Sir Alex Ferguson knows everything about building dynasties at Old Trafford, so it was apt that he should provide the inspiration for the latest addition to Wigan Warriors’ bulging trophy cabinet.

In winning Saturday’s Grand Final against Hull Kingston Rovers, Matt Peet’s side became the first team to win all four trophies in the same calendar year, establishing themselves as arguably the greatest side of the Super League era.

Ferguson, who won 38 trophies during his 26 years in charge of Manchester United before retiring in 2013, addressed Wigan’s all-conquering squad in the build-up to the title decider after Peet reached out to him via a mutual friend.

“We just thought we were on the verge of something similar to when United won the treble in 1999,” said Peet, a poetry-loving English graduate who has now clinched seven trophies in just three seasons in charge of Wigan.

“Our challenge at the moment is continuing some decent success and, obviously, playing at Old Trafford and the fact Sir Alex led his career with developing homegrown talent, we thought he would be the perfect person to speak to us.

“Fortunately we could make that happen and he was epic, as you could imagine.”

Ferguson visited Wigan’s team hotel on Friday night and imparted some words of wisdom before presenting the players with their Grand Final jerseys.

Peet added: “We hung on Sir Alex’s every word, but it was more his presence; I have never seen the lads so quiet.

“A leader like that and a humble man like he was, you could have heard a pin drop and I can never thank him enough.”

Peet, himself a keen United supporter, is emerging as the same kind of father figure that Ferguson was to his younger players. As Bevan French, who scored a first-half try in the final, said: “Matty’s a great people person and deserves all the accolades.”

The 9-2 victory over Hull KR is unlikely to be the end of Wigan’s success story. Wigan head to Las Vegas early next year for a Super League “home” game against Warrington Wolves and there is also the conundrum as to whether they will face Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge.

Wigan chief executive Kris Radlinski said: “We’ll play in the UK, we’ll play in Australia; we’ll play anywhere if it can be done. Whatever it takes, we will play it.”