By Chris O'Brien
December 9 2005

The media are claiming it's the end of Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United squad and our financial stability. What is the reality of United's early exit from Europe following defeat in Benfica?

Manchester United’s elimination from Europe has given the media a field day. Reports now claim a financial crisis heading towards bankruptcy, the axe for Sir Alex Ferguson, the mass exodus of playing staff and predictions of another trophyless season for United supporters.

 

It is not all doom and gloom at Old Trafford. Fans have watched the fringe players take the club to the quarter-finals of the League Cup, the F.A Cup campaign is yet to begin and United sit 2^nd in the Premiership table having just beaten run-away leaders Chelsea. However, despite this relative success on the domestic scene, fans are furious that Jose Mourninho’s London side are so far ahead in the Premiership whilst rumours are suggesting that Ferguson’s job hangs in the balance after defeat in Benfica.

 

So, what are the real implications of the early Champions League exit and how will it affect the club’s future?

 

Fergie’s Future: Talk of sacking Sir Alex Ferguson for failing to qualify is unthinkable. His superb achievements throughout the 90’s, culminating in the Treble success of 1999, has left all United fans slightly over expectant. After all, this was the first time the club has not qualified for the knock-out stages in 11 years whilst the club has achieved continued domestic success under the Scotsman’s leadership.

 

The fact remains that such high standards of attainment cannot always be maintained. We all pay good money to support the club, but it is easy to forget relegation in the 70’s, struggle throughout the 80’s and all those years without a domestic crown. We have no divine right to qualify for the last 16 and frankly we didn’t deserve to this time around. Perhaps we will next time.

 

The United boss is reaching his retirement but is still one of the best manager’s in the game. There are no obvious replacements around, and the sudden departure of the country’s most successful manager of all time would not be good for this football club.

 

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Playing Staff: Sir Alex is adamant that he is ‘building’ a team for the future. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly evident that a lot of players simply are not cutting the mustard. Paul Scholes has looked out of sorts this season, Ryan Giggs is looking increasingly passed it and the central defensive partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Mikael Silvestre looks fragile.

 

Roy Keane’s shock departure was upsetting, but should it set the precedent for a revolution?

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Finances: It is sad to say that the capitalist regime that is taking over the beautiful game is making money a more and more important factor by the season. Reports suggest that Malcolm Glazer’s takeover has seen the club slip into heavy debt and their business plan was based on United’s continued progress in Europe. This has not happened, and with Vodafone also pulling their sponsorship deal, the ramifications are not great.

 

However, statistics claming the club have missed out on up to £20million are slightly ambiguous. United would have to have won the competition outright to cash in on such a sum, and this was never likely after the mediocre performances in the group stages. Still, the projected loss if £5million and failing to even qualify for the Uefa Cup means United miss out on further television rights, ticket and prize money.

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Glazer Takeover: No matter what the pressure groups think, Champions League elimination will not make the Yanks run away. I was opposed to the takeover and even took up membership of FC United, but I remain a Manchester United season ticket holder and will always support the club through thick and thin.

 

The club are in mammoth debt under a risky business plan that rests on success. Glazer and his three ‘stooges’ are committed to this plan now and have borrowed mammoth amounts of ‘dollar’ to implement it. Immediate implications of European exit are not disastrous, but United need to get at the top of the footballing tree for things not to get far more serious in the long run. Things are potentially very dangerous, and the club needs our support more than ever. The glory seekers up and down the country are turning to Chelsea in droves, but the United masses should always be there.

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Plenty to talk about and plenty to discuss. However. What is important is that the fans keep the faith. Manchester United will never die.