Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel insists Erik ten Hag has returned winning ways to the club

Peter Schmeichel believes that Erik ten Hag finally has Manchester United competing at a level not seen since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson retired from his managerial role in 2013 after winning the Premier League title, the last of his 38 trophies after 26 years in charge.

A decade later, the legendary manager returned to Old Trafford on Thursday night to watch the Red Devils under Erik ten Hag sweep Barcelona to reach the Europa League round of 16.

United came from behind to win 2-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate against the runaway Spanish league leaders after Fred canceled out an early Robert Lewandowski penalty after half-time before substitute Antony scored the goal of victory in front of a roaring crowd at Old Trafford.

“It took me 10 years to get to this point, for me this season really anything can happen,” Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Erik ten Hag led Manchester United to an excellent comeback over Barcelona

Manchester United can win it all or nothing, but we have seen the progress. Erik ten Hag has handled all the situations properly, as a good coach should.

“Like the old Sir Alex Ferguson…I’m sitting here thinking ‘wow, we’ve got the right man’.”

However, Schmeichel was not the only former United star to lavish praise on Ten Hag. 2008 Champions League winner Owen Hargreaves also highlighted the impact of the Dutch coach after his summer arrival from Ajax.

“It seems like everything has changed,” Hargreaves told BT Sport. ‘The atmosphere, the performance on the field, the coach. He feels much more positive and gives confidence. It feels like a different place.

‘Ten Hag has transformed this football club. The energy is different. It has been a breath of fresh air. Looks like the feel good factor is making a comeback. Sunday [Carabao Cup final] could be another big step.

‘[It’s] Amazing. Everyone is smiling. The coaching changes affected this game and the crowd, this is what they have been dreaming of. They have a big game on Sunday, but this was a great game in the season for Manchester United.”

Schmeichel’s treble-winning teammate Paul Scholes noted the strong atmosphere inside Old Trafford, who before the match tried to have no music inside the stadium 15 minutes before kick-off to allow fans to build their own cauldron of noise with big success.

“Absolutely brilliant, this is what this terrain is known for,” added Scholes. Great environments, great games. This was the Europa League, not the Champions League, but it’s still an important game. I wanted to see these two great clubs meet again and two great goals to finally win the game for us.

‘This is what the ground should be seeing, the great European nights. We’ve been starving for it quite a bit. It is something that this club does.

Barcelona is not as good as before and they were missing a couple of players who would have played. I think United were confident and comfortable in the game once they got the second goal.”

Robin van Persie, who was the main striker in Ferguson’s last title-winning side, also made an unusual return to Old Trafford and, as well as noting the atmosphere, praised Ten Hag’s replacements by introducing active leads Antony and the young Alejandro Garnacho.

“It’s electric,” said the Dutchman. ‘I loved the second half. The first half was passive. With Antony and Garnacho there was more depth in the game and they were very dangerous in the second half.’