Manchester United’s legacy sparks fierce debates among fans and pundits. A United legend recently compared the achievements of Jurgen Klopp and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Many supporters blame Ferguson’s 2013 exit for leaving an aging squad in decline.
Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed decades of dominance at Old Trafford. Fans still cherish his era and the world-class players he built his team around. Club insiders now dismiss those glory days and insist that clinging to past successes only adds pressure on the current squad.
Club chiefs have taken bold, decisive steps to move forward. Sir Jim Ratcliffe removed Ferguson from his ambassador role after 2013. United now face financial challenges while trying to rebuild a struggling team. The club has won only five trophies since Ferguson left—four domestic cups and the Europa League—while the Premier League title, which they have claimed 20 times, remains a distant dream.
Ferguson and CEO David Gill once planned United’s success with careful precision. They made smart signings and nurtured the club’s best talent. After their exit, United wasted nearly £700m on transfers over five seasons. The club splurged on Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Alexis Sanchez, and Romelu Lukaku. Big salaries and marquee signings could not restore the club’s former shine.
United legend Wayne Rooney sharply criticized the club’s misdirection. He once declined a lucrative contract of £200,000 a week. Rooney insisted that success on the pitch mattered more than personal earnings. He argued that Ferguson knew the club’s future and left before things fell apart. His words echo deep frustration with United’s current state.
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Football pundit Gary Lineker drew clear comparisons with Liverpool. He praised Jurgen Klopp for leaving his club in superb condition. Lineker noted that Liverpool now benefits from a strong structure under Arne Slot. In contrast, United struggled with an aging squad and an unproductive academy.
Former striker Rio Ferdinand added his voice to the debate. He reminded fans that United won the league by 11 points in 2012-13. Since then, poor recruitment has plagued the club. Ferdinand dismissed claims that “The Boss” alone bears the blame.
He noted that the club’s transfer spending nears £1bn since the 2014-15 season. After Ferguson’s exit, he hand-picked David Moyes as his successor, but Moyes proved to be one of United’s worst choices. Now, Ruben Amorim struggles to lift a mid-table squad in dire need of a rebuild.
Jurgen Klopp built a modern empire at Liverpool with steady planning. He promoted youth talent and crafted a forward line that constantly improves. Klopp invested wisely in nurturing prospects and upgrading his squad. Liverpool thrived on modest net spending and continuous improvement. United’s failure to plan for the future continues to haunt them, while Klopp’s blueprint stands as a model for sustainable success.
