This is going off topic from me. So I'll end here, but I think United were in a unique situation to fail, like Liverpool before them.Ok, fair enough. In the last, what, 5 seasons, (maybe 4), they have won a charity Shield, and spent gazillions to do so.
Cant be arsed looking it up, but out of the top 5 clubs in the world, I would hazard a guess that that does not stack up that well against the other 4.
They were holding on to their top spot largely through the force of will of one man - Ferguson. He built that club in his image. He was United's success. Both before and after Glazer (BG and AG?). When he left there was a massive hole to fill. Not just anyone can do it. Honestly, probably no one could.
But they brought in Moyes. Bad mistake. They tumble down the league, some of their basic Ferguson players lost form and confidence...in addition to very few Moyes' buys...just not a good season. So they sacked Moyes, brought in Van Gaal and backed him hugely...he just isn't the right guy for them. But who is? They have a real fear of Jose for numerous reasons. Pep was always City-bound. Who else can fill in for Fergie? Anyone?
The club relied too much on a single pillar. It was pulled. I don't blame the owners, as it was one hell of a pillar and it was there before they got there.
United's story is not replicated elsewhere in world football...except with Liverpool. Who also haven't won too much once the fall took hold. Money sometimes isn't enough. You need purpose, consistency, and momentum. Those things are crippling both LFC and United. They are so desperate to win NOW that they can't accept that they are now behind the clubs that were chasing them and that they need to prepare to chase.
City and (Chelsea LOL) and Arsenal were always nipping at their heels. The Moyes year gave them enough to overtake...United hasn't accepted that they aren't what they were yet, and continue to buy flash without really having a good fundamental plan for moving forward.
That MAY be the owners' fault, but I think they generally leave football to the football men...they're the ones failing right now.