The 55-year-old was part of Sir Alex Ferguson's backroom team when the Reds' playing staff included Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick, now caretaker manager and first-team coach respectively.
The latter is in his first season since retiring as a player, while fellow first-team coach Kieran McKenna is also in his maiden campaign with the senior side, and Phelan sees great promise when he looks down the United bench.
Asked about the potential shown by Carrick and McKenna, Phelan told us: “They have got some serious talent. I think Michael now is progressing really well. He’s finding his feet in the organisational side of it, and he’s got a great opinion on the game and has been an exceptional player.