Need brought back the old manservant (6)
I believe the answer is:
lackey
'manservant' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'need brought back the old' is the wordplay.
'need' becomes 'lack' (to lack something is to be in need of it).
'brought back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'the old' becomes 'ye' (resembles a historical spelling of 'the').
'ye' back-to-front is 'ey'.
'lack'+'ey'='LACKEY'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lackey that I've seen before include "assistant" , "Obsequious follower" , "A servile follower or old servant" , "An archaic servant or underling" , "An archaic menial or servant" .)