Manchester United

FCBarca · Monday at 11:22 AM

FCBfan22 said:
Well, at least our sporting department makes up a bit for the ineptness of our financial one. Yes we bitch about them, but with no money and compared to United's ones, they are rocket scientists.

United is just inept from top to bottom. Actually at this point it makes me wonder if Ferguson was the only person there who knew what it takes to be a top club. Because as soon as he retired, all of that dissappeared.

I think that’s a reflection of a coherent management - back then, SAF decided everything. Now, there are multiple layers & interests

FCBfan22 · Monday at 11:25 AM

FCBarca said:
I think that’s a reflection of a coherent management - back then, SAF decided everything. Now, there are multiple layers & interests

Yup. And football came first for him. Now, 15ish years after him, United has rotten to the core.

Maradona37 · Monday at 11:28 AM

FCBfan22 said:
Yup. And football came first for him. Now, 15ish years after him, United has rotten to the core.

Ferguson is one of the main reasons they've fallen apart. He's the villain, not the hero, of this story. That's the uncomfortable truth for their fuckwit fans who revere him like a god.

Read about the Rock of Gibraltar horse. If 'football came first for him', he would not have been so greedy.

FCBfan22 · Monday at 11:34 AM

Maradona37 said:
Ferguson is one of the main reasons they've fallen apart. He's the villain, not the hero, of this story. That's the uncomfortable truth for their fuckwit fans who revere him like a god.

Read about the Rock of Gibraltar horse. If 'football came first for him', he would not have been so greedy.

Of course running a club like Ferguson did is a double edged sword. Because of his ways, they reached the highs, but also the current lows. If you run a club like this, you need to have a heir that will take over. United has fallen asleep in the Fergie era without realizing it. And into a coma since his departure.

That said, I still believe the whole structure of that club is rotten.

Maradona37 · Monday at 11:35 AM

FCBfan22 said:
Of course running a club like Ferguson did is a double edged sword. Because of his ways, they reached the highs, but also the current lows. If you run a club like this, you need to have a heir that will take over. United has fallen asleep in the Fergie era without realizing it.

You haven't actually addressed my point. I didn't make a vague point about general mistakes - I referred to the actual event that led to the Glazer ownership. Which he caused. Makes me think you're unaware of the incident I am referring to.

Windhook · Monday at 11:36 AM

Amorim always felt like interim manager and deserved to be sacked months ago, not now. The draw vs. Wolves I guess went ballistic.

Maradona37 · Monday at 11:38 AM

FCBfan22 said:
That said, I still believe the whole structure of that club is rotten.

Yes it is. And whose greed led to the Glazers, and the rotten structure? Who is directly responsible for that?

FCBfan22 · Monday at 11:41 AM

Maradona37 said:
You haven't actually addressed my point. I didn't make a vague point about general mistakes - I referred to the actual event that led to the Glazer ownership. Which he caused.

Ah you mean that. Yup, that was the biggest mistake fueled by pride and ego.

So effectively, Ferguson scored the biggest own goal with that ego lawsuit in the long term. And after he retired, the full effects were visible.

Maradona37 · Monday at 11:42 AM

AI will do it for me to save my typing:

Sir Alex Ferguson's legal dispute with major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus over the Rock of Gibraltar horse is widely viewed as a catalyst for the Glazer family's 2005 takeover of Manchester United. The feud created intense pressure, causing the Irishmen to sell their 28.7% stake, which allowed the Glazers to seize control.

The Rock of Gibraltar Dispute: Ferguson claimed a share of the winnings from the champion racehorse co-owned with Magnier's wife. This led to a lawsuit and a 99-question document targeting Ferguson, straining his relationship with the club’s biggest investors.
Shareholder Sell-off: Disgruntled by the dispute, Magnier and McManus began looking to sell their significant stake. The Glazers acquired these shares in May 2005, facilitating the leveraged buyout.
Accelerating Factors: While the Glazers were already interested in the club, the turmoil created by the dispute "hastened" the process, according to analysis in this YouTube video.
Long-term Impact: The resulting ownership model has been marked by debt, fan protests, and, for a time, a, reported, close relationship between Ferguson and the new owners.

While not entirely responsible for the idea of the takeover, Ferguson's actions inadvertently provided the opportunity for the Glazers to gain control.

Maradona37 · Monday at 11:42 AM

FCBfan22 said:
Ah you mean that. Yup, that was the biggest mistake fueled by pride and ego.

Good man. Not trying to be confrontational (I am trying to be more firm and assertive) as I have always liked you.

delancey · Monday at 11:49 AM

As long as the club continues to rake in a healthy ROI for its owners, results don’t really matter (well, until they do). Commercial success > sporting success. The Glazers understand how to make money, but they sure as f*ck don’t understand football.

The Glazers started buying up shares on the stock market in 2003, but completed their hostile takeover in 2005 (and then loaded the club with debt 😭). Point is, the club continued to win titles even though the Glazers were now majority owners. The Glazers didn’t contribute to the sporting success; they just happened to inherit it. So if they can inherit it, they can also replicate it. I mean, why not? Just like @Don Juan Laporta Estruch says, one excellent SD and Manager away from challenging for titles again. They just need to hire capable individuals who specialize in sporting success.

soul24rage · Monday at 11:50 AM

soul24rage said:
How to rebuild Utd

1. Get a competent Sporting Director
2. Get Michael Carrick as manager
3. Sell Bruno to Saudi for big money and get Wharton
4. Sell Onana at all cost and get Dibu Martinez
5. Trust the youth
6. Play 4-3-3

Number 4 has been done (but with a different GK). Utd now has a great chance to follow this playbook for free