In May 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson addressed the crowds at Old Trafford in what would be his final home game in charge of his beloved Manchester United. “Fergie” had been at the club since 1986, transforming it from also-rans of the 1970s and 1980s to the most successful club in English soccer history. He won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League titles, and a bunch of other trophies. His success was unheard of, and it catapulted Manchester United to being one of the biggest brands in world sports.
On that final address to fans, Ferguson asked fans to get behind the new manager, a fellow Scotsman, David Moyes. Things did not go well. Moyes struggled under the weight of expectation, leaving the club before the season finished. Over the next decade or so, United hired all different types of managers: The seasoned tactician (Louis Van Gaal), the motivator (Jose Mourinho), the legendary former player (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer), and the fashionable up-and-coming European coach (Erik Ten Hag). Some delivered moderate success, but it was never sustained.
Now, as the club has moved on to its latest manager, Ruben Amorim, things seem to have hit rock bottom. The team is something of a laughing stock, closer to relegation in the Premier League odds than it is to winning a first Premier League since Ferguson left. Amorim arrived with a glowing reputation for innovation from his native Portugal. After just a few months in Manchester, he looks like he has aged several years.
Problems went beyond the coaching dugout
It’s normal in soccer – as with all sports – to say that the buck stops with the head coach, yet most United fans are acutely aware that there is, and has been for a long time, a deeper malaise at the club. Indeed, it is perceived to have started before the exit of Ferguson, with many believing that the great Scot’s talent simply papered over the cracks of a sports institution in decline.
We won’t go down the route of criticizing the owners, the Glazer Family, nor the new part-owner INEOS, which has taken over football operations at the club, except to say that it is clear that there have been many bad decisions over the past couple of decades. Most notably, the vast transfer spending has seemed frivolous at best and wild at worst. We are talking billions of dollars in transfer fees and player salaries, but it always felt that the team needed more.
Much of this was down to gaps in the club’s hierarchy. United spent years without a director of football/sporting director, with many of the sporting decisions going through a chief executive like Ed Woodward, who was not a ‘sports guy.’ The upshot was that Manchester United outspent its rivals, but it often brought in the wrong players at the wrong time. That led to players commanding huge salaries and refusing to move on when the club tried to sell them.
Scatter-gun approach to investment
There have been other deficiencies, too. United’s famed academy, which produced legendary players like Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and Paul Scholes, was neglected. The famous Old Trafford Stadium is now crumbling; the roof leaks on the fans when it rains. Much of this is based on the panic caused by United’s lack of success: Why invest in the players of tomorrow when we need to win today? Why fix the stadium when we need new players?
We mentioned INEOS previously, and while the new co-owners are not beloved by United fans (for a variety of reasons), there is at least respect for the recognition that something needs to change. INEOS has undertaken cost-cutting measures, firing many non-playing staff, and it has ostensibly created a blueprint to sign younger players. This could be crucial for the future of the team, giving young players a chance to shine or attain some sell-on value. A new stadium is also being proposed, which will likely require the UK government’s help.
Thus, there are some green shoots with INEOS’s stewardship, but future success is not guaranteed. The club has massive debts and still looks far off the pace when it comes to qualifying for revenue-generating tournaments like the UEFA Champions League. One of history’s most famous soccer clubs is on its knees, but it should not be counted out yet.
Content Disclaimer: Our articles and podcasts, including those on sports betting, are for entertainment and informational purposes only and are not intended to promote or endorse betting. If you choose to bet, we urge you to do so responsibly. Help is available for those facing challenges with gambling. Contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit ncpgambling.org. North Carolina residents can also find resources at More Than a Game. If you need immediate assistance, call 1-800-GAMBLER. For more details, see our full disclaimer.
Content Disclosure: Some content on this website may include links to third-party products, services, or websites. While we may or may not receive compensation for the time and effort spent curating and creating this content, we do not receive payment specifically for the sale of products. We only share content and resources that we believe offer value to our readers and align with our editorial standards. All opinions expressed are our own, and any content or links are subject to review for quality and relevance. For more details, see our full disclaimer.