Since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure from Manchester United, the club has faced ongoing struggles despite the best efforts of its leadership. The Glazers, along with former chief executive Ed Woodward and his successor Richard Arnold, have invested heavily in an attempt to maintain the success that Ferguson built over 26 seasons. These days, fans believe their beloved team lacks bite, with teams no longer fearful to play at Old Trafford.
Despite spending huge sums in successive transfer windows, United has failed to attract or sign the top talent in the game. Only Chelsea has outspent them since the 2019-2020 season, yet Manchester United has missed out on key players like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, settling instead for less impactful signings like Donny van de Beek and Odion Ighalo. Even Declan Rice, a player who could have bolstered their midfield, was secured by Arsenal, leaving United with Casemiro, who has struggled to dominate in his role.
The club's strategy during transfer windows has become increasingly unclear, with poor judgments about player capabilities and fit within the team. This lack of direction is surprising for a club of United's stature and extends to the search for a worthy successor to Ferguson.
David Moyes' brief tenure is best forgotten, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite his legendary status at the club, could not reverse the downward trend after Jose Mourinho's inability to replicate his past successes. Erik ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford with much promise and a winning pedigree from Dutch team Ajax, but it appears that Premier League pressure isn’t something he can acclimatize to any time soon. Certain managerial decisions and executive missteps have fostered a culture of mediocrity, and there are fears that Manchester United could be on a continued decline.
