It started under David Moyes and it has continued under Louis van Gaal. No one saw it coming, Sir Alex had cast his protective spell over Old Trafford for 26 years, and when it was finally relinquished, the cracks began to appear.

Maybe a few thought the Red Devils wouldn’t regain the title in 2013/14 under Moyes, though even fewer predicted an end of season finish of 7^th, the lowest in Man United’s Premier League history.

The following season Man United finished 4^th under Louis van Gaal. The fact that this was considered a successful season is further proof that Man United are in a rut. Currently the Red Devils are considered to be ‘title outsiders’, a term normally reserved for Liverpool. So what has happened to Man United since the departure of Sir Alex?

For the majority of Man United’s dynasty under Ferguson, Liverpool were stuck in a pothole, with only their antiquity for company. The Reds are constantly mocked for living in the past, and relying on former successes for their derby day bragging rights. However, United should have paid more attention to their adversaries during the glory years under Sir Alex.

After the success of Dalglish, Liverpool attempted to repeat history by hiring another Anfield player turned manager in Graeme Souness. The Scotsman led Liverpool to a 6^th place finish in his first full season. He repeated the same feat a year later, before getting the sack in the middle of his third season in charge. Since then Liverpool have enjoyed infrequent success in cup competitions, under a variety of managers. But their wait for a league title still goes on.

United have, thus far, repeated the errors in Liverpool’s ways since the departure of Sir Alex. By hiring David Moyes, the Red Devils brought in a young Scotsman who was out of his depth, in the hope that he would be the next Sir Alex Ferguson. Rather than prolonging the agony like Liverpool, United sacked their ‘Chosen One’ after one season, and opted for a foreign upgrade.

Liverpool followed a similar route after sacking Roy Evans. Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez both enjoyed their fair share of success in cup competitions, and like van Gaal did not carry the burden of being serious title contenders. Therefore when van Gaal does leave, either this season or the next, then United will bring in another foreign manager to steady the ship.

Despite this United are still the biggest footballing brand in the Premier League, an aspect of the club that will surely never diminish. For all the years of success Man United have enjoyed, the years to come guarantee more commercial clout, as United look to profit from their icons of the past in menial documentaries and shameless advertising. Man United hand out more ambassadorial roles than academy places, which is why on face value, Old Trafford will look as distinguished as ever.

Only on its sacred turf will you see the cracks that are beginning to show, as the current crop of United wannabes chase the shadows of Sir Alex’s former greats.

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