The former Scotland assistant manager, 61, takes up a post at Ewood Park after leaving Bolton Wanderers at the end of last season.

Ince was a player at United when Knox worked as part of Sir Alex Ferguson's management team.

Knox said: "It is another great opportunity to work not only in the Premier League but for a manager I have known for many years.

"We are well aware of the high quality of player in the Rovers squad. Players come back to pre-season much fitter than they used to and the ones I have seen so far look like they could play a game straight away."

He is Ince's second backroom appointment following that of Ray Mathias last week.