Ruud van Nistelrooy has identified the one coaching quality he learned from Sir Alex Ferguson that he hopes to emulate at Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy enjoyed five successful years with United during his playing career, instantly establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most fearsome forwards upon his arrival.
The Dutchman won all domestic trophies available to him in Manchester, netting 150 goals in all competitions before leaving for Real Madrid in 2006 amidst growing tensions with Sir Alex.
After hanging up his boots, Van Nistelrooy would apologise to his former manager and has since embarked on his own coaching career.
Reflecting on how the experiences of his playing career have shaped his perspective as a coach, the former PSV boss named a particular quality possessed by both Ferguson and Sir Bobby Robson, who he played under early in his career.
'The most important thing I took from working with Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson was their relationships with the individual.' Van Nistelrooy told The Guardian.
'It’s not a football player; it’s a person. When you reach that connection, you get the best out of people – and from there on you can help them build their careers. I never let that thought go out of my mind.
'Sometimes you have to be tough on them and sometimes you have to get your arm around them. That mixture is important, but the most important thing is to always be honest and straight.
'When you have knowledge about the game and what is necessary at the highest level, you must share it.
Despite maintaining an often fractious relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, Van Nistelrooy hailed the Scotsman's man management skills
'As a coach, you just try to help players reach their goals. And it is something that makes you feel really proud when you see young players develop.'
Much like United, rivals Liverpool have also undergone a period of transition this summer after Jurgen Klopp stepped down after nine glittering years in the Anfield dugout.
'In the Eredivisie, I loved going up against Slot.' Van Nistelrooy continued. 'His teams have a very recognisable style and he is very clear in his ideas.
'He built the Feyenoord squad on those ideas, and he got in the players who could deliver on them. It’s building up from the goalkeeper from the back, combination play and finding the free man everywhere, so you need to make sure your press is right.
'But you also need to get your buildup sorted, because it’s high and intense pressure in your own half. Slot makes you prepare every game properly, but I loved that challenge.
'He has proven himself and his idea in Holland, and I am sure he can be very successful abroad as well.'