"In the almost 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson left, the club have struggled to find stability, with his shadow stretching down from the directors' box to the dugout, emphasised by the stand named in his honour staring back. Manchester City arrive at Old Trafford on Saturday in the opposite position, having had Pep Guardiola in post for a decade, amassing 18 major trophies."
"Michael Carrick will take charge of United for the first time since being appointed until the end of the season at a club who appear to be without a functioning long-term plan. This will be a campaign of only 40 competitive games for United, their fewest since 1914-15, with some fans thankful for being able to cut down on trudging visits."
"We've hit more rock bottoms and broken more unwanted records in the past few years than I'd care to remember, but I wouldn't say this is the lowest point since Sir Alex retired, says Rick Redman, a season-ticket holder. That was the 7-0 at Anfield, even though we finished above Liverpool that season. You could argue it was finishing 15th in the league and losing a European final to a Spurs side who had already beaten us three times that same season."
Manchester United enter another bleak season without a permanent head coach, without European football, and eliminated early from both domestic cups. The club have lacked stability since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, with his presence still visible at Old Trafford and a directors' box that reflects lingering influence. Michael Carrick will manage until season's end amid apparent absence of a functioning long-term plan. The campaign will feature only 40 competitive games, their fewest since 1914-15. Fan perspectives vary on the club's nadir, citing heavy defeats, low league finishes, missed European nights, tedious style, and repeated short-term managerial solutions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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