Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested it could be another decade before Manchester United win the Premier League again. But the legendary former Red Devils boss has thrown his weight behind Ruben Amorim.

United have struggled since the legendary Scotsman retired in 2013, with their last Premier League title coming under him in 2012/13. The Old Trafford club have had six permanent managers since Ferguson - winning five major trophies in that time.

None of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Erik ten Hag were able to deliver the success that Ferguson achieved on a regular basis. United finished 15th last term, their lowest finish in the Premier League era, and missed out on Europe after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

• Arne Slot gives definitive Mo Salah verdict after Liverpool star's statement on farewell

• Arsenal suffer new injury blow in nightmare Mikel Arteta scenario as return date set

Ferguson, who won 38 major trophies with the Red Devils, reckons it could be a while until his former club become champions of England again. But he praised Amorim, saying: "He [Amorim] is a good personality. It is not easy.

"I remember looking back on my own time there, starting off when Liverpool were the bee’s knees. They were a fantastic club winning the European Cup four times and all that, but then it took them 31 years to win the league again.

"We are now in the same situation. It could be ten years, could be 11 years, because of that cycle. It has to be thought out carefully and we have to make sure the recruitment is going to be better than what it was."

Despite over a decade of struggle at his old side, Ferguson thinks the summer transfer window went well for United. Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have all had a positive impact on Amorim's squad.

"I think the appointment of the goalkeeper [Lammens] has made a difference," he told Press Box. "He's young at 23, he’s quick, a big lad, good feet and hands, and I think that helps.

"I think they have needed that player. United have always had inspirational players over the years. I think that has helped. The other two, Mbeumo and Cunha, they look as if they will contribute to the recovery of our form."

Amorim is taking on a big rebuilding process and Ferguson knows how to do that better than most. The Scot built several great teams across almost three decades in charge at Old Trafford.

He added: "I think my appetite was for young people and players. When I went to St Mirren, they had no money. The best thing I could do was sit at the coaching schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the young players, and then five ended up becoming internationals.

"Then I went to Aberdeen and continued that ethic; we won the European Cup without our own training ground and eight players were produced by the club. It was fantastic.

"When I went to United, Bobby Charlton was in the meeting and I said: 'I don’t know why you have appointed me unless you give me the reign to produce young players.' Bobby said, 'That’s done, you’ve got the job.' Bobby Charlton was a fantastic man."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.