Manchester United want to bring QPR veteran Rio Ferdinand back to the club.

The People says plans are underway for a major shake-up of United's Academy set-up with boss Louis van Gaal at the centre of an initiative to go Dutch with the club's approach to youth development.

And they would like Ferdinand to re-join the Old Trafford staff once he quits his playing days at QPR in the summer.

They have earmarked a key role for their former star coaching, developing and mentoring both the young defenders coming through the ranks and also stars like Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw.

Van Gaal's assistant Ryan Giggs, a long-standing teammate of Ferdinand's, believes the club should tap into the defender's knowledge and recruit him to the staff.