly influenced the players. They recognized his remarkable abilities and knew he had the capability to lead them to success and beyond. He executed this brilliantly."

Phelan on... returning to Man Utd with Solskjaer

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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) called on Phelan to return as assistant

"United was clearly experiencing some difficulties and there was growing scrutiny surrounding Jose Mourinho, but I was completely unaware of the dramatic turn events would take.

As I reached my car, I switched on my phone and was bombarded with around 150 messages, many of them repeated inquiries like: 'Where are you? Please get in touch!' These messages came from Ole, Sir Alex, and various news sources. I pondered, 'I'll address this a little later.'

After hearing about Jose's job loss, I received a call from Ole who informed me that he might be offered the job. He then asked if I would be interested in returning. Given my prior experience and the potential benefit it would bring to him, I had no doubts about accepting the offer. The club had undergone changes since my last stint there. Working with Ole from the inside was energizing. He had a unique approach and mindset, while maintaining the same high standards as during his playing career. Despite the ongoing turmoil within various areas of the club, as the manager, our focus remained on fulfilling our duties.

We immediately took action, transforming the atmosphere and raising the bar. By implementing various small adjustments, we successfully recreated the essence of the Manchester United that both Ole and I were familiar with. The response from the players was exceptional, and we quickly gained momentum. In fact, we secured victory in 10 out of the 12 matches, leaving us in disbelief about the incredible progress we were making.

We continued to push forward, and credit must be given to Ole for his strategic thinking. Just like Sir Alex, he provided the freedom to allow individuals to thrive and contribute effectively. This approach was truly refreshing and inspiring.

Phelan on... working with Rangnick

The second time around, there were additional issues during that period that were not present during the initial experience. There was a considerable increase in attention towards the background aspects, such as internal matters within the club and the overall atmosphere. These factors demanded a significant portion of your focus, diverting attention from the football itself, which was your primary objective. However, as the manager of a prominent club, ultimately, the results determine your success.

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"It was a challenging situation. Not because of Ralf being appointed as the manager, but due to the circumstances surrounding his appointment. The question arose, did Manchester United really require an interim manager?"

"It requires a competent manager - and I don't mean to imply that Ralf was not a competent manager, but he assumed the position in a temporary capacity after previously managing a smaller club. I always believed that it would be challenging for him to build momentum and effectively organize the players within a limited timeframe.

I am unaware of the discussions that led to his appointment, but he put in considerable effort. Unfortunately, the outcome was not favorable for either side."

"He excelled in his previous role within the environment prior to becoming manager. His expertise in the director of football position was truly impressive, reflecting his previous success. However, transitioning into the manager role proved challenging, as he entered a turbulent situation.

I hold great admiration for Ralf, as he courageously took on this demanding position. He displayed genuine effort and worked tirelessly. Like many of us, he encountered frustrations along the way. Nevertheless, he has returned to the international scene and appears to be thriving. I am genuinely pleased for him."

Phelan on... Erik ten Hag's Man Utd

"He and his coaching staff have had a significant impact on what remained. They are swiftly implementing numerous changes that are noticeably raising the standards."

The results have been relatively successful in the past year, and I believe he is determined to continue progressing. Although there have been some ups and downs at the beginning of the season, that is to be expected. I am confident that they can advance further and achieve even greater accomplishments.

Significant investments have been made in player acquisitions, but it takes time for the manager to leave their mark. It's important to remember that winning football matches is ultimately crucial.

At Manchester United, losing a single game can be dismissed as a minor setback, but losing two or three consecutively is regarded as a crisis. As someone who has experienced this, I empathize with him. Manchester United's story is constantly unfolding, with various media outlets vying to report on it. Despite facing numerous challenges, he is making efforts to adapt and succeed. However, achieving positive results is imperative.

Phelan on... Harry Maguire

Building a Solid Foundation at Hull

"I had him at Hull. Harry joined our club after his time at Sheffield United, where he primarily played as a sitting defensive midfielder. However, it was during his tenure at Hull that we witnessed him growing into the exceptional player we had imagined him to be.

"He joined the team just as I took over as the manager, but unfortunately, he was already nursing an injury. He had sustained a fractured ankle while playing tennis, which was quite unfortunate. This situation didn't work in my favor, as I had considered him a key player to start with.

"We were well aware of his abilities and limitations, as is the case with most players. Then the opportunity with United arrived, and during that time, Harry was indeed a top-notch player. It was undeniable that he had excelled in his position while playing for Leicester. Yes, the transfer fee was considerable, but that was beyond our control."

"Upon joining United, he performed admirably. While he demonstrated composure with the ball, he lacked a stable environment in terms of his fellow players and their positions. He found himself thrown into the deep end, so to speak.

"However, I hold great respect for Harry as I listen to his current situation and past experiences. He has handled it with exceptional professionalism, which is no easy feat. The spotlight is always on him, whether he is playing or not, and he is well aware of that due to his professional mindset."

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Harry Maguire will remain at Manchester United for the current season. The arrival of a new manager has brought about the desire to alter the captaincy, a common occurrence. Uncertainty regarding one's role can be unpleasant, yet Harry has remained accessible, highly professional, and physically prepared.

"Yes, there has been speculation regarding a potential transfer, but it has not materialized yet. There is still a possibility that it might happen. However, I am confident that he will continue to give his all for Manchester United until the moment he no longer wears the club's jersey.

"He is undoubtedly a talented footballer, although he does have some areas for improvement. However, these weaknesses have been evident since his time at Hull. While some argue that one should work on improving weaknesses, I personally believe in capitalizing on one's strengths. He possesses exceptional ball control, a keen understanding of the game, the ability to score goals, and he is a genuinely good person. In the world of football, he is certainly among the individuals with a positive reputation."

"He plays for England, and hopefully will do for a long time, and he turns up - he doesn't shirk his responsibilities. So credit to Harry."

Phelan on... Gary Neville

"He is currently serving as the mayor of Manchester! Gary has always been known for expressing his opinions, but they are always well-thought-out. Even during his childhood, he took on the role of union representative at United, showcasing his ability to argue and solve problems.

"It was not surprising to see him enter the field of punditry, and now he is an integral part of Sky's team. He is involved in various activities and responsibilities! In addition to his successful career as a businessman, he is also making great progress with the Salford City project. I occasionally go to watch their matches. Gary has truly become an intriguing and influential figure of the moment!"