Manchester United’s Struggles: How the Red Devils Lost Their Identity

Once a dominant force in English football, Manchester United now finds itself trapped in a cycle of mediocrity, inconsistency, and false dawns. From boardroom blunders to on-field disappointments, the club’s struggles run deep. So, how did United fall this far, and can they ever return to the top?

The Post-Ferguson Downfall: A Legacy Mismanaged

When Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, Manchester United didn’t just lose a manager; they lost their backbone. Ferguson had built a winning machine, one that thrived on discipline, long-term planning, and an unbreakable mentality. But his departure exposed just how unprepared the club was for life without him.

David Moyes, handpicked as Ferguson’s successor, was given a six-year contract but was sacked before completing his first season. What followed was a managerial merry-go-round—Van Gaal, Mourinho, Solskjaer, Rangnick, and Ten Hag—all with different philosophies, different transfer strategies, and little continuity.

Each manager left behind a squad filled with mismatched players signed under conflicting tactical systems. There was no clear footballing identity, no long-term vision, and no sense of direction.

Wasted Millions: Poor Recruitment and Overpaid Underperformers

Despite spending over £1.5 billion since Ferguson’s retirement, United’s transfer business has been nothing short of disastrous. Big-money flops like Angel Di Maria, Romelu Lukaku, Jadon Sancho, and Antony highlight the club’s inability to buy players suited to their needs.

Failed Rebuilds – 

Every new manager has demanded a different kind of squad, leading to a bloated and unbalanced team.

Overpaid Stars – 

Players like Casemiro, Raphael Varane, and Sancho were given massive wages but failed to deliver consistent performances.

Lack of Structure – 

Unlike clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool, where scouting and recruitment are streamlined, United’s signings often seem random and panic-driven.

Even in the 2024/25 season, Ten Hag struggled to find the right balance, often fielding players out of position while dealing with an injury crisis that exposed the lack of squad depth.

The Tactical Chaos: A Team Without an Identity

At their peak, Manchester United had a clear playing style—fast, attacking football with relentless pressing. Today, the team lacks any distinctive tactical approach.

Under Ten Hag, there were flashes of progress, especially during the 2022/23 Carabao Cup-winning campaign, but the momentum faded as defensive weaknesses, lack of midfield control, and attacking inefficiency were repeatedly exposed. The 2024/25 season saw:

✅ A shaky defense leaking goals in crucial games
✅ A midfield lacking creativity and control
✅ An attack overly dependent on moments of individual brilliance

Despite having talents like Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Højlund, United often looked disjointed, slow, and predictable—completely unrecognizable from the ruthless teams of the past.

Ownership Drama and the Ratcliffe Era

For years, United fans blamed the Glazers for the club’s decline, citing poor decision-making, debt-driven operations, and a lack of footballing vision. But the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a co-owner in early 2025 hasn’t yet solved all their problems.

Ratcliffe promised a new era of accountability and structure, yet his initial months saw:

🔴 Erik ten Hag sacked after a poor start in October 2024
🔴 Inconsistent performances under an interim manager
🔴 No significant improvements in the January transfer window

While Ratcliffe acknowledges the need for change, the club is still in transition. But could his next big decision—the appointment of Ruben Amorim as manager for 2025/26—finally turn things around?

🔥 In Part 2: Can Ruben Amorim Be United’s Saviour?

United fans have seen many false dawns before, but with the right approach, could Amorim be the one to finally restore 

the club’s lost identity? Let’s dive into what the future holds.

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