Is Ferguson to Blame for United’s Decline? Maybe His Exit Was Too Convenient

After Manchester United’s shocking FA Cup elimination, Gary Lineker sparked a heated debate live on BBC. He questioned the legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson, pointing out that the club’s steady decline began almost immediately after the legendary manager stepped down in 2013.

Yes, United won the Premier League in Ferguson’s final season — but beneath the surface, the cracks were already forming.

Lineker argued that Ferguson left a squad past its peak, with an aging core and a youth academy that had stopped producing top-tier talent. In contrast, he praised Jürgen Klopp, who is leaving Liverpool with a robust club structure and a clear succession plan in place.

And if you break down Lineker’s take — he might actually have a point.

Let’s start with the aging squad. Seven regular first-team players during Ferguson’s last season were already 31 or older. Two more were 29. Within two years of Ferguson’s exit, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Rio Ferdinand had all retired. This wasn’t a team for the future — it was one running on fumes.

As for the academy pipeline, only four academy graduates under the age of 23 made any senior appearances that season — and only Danny Welbeck managed to build a solid career. Tom Cleverley, Federico Macheda, and Scott Wootton all faded from top-level football not long after.

Then there’s the question of succession. Ferguson handpicked David Moyes to carry the torch, but Moyes didn’t even make it to the end of his first season. It was a disastrous transition.

So, is Lineker right to challenge the legend’s legacy? At the very least, it’s no longer heresy to ask the question.

Published by Patrick Jane
16.05.2025