Manchester United remains trapped in the past, and this fixation is robbing the club of a future, according to critics. The club's obsession with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson is described as deluded and damaging, with his influence still lingering despite his retirement in 2013.
Ferguson's shadow is said to have hindered progress, with recent caretaker manager Darren Fletcher seeking Ferguson's blessing before taking charge. The pattern of managers consulting Ferguson has been repeated by predecessors, including David Moyes, who was hand-picked by Ferguson but struggled under the pressure.
The club is now reportedly considering reappointing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who previously managed United from 2018 to 2021 and had a brief, unsuccessful stint at Besiktas. Critics argue that Solskjaer's link to Ferguson's 1999 Treble-winning team is not a valid reason for a return.
Ferguson's continued presence at Carrington, including a reported coffee with current officials Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, is seen as a comfort blanket preventing evolution. The club's ownership is accused of being more focused on financial gain than on-field success, echoing the struggles Arsenal faced after Arsene Wenger's departure.
United's post-Ferguson decline serves as a warning to other clubs, such as Manchester City, about the dangers of failing to move on from an iconic manager. The club's nostalgia is described as an avalanche of nonsense, with the reality being that United is a corporate entity prioritising profits over performance.
