Manchester United's struggles post-Ferguson era: A decade of decline and uncertainty

Manchester United Football Club, once the benchmark of excellence in European football, has endured over a decade of underachievement since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

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The legendary manager's departure marked the end of a golden era defined by continuous success, squad unity and tactical adaptability. In contrast, the years that followed after their great leader's departure exposed deep-rooted structural and strategic problems that the club is still struggling to overcome.

Ferguson's reign from 1986 to 2013 brought stability, discipline, and an unrivalled trophy cabinet. He not only won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies but also cultivated a culture of continuous evolution—rebuilding title-winning teams every few years, promoting youth, and extracting the best from world-class players. Under his leadership, United were not just winners; they were a brand of footballing excellence. During his time, Manchester United gave birth to a lot of superstars including Wayne Rooney, Edvin Van Der Sar, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Nani, Patrick Evra, Berbatov, Michael Owen, Ji Sung Park, Cristiano Ronaldo etc.

However, Ferguson’s retirement was not just the loss of a great manager—it was the loss of the club’s central figure. David Gill, the club's CEO and a crucial partner to Ferguson, also stepped down in 2013. Their simultaneous exits left a vacuum in leadership and footballing philosophy that was never adequately filled. David Moyes, Ferguson's chosen successor, inherited a squad that had just won the Premier League but lacked the investment needed for a long-term transition. His tenure lasted just ten months, during which the club slipped to seventh place and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in nearly two decades.