Di María is one of several recent arrivals that Ferguson admits were needed

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted for the first time that the Manchester United squad he left behind was in need of being overhauled.

Ferguson believes that Louis van Gaal was right to “clear the decks” during the summer and has praised the way the Dutchman has set about rebuilding United.

Van Gaal spent in excess of £150 million on six new players, including a British record deal to sign Ángel Di María, the Argentina midfielder, from Real Madrid for £59.7 million.

Although United were crowned champions in Ferguson’s final season in charge in 2012-13, the former manager came in for criticism for the quality of the squad he bequeathed to David Moyes, his successor and Van Gaal’s predecessor.

Moyes was sacked in April after ten