Manchester United At A Crossroads

Manchester United has confirmed that their manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, plans to retire at the end of the season. In his illustrious 27-year career, Sir Alex has led Manchester United to thirteen Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and two UEFA Champions' League titles. Those accolades firmly place him in the discussion for greatest manager of all-time. It's going to be hard to replace Sir Alex. The way soccer culture is now with the constant hiring and firing of managers after no more than three years, we may never someone be allowed to form the kind of legacy Sir Alex has ever again. He has become synonymous with Manchester United; you can't mention one without the other. Once this season is over, Sir Alex will "move upstairs" and become a director and ambassador for the club. However, United have an incredibly important decision to make now.

Photo Credit: Twitter (@ESPNFC)

Sir Matt Busby was the first to create a dynasty at Manchester United. Once he retired, the club took twenty years to recover. Could the same thing happen now that Sir Alex Ferguson is retiring? The potential is there. People will point to the fact that United is the most well known soccer brand (not just club) in the world and that players will still want to play at Old Trafford. Maybe, but will high school basketball players still want to play their college ball at Duke once Coach K retires? Something to think about. If United don't get the right man in as manager, the future of the club could parallel that of another former Premier League power, Leeds United. Now, this is just my own speculation, but United have a ton of debt thanks to the Glazers. Their ability to stay afloat comes from constantly qualifying for Champions' League and winning the Premier League. If they choose the wrong manager and that stops, they could be looking at a downward spiral that could land them with the same fate as Leeds: relegation. They would have to sell their stars to bring in cash, they wouldn't be able to compete, and everything Sir Alex built will crumble. If United don't want to suffer the same fate, this hire needs to be perfect.