Forty years ago, on November 6, 1986, Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards made a decision that was to transform the club's fortunes. Edwards persuaded Alex Ferguson to leave Aberdeen, where he had "the most secure job in British football", to become the new United boss. At the time, it was viewed by many as a gamble.
In retrospect, it proved one of the most successful gambles in sport's history. Ferguson survived some rocky moments, most notably in 1990 when he came close to being sacked, to spend 26 years in the United hotseat, becoming their longest-serving and most successful manager. His haul included 38 trophies, 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Champions League titles and an historic Treble.
A Legacy That Still Casts a Shadow
Ferguson's success and aura were so powerful that they still cast a shadow over United more than 13 years after he stepped down. Having won 13 league titles under the Scot, United are now in the midst of a barren 13 years. The timing of the 40-year anniversary highlights how far things have drifted since his departure.
There is no light at the end of the tunnel, just crushing mediocrity. The dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, overseen by an ex-United midfielder from the Fergie era, harked back to the good old days, but it was an anomaly.
Current Struggles and Ownership Woes
The early stages of the 2026/27 season have made it clear where United now stand. They have been thrashed by Como and Bournemouth, teams on the opposite trajectory, and there has been just one clean sheet, against a Champions League debutant which only came into existence four years after Ferguson left United.
United retain the allure of Ferguson's heyday in name only. As the Glazer family are all too aware, the brand remains strong worldwide. But the perpetual misery engulfing the club since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS two and a half years ago seems impossible to shift. The Glazers have piled the debt high while Ratcliffe's cost-cutting crusade has crushed the spirits of the staff. The supporters, when not getting drenched by Old Trafford's leaky roof, have made their feelings on both sets of owners abundantly clear.
Carrick's Challenge and Ferguson's Presence
On the pitch there has been no stability, and therefore United's famous identity has weakened. Michael Carrick is a Fergie disciple, but no amount of potted club history lessons to start press conferences can disguise the stark reality. The win over Roma may have bought Carrick some more time, with another positive result against Aston Villa this weekend likely to see him through the upcoming international break. But until decision-makers like Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox restore something approaching the culture of the Fergie era, it will be nigh-on impossible to break the current cycle.
Ferguson remains a steady constant. Carrick revealed recently that he still consults the 84-year-old, who also attends matches at Old Trafford. His presence is appreciated, yet with the club in the doldrums, it is also a painful reminder of what once was.
