even before the start of the season and, last night, they
caught up with Sir Alex Ferguson in dramatic circumstances
when his team were dumped out of the European Cup.
‘At a time when he normally fires up his men for a tilt at
several trophies, the United manager finds himself clinging
to an FA Cup semi-final — and even that could end in
humiliation at the hands of the runaway Barclaycard
Premiership leaders. In danger of being eclipsed by Chelsea
and Arsenal this season, United are looking and feeling
third-rate.
'From the failure to sign Ronaldinho as a replacement for
David Beckham to the Rio Ferdinand affair, the row over Rock
Of Gibraltar to the hashed punch by Tim Howard that allowed
FC Porto to scramble their decisive last-minute equaliser
and stun Old Trafford with a 3-2 aggregate victory, a litany
of self-inflicted mistakes has made the United juggernaut
splutter almost to a halt.
‘After reaching the quarter- finals for the previous seven
seasons, last night’s exit represented United’s worst
European campaign since 1995-96, when they were knocked out
of the Uefa Cup in the first round by Rotor Volgograd. The
inquest is sure to be long and angry, not least among the
leading shareholders, the Coolmore Mafia, who have already
made clear their doubts about Ferguson’s ability to lead the
club forward.
‘Ferguson’s retirement will not be a contented one unless he
wins another European Cup, but, last night, that ambition
seemed more distant than at any time since they lifted the
trophy in 1999. United are in a bumpy transition and
Ferguson is in the unusual position of pleading for
patience.’