The last 10 years have been a huge struggle for both the players and the fans of Manchester United. As the cliché goes, all empires must eventually fall. And where once it was the empires of Rome and the Ottomans that collapsed, so too the empire of sustained success and utter European dominance that Manchester United built under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson disintegrated with frightening speed, following its sudden Management retirement in 2013.
To make matters worse, the club’s closest rivals took up the mantle of European heavyweights. Manchester City and Liverpool began to instill fear in the opposition, not seeing Manchester United on the match list. Old Trafford no longer made dreams for the home team and nightmares for the visitors.
No, it was the dreaded trip to Anfield or the Etihad. There, two of the world’s greatest managers, Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, built towering giants. They did it while the ashes of United’s demise were still hanging in the air.
a sudden departure
To put the chronology in perspective, we must start with the abrupt retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scotsman is considered by many to be the most talented and successful football manager of all time. He is a renowned strategist and fierce manager hailing from Glasgow. In his first season in charge in 1986, United finished 11th. In 1991/92 United won the Premier League, their first title since 1966/67.
From there, he did not look back. When SAF folded, United won a record 13 Premier League titles, including his last season in charge in 2012/13. Adding to this incredible number of trophies were a measly 10 Community Shields, 5 FA Cup wins, 4 League Cups, 2 Champions League wins, one European Cup Winners’ Cup, one Club World Cup and the Super Cup.
But suddenly, towards the end of the 2012-2013 season, Ferguson shocked the world by announcing his retirement.
Since then, Manchester United has been plunged into a paradox of struggle. The American owners, the Glazer family, pumped millions and millions of pounds into “star” players. Almost every time, those players failed and were unsuccessful. United have failed to win the Premier League since Ferguson withdrew. Also, United struggle to finish in the top four on a consistent basis. That valuable positioning ensures the promised land of Tuesdays and Wednesdays of the Champions League. Instead, they entertain massive crowds on Thursday nights, in the much less impressive Europa League.
Revolving door
Managers have come and gone. Some of them have world-class pedigrees, like Louis van Gaal or José Mourinho. Others were less conspicuous. For example, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, David Moyes or Ralf Rangnick.
Arguably the most successful of this group was the favorite of journalists, José Mourinho. The Portuguese won the EFL Cup, the Europa League and the FA Community Shield during his tenure.
However, in the 10 years since Ferguson retired, the club has won a paltry 4 trophies, 3 of which went to José Mourinho in the same season, 2016-17. The other was the FA Cup triumph with Louis van Gaal.
Players have also come and gone, many of whom were considered undisputed world-class talents. Radamel Falcao, Ángel Di María, Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Paul Pogba and Alexis Sánchez wore the famous red kit. However, none of them could assert themselves. They also failed to achieve the desired impact their glitzy price tags demanded.
Clearly, the absurd expenses and the flashy signings were not the solution.
fixing the club
The answer is not money, not individual players or ownership. Although, United supporters largely dispute that the latter is to blame. Rather, the answer is culture. How is culture created and fostered? By a manager who carefully builds the desired culture for success. By a group of players who sign him and the recruitment team who buy and further improve the culture of the club. Scouts, owners, managers and board members who also buy this new culture, this sense of team, club and success over the individual, the paycheck, royalties and merchandising rights.
For the first time in a long, long time, it seems United have signed a man capable of collecting those components. You can combine them into the finished article: a culture of success and determination. United can exhibit hard work, humility, responsibility and high standards.
Erik ten Hag is Manchester United’s solution to the fight
Ten Hag made a name for himself coaching an Ajax team consisting of Hakim Ziyech, Matthijs De Ligt, Frenkie De Jong, Dusan Tadic and Donny Van De Beek. He brought them within minutes of a Champions League final in 2019.
He may have the ability to develop players. Still, it’s his player and squad management skills that make him a key cog at Manchester United. United welcomed a toxic dressing room for years after Sir Alex Ferguson. Narcissistic superstars cared more about themselves and a paycheck than the badge on their chest. The lack of character caused the players to leak information to the press.
Ten Hag cut the dead weight dragging United down. Those leaving included Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Alex Telles, Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Nemanja Matic, Lee Grant, Andreas Pereira and Eric Bailly. Finally, and most recently, he said goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo, who brought Manchester United to prominence a season ago. However, under a new boss, Ronaldo lost a place in the team and did enough for his contract to be terminated mid-season.
incoming talents
Erik ten Hag proceeded to add players like Lisandro Martínez, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Antony and Casemiro. These players not only show class, but are strong and passionate characters.
Martinez absolutely kills himself for the jersey. The Argentine World Cup champion earns a clean sheet with tenacity, determination and sheer will. The fans love him, and reportedly his teammates do too.
Eriksen is a quiet genius, leading by example both on and off the field. At the age of 30, he is a seasoned father figure to many of the young talents on the roster. His emotional maturity, technical ability and experience radiates class.
Malacia and Antony are still gems in the rough, young and playing well. They are waiting for the maximum heights of their potential. Both of them can become real world class players. Also, his desire to fight for the badge and prove himself in front of a manager was something that was lost over the past decade at Old Trafford.
Finally, there is Casemiro. He is an immense presence, both on and off the pitch. A proven winner, having won 15 major trophies at Real Madrid, including five Champions League titles, he combines experience with incredible talent. His ability to not only divide the game, but also to facilitate attacks and distribute the ball is remarkable. His passing range, vision and tackling ability are second to none. However, his game reading and positioning is by far his strongest attribute. United’s midfield finally looks world-class, with a midfield triangle of Casemiro at base, and Fernandes and Eriksen up front, roaming around and wreaking havoc with their passing prowess and finishing ability.
In the path
The team is definitely moving in the right direction and for the first time since Ferguson left it really feels like the fight surrounding Manchester United has come to an end.
And with the recent announcement that the Glazers are looking to sell the club, United’s future could look even brighter than before.
PHOTO: IMAGO/PA Images
