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If you are a Red Devil, then it is easy to understand your sorrow right now. The club's unfortunate slump is too hard to bear and this might be the most painful time to be a Manchester United devotee. The club looks out of shape, the players seem drained out and the new manager looks clueless. In total, they seem in all sorts of trouble.
6 years back, the fans were celebrating Manchester United's 13th Premier League triumph as Sir Alex bid adieu to the Old Trafford outfit and to football by announcing his retirement. The legendary Scotsman wrote history with this club and his contributions to Manchester United's rich heritage is massive. Sir Alex transformed this side into world beaters and made the fans all around the globe, turn their eyes to Manchester's red half simply because he made them play with flair, freedom and most importantly- a motive.
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Ardent Manchester United fans wouldn't have predicted such a drastic fall in the club's stature but here we stand at the end of yet another disappointing season, looking at their squad and wondering, where did they go wrong this time around?
It has not been easy for the Red Devils and here are the 5 reasons for Manchester United's decline:
#5 Compromising transfers
This has been the story of Manchester United in the post-Sir-Alex era. Whenever the club is associated with a top target, it all unfolds in a dramatic fashion as they end up signing the next possible option. Compromises have been made in the transfer window and as a result of which United sit at the 6th position watching their local rivals celebrate while millions of fans mourn over the utterly disappointing season.
Many big names have been targeted by the club but their failure to land those players has initiated a plan B which hasn’t turned out to be entirely pleasant for the club. Ed Woodward is the one to take blame for this because he is the man with the powers, who has failed to assist the manager with the quality which in-turn has contaminated this magnificent club.
What used to be a powerhouse is now merelt a top-6 side. The disparity between things then and now is real and amends have to be made because this historic football club is of great importance to its millions of fans.
#4 Lack of fighting spirit
Remember the Manchester United teams from the past? Their main strength lied in their hearts where they believed in fighting till the very last minute. Sir Alex crafted the trade of winning matches in the dire moments and that is how the term ‘Fergie Time’ originated.
Opposing sides could never take a sigh of relief unless and until the final whistle was blown simply because the Red Devils fought till the very end and in most occasions, ended up victorious.
This fighting spirit is what led to Sir Alex’s trophy-laden tenure in England and is what makes us wonder as to what exactly went wrong with this glorious club?
Manchester United have rarely portrayed the kind of fighting spirit they were synonymous with and with the conclusion of this season, we can surely say that the team has lacked a sort of spirit. Giving up was never in Manchester United’s DNA but it seems to no longer be the case.
#3 Instability in the system
There is simply no doubt in Manchester United’s system being unstable. The people at the helm of this club have failed to deliver and there seems to be a urgent need of revamping of the system.
Consider this- amongst all the members of English Premier League’s top 6, only Manchester United endured a torrid season, whereas others have got something to cheer about. This fact is agonising because a club like this which was immune to failure has now become habitual to it and there is no darn person to take responsibility for it. Where it all went wrong was the treatment of David Moyes, which then embarked a series of such events and United now end the season with their 4th manager in the last 6 years.
Manchester United wasn’t known to be like this and it really showcases how far they have fallen as a club. Manchester City and Liverpool- Manchester United’s two biggest rivals are ruling England and the Red Devils are languishing down somewhere, an excruciating sight for any Manchester United devotee.
A stable system is needed which shall focus on the future.
#2 Lacklustre brand of football
Manchester United earned the tag 'England's Most Dominant Club' by displaying exciting football. The Red Devils were known to be a dynamic unit who struck fear in oppositions, thanks to their immaculate gameplay.
They were known to exhibit high tempo style of football which made many avid football fans fall in love with this majestic football club. Players like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and more have been at this club's disposal and it was the vibrant display of United which made them such an adored club all around the globe.
Unfortunately, things have gone down the hill since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and the team seems to have lost their identity. The players look out of ideas and very often the team is seen looking to get one chance to get the ball in whereas the fans expect their team to display the kind of football that made them fall in love with this historic football club.
Before getting back to their winning ways, Manchester United need to get back to their playing ways by displaying an exciting brand of football.
#1 The pressure of replicating Sir Alex’s glory days
Yes, Sir Alex was a genius who made Manchester United a wrecking machine. He made Old Trafford a fortress where away teams were frightened to play simply because the Scottish manager was utterly brilliant.
Sir Alex’s time was remarkable but the club needs to understand that Rome wasn’t built in a day. It took Fergie many years to infuse the winning mentality, bring together the right set of players and most importantly, introduce the brand of football he felt would help him land the trophies.
Many managers have come and gone and it will be fair to say that the pressure of replicating Sir Alex’s glory days got the better of them all. Manchester United will need some considerable amount of time to become great again and until that point, patience and perseverance is all they need.
