12 Premier Leagues, 5 F.A. Cups, 4 League cups, 10 Community Shields, 2 Champions Leagues and a UEFA Super Cup later, Alex Ferguson continues to stand supreme at Manchester United, 26 years on from when his reign began in 1986. Over this period they have become the most successful club ever to grace English football. Hailed as a true ambassador and phenomenon of the game, his achievements seem endless, having also been recognized on a global scale. Don’t 26 Manager of the Month Awards and 10 Manager of the Season Awards speak for themselves? Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no denying his enormous contribution to the game and level of success with one club.
However, the ice is thawing; his untouchable team is beginning to look vulnerable and his experienced players can’t play forever. (Ryan Giggs may be an exception there). Sir Alex Ferguson ‘has seen it all’ – as the cliché goes – but can his beloved team maintain their top-of-the-league status?
Enter noisy neighbours – Manchester City. Other than Chelsea in their period of dominance, City are the only team to be genuine contenders, a real worry for Manchester United. Plus, it’s not like they’re short of resources: building the team on money may have taken a long time, but they now have quality on the bench too. Dzeko, A. Johnson, K. Toure, De Jong and Balotelli are worthy of any starting XI in the Premier League, yet they regularly feature on the bench. Ridiculous? Maybe – although you’d hardly doubt Aguero, Silva, Nasri, Y. Toure and co starting. With City making a real surge for top spot, it’s not going to be easy for United; 27 games in and the blue side of Manchester are just edging the ultimate race with their counterparts. That makes for a cracking end of season for the neutrals.
After United’s disastrous night of shame in Switzerland in December, crashing out of Europe after a laughable 2-1 loss to Basel (when all they needed was a draw), Alex Ferguson’s tactics, squad choice and even the team as a whole have been analysed by all the pundits. There have also been questions over whether they’re the team they used to be. Obviously with Ronaldo long gone it’s hugely debatable whether he’s really been replaced. As a club renowned for the depth of its squad, the current set up cannot be compared in any way with the old team and their style. Live in the present: play every game as a final and dig out the winning mentality that Ferguson has drummed into them as ‘the Manchester United way’.
But is his passion not as fierce as twelve or so years ago? When they were arguably the best team in Europe and host to the world’s megastars, Fergie was hailed as a genius. Despite earning the respect of the current football ‘generation’, he’s not the driving force he was. The same goes for Arsene Wenger – the current demands of English football simply don’t have enough time for harvesting young talent. Players must deliver from day 1.
Maybe what was Ferguson’s greatest edge is now lost – every team is bringing in fresh, exciting talent, the United way. He was doing this over ten years ago; other clubs have caught on and are now far more competitive in this aspect of football. United are also still the team to beat, so many clubs will give them a stern challenge.
The legend continues to frustrate most of his rivals but the end seems to be appearing far too quickly for Sir Alex Ferguson. His dedication, commitment and services to football have been phenomenal, but somebody new may just kick start United’s top form once again. He certainly won’t be sacked: it’s just a matter of when he resigns. Until then, the prime target’s catching Manchester City.
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Ok, so I get that you sit there having never played at any level or managed even a community grass roots team. I get that about 99% of writers–particulalrly those that write blogs. But you do it with such confidence and swagger as though you should be taken serious. You conveniently leave out the fact that Fergie has managed to keep United within touching distance of City–wait, 2 points back, correct? You strangely omit the fact that this United team has been in transition for the past 5 years yet they manage to win 3 EPL’s and get to 2 CL finals ..hmmmmm.. you forget to mention that over that same period Arsenal who have also gone through a transition haven’t won 1 trophy! And Liverpool are excited to win the League Cup and that they are 20 points behind United (20 POINTS BACK).. And that Chelsea are going through a tail spin and have all but imploded. And that United have have been wrecked with injuries througout the entire campaign. Vidic and Fletcher gone for the season. Anderson gone for 95% of the season. The Brazilian twins lost for over 60% of the season. Valencia–out for over 11 matches. Young lost for 9 matches. Rio , in and out with back problems. Jones amd Smalling lost for weeks due to injuries. Rooney lost in key matches through injuries and illness. Cleverly!!! lost for over 5 months. Need i say more you chump–But Fergie has managed to keep them 2 points back and in with a shout! Enough said–now start writing about something that you understand and leave the football stuff to people that know.
First time visiting this website. Don’t think I’ll be back if this is the standard of analysis. Never write off SAF, he’s proved time and time again he knows what it takes to build a team and win trophies.
Richard, you pretty much said everything i had intended to put down.
I honestly cant understand those who actual bother to take time out of their day to write this garbage. People have always loved to question Ferguson’s decisions at times, me included, yet as always he stands above every one else, and i mean everyone, on those decisions. As you pointed out, just in the last 5 years alone he has won 4 titles, robbed of the 5th by the way, 1 CL and two other finals, losing those to what some people regard as the best club side ever, very questionable imo, but anyway.
What idiots like the above dont realise is what Ferguson actually brings to the dressing room, yes tactically and training involvement he may not stand along with Guardiola and Co. but they would be the first to tell you that a coach and manager are two very different things. This is why Ferguson has always stated the importance of a good number two.
Lastly something that baffles me is how the author mentions Chelsea being the only title contenders before CIty. Firstly i think there are alot of Arsenal fans who would find this grossly insulting, im not sure if you realise Arsenal actual won the last title before Mourinho came along. Tell me are you one of these “new football fans”??
What stands Ferguson above all the rest is his ability to fight off these clubs when they start threating our great club. Blackburn,Arsenal,Chelsea and now City. Of course City will win the title at some point, we cant win it every year, but you suggesting Ferguson would bow out not leaving Utd on top just shows your poor lack of knowledge on the man.
I want the life back that i lost reading this total and utter garbage journalism. If you are serious then its time to find a new hobby. If you are bored and on the wind up, then its time to find a hobby that cures your boredom.
This is probably the worst article i have ever read on football, congratulations to you, you have just out-shitted tribal football.