Sir Alex Ferguson has offered a first public reaction to the appointment of Erik ten Hag as new Manchester United manager.

Caretaker manager Ralf Rangnick will hand control over to departing Ajax coach Ten Hag at the end of the season, but will likely do so with United out of the Champions League.

Ferguson - appearing on RTE Racing in his capacity as co-owner of horse Clan des Obeaux - broke his silence on the appointment of Ten Hag and revealed his hopes for the latest man to take the top job at Old Trafford.

Asked if Ten Hag could be the man to turn United's fortunes around, he replied: “I hope he does well, the club needs someone to get in control and I hope he does well."

Ferguson is understood to have taken a backseat during the long process to appoint Ten Hag, with Football Director John Murtough taking the lead of the search for the first time.