Sir Alex Ferguson &#8211; CaughtOffside

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“A new training ground won’t matter if this team isn’t a challenger for the #PL each year!”

“In terms of new recruitment, I’m not sure Sir Alex is the person whose input we need.” ?

Hugh Woozencroft argues Ratcliffe shouldn’t work with Sir Alex Ferguson in #MUFC rehaul. pic.twitter.com/syAbefPznS

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) November 17, 2023

Manchester United currently sit 6th in the Premier League on 21 points, winning seven and losing five games in their opening 12 league fixtures.

However the club have had some terrible results already this season, with many fans losing patience. United have only scored 13 goals over the 12 games, and have conceded 16 giving them a goal difference of -3.

Losses against the likes of Copenhagen, Crystal Palace and Brighton have surprised many, as well as suffering losses against Arsenal and Manchester City.

United will face Everton after the international break at Goodison Park, before a tricky start to December, facing Newcastle and Chelsea in the space of five days.

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Pundit urges Sir Alex Ferguson to ‘let Man United go’ so club can ‘move into new era’

Andrew Walker — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:29:34 +0000

Sir Alex Ferguson should stop being so involved in the day-to-day running of Manchester United.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who believes the legendary former manager must relinquish his control amid reports he is going to work closely with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to ‘overhaul’ the club once his 25 per cent share in the club is confirmed (Telegraph).

Ferguson’s 26 years in charge of United yielded 38 major trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League. The 81-year-old remains the sports’ most decorated manager.

However, with his career in management now over following his retirement at the end of the 2012-13 season, Ferguson now sits on the board of Manchester United and is one of the club’s global ambassadors.

What has Stan Collymore said about Sir Alex Ferguson?

Collymore believes the Scotsman’s huge influence is preventing the club from moving forward though.

“It’s time for Sir Alex Ferguson to let Manchester United move into a new era,” he said in an exclusive interview.

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“We all know what he is and what he did for, not only the Red Devils but the whole of football. The man is a living legend, but there comes a point when such powerful figures need to take a step back if something is to move forward.

“I am intrigued to see the changes Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes at Old Trafford but for him to reportedly be ‘guided’ by Sir Alex is a strange one. What does Sir Alex know about how to rebuild a modern-day football club? – With the greatest of respect, I would argue none.

“To be able to have Sir Alex at the end of a phone when you need advice and support is one thing, but to have him lead a total rebuild is another. I think if Sir Alex knew the answers to United’s problems, he’d have shared them by now — he’s been out of his management role for 10 years and the club have done nothing but go backwards ever since.

“So for me, I think it’s really just about Sir Alex enjoying his ambassador duties now he’s retired and letting the club go so it can move in a new direction altogether.”

Do you agree with Collymore? – Should Sir Alex Ferguson take a step back from Manchester United’s decision-making? – Let us know in the comments below.

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Collymore’s column: Premier League have made example out of Everton in preparation for Man City, Sir Alex Ferguson must let Man United go and which two England outsiders could make Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad

Stan Collymore — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:27:28 +0000

In his exclusive column for CaughtOffside, former Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore discusses some of football’s biggest talking points, including Everton’s harsh Financial Fair Play punishment, why it’s time Sir Alex Ferguson let Manchester United go, and a look ahead to England vs. Malta, plus much more.

————————————————————————–

Everton’s punishment harsh but necessary…

My take on it is painfully simple. The Premier League are looking to shore up their defence against Manchester City. They know that City are going to be lawyered up to the hilt following 115 charges brought against them, so the Premier League need to make sure they come armed with an example and unfortunately for Everton, they’re it.

The fact the Premier League have gone straight in with a 10-point deduction probably tells you that they feel they have a very strong case against Manchester City. What they’ve basically done today with Everton is set the punishment’s baseline at a 10-point deduction.

In my opinion, to be deducted 10 points for a £20 million deficit is fairly harsh to one of English football’s founding fathers and I’m sure other clubs will sympathise with them.

From my perspective, it’s really simple though. I have absolutely no problem with Everton being docked points. I think 10 is a bit harsh, as I said above, but I wouldn’t have a problem with any team being docked points if they’d broken financial rules – and that includes Aston Villa, by the way. But if the Premier League are going in hard, then they need to go in hard on any club that breaks the rules. Points deduction is one thing, but at what point do we start considering voiding silverware? There has to be an incentive there for clubs not to break the rules.

What is the point in a club’s ownership group investing all that money if the end goal, which is to win silverware, gets taken away? – It’d have all been for nothing.

Manchester United can’t move forward…

It’s time for Sir Alex Ferguson to let Manchester United move into a new era. We all know what he is and what he did for, not only the Red Devils but the whole of football. The man is a living legend, but there comes a point when such powerful figures need to take a step back if something is to move forward.

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I am intrigued to see the changes Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes at Old Trafford but for him to reportedly be ‘guided’ by Sir Alex is a strange one. What does Sir Alex know about how to rebuild a modern-day football club? – With the greatest of respect, I would argue none.

To be able to have Sir Alex at the end of a phone when you need advice and support is one thing, but to have him lead a total rebuild is another. I think if Sir Alex knew the answers to United’s problems, he’d have shared them by now — he’s been out of his management role for 10 years and the club have done nothing but go backwards ever since.

So for me, I think it’s really just about Sir Alex enjoying his ambassador duties now he’s retired and letting the club go so it can move in a new direction altogether.

England’s two outsiders with a chance of starting in next summer’s Euros…

The priority is to top the group and qualify for next summer’s European Championship, and I am expecting the boys to get it done.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Marc Guehi started at centre-back and I am also expecting Jarrod Bowen to start on the right wing with Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in a midfield role.

I think if Bowen and Alexander-Arnold can play well from now until April time next year, they’re the two who could sneak into Gareth Southgate’s starting team for the Euros.

Watch this space.

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Crystal Palace man in running for major Man United role as Sir Jim turns to Sir Alex

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:16:26 +0000

The next few months would appear to be crucial for Man United as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks to overhaul the sporting side of the business once his 25 percent stake in the club is ratified.

The Telegraph (subscription required) note that he will turn to Sir Alex Ferguson for advice and guidance, which is a move that’s sure to prove popular with the long-suffering Old Trafford faithful.

There’s clearly much to be done, both on the playing side as well as staffing in executive areas and otherwise, and not forgetting that the infrastructure issues that have dogged the club for years need to be addressed.

Those changes, and more, aren’t going to happen overnight, and during each step of the process, Sir Jim would do well to not only seek Sir Alex’s counsel, but to involve the supporters in some way.

The lack of inclusivity under the Glazer family has no doubt gone some way to ensuring the depth of feeling against them remains.

One appointment that could ruffle a few feathers, however, is that of a new sporting director.

The Telegraph suggest that Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman could be in the frame because of his relationship with Sir Alex.

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Though it’s believed that other targets may be preferred, if Sir Alex is going to have any influence, then Freedman at least has a shot at impressing Sir Jim before the new appointment is announced.

It’s worth remembering that Freedman has been the author of some of the Eagles best deals of late, and with a bigger pool to swim in he might well be the ideal candidate for the job – even if the likes of Paolo Maldini and others are waiting ominously in the wings.

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Erik ten Hag backed to succeed at Manchester United by Sir Alex Ferguson

Jake Staniland — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:58:17 +0000

Prospective Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to seek guidance from Sir Alex Ferguson, who reportedly supports current manager Erik ten Hag.

Ratcliffe, set to acquire a minority stake in the club, will take control of sporting operations once his £1.3 billion proposal is approved. Despite Ten Hag overseeing United’s challenging start to the season, the former Ajax chief is believed to have Ferguson’s full backing.

A report from The Sun suggests that Ferguson plans to advocate for maintaining faith in Ten Hag to potential investors, citing the manager’s successful maiden year, which included winning the Carabao Cup and securing a third-place finish in the Premier League.

Although their Premier League campaign didn’t get off to the best of starts Manchester United are only five points off Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur who sit in fourth.

Ten Hag has Ferguson’s support

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Pundits and analysts have continued to heavily criticise the Red Devils whilst heaping praise on Spurs, but the reality is that the two clubs aren’t lightyears away from each other. So the question is: does Erik ten Hag really deserve constant criticism?

Sir Alex Ferguson believes he doesn’t which is why he firmly backs the Dutchman to lead Manchester United to successful times once again.

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“My release was alcohol” – Wayne Rooney opens up on pressure of Man United move

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 10:04:03 +0000

Current Birmingham City manager, Wayne Rooney, has spent his entire career in the spotlight, and the now 38-year-old has opened up on the toll that it’s taken on him.

Rooney burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Everton, scoring the winning goal against Arsenal after coming on as a substitute back in 2002.

The way he ‘announced’ himself to the wider footballing public was symptomatic of his career at every stage.

Anything he did, everywhere he went, whose company he kept… it would all be scrutinised. Never more so than when he joined Man United as a 20-year-old.

His star continued to rise whilst at the Red Devils but, it seems, at a personal cost to him at the time.

“My release was alcohol when I was in my early 20s. I’d go home, and spend a couple of days at home and not leave the house,” he said on The Total Sport Podcast with Rob Burrow.

“I’d drink almost until I’d pass out. I didn’t want to be around people, because sometimes you feel embarrassed. Sometimes you feel like you’ve let people down and ultimately I didn’t know how else to deal with it.

“When you don’t take the help and guidance of others, you can be really in a low place, and I was for a few years with that.”

Making headlines for both the right and wrong reasons had been a feature of Rooney’s career, but to hear how low he felt from the horses mouth places a different spin on the narrative.

Now older and wiser, there’s no suggestion that Rooney still finds solace in the bottom of a beer glass, and indeed, it seems that he’s more than happy to pass on words of wisdom to others who may be treading the same path as he once did.

“Thankfully, now I’m not afraid to go and speak to people about issues,” Rooney added.

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Despite ‘Fergie Time’ cliché, Man United’s dramatic win vs Brentford was a Premier League-first for them

Mark Brus — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 09:50:43 +0000

Manchester United won a Premier League game despite being behind in stoppage time for the first time ever, despite the popular ‘Fergie Time’ cliché.

The Red Devils scored many memorable late goals in stoppage time during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, gaining something of a reputation for their late goals at big moments, though they’d never actually turned a game around with two stoppage time strikes until Scott McTominay’s dramatic double against Brentford yesterday.

Of course, we saw Man Utd score two of their most famous stoppage time goals as they beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the 1999 Champions League final, clinching the treble, but this was the first time they pulled off something similar despite trailing after the 90-minute mark in a Premier League clash, according to Opta in the post on X below…

90 – For the first time in their Premier League history, Manchester United have trailed going into the 90th minute of a match but then gone on to win. Turnaround. pic.twitter.com/4fdKepBS4b

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 7, 2023

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It’s not been a great start to the season for MUFC, who have already lost six games in all competitions, so they badly needed something to cheer about yesterday as they looked to be heading for yet another defeat.

McTominay’s cameo off the bench was legendary stuff for the club, who will be desperately hoping this dramatic end to the game can be something of a springboard for them for the rest of the season.

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Cathy Ferguson, the wife of Man United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, passes away aged 84

Darren Looney — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:56:47 +0000

The wife of Man United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, Lady Cathy Ferguson, passed away at the age of 84 on Friday afternoon.

That is according to the PA news agency, which released a statement from the Ferguson family confirming the sad news: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild,” the statement read. “The family asks for privacy at this time.”

Cathy played a big role in her husband’s success in football and the former Man United manager made sure to document this on several occasions.

When the Scottish coach announced his retirement as Man United manager in 2013 after an unprecedented period of success for the Red Devils, Ferguson said: “My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.”

#Breaking Lady Cathy Ferguson, wife of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has died, the family has announced pic.twitter.com/4YdF3pcLPX

— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) October 6, 2023

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Cathy had been married to Sir Alex since 1966, with the couple having met while they were both working at a typewriter factory. In 2002, Lady Ferguson had been instrumental in convincing her husband to reverse his decision to retire at that point. After which, he went on to manage Man United for a further 11 years before eventually calling time.

Ferguson achieved amazing things in football and will go down as one of the greatest managers of all time. However, his wife held his private life together and that gave the Man United legend the foundations to do his job and everyone in the football world’s thoughts will be with the legendary figure and his family on Friday.

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Manchester United make worst start to a season since before Sir Alex Ferguson took over

Mark Brus — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 08:59:33 +0000

Manchester United were beaten once again last night as they suffered a defeat to Bayern Munich in their opening game of the Champions League group stage.

The Red Devils lost 4-3 in a thrilling encounter at the Allianz Arena, but despite their efforts late on they are now on a worse run at the start of a season since all the way back in 1986/97 – the year Sir Alex Ferguson would end up taking over as manager.

Things are not going at all well for current United manager Erik ten Hag, with his Red Devils side already suffering defeats Tottenham, Arsenal, and Brighton in the Premier League to go alongside this opening day European defeat…

1986-87 – Manchester United have lost as many as four of their opening six games of a season in all competitions for the first time since 1986-87 under Ron Atkinson – the season in which Alex Ferguson would later take charge of the club. Harbinger. pic.twitter.com/UQf6MgWYlI

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2023

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