Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he still intends to produce a new version of the Entertainers on his watch as manager at St James' Park.
But has called for patience as he looks to build the team amid a bitter scrap against relegation.
Howe said on day one that he was not afraid to get on the front-foot as Newcastle chief and try to emulate some of the football created during the Kevin Keegan era.
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However, just as Steve Bruce found, who also said he'd go on the attack at the start of his stint in charge before retreating to a defensive set of tactics, Howe is struggling to put together an offensive game plan with the players he has at his disposal.
And as a clash against Keegan's main rivals from back in the day comes on to the agenda over the holiday period, Howe was asked if he has fond memories of games from yesteryear.
Howe, speaking at his Press conference against Man United, said: "There's a lot of memories that spring to mind of those games – Newcastle tended, at that period of time, to have memorable games against most teams, to be honest.
"I think there are stand-out moments you think back to, and I can picture some of the goals and the scenes in my mind.
"It's up to us to try and recreate those times – the attacking verve, the swagger that that team had, the flair the individual players possessed, but then the team took that identity over and it's certainly something we're desperate to do.
"But we're going to need a little bit of time to see that in full creation.
"At the moment, we're still progressing, and we have to obviously get the defensive side of our game right before we transition into the team we all want to be."
Newcastle fans would take any type of victory against Man United and Ralf Rangnick as the Red Devils arrive on Tyneside on the back of an enforced mini break due to postponements caused by Covid.
When asked about the prospect of going toe to toe with the ex-Schalke 04 boss, Howe said: "I know he's had a huge influence on some Premier League managers who are currently active and successful in the league, and he's one of the culture change managers, really, who has brought in a lot of new ideas that a lot of people have followed.
"He's a definite pioneer of the game.
"He's someone I've had a couple of conversations with over the years, and someone I highly respect and admire.
"I think with anyone who has his reputation in the game and some of the things that he's achieved at different clubs, it shows that his methodology works wherever he goes, so I've got no doubt he will make very instant changes to Manchester United.
"He'll bring in his own way of playing – I've already seen that in the two games they've had – and they've started to mirror him and his personality, so we expect a very tough game. I've got a lot of respect for Ralf and his work."
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