Sir Alex Ferguson has given his backing to Louis van Gaal’s reign as Manchester United manager and stated his belief that under the Dutchman, Wayne Rooney is “flying again” and Michael Carrick has become the “best English centre midfield player”.

United are currently third in the Premier League and playing with regained positivity in attack, a far cry from the troubles they suffered under Ferguson’s successor at Old Trafford, David Moyes.

“Rooney’s back flying, and Rooney will always get you a goal,” said Ferguson. “That’s always an advantage with a team that’s got a goalscorer.

“Louis van Gaal – I don’t know how he can expect to be getting the best results with the injuries he’s had [in his squad]. And when he gets the best players back you watch United. Because he’s a great coach, he’ll do well.

“I’m not interested what’s happening with the players he’s brought in because they’ll need time. When I took Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic in the January of the same year they were all over the place – it took five months to get used to playing for Manchester United, the culture, the history of the club, and these new players will be exactly the same.”

Ferguson added: “They’ve still got great players. I think Michael Carrick is the best English centre midfield player, the best English player in the game. Robin van Persie – the World Cup maybe [took] a little bit out of him but you watch him in the second half [of the season] – he’ll be fine.

“And the one that’s most pleasing to me of the present lot is David de Gea. When we bought him he was a kid, but he’s got special talent and I’m really pleased for that kid I really am.”

Speaking to Clare Balding for a BT Sport Christmas Day Special, Ferguson reflected on his trophy-laden spell in charge at United and said that it was his first title-winning side that meant most to him and the success that he subsequently enjoyed .

“Many people have different interpretations of what I’ve made Manchester Utd over the last 26 years, with great players, Rooney, Ronaldo, Cantona, Keane, Robson, Schmeichel, there’s too many to talk about. But honestly I think the spirit of Manchester United has come from the ‘92 team,” Ferguson said “I think that gave everyone at the club, not just the supporters, myself, my staff the directors, Bobby Charlton who was brought up in the Matt Busby era ... it brought back the history of Manchester United, no question.”