Paul Ince has called on his former club to forgot the " Manchester United way" and adopt new methods if they are to be successful.
The 54-year-old was part of a relentless Red Devils outfit in the 1990s who would become England's dominant force.
Now though those on the red half of Manchester are looking up enviously at some of their rivals.
United are considerably off the pace set by neighbours Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea as they search for a winning formula once again.
The club has attempted to draw on past methods in an effort to replicate their success of yesteryear, with their last title coming in 2013.
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Recent manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played under Sir Alex Ferguson whilst individuals in other positions at the club are also former players, several of whom want the team to play in a way that sticks to the club's traditions.
Ince though wants them to do away with the "Man Utd way" concept, insisting they have to modernise their ideas and utilise the current personnel.
He told Genting Casino : "Changing the mindset of the club, how it runs, how it functions. Having input over the development, recruitment, coaching staff and styles.
"The club have to allow him (Ralf Rangnick) to have complete control to take this club where it needs to get to.
"None of this 'play the Man United way,' that we hear all the time. The Man United way from the 90s was years back and we haven’t got the players to do that."
United's current crop of stars has been lavishly assembled with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Harry Maguire and Paul Pogba all costing north of £70m.
However they are performing well below par and Ralf Rangnick is the man tasked with addressing their slide.
Ince is under no illusions that the German will have to rewrite the script ahead of a new permanent manager arriving in the summer.
"He’ll have to change the whole philosophy of the club. It’s a tough job for him, it really is," said Ince.
"Managing Man United, it’s the greatest job in the world if you can get it right, but it can also be a poisoned chalice. After Fergie, we’ve had four managers in eight years.
"Whatever manager they get in the future, Ralf has to lay the foundations. He has to make all the decisions."
Rangnick is expected to be in the dugout for this weekend's clash against Crystal Palace.
