Part of being a Manchester United player under Sir Alex Ferguson, perhaps the most important part of being one of United’s attacking players, was that when you were in possession you had to take risks in order to create goalscoring chances. It was not an option; it was an obligation.

In the periods of my career when I stopped passing the ball forward, or when I stopped looking for the risky pass that might open up a defence, the consequences were the same. The manager stopped picking me. I got back into the team when I went back to doing it the way he wanted.

United’s history was built on attacking football, which does not always mean that the team kept clean sheets or did not concede chances. Why do you think United have had some of the best goalkeepers in the world over the years? They needed them because the team committed so many players forward.

It does not give me any pleasure to say that at the moment I am struggling to watch Louis van Gaal’s team with any great enjoyment. They beat Burnley on Wednesday night but it was Burnley who had by far the best of the first half. At times, United’s football is miserable. To beat opposing teams you have to attack, and to attack you have to take risks. Too few of the players in the current team are prepared to take those risks.

As a midfielder at United I had to pass the ball forward and, yes, it did not always work. It did not always mean putting a chance on a plate for the strikers. It was up to them to get on the ball and score goals. Was it easy? No, but we were playing for United. It was not supposed to be easy.

Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Show all 124 1 /124 Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Everton 3 Manchester United 0 Kevin Mirallas celebrates his match-winning goal with his team-mates. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Everton 3 Manchester United 0 John Stones scored his first Everton goal as Manchester United were swept aside. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Everton 3 Manchester United 0 James McCarthy puts the Toffees into an early lead. Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Nacho Monreal celebrates scoring the opening goal with Arsenal's English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Wayne Rooney equalises for Manchester United Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Wayne Rooney celebrates after making it 1-1 GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Danny Welbeck celebrates after making it 2-1 GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Angel Di Maria is shown a red card late in the FA Cup quarter-final tie GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 Johnny Evans and Papiss Cisse come together GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 De Gea makes a save Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 Ashley Young scores the winner for Manchester United against Newcastle GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 Ashley Young celebrates the winner for Manchester United against Newcastle GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 Wayne Rooney scored again with a header - he hadn't scored in his previous eight Premier League matches. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 Wayne Rooney converts the penalty to put United in the lead. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 Wes Brown is sent-off to the protestations of the Sunderland players. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 John O'Shea fouls Radamel Falcao to give away a penalty - but Roger East believed Wes Brown had fouled him. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 British record signing Angel Di Maria was so bad he was substituted at half-time. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Wayne Rooney wins a penalty after going down under the challenge of Thorsten Stuckmann Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Wayne Rooney goes down after being challenged by goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Marouane Fellaini put the visitors back into the lead with a stabbed effort from inside the box EPA Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Marouane Fellaini scores to put Manchester United 2-1 up Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Utd's Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera scored the equaliser AP Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Scott Laird fired Preston into the lead with a deflected effort off David de Gea EPA Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 United manager Louis van Gaal leaves the field - despite the win he was not impressed with the performance GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 Chris Smalling heads in his second goal of the game GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 Smalling opens the scoring GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Cheikhou Kouyate scores the opening goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Cheikhou Kouyate celebrates the opening goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Wayne Rooney during Manchester United's draw with West Ham GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Robin van Persie fails to score GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Daley Blind celebrates his late equaliser GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 James Wilson scored United's second to seal the win Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 Marouane Fellaini celebrates with his Manchester United team-mates Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 Marouane Fellaini scores to put United ahead Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 Rob Green keeps out an effort by Radamel Falcao Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 Juan Mata challenges for the ball with Fraser Forster during the Premier League match at Old Trafford GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 Manchester United defender Tyler Blackett can't reach the shot from Southampton's Serbian midfielder Dusan Tadic GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 Dusan Tadic celebrates the only goal at Old Trafford GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Ryan Shawcross puts Stoke ahead Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 A close up of Van Gaal's notes during the match appeared to show the words 'stupid free-kick' GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Radamel Falcao equalises for Manchester United GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Falcao celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0 Neither Manchester United or Tottenham could break the deadlock GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0 Hugo Lloris was in inspired form, denying a host of chances for Manchester United in the first half GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0 Spurs threatened to steal all three points late in the game but it ended goalless at White Hart Lane GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Papiss Cisse scores a consolation for Newcastle form the penalty spot Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Robin van Persie scores the third for Manchester United with a perfectly-guided header Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Wayne Rooney scores his and United's second of the game Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Rooney celebrates with striker-partner Radamel Falcao after the pair combine to put United ahead Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Wayne Rooney opens the scoring after turning in a Radamel Falcao cross Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Manchester United players embrace striker Radamel Falcao after his goal Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Radamel Falcao celebrates scoring the equaliser against Aston Villa Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Christian Benteke celebrates scoring the opening goal against Manchester United Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Christian Benteke scores a beautiful curling effort to put Aston Villa ahead Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Robin van Persie put Manchester United ahead after capitalising on Jose Fonte's poor back pass GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Pelle drew Saints level before the end of the first half GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Van Persie celebrates his second goal of the match that turned out to be the winner GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Juan Mata and Marcos Rojo celebrate United's second GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Steven Nzonzi fires in the equaliser GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Marouane Fellaini scores United's first goal of the game GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Chris Smalling scores United's opener after a goalmouth scramble Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Maroune Fellaini controls the ball as Curtis Davies looks on Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Juan Mata attempts to close down Ahmed Elmohamady as he passes Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 The United players congratulate Robin van Persie after he scores a much-needed goal Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Wayne Rooney scored again, netting United's second Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Ashley Young stretches to control a high ball Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Michael Carrick started a game for the first time this season, in centre-midfield Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Robin van Persie again went scoreless - he has just three goals in 10 matches Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Angel Di Maria is crowded out by Yannick Bolasie and Adrian Mariappa Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Marouane Fellaini tries to win a header from a corner Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Substitute Juan Mata fires in a 25-yard strike, that took a deflection, to score the only goal of the game Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Mata and United players celebrate the goal Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Chris Smalling picks up a booking for blocking Joe Hart Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Later in the first half, Smalling was shown another and then sent off Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Kompany tackles Di Maria Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Sergio Aguero celebrates the only goal of the game Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Robin van Persie celebrates his late goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Robin van Persie scores the equalising goal in the final minute GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Referee Phil Dowd shows a red card to Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Didier Drogba celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Didier Drogba heads in to give Chelsea the lead GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Thibaut Courtois saves an effort from Robin van Persie GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Didier Drogba shields the ball under pressure from United players GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 The players make their way out onto the pitch at Old Trafford GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 David De Gea could do nothing to stop Stephane Sessegnon's opener GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Sessegnon celebrates his early goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Marouane Fellaini celebrates bringing the scores level after his introduction at the break GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Berahino (right) put West Brom back in front. Picture left is Marcos Rojo, who was terrible throughout GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Daley Blind rescued a late point for Manchester United with a sweet finish GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Radamel Falcao celebrates scoring the winner Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Steven Naismith equalises for Everton Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Leighton Baines has his penalty saved Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Angel Di Maria celebrates opening the scoring Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Wayne Rooney is shown a red card by Lee Mason Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Wayne Rooney kicks out at Stewart Downing Twitter Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Diafra Sakho scores for West Ham as his header loops over Robin van Persie Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Radamel Falcao has an effort on goal Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Robin van Persie and Luke Shaw go for the double-high-five after the striker scores for United Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Robin van Persie doubles United's lead against the Hammers Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Wayne Rooney opens the scoring for United Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 The remarkable comeback was complete after Leonardo Ulloa tucked in a penalty to make it 5-3. After Tyler Blackett had fouled Jamie Vardy in the box, getting sent off for his troubles, United's afternoon went from bad to worse. Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Livewire striker Jamie Vardy, who only broke into the Stocksbridge first team at the age of 21, put Leicester ahead late on. Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Despite Ander Herrera restoring United's three goal lead, Leicester just would not lie down. Following David Nugent's penalty, Esteban Cambiasso blasted City level. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Leonardo Ulloa, a sensation since joining the Foxes, got his side back in the clash almost straight away. Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Angel di Maria, following Robin van Persie's opener, appeared to have put the game beyond Leicester. Stunning, outrageous chip over Kasper Schmeichel. Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Radamel Falcao makes his United debut GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Juan Mata completes the rout at Old Trafford GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Wayne Rooney celebrates the third GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Daley Blind and Sandro in action Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Angel Di Maria celebrates his first goal for United against QPR GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Juan Mata is crowded out by Burnley defenders - indicative of the home side's effort and work rate for the full 90 minutes Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Angel Di Maria made his United debut but couldn't influence the side and eventually limped off with an injury after 70 minutes Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Manchester United players react after referee Chris Foy waved away what looked like a handball that would have been a penalty Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson looks on in anguish at Turf Moor as United failed to win again Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Sean Dyche's team picked up their first point of the season with an excellent performance Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Louis van Gaal is still winless as Manchester United manager after three matches in charge of the club Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Louis van Gaal was not too disheartened at the full-time whistle, but he will know how much work lies ahead following his first defeat as United manager Getty IMages Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 The two goalscorers Ki and Sigurdsson were left to celebrate at the end after inflicting United's first opening day defeat since 1972 Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Gylfi Sigurdsson stunned Old Trafford for a second time in the same afternoon as he restored Swansea's lead following a goal-mouth scramble Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Gylfi Sigurdsson fires home the winner to secure Swansea a 2-1 win over Manchester United Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Wayne Rooney managed to drag United level after he took advantage of a loose ball to smash home a close-range bicycle kick Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Wayne Rooney acrobatically scores a bicycle kick to level the scores Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Ki-Sung-Yeung celebrates after making it 1-0 to the visitors Swansea Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Tyler Blackett was handed a shock call-up by Louis van Gaal to start United's opening match against Swansea. 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Of the current team, Angel Di Maria has taken more risks than any other player and, unfortunately, for him it has not worked out. He has given the ball away a lot for very little returns. Otherwise there seems to be an emphasis on possession. I would go further than that: there is an obsession with possession.

United fans don’t care if the team only has 40 per cent possession as long as they are watching an attacking team. My experience was that the supporters understood that even our best teams, even the teams with Peter Schmeichel or Edwin van der Sar in goal, were going to concede goals. We were not reckless, or naïve, but always the chief aim was to attack – and we backed ourselves to outscore the opposition.

This season, how many times have United been rescued by David De Gea? Without him they would be three, four places lower down the table.

Though David De Gea has impressed for United this season (Getty Images)

I realise that the comparisons I am making are with a golden age in United’s history and that nothing lasts for ever. I was fortunate to play with so many wonderful footballers and under the greatest manager of all time, but I do believe that a club’s ethos, the principles of how it plays, should outlive even the biggest individuals in its history. United are about attacking football, and everything else has to takes its place behind that.

We come at last to the two strikers, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. I feel they look like strangers at times, while Wayne Rooney is moved around the team to accommodate them.

Wayne can play anywhere on the pitch. He is so willing, and he will give you at least a 7/10 performance most times. Against Burnley he ended up as a defensive midfielder. At other times he has been pushed out to the right-hand side, where he will look for the strikers early or switch the play. But if Van Gaal does not think Rooney is a better option up front than the other two then there really is a problem.

Against Burnley Wayne Rooney ended up as a defensive midfielder (GETTY IMAGES)

He has a fantastic goalscoring record for United, behind only Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, yet against West Ham he did not have a single touch in the opposition’s box. That cannot be good for the team.

Van Gaal has taken some criticism for his Tuesday press conference when he produced those statistical printouts to come back at Sam Allardyce over his joke that United were a long-ball team. There was part of me that was pleased to see Van Gaal show a bit of edge and take someone on. It is what we expected of him when he was appointed.

Even so, I know Big Sam quite well and he had his tongue firmly in cheek when he said what he did about United. At the end of the day, all Van Gaal had to remind himself was that, for all Big Sam’s qualities, we were not talking about the manager of Real Madrid or Liverpool or Bayern Munich. We were talking about West Ham. There was no need to rise to the bait.

I like Pochettino. He has confidence without arrogance

His team might have lost to Liverpool on Tuesday but the more I see of Mauricio Pochettino, the more I think he is the best young coach around.

What I like about Pochettino is the way that he looks in control. He is in control of his players, in control of the way that they play. He is confident without being arrogant and his team is playing with a great energy.

He had very little to spend in the summer and yet he improved the players that he inherited. He has a clear way of playing, the 4-2-3-1 formation, and from what I hear his squad’s fitness is a major part of the way he works. In that respect he takes them right up to the limit in training and they play the same way.

Not only that but he has been brave in picking younger players ahead of the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Paulinho. In Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason he has a very hard-working, solid midfield base. Ahead of them, the attacking three of Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembélé and Erik Lamela are given licence to rotate positions. In Harry Kane he has found himself a great centre-forward.

I recognise that Tim Sherwood gave a lot of these young players their first chance and Pochettino has shown the same faith in them. Mason and Bentaleb are both still relatively inexperienced in the Premier League, although they broke through relatively late in their careers, and at this stage they will make mistakes. They both did so against Liverpool in the first half. But they still offer a lot to the team.

Mason has caught my eye a lot this season. He can tackle, he is tactically disciplined and he kicks the ball cleanly with either foot. He gets about the pitch too. I understand he had a few loan spells and some injury problems before he made it as a regular with Spurs and his development has been overshadowed by Kane. But I see no reason why Mason should not be in the next senior England squad.

Harry Kane has scored 23 goals for Spurs this season (Getty Images)

That brings us to Kane. You simply cannot argue with goals against teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Especially away at Liverpool. I think scoring for the away team at Anfield is still a litmus test for any striker who wants to call himself a goalscorer. Kane is not just picking up goals at home against teams in the bottom half of the table, he is scoring against the best and away from White Hart Lane too.

What makes him special? I have said before that he does not have a standout quality but scores highly across a number of categories. The more I watch him, the more I appreciate his temperament. Playing in attack is difficult. You are under scrutiny and you have to be able to deal with that. Kane seems to do it easily.

Take Tuesday night. Martin Skrtel is good at rattling the opposing centre-forward. He did it to a player as experienced as Diego Costa and got a reaction out of him. Yet Kane never reacted to Skrtel once, and never looked like doing so. Then, when the chance presented itself he was ruthless. I have said before his finishing reminds me of Ruud van Nistelrooy. The thing about Ruud was he never wanted to give the goalkeeper a sniff of saving it. Kane is the same.

Ryan Mason (left) has also excelled for Tottenham (GETTY IMAGES)

From the outside, Spurs have always seemed a turbulent club. They are either on Cloud Nine or near the bottom of the league. What Pochettino has brought is a calm. He has shown respect to the players he has left out and carried along with him those youngsters who broke through under Sherwood.

On top of that, I hear he takes time to watch the youth teams and the Under-21s play. I cannot tell you how important that is. Modern managers have a lot of demands on them and many feel, with justification, that they do not have the time to commit to watching the junior sides. But it makes such a difference to the mood at a club when the first-team manager knows every youngster by name. The manager I played under did.

I’m sure I’ve called Robbie much worse down the years!

I realise that my inadvertent remark on BT Sport that was picked up by the cameras has caused a fair bit of amusement. I have to be clear about one thing, the “k***head” comment was something of a reflex that came out because I must have been so relaxed on the Fletch and Sav sofa. In reality, I did not even realise I had said it until the presenter, Darren Fletcher, apologised on air a few minutes later.

Scholes (left) and Robbie Savage tussle for the ball in 2004 (GETTY IMAGES)