Manchester United has continued their disappointing run ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. After years of success under the legendary Scottish manager, Manchester United saw years of failure to win any league or Champions League titles. The legendary manager enjoyed years full of success at United. While many fans cherish those memories, insiders claim that new minority owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team is determined to chart a new course, even if it means leaving the past firmly in the past.
It’s no secret that since Ferguson’s departure in 2013 when his teams won 13 Premier League titles and a host of other trophies, United has struggled to replicate that dominance. Going through a barren trophy patch, many stakeholders in the new INEOS ownership believe that clinging to the former glory days is holding the club back. According to reports in The Mirror, there are reverberations from within the INEOS that “they want absolutely nothing to do with the past.” One source even went as far as to blame Sir Alex Ferguson's reluctance to fully embrace modern coaching and scouting methods for the club’s current decline.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford has shifted dramatically. In recent years, sweeping cost-cutting measures have become the order of the day. Last year alone, the club’s new owners let go of around 250 staff members, and fresh whispers hint at up to 200 more jobs on the chopping block. Amid the cost-cutting measures, Sir Alex Ferguson also lost his long-running ambassadorial role in October. These drastic actions come as Manchester United’s financial situation deteriorates, with net debt exceeding £1 billion since the Glazer takeover in 2005 and no respite even after INEOS minority takeover last year, the pressure to maintain a balance the finances seems to have left little room for nostalgia and the past glory.
Supporters have long held onto the belief that the lessons of history, the grit, the determination, and the sheer winning mentality of Ferguson’s era are vital for any future success. Yet, the new leadership appears resolute to move forward. They say one must not dwell on what once was and it is all about building the future, not reliving the past.
This decisive stance from the INEOS on Sir Alex Ferguson has sparked a debate. While some argue that modernizing and cutting costs are essential for survival in today’s football landscape, others worry that sidelining the club’s rich heritage could alienate fans and the unique spirit that made United great. Will INEOS’ relentless drive for change finally bring success, or will it leave Manchester United and the fans further adrift?