The ten fatal mistakes that have doomed Manchester United

I wrote the following blog ten years ago exactly - barneteye.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-saturday-list-67-ten-fatal-mistakes.html - Change a few names and is all current (any new text is in bold). 

The crisis has been building up for several years. Here are the fatal mistakes that United have made.

1. Underinvestment in the squad under Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie worked a miracle winning the league two years ago, but he did it with a threadbare squad. Bringing in Van Persie was the catalyst that allowed the feat to be pulled off, but it was clear to everyone that United had an ageing defence and midfield. With Scholes, Giggs, Evra, Ferdinand and Vidic getting long in the tooth, all should have been replaced by then, or at least have credible replacements lined up. Take that out of the League winning team and you don't have a team.

2. Bad succession planning in the business. It was clear that Fergie would go at some point. To lose the Chief Exec at the same time was catastrophic. All businesses need  a degree of continuity in their team. United lost the plot, by allowing themselves to get into this situation.

3. Flawed process for appointing a new manager. United are one of the worlds top brands. They could have their pick of managers. It seems the process was that they simply let Fergie pick a name out of the hat. Worse than that, they picked a manager with no trophies and no Champoins league experience.

4. Bad signings. We listed the five key players who were past their sell by date. They replaced none of them, instead indulging Moyes by signing Fellani, a player they didn't need and who doesn't fit in. It was clear what United needed, they left it too late and picked the wrong players.

5. Inept clearout of backroom staff. The first act of Moyes was a clearout of backroom staff such as Mike Phelan. As such he had no one around who could offer any insight into how to get the best out of the players, why things may not be working.

6. Ineptitude in conducting transfer business. The debacle of the attempt to sign Leighton Baines and Fellani showed the world that United were there for the taking. This has resulted in them paying top dollar for all subsequent signings such as Di Maria and Mata signings.

7. Panic buys in the transfer window. When it was clear that it was going wrong under Moyes, United made the classic mistake of a big name panic buy, bring Juan Mata to the club. Whilst it is true that you can't have enough great players, Mata addressed none of Uniteds problems and unsettled the existing attackers.

8. Showing a lack of class in sacking Moyes. United sacked Moyes the day after they technically couldn't qualify for the Champions League. This was done to save the compensation bill. This type of behaviour saves money in the short term, but in the long term sets down a marker which shows the club are more interested in bean counting than running a football club. Ryan Giggs was brought in as a temporary manager to get the club through to the end of the season. Whilst this may have given him a bit of experience and may assist him in his ongoing role at the club, the whole sorry episode tarnished United.

9. Lack of planning for managerial appointment. Whilst Louis Van Gaal is an excellent manager, with a great track record, given the mess United are in, I believe he was the wrong appointment. The reason is simple. United needed a root and branch rebuilding. the timing of the sacking of Moyes showed that they had clearly been planning the change. They chose someone who couldn't come in until almost the end of the Pre Season. With Van Gaal being totally wrapped up in the World Cup, the pre season was wasted. Had they brough a new manager in when Moyes was sacked, they could have gone into the pre season with somone who'd actually seen the players in action. Transfer targets would be identified and the players could be prepared. As it is, Van Gaal turned up and half the squad were missing. I believe his current predicament is caused by the fact that when the real business started, he hadn't got a clue what his squad could actually do. As such, by the time the transfer window reopens and he actually knows what he needs, United may again be out of the chase for a Champions league place.

10. Chosen the wrong man again? It is too early to say, but for me the signs are not good. In the first point, I listed the players United need to replace. You could argue that Di Maria may be a suitable replacement for Ryan Giggs. That still leaves the other four to replace. Not only that, but Van Gaal has tried to implement a 3-4-3 system with players who clearly are not up to it. Watching the first three games, it was clear to me that the players look terrified. Johnny Evans looked particularly uncomfortable against the mighty MK Dons. Van Gaal has a rep as a stern disciplinarian, to me it looked as if the United defence were scared stiff of making mistakes, so were nervous and jumpy. In the opening PL games, on numerous occasions defenders would receive the ball in space and simply look for a quick sideways pass. Under Fergie in their pomp, they would drive forward and create space elsewhere. Another disturbing feature of Van Gaal is the way he publicly attacked Luke Shaw. Shaw is a young player with a lot of expectation. His manager has put the boot in. How will this help build him up. I cannot imagine Ferguson making such a statement ever. I also think that Van Gaals statements about United not being fit for purpose don't help his cause. Other teams are losing their fear of facing United and these sort of statements don't help. It also undermines his existing players. How must they feel?

Of course, I'm a City fan so I find it hilarious, but that is really by the by. I don't think a single thing I've said hasn't been mentioned by friends who are on the dark side of the football divide.

As I watch the Champions Leage draw, I can't help but feel maybe a few Utd Board members should read The Barnet Eye occasionally. If I'd written a blog in 2009 about mismanagement of a football club, it would have been City. Funny how things change

Do Man Utd fans really want "The Wembley of the North"?

 There is a report on the Manchester Evening News stating that a redevelopment task force has been set up by Manchester United to oversee the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the surrounding areas. As a Manchester City fan, I have been quite bemused by the way the United board have let their best asset crumble. I've only been to Old Trafford a couple of times. The first time was in 1996 for the Euro's, to watch Germany beat the Russia. A group of my mates had put in for tickets for a few games and this was the only one we managed to get. Luckily for us, it was the day after my nephew got married in Manchester, so I was able to combine the two things. A couple of our group were Manchester United fans. They used the visit to taunt me about the state of Maine Road and how City had allowed the ground to deteriorate. In truth I was a bit jealous that United had such a fine stadium. although I'd never say so. I preferred the dilapidated mish mash of stands that was Maine Road and the gallows humour on the terraces, but you couldn't help but agree that Old Trafford was a fantastic stadium.

The next time was the season before lockdown, when a mate who is a United fan offered me a ticket to watch the Derby in his sons seat, next to the Streford End. I was shocked. Whereas in 1996 Old Trafford seemed impressive, it was clearly falling apart. The whole place needed a lick of paint, the toilets were disgusting, the bar areas looked like a nuclear bunker, with massive queues for beers and the seats were tiny, a problem if like me you are 6'1 and can't move your legs. I've been to just about every London football ground and a few others, such as Anfield and I couldn't help but feel Old Trafford had become the worst to visit. This is nothing to do with the team. It's just that Arsenal, Spurs, Man City. Sunderland and Middlesborough have moved to better stadiums. Others such as Chelsea and Liverpool have at least kept their grounds ship shape and up to date. Even Watford has a better feel around the ground. There have been some rather poor schemes. I think that West Ham's adaption of the Olympic stadium is awful. Taking my blinkers off, Spurs is far and away the best stadium in the country now. It was designed with fans in mind and Spurs deserve a lot of kudos for getting many of the things right. The beer is not a rip off (As it is at Arsenal), the views and the acoustics are amazing and there was a real effort to keep fans together, a lesson they learned from Arsenal's move, where people who had sat together for decades were split up and the atmosphere suffered.

As for my club, Manchester City, when I first visited in the 2003/4 season I was horrified. I felt that City had destroyed the atmosphere. I didn't particularly enjoy the experience, and over the next few seasons, nothing really changed. There were the jibes from the United fans about the Emptihad and the Council House. When my son got to 10 and became interested, we started going far more regularly. The vibe has changed and now it is almost impossible to actually get tickets, unless it is an FA Cup game or an inconvenient time (evenings and late Sunday). For many of the games, the atmosphere rocks, in no small part down to the club making repeated efforts to improve the experience. In the 1980's, I regularly went to Maine Road, as my then girlfriend, now wife lived in Manchester. She went a few times to the game, but didn't enjoy it. Her view was that it was a lot of drunks, swearing and being aggressive. She wasn't really interested. A couple of years ago, we had a spare ticket for the City Vs Newcastle game. She came along and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and noted the lack of sweary drunks. In truth, the move broke up a lot of the hardcore fans who congregated and apart from behind the goals, the fans are a lot less animated. As a result it seems to me that there are far more women and families on the terraces. Whilst this is good for the clubs long term future and business development, there is a cost for old school fans like me. I suspect my son, who goes to most games I go to with me, would not feel comfortable at a 1970's match. The City of today is his normal.

When I went to Old Trafford, the atmosphere was like going back in a time machine. I realised that just about all of the fans had sat together for ever and so they had not really changed. It was far more blokey and sweary than City. The other thing, perhaps due to the lack of success, was that most of the chants seemed to be the same as you'd hear on Match of the Day in the 1980's. The whole place is stuck in a timewarp. 

At the end of last season, we saw the sight of water cascading through the roof. City fans have been taunting United about the state of the ground for a few years and it seems that they are right. Old Trafford really is falling down.

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The board that United are putting together has such figures as Seb Coe and Andy Burnham. For the Mayor, it is a huge opportunity for redevelopment, new homes and to keep Manchester on the map as the UK's football capital. The city has both the current most successful team in the land and the historically most successful one. Ensuring United do not fall apart is clearly important for the city. 

But what about the fans? What do they want? One thing is clear and that is that they don't matter in all of this. There are huge sums of money being talked about and a fortune to be made. Jim Ratcliffe may claim to be a Utd fan, but he's spent a billion quid and he wants a return. He thinks that the state should help develop a "Wembley of the North". This is all very well, but we already have a Wembley and other clubs fans will never celebrate a visit to Old Trafford in the way they celebrate a visit to neutral venue. In short, they don't want it. By all means, have other sports, gigs etc, but one Wembley is more than enough. Of course they want better amenities, comfier seats (for those that sit down) and nicer bars, but they have something special that City, Arsenal and Spurs don't. Grandads can sit down and say "I saw Georgie Best score in that goal". Of course, I am a dinosaur, but such things mean something to me and a lot of other fans. Whatever this board do, as a fan and without my City hat on, I hope United engage with fans and do more than lip service to keeping the vibe that makes Old Trafford special for them.

If they get it wrong and destroy the atmosphere, I suspect that a lot of people who've had season tickets for a very long time will give them up. If the team are not doing well, those seats might not be as easy to fill with a new generation of prawn sandwich munchers. I have a friend who's family had season tickets for Highbury since 1931, who gave them up after two seasons of The Emirates, as it "wasn't the same". He's not been since. 

And finally, I think the idea that the stadium redevelopment should be publicly funded as total neglect is the reason is it's dilapidated is obscene. There are far more important things for the Mayor of Manchester and the government to spend cash on. By all means make it easy to redevelop and work together to include social housing etc in the plan, but the Glazers do not deserve a penny in subsidy. 

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Do you think the Glazers are Manchester City fans in disguise?

 Yesterday must have been a truly miserable day for Man Utd fans. If they lost, well they lost to the team they used to perceive as their biggest title rivals when Sir Alex Ferguson was in his pomp. If they won, they'd more or less hand the title to the old enemy and the noisy neighbours Manchester City. Needless to say they lost. To make matters worse, the roof of their stadium leaked, turning the terraces into something resembling the rivers of Babylon.

The City fans have a chant to wind the reds up 

Old Trafford is Falling Down

Ten Hag is a F****ng clown

Glazers there for  ten more years

Man City are on the beers!

Watching the game yesterday, that came to mind. It really sums it up. A United Twitter account posted this

Rain didn't flood old Trafford. The Glazers did! #GlazersOut

We stop when they are gone! ✊️ pic.twitter.com/mToWF1LA1R

— Man United Fan Club (@manufcnow) May 13, 2024

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It makes me wonder whether the Glazers are really City fans, milking every last penny from Utd as they destroy the club. The more I watch the more it seems a plausable theory. 

Manchester United fans should be careful what they wish for

I have a confession to make. Yesterday morning I was gutted. I am a Manchester City fan and I had a feeling in my bones that Liverpool would do City a favour, beat Manchester United and deliver City their seventh Championship. Under normal circumstances, I would have been glued to the TV but, rather annoyingly, it was my wife's sisters birthday and I was under a three line whip to spend the afternoon at Arrabica in Borough Market, having lunch with her rather than watching a key match. I dearly love my sister in law, but her birthday is at an awful time for us football fans. Every year it seems I'm deprived of watching key games as we make the trip out. This year was no exception. At around 4.45pm, I started to nervously sneak a look at my phone. This is highly frowned upon by my wife and her family, as it seems they expect 100% attention during such events. I was shocked to learn that the game hadn't started. If I am being honest, I was quite pleased. I thought there was a chance I might catch the second half. As we all now know, it wasn't to be.

When I finally got home and saw the footage, I was quite shocked. When I heard there was a protest, I imagined a sit in on the pitch. What the footage showed was something altogether less tasteful. Injured police. Drunks dancing and taking selfies in the stadium and on the pitch. I 100% understand the feeling of Man Utd fans against the Glazers. They have no real allegiance to United. They have never really bought into what fans perceive as "The United Way". They clearly bought the club as the a cash cow, with the fans being milked. Just to make the whole thing even more galling, their 'noisy neighbours' have owners cut from a different cloth, who pump money in and  watch the Trophies line up. Whilst United fans may have put up with running second fiddle for a while to such a monster, given the huge cash bucket, their arch enemies Liverpool, also owned by Americans have been relatively successful, having emerged as the main threat to City in recent years. Even Leicester have won the Premiership since United last had the pot in the cupboard. 

Perhaps it is ironic that United are having one of their better post Fergie seasons. They are likely to finish as runners up and may win the Europa League. Although this is not really what United fans expect, it is a decent season. However what has really inflamed the fans is the seeming leading role of the Glazers and United in the European Super League proposal. There is a suspicion that this no relegation competition would mean the Glazers could invest even less money in the team and rely on a guaranteed income for 23 years. United fans know full well that the owners of City and Chelsea would be 100% committed to winning it, had it happened, they know that there are different dynamics at their own club. Of course Man Utd will always want to win Trophies, but the United fans believe that the Glazers won't pay the hard cash to make it happen, when they make just as much money with a relatively mediocre performance. Over the last 50 years, one of the unique selling points of being a United fan was the ability to gloat about the relative failure of City and Liverpool. That has all but gone. Older United fans remember different times, but anyone over 45 will really have only known success.

The Glazers have never really been accepted by the United fans. Whilst Fergie was in charge, the trophies kept rolling in and a lid could just about be kept on the ill feeling. The near decade of decline and the ESL simply proved too much.

As I watched the footage, I was genuinely disturbed. I think that the scenes of fans fighting with the police, smashing cameras, swigging beer and posing for selfies has done the genuine fans no good at all. I think everyone who cares about football would sympathise with the protestors, but when they see those scene's, hear of police being slashed with bottles and hear that the teams pre match hotel was also the target of protests, it seems that it is getting out of hand and isn't aimed at the Glazers.

I would urge all Manchester United fans to think long and hard about what they really want. I've spoken to a couple recently who said that the club is a great business, lumbered with debts by greedy owners. The problem is that the Glazers will not write of a near half billion pounds of debt. If they are to withdraw they will want top dollar. A fans consortium is never going to raise the cash to buy them out. 

The protests will scare off many potential buyers. There are very few organisations that could afford Man Utd. If the multiple mega sponsors get spooked by the protests and the Glazers can't sell it, then the United fans could find themselves in a very difficult position. It isn't clear to me that a mega rich Sheik or another Abramovich type character will necessarily see Utd as a great proposition. You'd have to give half a billion to the Glazers to clear the debt, before you even start to meet their valuation. You aren't going to have a bunch of fans who will love you. The fans of City and Chelsea recognise that their owners have elevated the teams beyond their wildest dreams. If United won the everything every year, their fans would simply think they were back where they should be. There would be little love or thanks. If results didn't meet expectations, it may very quickly turn toxic. 

So who would be prepared to take United on? My bet would be on a very Glazer like organisation. One which would be prepared to tough out the protests, one who would be prepared to see through an ESL style proposal. One who would say to the United fans "If you don't like us, we'll play somewhere that the fans do like us". To English football fans, the concept of 'franchises' is abhorrent. To American owners, it is a way of life. There are plenty of vulture type organisations, more than happy to take on a project like United, seeing its huge potential. Many would see it as a short term opportunity. Buy it cheap, come in as saviours, sell it on ASAP when the smell of the Glazers regime has faded. All the time, United will be falling behind their rivals both in the Premiership and abroad. 

At the moments, United are still an extremely valuable brand in the eyes of the marketing men. That's why they generate so much cash from sponsors. That is based on being good, wholesome family entertainment. I can't see any way that yesterdays events haven't damaged that. Every Utd sponsor knows that across the globe, people turned on the telly to see an exciting game of football, but instead saw fat blokes fighting with the police, swigging lager and taking selfies. For me, it reminded me of the United fans smashing up the ground of Norwich City in 1977. Whilst the motivation was different and probably at its roots quite worthy, the images can only damage United. The reason United can attract the likes of Bruno Fernandez and Paul Pogba is the hundreds of millions they raise from their sponsors. Scare them off and things might start to be very different. Much as the Glazers may be hated, they've kept the cash rolling in. If it was to stop, the mercenaries would soon be off to fight elsewhere. 

Football is at a crossroads, I'd say that this would be a very bad time for any club to go into financial decline. The ESL fiasco has alienated many neutral fans from the big six. None would be too upset to see all of the big six given points deductions or even relegations. If the dirty half dozen found themselves in the Championship next year, only three could come back straight away. Would your money be on UTD, I'm not sure mine would. The likes of Fernandez and Pogba would be out of town before you could blink. 

The sad truth for United is that with the ESL, the Glazers let a genie out of the bottle. Sadly for them, the Genie wasn't interested in granting them their three wishes. I am not sure what Utd fans would realistically see as a good outcome from here. Who do they want to replace the owners? What have the protests done for the brand, which pays the wages? If I was them, I'd be very careful what they wish for. Having wanted the Glazers out for the best part of two decades, they might find that frying pan was more comfortable than the fire will be. In truth, I despair for football right now. It took a long time to recover from the hooliganism of the 70's and 80's. I suspect that a hell of a lot of Premier league executives had a very poor nights sleep last night. This time last year, I was wondering if Covid would kill off football. Now it seems something far worse might do the trick. Bare greed. The Glazers have created a monster. It might just eat them and take the club with them. I can't see an outcome from all of this that the Utd fans will find acceptable. Whilst I can enjoy the discomfort of Utd fans, the bigger picture is that this will be very bad for English football all around. I'm old enough to recall when English clubs were banned completely. Given that both European tournaments might end up being contested by English clubs, nothing would surprise me less than UEFA finding a pretext to ban us again

Manchester United 1 - 2 Manchester City - The most expensive game in the world

I'm biased. I've supported Manchester City since 1968 and so when it comes down to it, I'm highly chuffed to see such a result. In yesterday mornings Times newspaper, every single pundit predicted a United win or a draw. To see City play United off the park was a pleasure to behold. To me, it seemed like football vs anti football. City tried to make openings through creative play, United tried to lump the ball up to the big men and hope City's new goalkeeper Claudio Brava would make more than one serious mistake. The battle was waged between the two alleged best managers in the world. Both have a stack of medals in their cabinet for various Champions League, Domestic League and cup competitions. Strangely for smeone with such a reputation, Mourinho defied logic by not starting with Markus Rashford, who seems to terrify the living daylights out of opponenents. I suspect that Mourinho's logic was that he was there if he was needed. Within 20 minutes, it was pretty clear he was desperately needed. For such an expensive squad, with such a high profile manager, United seemed to  completely forget how to play football. Jesse Linguard seemed unable to pass or control a ball. Paul Pogba, the most expensive player in the league, seemed to forget what role he was playing or the basic rule that if you are a midfielder and your team hasn't got the ball, you have to chase back and keep your shape. Daley Blind seemed to be intent on doing an impersonation of a traffic cone, as Kevin DeBruyne simply ran past him and scored.

As for City, the team seems 100% improved on last year. They have picked up more points from all of the games they've played this season than the corresponding game last year. This fixture was a 0-0 bore draw. Yesterdays game was anything but. Mourinho took the half time break to make subsitutions and reorganise. United came out for the second half with a renewed sense of purpose. They looked to make a game of it and were unlucky not to have a penalty. Mourinho, as his is way, blamed the ref for unjust decisions, omitting to mention that a couple of his players could also have been sent off.

I saw estimates that 900 million people were watching the game and that it was the most watched ever match. It is fair to say that the audience would have seen a cracking game and got value for money. Whilst there is no way you can really justify the ridiculous sums footballers get paid or cost to be transferred, there is no argument that the game commands the money and generates the wealth. Manchester City have been turned around and regenerated by the huge wealth of Arab investors. They have not only put money into players, but into the academy, the club and the area. They are a model of ethical investment. Uniteds owners are Americans with a commercial agenda to generate as much money as possible from the club. The relative lack of investment in United as resulted in a sharp decline since the heady days of Alex Ferguson, with United missing out on the Champions League last season. The owners, realising that they needed to address this, have gambled on Mourinho and big name players to revive their fortunes.

It was rather sad to see United start with only two British players, and that was Luke Shaw, who came via Southampton and Wayne Rooney. Rooney seems to have lost his ability to change the course of big games. In fact, only Markus Rashford, an academy player, seems to scare opponents. It looked to me very much as if Manchester United are playground bullies. They will turn over lesser teams with their physical players and big names, but they are no nearer being the real deal than they have been since Ferguson left. Of course Mourinho has only had four Premiership games and he will have learned a lot about his squad yesterday. I can only really see United improving. I think they'll be back in the Champions League and may also pick up a pot.

As for City, it is also early days. The team seem to be working hard and seem to understand what Guardiola want. Players who looked decidedly iffy last season, such as Ottamendi and Kolarov are thriving. United had a real opportunity yesterday, with Aguero and Kompany out of the team. When these two are back, City can only improve. There is huge debate about the goalkeeper. It is fair to say City fans love Joe Hart and for the fans, the jury is out on Claudio Bravo. Guardiola has no such doubts. His philospohy is that a ball playing goalkeeper gives you an extra man. Anyone who watched the first 40 minutes of the match would have noted that City looked like they had the exta man. The pundits noted that every Premier club manager will have noted that there is a question mark on crosses and City can expect to get bombarded. I suspect that Guardiola is not too concerned about this. His view is that if you have the ball, you won't have to worry about crosses. I suspect that at Christmas, we'll have a clearer picture. Like United, City had 2 English players. Sterling and Stones, both of whom have seemed to flourish under Guardiola. Both are expensive imports from the Merseyside clubs. I suspect that both will continue to consierably improve, which hopefully will be good for England. Both had one of their quieter games, but it is all part of their learning process.

So what have we learned from the most expensive game of football in the world. It would seem that if you get the two best managers in the world and the two most expensive squads, you will get a pretty compelling game of football. Mind you, I've watched my son play for Watling Youth Under 13's in the rain in Cressingham Park and seen some damn fine football there as well. Football is a funny old game. I just hope that in a couple of years time, we see a few more products of the excellent United and City academies on the pitch. Both Rashford and Kelechi Iheanacho are acedemy products and both seem to be able to influence games. My hope is that the best managers can bing more out of the academies best. I suspect that City will buy another centre forward in the next transfer window as this is one area that they seem short in. Lets hope that doesn't freeze Kelechi Iheanacho out in the way that seems to be happening with Rashford. I must say that Rashford does seem to be making a statement, which Mourinho can't ignore for much longer.

The Saturday List #67 - The ten fatal mistakes that have doomed Manchester United

This morning there are further reports that Lois Van Gaal has stated that things can only get worse for Manchester United before they get better. Is this kidology or is it a frank acknowledgement of the scale of the crisis facing Manchester United. One has to ask how things could get this bad this quick. This time last year, they were Champions. They have spent more money than any other premiership club and they have a manager who took his team to the brink of winning the world cup.

In truth though, the situation is not something that happened overnight. The crisis has been building up for several years. Here are the fatal mistakes that United have made.

1. Underinvestment in the squad under Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie worked a miracle winning the league two years ago, but he did it with a threadbare squad. Bringing in Van Persie was the catalyst that allowed the feat to be pulled off, but it was clear to everyone that United had an ageing defence and midfield. With Scholes, Giggs, Evra, Ferdinand and Vidic getting long in the tooth, all should have been replaced by then, or at least have credible replacements lined up. Take that out of the League winning team and you don't have a team.

2. Bad succession planning in the business. It was clear that Fergie would go at some point. To lose the Chief Exec at the same time was catastrophic. All businesses need  a degree of continuity in their team. United lost the plot, by allowing themselves to get into this situation.

3. Flawed process for appointing a new manager. United are one of the worlds top brands. They could have their pick of managers. It seems the process was that they simply let Fergie pick a name out of the hat. Worse than that, they picked a manager with no trophies and no Champoins league experience.

4. Bad signings. We listed the five key players who were past their sell by date. They replaced none of them, instead indulving Moyes by signing Fellani, a player they didn't need and who doesn't fit in. It was clear what United needed, they left it too late and picked the wrong players.

5. Inept clearout of backroom staff. The first act of Moyes was a clearout of backroom staff such as Mike Phelan. As such he had no one around who could offer any insight into how to get the best out of the players, why things may not be working.

6. Ineptitude in conducting transfer business. The debacle of the attempt to sign Leighton Baines and Fellani showed the world that United were there for the taking. This has resulted in them paying top dollar for all subsequent signings such as Di Maria and Mata signings.

7. Panic buys in the transfer window. When it was clear that it was going wrong under Moyes, United made the classic mistake of a big name panic buy, bring Juan Mata to the club. Whilst it is true that you can't have enough great players, Mata addressed none of Uniteds problems and unsettled the existing attackers.

8. Showing a lack of class in sacking Moyes. United sacked Moyes the day after they technically couldn't qualify for the Champions League. This was done to save the compensation bill. This type of behaviour saves money in the short term, but in the long term sets down a marker which shows the club are more interested in bean counting than running a football club. Ryan Giggs was brought in as a temporary manager to get the club through to the end of the season. Whilst this may have given him a bit of experience and may assist him in his ongoing role at the club, the whole sorry episode tarnished United.

9. Lack of planning for managerial appointment. Whilst Louis Van Gaal is an excellent manager, with a great track record, given the mess United are in, I believe he was the wrong appointment. The reason is simple. United needed a root and branch rebuilding. the timing of the sacking of Moyes showed that they had clearly been planning the change. They chose someone who couldn't come in until almost the end of the Pre Season. With Van Gaal being totally wrapped up in the World Cup, the pre season was wasted. Had they brough a new manager in when Moyes was sacked, they could have gone into the pre season with somone who'd actually seen the players in action. Transfer targets would be identified and the players could be prepared. As it is, Van Gaal turned up and half the squad were missing. I believe his current predicament is caused by the fact that when the real business started, he hadn't got a clue what his squad could actually do. As such, by the time the transfer window reopens and he actually knows what he needs, United may again be out of the chase for a Champions league place.

10. Chosen the wrong man again? It is too early to say, but for me the signs are not good. In the first point, I listed the players United need to replace. You could argue that Di Maria may be a suitable replacement for Ryan Giggs. That still leaves the other four to replace. Not only that, but Van Gaal has tried to implement a 3-4-3 system with players who clearly are not up to it. Watching the first three games, it was clear to me that the players look terrified. Johnny Evans looked particularly uncomfortable against the mighty MK Dons. Van Gaal has a rep as a stern disciplinarian, to me it looked as if the United defence were scared stiff of making mistakes, so were nervous and jumpy. In the opening PL games, on numerous occasions defenders would receive the ball in space and simply look for a quick sideways pass. Under Fergie in their pomp, they would drive forward and create space elsewhere. Another disturbing feature of Van Gaal is the way he publicly attacked Luke Shaw. Shaw is a young player with a lot of expectation. His manager has put the boot in. How will this help build him up. I cannot imagine Ferguson making such a statement ever. I also think that Van Gaals statements about United not being fit for purpose don't help his cause. Other teams are losing their fear of facing United and these sort of statements don't help. It also undermines his existing players. How must they feel?

Of course, I'm a City fan so I find it hilarious, but that is really by the by. I don't think a single thing I've said hasn't been mentioned by friends who are on the dark side of the football divide.

Champions League Final 2010-2011 - Football was the winner !

When the playoffs are finished, we'll announce our season awards. It has been a truly memorable season. Last nights Champions League final was a display of how to play proper football. Barcelona were truly awesome and played Manchester United off the park. It was truly a privilige to watch such a performance. Often finals have failed to spark, but last nights match was a classic. The statistics do not lie. Barca passed the ball around United for virtually the whole match. United had the first five minutes and Rooney scored a superb goal, but for the rest of the game, they were chasing shadows. How do you play against such a team? I suspect that Sir Alex Ferguson won't be the only manager having nightmares last night. I can't imagine that Jose Mourinho was too chuffed with what happened.

Sir Alex hasn't enjoyed his two visits to Wembley in 2011. United were 2nd best in both games. At the FA Cup Semi final, United started well and could have scored twice in the first 25 minutes, but then looked tired and jaded and ultimately couldn't cope with the physical power of a Manchester City team, who simply looked like they wanted it more. Last night, United again started well, but this lasted about five minutes. In the cold light of day, United have had a good season. They won the premiership, came runners up in the champions league and the Glaziers have undoubtedly banked a few hundred million more. The dilemma for the Glaziers is what next. Even if they gave Sir Alex £200 million, would they get anywhere near Barca any time soon? I doubt it.  Fergie's last target, to overhaul Liverpool's total of five European Cups looks as elusive as ever.

Realistically, the only team who might have stopped Barca this season were Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid. After the Spanish cup final, I thought this was a realistic possibility. Fortunately in the battle between Football and Anti Football, Football won and Real got a well deserved spanking. At least United tried to play football, even though it did them no good whatsoever. If you are going to get a hiding, at least do it with dignity.

Perhaps the most ominous thing for the rest of football is that this Barca team look as if they are only just starting. There was talk the Guardiola may leave Barca. If he does, unless he wants to start a career outside football, he must be mad. Would anyone bet against Barca being the first team to retain the trophy in the Champions League era?

So what message does last nights match send to the rest of Football? Hopefully to play the game properly. Pass the ball to feet, play with your head up, keep moving and play the game in the right spirit. I can't remember a single occasion where the physio was on the pitch giving treatment following a bad tackle. Even more pleasing was the lack of hystrionics and rolling around on the floor. All of the goals came from open play, rather than well drilled set pieces. I just hope that some of the billionaires and oligarcs look at the match, look how Barca have evolved and realise that such a team cannot be built overnight. Last year was not Barca's year in the Champions League, but they stuck by Guardiola. Look what happened.

An appreciation of Ryan Giggs

As the football season draws to a close, it is time for the Barnet Eye to declare it's player of the year. We will officially announce this prestigious award next week, but we will look at the possible candidates in the run up. Unlike many player of the year awards, here at the Barnet Eye, we actually wait until the end of the season, but there is no harm in looking at the candidates. First up, we have (shock and horror) - none other than Ryan Giggs, Manchester United perennial winger.

At the ripe old age of 37, Mr Giggs has had a sublime system, being United's most consistent performer. His performances away from home have been especially eye catching, winning him a whole new set of admirers across the globe. Some have attributed Ryan Giggs extended career to his practise of yoga. Mr Giggs has not said what his favourite yoga position is. Rumour has it that he's very adept at "The Downward Dog".

Others have suggested that his happy home life may have helped keep him out of the troubles which have affected many of his contemporaries. Mr Giggs retired from international football in 2007. Many of his fellow countrymen have missed the sight of him, banging them in and would love to see him come home and score a few more times before he retires.

As a Manchester City fan, many of my readers of the Barnet Eye may be suprised to see Ryan Giggs nominated for our Player of the Year award. You'd be wrong. Ryan Giggs behaviour, loyalty and honesty exemplifies everything which Manchester City fans love about Manchester United and hope that he carries on entertaining us for many years to come.

FA Cup Semi Final - Manchester City 1 - 0 Manchester United

Thanks to a good friend who happened to have the Wembley debenture, I was able to attend the FA Cup Semi final, in the Bobby Moore club area with my 10 year old son. As City fans, given our recent form against United it is fair to say, I approached with a degree of trepidation. My wife dropped us off by Brent Town hall at 4pm and we commenced the walk to Wembley. As we walked down, we saw a huge group of United flats "celebrating" on a green outside some flats. They were in high spirits, drinking lager, letting off flares, singing obscene songs about City and how they were going to stuff them as usual. Then past the pub at the top of the Wembley approach. Again not a City fan in sight. Matt asked "Do you think any City fans are coming?" I reassurred him "Yes, we'll have just as many in the stadium". Again more celebration.

As we walked up Wembley way to the stadium, the City fans started to appear. To me, nothing is better than the feeling of approaching the stadium. The smells of the burger vans, the tense energy, the banter. Wembley has one of the best approaches in the world, it looms large over you. Again the United fans were celebratory, the City fans discernably tenser. The noise from inside the stadium again rose as we approached. One young lad, possibly 12 years old, broke away from the United fans (walking on the left) to abuse a young city fan the same age on the right. The City fan responded with "Piss off you chav" and the United lad disappeared back into the red mob.

We arrived at the Bobby Moore Club entrance. Unlike the rest of the stadium, the Bobby Moore club is a "Neutral Zone" - no team shirts. As such a rather odd atmosphere pervaded. The odd scarf, logo'd T-shirt. I had a pint of Carlsberg, Matt had a medium coke and we shared 10 mini donuts. That set us back £10.80. I really object to the way fans are fleeced at such events. It is truly obscene to blatently rip people off.

Having savoured them in the lounge, we made our way to our seats. We were at the very top of the Bobby Moore club area, back row. Above us was the corporate area. As I looked up, I couldn't believe my eyes, standing right behind me were City legends Gary Owen and Tony Book. I instinctively waved to Gary, who immediately came over and started chatting. Not only was he one of the best footballers of his generation, Gary is a true footballing man and a die hard City fan. When I told him that it was Matt's first derby, he said "Well today you are going to see City beat United at Wembley. You are our lucky mascot". Gary told us that he thought the idea that the fans in the Bobby Moore area were neutral was crazy. He said "how can you be neutral when City play United". Gary, like me clearly couldn't relax. He predicted "This is the day that we beat them and we move on to the next phase at this club".  Suddenly the mystery of where all the City fans were, became clear.Rather than standing in pubs or on grass verges quaffing lager by the gallon, they'd got to the ground early to soak up the atmosphere. Maybe the United fans are jaded by their success, but the party atmosphere in the ground in the City end (flags, inflatable bananas, celebratory songs) marked a huge contrast. Matt commented that the City fans certainly seemed to know how to enjoy themselves.

As the game started, United dominated the early exchanges. Joe Hart saved City when Berbatov was clean through. Ten seconds later, Berbatov, put it over the bar from two yards out. I said to Matt "I think it might be our day". After about 30 minutes, Zabaletta put a great tackle in. That seemed to lift City and they started to play. Barry hit the side netting, Balotelli forced a great save from Van Der Sar. The half ended with City on top.

At half time, Gary Owen, who couldn't sit still came over for another chat. I said "I think we'll do it, possibly two/nil" Gary responded "No, one goal will do it, I think we'll score at around the hour" (proof, if ever it was needed that Gary Owen knows more about football than Rog T). The half started, City came out and started to boss the game. The players had the belief that was lacking in the first half hour. United players were being hassled and harried. On 52  minutes the pressure paid off. Yaya Toure capitalised on a Carrick mistake. Beating Vidic, he put the ball through Van Der Sar's legs. City suddenly seemed to be playing as if they had an extra man. United were hassled and harried and hardly got a look in. The only real scare came when the hassling got  a bit too exhuberant. Nani took a fantastic free kick. Joe Hart showed why he's undisputedly England No 1, tipping the ball onto the post.

On 73 minutes, United went down to 10 men , when a rash Scholes tackle on Zabaleta earned him a red card. I suspect Scholes new the game was up and didn't fancy hanging around till the end. Normally when United are down, the last 10 minutes is  a surge of attacks, wave upon wave. They seemed strangely muted.  When the ref announced 5 mins of extra time, there was a cheer from the Red end, but in truth they'd already started heading for the exit.

When the whistle blew, the City end erupted. Gary Owen vaulted over the barrier from the corporate area to be closer to the real City fans. Passing, we shook hands and he said "See you at the final". We sang Blue Moon and joined in to a Slade track on the PA. The City fans applauded the Team. The Team applauded the fans. I said to Matt "Enjoy this, these moments don't come along too often".

Then we left the Stadium, as we descended the walkway towards Wembley park, a group of middle aged United fans (probably about six people) ran towards the City fans and started fighting. The City fans by and large didn't react, other than to defend themselves. People shouted "Where's the Police" and others shouted "We've won, they can't take it". Suddenly a group of police stormed up. Given that the United fans were not wearing any colours, I've no idea if they got caught. It all seemed rather pathetic. Many City fans had children, and one guy said to me "You''d think at their age they'd know better". Sadly I think some people never will.

As we walked back to the 302 bus stop at Blackbird Hill, we walked past the spot where the United fans had been celebrating earlier, letting off flares. All that remained was a sea of plastic bags, beer cans and other detritus. It seemed to sum up their day. Looking at the forlorn mess, Matt commented to me "Now I know why you don't like Man United fans" - Indeed.

Wayne Rooney and the day Fergie blinked

On Thursday night, I was having a beer with my five a side football friends and the Man United mob amongst them were telling me Wayne Rooney was past it and that Manchester City would be wasting a kings ransom on his signing. They pointed out that he's played rubbish since March, his minds not on football and he's not scoring any goals, the main function of a striker. By Friday lunchtime, they'd all emailed me gloating that Manchester United had signed a new £60 million deal with him.

At the moment Rooney is crocked, so United fans will have to wait a few weeks to see if their new signing can turn the team around. Football fans are a fickle bunch. If Rooney's comeback on double bubble money is heralded by a few rather mediocre performances, will they welcome the prodigal son. We all know from his reaction to the England boos exactly how much Mr Rooney likes getting stick. His reasons for wanting out were that Man United lacked ambition. Now Rooney has ensured that United, technically bankrupt, have even less cash in the pot for new signings. In the past fans would greet players who left for richer pastures with cries of "There's only one greedy B****d". What happens when someone pulls a Rooney. The other question is how all of his team mates (and more importantly their agents) will react.

Which brings us back to Sir Alex Ferguson (or old rednose as he's known here). He was caught between a rock and  a hard place. Let Rooney go and prove United lack ambition and have thrown in the towel, trying to keep up with City and Chelsea or break the bank to keep Rooney and hope something comes up. His problem is that the rest of the team now know that old Rednose can be "played". Just keeping the existing team will cost him. Rooney was his crown jewel and had he cashed it in, there would have been funds to buy three other players. Old Rednose probably correctly realised that had Rooney gone, the Glaziers would have pocketed the cash, so he'd be even worse off. United have not suddenly become a bad team. I expect them to finish in the top three, but who knows how the Rooney situation may affect the players. If it all goes horribly wrong and they are hit by a string of demands as other players try and cash in, it could spell disaster. Should United miss out on the Champions League, then it would be nearly impossible for the Glaziers to pay their bank overdraft. I'm sure that there will always be someone who would ultimately bale Manchester United out and any new owner would have to be seriously rich. Having said that it might take a few years and a new manager or two to get the wheels back on the wagon.

As time goes on, I realise that my love for the game is balanced by my disgust at the way the game is run. Much as I hate Manchester United as a team, it cannot be right that at the end of the day all of this is bankrolled by parents of young boys who look up to these greedy mercenaries. This morning I'll go to Cressingham Park to watch my son play football for the Watling FC under elevens. That is how football is at it's best. Sadly I think that Premiership has completely lost all connection with the people who pay the bills and that can only be bad.

Manchester United and the death of football

First up, I'll put my cards on the table. I'm a Manchester City FC fan. I don't like Man United. Having said that, what I'm going to say next is in no way influenced by this prejudice. I love football. I've said many times that I'd watch two three legged dogs kick a ball around Mill Hill park. The team I most enjoy watching play right now are Watling FC under 10's who my son plays for. This is real football for the purist. Standing in the freezing rain, kicking every kick, for the love of the game. Sadly the biggest football club in the world is run for completely different reasons. When the Glazers were children, did they want to pull on a Red shirt and score the winner in the FA cup final at Wembley? I doubt it. I doubt they even knew what Wembley was until a few years ago.

The last trophy Manchester City won was the League cup in 1976. The winning goal was a bicycle kick by Dennis Tueart. I wanted to be Dennis Tueart. I wanted to win a cup with a bicycle kick. I'm sure that Man U fans have their moments too. The point is that the Glazers don't. To them it is just business. The players are a commodity. Old Trafford is an assett. Old rednose (Sir Alex Ferguson to you impartial fans) says nice things about them, but only because he has to. The club generates more money than any other club on the planet, yet they cannot compete in the transfer market. The excuse is that they won't pay inflated transfer fees, but whilst owners of clubs such as City plough money in, the owners of United take money out. I'm sure the sheiks at City never even thought of owning the club until recently and probably weren't aware of it either. That's not the point. They want to live the dream. They live in a place where there really aren't any great sports clubs. My guess is that they love football. Do the Glazers? I doubt it. Do you really think they'd rather watch Man U than the Tampa Bay Bronco's or whatever they are called? To them, the club is just a cash cow. When players are signed (or let go) the effects on shirt sales is a big consideration. Fergie is no fool. He knows he needs a couple of decent defenders, but these are not glamour players. I suspect that the beancounters won't sanction it. A super sexy striker, who will improve the brand - no problem, but a Japp Stam lookalike who could win the League - forget it.

It was suggested to me that a reason for Tevez being sold was because he was ugly and this damaged the brand. I've no idea whether it's true, but Uniteds loss is most certainly City's gain. Fergie felt £30 Million was good value for Berbatov, but £25 Million bad value for Tevez? Given that he'd taken Tevez on in the first place, is he saying Tevez got worse at United?

What really upsets me is the fact that Football is THE sport in this country. Much as I don't like them, United are THE club. They are being run purely to line the pockets of a few overseas chancers, who don't love the game and have no respect for the supporters. By the day, they diminsh the achievements of  old Rednose. I doubt that United will completely fall apart any time soon. That isn't what worries me. What worries me is the fact that greedy B******Ds like the Glazers are taking money out of the game. This money comes from the pockets (mainly) of ordinary mums and dads who are struggling to make ends meet in a recession. Many have been priced out of actually watching games. I guess that people could possibly stomach these inflated costs if it is to pay for a Ronaldo, but they cashed him in. It seems to me that it's just going to line the pockets of wealthy men who care nothing for our national game. In truth I despise the system of the Premiership, the Champions League, the big four. It's not because City are not currently big players, it's just that in the 60's/ 70's/ 80's a team could emerge, with good management and win the European Cup (Villa and Forest). That won't happen again any time soon. What does this do? It kills the dream. The only hope for supporters of outsider teams, such as myself, is that a very rich benefactor comes along and burns money to fuel success. Is that what the dream has come to? I used to read "Roy of The Rovers". There would be stories about non league teams winning the FA Cup. Boys suddenly playing for the champions, after  scoring great goals at the park. All nonsense I know. The thing is, that was the dream. That dream is dead and I personally think that The Glazers killed it.

Manchester United supporters

I'm a Manchester City Fan. I have been since 1968, when we won the league. Living in London, I don't get to see them as often as I'd like. The last time was the 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield last season. It's been a tough journey. The only time I've seen them lift silverware was at the 2nd Division Play off final against Gillingham. I did make the classic 3-2 cup final defeat to Spurs way back in the early eighties. The rest of the family are mostly United fans (apart from my wise nephew Sasha).

City fans have a great gallows humour, we savour victory, we don't take anything for granted. When City became the worlds richest club, I like many City fans immediately expected a Gulf Oil crisis whereby our benefactor went bust. Did he really know what he was buying? All City fans know that there is a gipsy curse on the club, which see's our dreams turn to ashes on a regular basis. I recall the Maine Road Massacre, where we stuffed United 5-1. Oh how we sniggered as we gleefully waited for old Rednose (Fergie to you) to get the boot. That went well.

Well, soon a new season starts and a Blue moon is rising.

Which brings me to the subject of my Ire. Manchester United fans. Whilst City fans do a great line in self depreciating humour, all we get from Reds (or the scum as we lovingly know them) are boasts. Where we sing Blue moon in melancholy, they struggle to chant "United". Even the spawn of Satan himself, Roy Keane, complained about the "prawn sandwich brigade". I was discussing this recently with Guigsy, former Oasis bassplayer. He told me that football has never been about winning, it's about belonging. Supporting City is about wingers storming down, highs, lows, cheers & tears - emotions. Talk to a United fan, it's about stats and facts. In the 1950's boys liked to collect train numbers. Now they become United fans & collect championships & match stats. If I had a pound for every time a United fan had said "why do you support City, they are useless" I'd be rich. I retort "If United became unsuccessful, would you stop supporting them" - The smug, arrogant response is always "Well that isn't going to happen".

I've got family & friends who I love who support United. I don't hate their fans. I do however find that there's rather too many of them who are smug, arrogant, unpleasant, boastful and boring. They could do with a goodly period of failure, sackcloth and ashes, to reconnect with their emotions. To paraphrase Slaine Mac Roth "The Ryman League would not seems too low".

To all my United supporting readers who I've offended by this rant. I'm sure you guys are among the nice ones. It isn't personal (mostly).