When Ferguson decided to retire and Moyes replaced him as United manager, the team quickly fell into trouble, Evra chose to meet someone, he understood who could save it, "Boss, you need to help David (Moyes)", Evra sought help from Lord Verde, but the old scottish man refused, "I have provided him with the most precious opportunity of his career, all I can do now is to stay within a certain range and let him do the job on his own." The above passage is from Evra's autobiography, and in the eyes of the French, the old lord is very cautious about his position. But in reality, Ferguson's influence was greater than he thought.
Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took office, he has not paid any respect to his predecessors, and in his heart, it is the most important thing to reformulate the "Ferguson Plan" little by little. He followed Ferguson's training methods and brought back Ferguson's assistant coach, Ferrand, and out of respect he even refused to park the car in Ferguson's parking space at The Carrington training ground. "It doesn't feel good to park there, it's still the boss (Ferguson)'s location." Not just for himself, Solskjaer also asked club staff not to use the location where the old lord used to park.
However, United's results have plummeted in recent weeks, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finding that as Ferguson's successor, there are more risks than an innate advantage, which he had previously overlooked. This month, a video was much discussed in which Ferguson criticized Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for not scheduling Ronaldo to start against Everton, "You should have the best players on the pitch." Then, throughout the crushing defeat to Liverpool, the old man in the stands almost became an emoji, and his angry look was impressive. Subsequently, Ferguson appeared in Carrington rarely, and public opinion speculated about it, some people believed that the old lord's move was to support Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and help him subdue the dressing room, while others believed that this was an expression of dissatisfaction with the Norwegians and "marginal interference".
In any case, it is indeed strange that United are still so attached to a 79-year-old who has been retired for many years, and there is no precedent in international football. Manchester United's Sir Busby and Liverpool's Shankly also continued to influence the team long after their retirement, but they did not meddle in the club's affairs as deeply as Ferguson did.
Admittedly, Ferguson is the club's ambassador and legend, but on many occasions he appears to be the team's titular superior: his blessings are precious and his every word is enshrined. It's a reverence, and for Manchester United, who are eager to get back to the top in the short term, the "Fergusonism" has a simple appeal. Because Ferguson is the best coach and Manchester United is the best team, that's the DNA of Manchester United. Looking at the Red Devils' coaching team, from the manager assistant coach to the physical coach and technical director are all Ferguson's beloved apprentices.
In a sense, each of United's previous four changes in manager has actually been an effort to "resurrect" Ferguson. Solskjaer tries to recreate the spirit and domineering spirit of the Ferguson era, Mourinho values pragmatism and the pursuit of champions, Van Gaal's solipsistic personality is also similar to the old lord, and Moyes is his Scottish origin and way of working. After so many attempts, United should be sober, and the real meaning of the Ferguson era lies precisely in change, not in the old ways. Whether it is Moyes, Van Gaal or Mourinho, Solskjaer, comparing Ferguson to them, after all, there is no way to be exactly the same, but is it really right to deny it because it is different?
Now, too, United need a rebellious, young and visionary man ready to sweep away everything in the past and build a new Manchester United in the present concept. Now, believing that everyone has a number in mind, Solskjaer cannot be Ferguson after all, and at the same time, it is time to reflect on what the club needs now. Manchester United have never had to stop, start from scratch and reinvent the culture and philosophy of the team as they do today. On the contrary, they are still attracted by the idea of returning to Ferguson's time, looking forward to returning everything to the way it was before through some miracle, which is obviously impossible. It's hard to say goodbye to Ferguson for true Manchester United fans, but you also have to know that there won't be a second Sir Alex in this world. Instead of hesitating on a road where no one but Ferguson can make sense, it's better to change your mind sooner. (Supine Braces/zz)