Watch United go: Alex Ferguson full of praise for van Gaal and England’s “best” Michael Carrick

He probably just feels less guilty now.

People spoke about this huge shadow Alex Ferguson was casting at Old Trafford but think of it from his point of view.  Trying to enjoy his retirement, trying to enjoy a game of football and just support his club when every defeat and underperformance ended with all eyes turning in his direction.  "What are you going to do about this," sort of thing. Now Louis van Gaal has United firing again, Fergie is a lot happier.  And he is enjoying the thrills of the new generation.  In peace. One player came in for particular praise from the Old Trafford legend though.  Someone perhaps underrated by the masses in the past  Someone whose comeback from injury has coincided with a direct upturn in United fortunes. "I think Michael [Carrick] is the best central midfielder in English football.  I think he's the best English player in the game. " That was Ferguson's assessment of the number 16 who has been starring in midfield and defence for Louis van Gaal.  Speaking with BT Sport, the Scotsman went on to praise the new manager. "I don't know how Louis van Gaal can expect to get the best results with the injuries he's had," he said.  "When he gets the best players back, you watch United go - because he's a great coach, he will do well. "I'm not interested with what is happening with the players he's brought in, as that will take time.  When I brought in Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic in the January of the same year, they were all over the place. They took five months to get used to playing for Manchester United - the culture and the history of the club.  These new players will be exactly same. "The one that is most pleasing to me is David De Gea. When we bought him as a kid he was really skinny but he had ability. He has special talents and he is showing that now and I'm really pleased for the kid."