When David Moyes was floundering around springtime in the season he was in charge of Manchester United, the blame game began. One of the chief culprits for United's demise was none other than Sir Alex Ferguson himself, according to some sections of the media. Yes, just months after guiding United to their 20th League title and 13th under his control, the great man himself was being targeted as the reason for their rapid fall from grace.
"If Mourinho fails, where does that leave United? The 'Ferguson Clone', the experienced 'European Don' with the stellar CV and the 'Trophy Magnet' all unable to arrest the decline"
Aside from the ridiculous claims that Moyes being out of his depth was Ferguson's fault because he chose him, the bizarre accusation that he left Moyes with a team of ageing duds is one that has not actually gone away. From journalists to United fans, it seems a common consensus that this was indeed true. United needed a massive overhaul of epic proportions because they had a team of geriatrics that couldn't play football.
Not vintage, but still champions
It is hard not to concede that the team that gave Ferguson a perfect send off would not be considered his finest. Still, they won the league by 11 points. This is a league that contained a cash rich Manchester City, who were widely considered to be the best team in the league. They had won the title the previous year after all. Moyes inherited a squad that had enough ability and were winners, so let's not kid ourselves.
Did he inherit an old squad? Not really. Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand were over the age of 30, but that was offset by a number of younger players. Pertinently, there was Chris Smalling and Phil Jones who were the long term successors to the veteran pair of Vidic and Ferdinand. The midfield were considered weak, but all in all the squad really only needed some tweaking, not the radical action of ripping it up and starting again.
To put it into context, how do you think United would have fared had Sir Alex not retired? Would they have finished 7th? Would they have missed out on a trophy? Would they have been humiliated 3-0 by both City and Liverpool at Old Trafford? Who knows? Nobody does, but I can't imagine there being many that would answer yes to those questions though. And that would be even without Maroune Fellaini and Juan Mata as additions.
We know about David Gill retiring, we know about the problems in trying to secure the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrera but the truth is the team did not need to be broken up. They needed to evolve the way they had done for the majority of Ferguson's tenure with the odd quality addition here and there. David Moyes could not get the best out of a team of champions. That's the bottom line, and the dismantling of that team since - mainly by Louis van Gaal - has left United in a much, much worse situation than when the legend from Govan called it a day.
Competition just got tougher
Pep Guardiola is coming to town. Literally to United's town, but he has chosen to sidle with United's noisy neighbours, just as most in the know predicted he would. He has never hidden his admiration for United, but that is not going to stop him wanting to put them in City's shadow. He will probably not care what United do, asides from the two games per season when he meets them. His focus will be on City, and he will have the resources at his disposal to not only dominate English football but Europe as well.
Mourinho the logical successor to van Gaal
It is a frightening prospect, but fear not. There is an antidote. His name is Jose Mourinho. There have been plenty of calls for Mourinho to replace van Gaal since he was unceremoniously dumped on the football managers scrap heap by Chelsea. The 'Special One' is now the 'Coveted One' by United fans. In the wake of the Guardiola announcement, it appears that United don't have much choice if they themselves want to stop the Guardiola/City world domination.
Mourinho is a logical choice when it comes to procuring trophies. He has done it everywhere he has been apart from Benfica and Uniao de Leiria. Even in those two brief spells, he impressed. The sideshow that accompanies Mourinho is often distasteful, but if you want someone who is a virtual guarantee to give Guardiola and the rest of the League a run for their money, then there is nobody that can compare to Mourinho.
If only it were that simple. Appoint Mourinho, wait for the trophies to come home to roost. This United is no longer Ferguson's United. This is the new, improved and renovated version. Stale, dull and with a soft underbelly. During his two spells at Chelsea he had a solid back line, a powerful midfield and a sprinkling of top class wide players and forwards in different guises. United can really only claim to have have one world class player, and he plays in goal. To say there is work to be done is an understatement.
United's squad lacking genuine quality
It is hard to make a case for any players other than David De Gea to be included in a Premier League XI. Chris Smalling has come on leaps and bounds, but the rest of the squad have really failed to shine. So with that in mind, it could be likely that if Mourinho took charge he would want his own makeover. He has always been able to attract top talent, but even he may have his work cut out bringing players in if he has to compete with Guardiola's City for a signature. If he had to work with this team now, is he that much better a coach than van Gaal that he can turn the fortunes around?
If Mourinho is United's best chance, without looking too far ahead what if he isn't able to succeed? He didn't get sacked at Chelsea because he was at the top of his game, so what if he is unable to turn the current squad into winners. What if he can't bring in some star quality? If Mourinho fails, where does that leave United? The 'Ferguson Clone', the experienced 'European Don' with the stellar CV and the 'Trophy Magnet' all unable to arrest the decline. It would leave United where they are now, in a mess.
Giggs worth a shot
That is why as crazy as it sounds, it may be best to overlook Mourinho as they have done previously. Ryan Giggs is chomping at the bit to make his mark, and put his own brand of football into place. The criticism of Giggs even before he has got the job is not unfounded. A rookie in this situation doesn't seem like the best idea. Yet Moyes and van Gaal are not rookies, and they have left United stagnant. In fact, you could make a strong case for saying United have gone backwards.
As with a player, sometimes throwing them in the deep end is the only way. Sink or swim. It is no doubt a gamble. Giggs has always come across as an extremely intelligent football man. His beady eyes disguise the cogs whirring behind them. When he made his debut as a 17 year old, he displayed no fear. He trotted out as if it was his stage. When he took charge in the wake of the Moyes sacking, he was wearing a club blazer rather than a club kit, but he still looked like he belonged.
It might be a fairy tale, expecting Giggs to come in and reform the club into the mould it once was. Giving youth it's head, playing swashbuckling football and steering United to the top of the pile. That may be a dream, but they may only get one chance at Giggs the manager. If he goes to pastures new - and it is likely if he is overlooked - there are only two ways it can go. He becomes a failure at somewere lesser and is considered damaged goods. Or, he becomes a success and ends up in someone else's arms.
Throw Giggs in at the deep end and it could well backfire. If Mourinho is so crazy about the United job, then he will still be around to pick up the pieces should Giggs fail. To appoint Giggs is a massive gamble, but to appoint Mourinho is also. There is more of a guarantee with the Portuguese, but in football there can be no certainties. Apart from Guardiola and City taking English football by storm, that is. You never know, van Gaal may yet see out his contract and it is he that welcomes another ex-Barca boss to England.
In the post-Ferguson era, United fans have already experienced a lot of pain. No matter who the manager is, the next three years may well bring a lot more.