Olsen recalls ´happy family´ United

Former Manchester United winger Jesper Olsen said retiring manager Sir Alex Ferguson was imperative to the club’s successful culture.

The former Denmark international played at Old Trafford from 1984 to 1988, playing 139 matches for 21 goals, and said his memories of Ferguson were of the Scot building a club that welcomed everything, except loss.

“He was very straight forward, very honest… for sure, we all got to feel that. But that was it,” Olsen said.

“He then moved on and gave everyone chance to show what they could do for the team and for him and I still do work with Man United and have done since I’ve stopped playing – the club is fantastic, and what he created I think is that everybody’s on the same page.

“The lady that did all the gear for the matches and so on, he would always go around and makes sure he spoke to them once a week or something to just make them feel important. It was very clever obviously, and he did that all the way through all the departments at Man U.

“I have great memories of the time that I was there with him and the things that were done and how it was done.”

Olsen said due to Ferguson’s impact at United, he always felt welcome to return.

“It’s very few that speak ill of Man United because it’s still a family club. You can come back and they will always speak to you and help you if they can,” he said.

“Also, that says a lot about, not only Sir Alex, but the club as a whole.

“Martin Edwards was the chairman in those days and he was the one that got Sir Alex on board… To take the chance with Sir Alex from Aberdeen to Man U was a big step. I think that was a smart move in those days.”

On likely replacement at the helm David Moyes, Olsen said he feels the soon-to-be former Everton boss will embrace the set-up Ferguson has instilled both on and off the field.

“I think Moyes will maybe have an easier (way of being) rolled into that new role there because of the way the club is structured,” Olsen said.

“I think there is always a lot of calmness about Man United. Everyone knows their job and hopefully it won’t be a big decision.”