Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Ralf Rangnick should enact the same positive mindset Sir Alex Ferguson successfully implemented during United’s glory years.
Rangnick secured his second consecutive Premier League victory as United manager, albeit with a less than impressive performance against Norwich City.
Cristiano Ronaldo ’s second-half penalty was enough to seal a 1-0 away lead against Dean Smith’s plucky Canaries.
It was United’s second consecutive clean sheet under the German manager, and only their fourth of the entire season.
But despite the performance, Ferdinand believes Rangnick should only focus on the positives, in the same way Ferguson did during his legendary reign.
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"I used to come back and think we’ve dropped points,” Ferdinand said after United’s victory.
“I quickly realised people in the changing room saying ‘no that’s a point gained there’.
“It’s a change in the mindset around certain results to keep the positivity in the squad."
Ferdinand won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three League Cups, and the Club World Cup during a trophy laden 12 years at Old Trafford.
The former England international was also part of United’s last title winning season in 2013, which also proved to be Ferguson’s final campaign at Old Trafford.
"You learn with every game, but still at least we got the three points and the clean sheet," Rangnick said after the win.
"But we need to improve. We need to get better that's for sure.
"Again on Tuesday, the next away game - another difficult one. I saw Brentford against Watford. This will be another challenge for us."
United’s three points at Carrow Road means they are now within touching distance of the Champions League places.
They are now level on points with West Ham United, who face the tricky prospect of an away match against Burnley.
Only goal difference is separating David Moyes’ East Londoners from Rangnick’s side, who are now breathing down the Hammers necks.
And Ferdinand also elaborated on the mental attitudes required to succeed in the Premier League, stating top teams should not dwell on previous victories, draws, or defeats.
"It’s forgetting the last result quickly, you win- what’s next,” Ferdinand added.
“It’s not about having any hangover if you haven’t played well or a certain person hasn’t done well and you’re clinging on to that negativity. It's really positive.
"You might draw away to say Southampton where people expect you to win."
While United are chasing the top four, their fierce rivals Manchester City maintained their place at the top of the Premier League table.
Raheem Sterling’s 100 th Premier League goal was enough for Pep Guardiola’s side to seal a 1-0 home victory against a dogged, resilient Wolves who were reduced to ten men.
And Ferdinand believes City’s sensational ability to put together long winning streaks will be key in their race for a fourth Premier League title in five seasons.
"City are experienced, they know how to go on winning runs and in 17/18 they went on that 18-game unbeaten run, they did a 14-game in 18-19 and last season- 15 games.
“That’s not easy, forget physically but mentally to keep churning out results week in week out, home and away after big games away in Europe then churn a result out early on a Saturday.”
