Antonio Valencia hailed Sir Alex Ferguson as a coaching "magician" while adding that the legendary manager's best trait was that he made every player feel like a vital part of the team.
Manchester United have not won a league title since Ferguson departed, having managed by the likes of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and, now, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And Valencia says there was a distinct difference between Ferguson and his successors, one that resonated with the players in the squad.
“That day, when he told us he was leaving, he was emotional. We were all emotional," Valencia told the Athletic.
"I was really sad. If he had stayed another year, I think we could have won the Champions League or another Premier League. You just knew at the start of a Ferguson season you were going to win something.”
He added: “It was different [when Moyes came in]. Ferguson, he had this way of making every player feel important. Then Moyes came and maybe only a certain group of players felt this importance.
Manchester United currently sits ninth in the Premier League ahead of a Europa League match with Astana on Wednesday.
Following that, the Red Devils will face Aston Villa at home on Sunday before taking on Tottenham three days later.