DEMYSTIFYING SIR ALEX FERGUSON [A THREAD]

The first step to revert the current situation is to stop romanticising SAF. Acknowledge he’s to blame, having lowered the standards himself with his transfer antics, Moyes appointment and support of the Glazers.

In 2001, Fergie became the co-owner of a successful horse race called Rock of Gibraltar alongside Susan Magnier, John Magnier’s wife. John Magnier gave the co-ownership as a gift, since he and McManus were on the way of becoming the major shareholders at the club.

In 2003, the value of the horse increased and SAF demanded he was entitled to 50% of said value. Since the agreement was only verbal, SAF and Magnier went to court. SAF suede for £110m.

Shortly after, Magnier and MacManus hired a PI to investigate Manchester United’s dealings and presented “99 Questions to the board”, criticising the secretive way transfers were conducted by agents and the failure to disclose amounts paid to them: https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-1514845/And-now-99-questions-Magnier-must-answer.html

Transfers deals such as Stam and Howard were considered controversial because of the involvement of external some external agents. One of them being Jason Ferguson, Fergie’s son, who at the time represented 13 players thru Sports Agency Elite.

There was evidence of Jason representing both sides of some deals. After this, the club updated their external agents policy and banned Jason from dealing with the club any further.

In 2004, after all this circus, the legal dispute ended. SAF agreed a payment of a mere £2.5m. Magnier and McManus seeing the corruption surrounding the club and having fallen out with SAF, decided to stop the takeover and sell their shares.

The story caused some mess in the United dressing room as well. After Keane’s interview on MUTV Keane lashed out out at Fergie saying: "You brought your private life into the club with your argument with Magnier."

He was sold to Celtic shortly after

Come Malcom f!cking Glazer who in 2003 £9m on a 2.9% stake and kept increasing their share nearing 30% by October 2004. Upon reaching 30%, they would have to launch a formal takeover bid

Thus, on May 12 2005, Red Football announced that it had reached an agreement with shareholders McManus and Magnier to purchase a 28.7% stake in the club, which gave the Glazers a controlling stake with just under 57%.

Finally on May 16, the Glazers took their shareholding in Manchester United to 75.7% and removed the club's shares from the stock exchange for the first time in 14 years.

Let’s recall SAF’s stance prior to completing the takeover:
"There's a stronger rapport between the club and the fans. We're both of a common denominator; we don't want the club to be in anyone else's hands. That is the way that the club stands with that. I support that."

That tune was soon to change. Sir Alex Ferguson often invited Malcolm Glazers' brothers into the dressing room after games and supported (praised) them publicly.

Let’s look into it:

‘There is a borderline in terms of what you would think is a good signing for United,’ said Ferguson. ‘I see some values on players, like Hazard for instance. To me it was a lot of money. He’s a good player, but £34m?

SAF clearly changed his tune on transfers after the takeover. Having spent the equivalent of £420 in one summer, he seemed to be changing the message. Let’s look into it.

Lost CR7 and Tevez; replaced with Valencia from Wigan, an injury plagued Owen and a nobody called Obertran after linked with Benzema and Ribery while refinancing £175m worth of payment-in-kind notes.

"We have got the money. There is no question about that. I just don't see that player who can make a difference for us in terms of value or ability."

Gary Neville, John O’Shea, Park and Berbatov left the club. Their replacements came in the form of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Alex Büttner, Nick Powell, Ashley Young and Bebé.

The quality of these players was never truly exposed until they were asked to make the leap from able deputy to full-time replacement. He never bothered to demand better signings and make things easier for his successor.

Speaking of, the one thing that has surprised me is that SAF is never blamed for the situation at the club. Despite all that he did for the club, when he left, he played a major role in choosing a successor, and chose a friend, rather than a man more qualified for the job.

Then remained silent when thinks were going downhill, putting as much distance between them as was possible to protect his legacy.

SAF must shoulder just as much blame as the Glazers and Ed for not having a long term succession plan in place.

This was a calculated move on his part, to ensure that he is seen as the best manager ever.

Nothing would say that more than a spectacular failure of his successors.

Ferguson's silence allowed the Glazers model United to serve their own financial interests. He could have said that their policy of loading the club with debt was a dangerous one, or could spoken on behalf of the fans worried at the ownership.

In short, SAF didn’t care who owned the club as long as he ran things. And that got us into the mess we’re at.

We now see the consequences of years of corruption and greed of one man. Evidence that being the greatest manager doesn't make you the greatest of men.

#GlazersOut

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