Back in 2013, Manchester United accepted change was coming. But most fans were naive to the scale of the incompetence which lay ahead.
The dual exits of manager Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill created a vacuum of expertise in key roles at Manchester United.
In 2013 we wanted United to continue being a relentless winning machine. By 2024 our eyes had truly been opened, to simply demand competence.
While Ferguson was content to manage the club with an all-encompassing view, there was a lot he struggled with during his past few seasons, where he would have benefited with some expertise lending a helpful hand – and managed to win a lot despite this.
From 2009 to 2013, Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie were arguably the only two transfers Ferguson got right.
The lines of misses stretches on, Alexander Buttner, Gabriel Obertan, Michael Owen, Mame Biram Diouf, Bebe. Ferguson needed a little help, even if he would not admit it.
When Ferguson retired, United’s need for a proper footballing structure was glaring. Noisy neighbours City were busy putting into effect a lean team headed up by sporting directors Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano, and chief executive Omar Berrada, working to support the manager.
Ferguson’s ill-fated choice of successor David Moyes never stood a chance. He was provided with banker Ed Woodward, attempting the play the role of sporting director.
Glazers show no interest in modernising Manchester United
The fault for this comes down to ownership. If the Glazers had an excuse of not wanting to upset or interfere with Sir Alex Ferguson during the first half of their tenure, there was no justification for the following decade.
Woodward was not qualified to work as a chief executive on the football side. He had no prior experience, and a club like Manchester United demand the best-in-class.
His first summer was a total disaster, just one signing, Marounae Fellaini, for £4 million higher than his release clause.
What followed was an ill-thought out and incoherent attempt at a Galactico project, chasing big names who either didn’t want to be here, Angel di Maria, or were past it, Bastian Schweinsteiger.
It spoke volumes of the Glazer disinterest in Manchester United that Woodward stayed on under the club’s employment until late 2021, resigning amid his own involvement in the Super League fiasco.
In the years prior to Woodward falling on his sword, there had been whispers of appointing a director of football or head of recruitment, but it was never made a priority.
United eventually appointed a Football Director and Technical Director, hiring John Murtough and Darren Fletcher.
Fans were completely underwhelmed, feeling short-changed. Murtough was an internal appointment, with no prior experience in such a role, while Fletcher also was a total novice. Nothing over the subsequent two years changed this view.
Woodward’s replacement was Richard Arnold, United’s commercial chief, who once bragged that Odion Ighalo was trending on social media ahead of Donald Trump.
All of this ultimately leads back to the Glazers, who decided to sell a major stake in the club in late 2022 after their Hail Mary play of signing Cristiano Ronaldo failed to work out, and he blasted them publicly.
It has not taken Ineos long at all to start redressing the ignorance displayed during the Glazer reign, since they purchased their stake in the club at the end of 2023.
Within months, Ineos have managed to do what the Glazers have failed to do in two decades, and hire a full, competent, best-in-class, experienced football structure.
Add in the attention to detail and innovation from Sir Dave Brailsford, and the business mind of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Manchester United have a serious team in place.
A further addition could be incoming too with former RB Leipzig recruitment chief Christopher Vivell joining for the summer window.
Former interim boss Ralf Rangnick upset a few at Old Trafford when he called for ‘open heart surgery’ to take place at Manchester United, citing how horrified he was at the incompetence behind the scenes at the club.
He didn’t last long afterwards, but Ineos clearly agreed as they have listened to his advice.
For the first time, Manchester United’s manager has a chance. Current boss Erik ten Hag will be supported by an infrastructure aimed at maximising success, performance, and recruitment.
It sounds so simple, and Ineos have made it look that way. And it makes the Glazers actions, or lack of, even more inexcusable.
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