Manchester United, the one time richest club in the world , the team that used to send chills down the spine of opposition teams , the team whose strength in character during matches is exemplified by the popular belief that "it is never over until it is over". so popular was this belief that opposition playing United and leading by even two goals were never assured of a victory as Bayern Munich can testify following their implosion in the dying minutes of the memorable 1999 Champions League final . United had come from behind against Juve in the semi final of the champions league that same season. The scenario painted above were just the few out of the many instances where the United showed character and resilience with a ruthless streak to win games . Such was the Fergie mentality at the time which traversed every squad he built in his 26 year reign. Famed for his belief that every manager should refresh his squad after every 4 years, it was amazing how he was able to infuse such dogged mentality in all his teams. Some guaranteed starters in Fergie's team at those times would struggle to make the team of any of the then top four teams of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal before the arab billions at the Etihad. To illustrate, there was a time United had the likes of Carrick and Fletcher in the midfield when Chelsea had the likes of Makelele, Michael Essien and Ballack, Aresenal had Gilberto Silva and Edu, Liverpool had the likes of Xabi Alonso and Gerrard, yet, the team contended for the title in those periods. Such was the team spirit at the time. United didnt exactly need marquee signings to win games. They ground out results even when they dont play particularly well.
when the revered Sir Alex decided to call time on his illustrious coaching career, many were under no illusions whatsoever that getting a replacement for the accomplished Glaswegian would be a cake walk. As a fact, the belief within the fan hierarchy and even the board was that the Scot would be irreplaceable. Names were bandied at the time and it was no surprise when Fergie still awe-struck about the way his team was humbled by the catalonian giants, Barcelona twice in the Champions league final. First,inside the allure of the San siro in 2009 and two years later right within the ambience of the magnificent Wembley stadium, under the tutelage of Giuseppe 'Pep' Guardiola. It wasnt the scoreline, it was the way and manner Fergie's wards were dismantled and discombobulated after the club had remarkably scored first. Fergie's only tactical response was a tremulous fit on the bench. Rene Meleunstein , his trusted Assistant was saddled with the responsibility of trying to offer some inspiration from the touch line. Fergie's legs could not withstand the on-slaught. He knew it was game over. it was therefore no surprise when Pep's name was bandied as Fergie's first choice as successor . Fergie reportedly fixed two meetings with the catalonian -born coach during the latter's sabathical in New York. It was United's last pre-season tour with the outgoing gaffer with the team in the United States and so the venue was convenient. When it became obvious that Pep was not headed for Old trafford, the United fan base watched with bated breath as the latter chose to join the Bavarians instead. Talk of Jose Mourinho who was obviously the next choice, to replace Fergie unsettled many of the United faithful for very obvious reasons. Sir Bobby Charlton was said to have been particularly sceptical over the move and had famously singled out Mourinho's eye gouging of the Late Tito Villanova , then Assistant to Pep at Barca during an ill-tempered El classico between Real Madrid & Barcelona in 2009, as a reason why the Portuguese tactitian should not be hired and was reported to have remarked thus; "a United coach would not do that". Mourinho on his own part made no secret of his decision to go back to Chelsea and Moyes happened!
Fergie and the board had to settle for the former Everton coach. He was famed for working on a slim budget. United had won the league with 11 points in Fergie's last season. The belief within the United ranks was that a lot of players in the team were average players. Funds were to be made available for the new manager to rebuild the team. Moyes was handed a 6 year contract, giving further indication that the Club was looking at the long term. United struggled to make signings and spent the entire summer chasing the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Tiago Alcantara and missed out on both , eventually coughing out $27M to sign Marouane Fellaini who is seen more as a face saving signing than a a tactical move when he could have been signed for less than $21M . United new Chief Executive, Ed woodward was in desperate need of redemption and Fellaini was signed as part of that having embarrasingly failed to secure the signature of Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilabao after agreeing a fee with the club due to sheer inexperience in the spanish transfer market.
The profile of the new coach understandably failed to inspire the players at Carrington by the beginning of August during the first game of the new season, United played Swansea in Cardiff and romped to a 4-1 victory courtesy of braces from Danny Welbeck and Robin Van Persie then played a drab goal-less draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford before being humbled 4-1 by City at the Etihad. That was the beginning of the implosion. United then went on to lose to the likes of Stoke, Sunderland and Newcastle , teams they blew away during the Fergie era. It was clear by February that a change was badly needed. Capitulating 2-0 to Olympiakos in the second round of the Champions league was further proof of that before a stunning 3-0 Robin Van Persie inspired comeback before he was stretchered off in the same game with a knee injury that was to keep him out of action for two months. And then, the deluge of losses started and then, drop in confidence. By April, United were 7th on the log, a position they occupied from December. Even for a club that is famed for exercising patience with their managers, it was unacceptable. No one remembered the 6 year contract David Moyes was offered. He was sacked by April and Ryan Giggs was made to oversee the remaining four fixtures. And then began another frantic search for a new manager. United had failed to qualify for the Champions league for the first time in over a decade. The stage was set for a frenetic search. Carlo Ancelloti, Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp, Diego Simeone and ....Louis Van Gaal.
United fans who were sceptical about Louis Van Gaal saw glimpses of what he can do during the summer World cup tournament in Brazil where he orchestrated amazing wins over then World Champions, Spain 5-1 and Brazil and Tournament's hosts, 3-0. The Oranje had lost arguably their best out-field player at the time in Kevin Strootman and had to make do with an average bunch of players that included Giorgio Wyjnaldum, Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, Ron Vlaar to mention a few. The obvious team leaders were the likes of Robin Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder , Dirk Kuyt and Arjen Robben so it was not a world class team. So a 3rd place showing was considered a decent achievement by any standards.
LVG was given a 3 year contract in what is generally perceived to be a transitional arrangement. The board had insisted on having Ryan Giggs in the back-room staff . The reason is obvious ; Giggs is being groomed to take over from the Dutch man when the latter steps down in 2017. a 4th placed finish was considered a decent achievement in the first season of the dutchman . A transfer war chest was made available to the coach to boost the squad and thus we saw the likes of Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, Radamel Facao, Luke Shaw, Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo added to the squad. He was even given a $1M bonus for restoring the club's pride in that regard. United played some scintillating attacking football along the way during the 2014/2015 season convincingly beating the likes of City, Liverpool and Spurs. Then came the 2015/2016 season, there were already discontent in the dressing room. The Dutch man was ruthless. United's top scorer in the 2012/2013 season, Robin Van Persie, Luis Nani, Chicharito etc were shown the door. Radamel Falcao did not get a permanent deal as expected. All of a sudden, United became short of attacking options. Promising academy graduate, Adnan Januzag was sent on a needless loan to Dortmund. Rooney was the only recognised striker in the squad. Teenager, Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay were brought by the coach. Angel Di Maria left for PSG citing irreconcilable differences with the coach as reason. it was clear United needed redemption.
The coach refused to budge and by September, United were on top of the league for a week before they capitulated 3-0 to Arsenal and thus started the downward descent of the club Not only was the club not getting results, they were playing poorly. The coach's pedantic insistence on possession cost the team terribly. United dominated possession in games and yet had fewer shots and chances created . United's possession was mainly in their own half and had the embarrassing record of making the most back passes to their goal keeper. United had become predictably pedestrian. Teams happily sit back and defend and hit United on the counter. United's coup de grace came in the champions league where they were dumped out in the 1st round. Then came a torrid winter period where United were win-less over 8 games losing to less fancied teams like Stoke, Middlesborough (in the league cup) Norwich and Bournemouth. United failed to score in the 1st half in 11 games. And then came the sack rumours. LVG has somehow contrived to remain in his job after being sacked in the media several times.A look at the managerial transfer market doesnt show much. Jurgen Klopp had gone to Liverpool earlier, Ancelloti had been announced to take over from Pep at Bayern who had announced his intentions to step down in the summer from the Bavarian club and join the Premiership. Diego Simeone does not speak English and Cholo does not seem to be in a hurry to leave the Spanish capital. The rumour mill has just two names left; Ryan Giggs, a club legend and current Assistant with no coaching CV to show. His strength seems to lie in his in-depth knowledge of the club and nothing else.
Jose Mourinho on the other hand had endured a torrid season with Chelsea and garnered just 15 points in 14 games and all of a sudden looked out of depth. He has since been given the boot and speculations remain afoot that he desperately wants the United job and is itching to get back to management sooner rather than later. United are thought to be worried by his managerial antics and penchant for dividing the dressing room as we saw in Real Madrid and Chelsea in both his first and season stint. But on which side would United really err on with Pep on his way to City? for how long would they continue to play catch up? A rookie Manager like Ryan Giggs would need time to bed . So is it Moyes happening all over again? The Adidas Chief Executive had complained about United's lethargic style of play in December and having signed a bumper ten year sponsorship contract with the kit company, would United be able to endure another torrid trophy droughts for a long time gain? And what is the guarantee that Giggs would get in the grove in 3 , 4 years time? The fans have been impatient and its hard to believe that its been just 3 years since United last won the title and the fans are already this edgy . What would now happen in the next 3 ,4 years if they fail to win anything? Would their sponsors remain happy under such circumstances. Jose Mourinho is a proven winner and would guarantee titles anywhere he goes. His baggage is the price any team that desires him would have to pay to land those titles. The choice of whether to take that risk is entirely up to the board of Manchester United.
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