Manchester United’s struggles in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era have been well documented.
The club are enduring yet another miserable campaign in the 2024-25 season.
Their FA Cup exit to Fulham on Sunday night was the latest setback, confirming their worst campaign in recent memory.
Having already sacked Erik ten Hag in November, Ruben Amorim was appointed as United’s new head coach.
However, results have only gone worse.
The club languish in 14th place in the Premier League.
With their domestic season in tatters, the Europa League represents their only shot at silverware and a route back into the Champions League.
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United will face Real Sociedad over two legs, knowing that failure in Europe would make an already disastrous season even worse.
The problems at Old Trafford are not limited to the pitch.
Behind the scenes, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have made sweeping changes, including widespread redundancies.
Let alone the controversial exit of sporting director Dan Ashworth just months after his arrival.
Meanwhile, Amorim’s long-term vision for the club has been questioned by former United captain Wayne Rooney.
United’s last league title came in Ferguson’s final season in charge in 2012-13.
Since then, they have failed to mount a serious title challenge, finishing as low as seventh under David Moyes.
Over the past decade, Manchester City have established themselves as the dominant force in English football.
They have won seven league titles, while Liverpool, Arsenal, and even Newcastle United have overtaken United in squad building.
Gary Lineker points to Sir Alex Ferguson exit as a key factor
According to Gary Lineker, United’s struggles can be traced back to Ferguson’s departure in 2013.
Speaking after the FA Cup defeat to Fulham, the former England striker suggested that Ferguson left the club in a poor position.
Ultimately, contributing to the club’s decline since.
“Liverpool now, they’ve got a new manager in Arne Slot, and it’s testament to how Jurgen Klopp left the club in a really good state,” Lineker told BBC One.
“The structure is really good.
“That probably wasn’t the case at the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s [time at Old Trafford].
“I know they won the league that season, but it wasn’t their best side, and a lot of their great players were coming to the end of their careers.”
While United’s decline has been a long-term issue, Lineker believes the club’s lack of proper succession planning has left them years behind their rivals.
“I think from there they had problems.
“The academy wasn’t delivering the players that they were before.”
Liverpool, who made a seamless transition from Klopp to Slot, are currently 13 points clear at the top of the table.
On course for another league title.
Something United have not been close to in more than a decade.
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