Manchester United, the name sent shivers down the spine of some of the biggest clubs in Europe. A team with an unmatched history. 20 league titles, 3 champions leagues, and the only English club to win the treble. There was something about the Reds from Manchester, they dominated all over the world.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the best manager in the history of the football club and possibly one of the greatest ever, had constructed the club in a way where no player came before the club. You would see passion, hunger and determination in the eyes of every single United player there were 11 leaders on the pitch all fighting for the pride of the badge.
12th may 2013 Sir Alex won his 13th and last premier league title with Manchester United and decided it was time to step down from his post, everyone knew it would never be the same without Sir Alex but none would have predicted the nightmare that the THEATRE OF DREAMS was about to witness.
Manchester United has always been a club known for producing homegrown talents into world beating superstars, Giggs, Beckham, Scholes all coming through United’s academy and the footballing world surely knows the value of these names.
THE NEW ERA
After the departure of Sir Alex, David Moyes was appointed as Manchester United manager and his tenure was horror for the club and the fans. He was sacked just 9 months into his appointment after a dismal show.
Louis Van Gaal, the next United manager also brought in hope with superstar signings in forms of Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Anthony Martial but he too was sacked the following season as the board was frustrated with the lack of intent under the Dutchman.
United then brought Jose Mourinho to Old Trafford to steady a sinking United ship but he too failed to follow United’s philosophy to back the younger players, went onto sign Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez all at exorbitant prices but to an extent they too failed to live up to their price tags.
Man United have spent 777 Million Euros since Sir Alex retired and their best result has been a second place finish 19 points behind the title winners. United lack leadership and and players that actually care about winning football matches. United has become a club where players stay for the paycheck and the entire legacy of this English giant has been under the scanner in the past 6 years after repeated failures.
BACK TO WHERE IT BEGAN
However Manchester United have now gone back to their treble hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to wind up some old school magic and bring back the glory days of Manchester United. He has already looked to promote the youth investing in young English talent rather than relying of superstar names.
Both his summer signings, Daniel James (21) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (21) are youngsters with desire and hunger to prove themselves on the biggest stage, exactly the type of players United fans want to see at Old Trafford.
Ole has made it very clear in all his interviews that you need to work hard to be a United player – if you cant put in the miles the doors are open for you to leave no matter who the player is. Manchester United have let the likes of Beckham and Ronaldo leave without a fuss; speaks volumes about the club, doesn’t it.
Sure the days look gloomy now and there is a lot of work Ole has to put in for United to be anywhere close to where the belong but all United fans will be praying that this is the start of something special.
Super sub as a player, he was indeed; but super sub as a manager? Only time will tell.
