In the uncharacteristic warmth of last April, I crammed into a smoky Manchester boozer and watched on in fascination as Ferguson’s latest assault on Europe came to yet another premature end. As Milan substitute Gillardino raced clear to score the decisive third goal, I subsequently became aware of the extreme pressures that exist at a club like Manchester Utd.

Predictably the atmosphere became acrimoniously unsettled. Beer bottles and pint glasses were pelted at the big screen, as the now seasoned rants of “Time to go (Darren) Fletcher” and “Pile of sh*te, (Wes) Brown” filled the room. Moments later, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs; both of whom, had not enjoyed the best of games, became the focus of supporter’s frustrations. These two stalwarts of the club, who’d been instrumental to the clubs successes over the past 15 years or so, were the latest victims of a forgetful and ruthless ‘mob’ mentality. Despite winning the title, fans were left dissatisfied, signalling for changes to be made by their manager, who is seldom lacking in motivation.

Fans expectations have never been greater and it seems the need for supremacy is far greater than the need of any one player. Ferguson embodies everything they stand for and indoctrinates this into his team’s ethos. Contrary to the ideals of the football purist, success wastes no time on sentiment and neither does Fergie, post-Keane anyways. You see, Ferguson’s biggest asset is he learns quickly from his mistakes. He spots the error, takes full responsiblity. A strict diciplinarian also, owed much to a mining background, hasn’t softened and his eminent man-management skills remain very much intact. He certainly isn’t scared of making a decision. Unceremoniously axing of high profile stars like; Ince, Beckham, then Veron, and more recently Van Nistlerooy go someway to proving this. However unpopular these decisions were at the time, ultimately it benefited the team, restoring harmony.  I’ve come to the decision that the fans are merely an extension of their manager and success must come at all costs.  
   

You have to admire United for their outright arrogance. It’s cut throat in modern football and it appears that ruthlessness is a requisite for success. It does seem rather harsh however, that Scholes and Giggs should suffer such scrutiny. After all Ryan Giggs is the most celebrated player in Premier League history and both had played pivotal roles in bringing the title back to Manchester. Déjà vu must have overwhelmed Alex Ferguson in the ensuing weeks of that defeat as once again United’s shortcomings in Europe have left him reaching for the company chequebook. Its true this time around ’Big Al’ cannot be accused of resting on his laurels(spending a possible £80 million).  Will lightening strike twice though? Or will his new recruits add pace and guile to an already competitive team?

“You can’t stand still in football, especially if you want to remain successful” explained Giggs, conceding that no player is indispensable. “If you are playing well then you have got a great chance of staying in the team. If you’re not, then you won’t play. It’s as simple as that.” With the signings that Ferguson has made, Giggs will find it increasingly difficult to nail down a regular first team place. Scholes also, may find himself warming the bench more often than not this season, with Owen Hargreaves now in the fray. It wouldn’t overly surprise me if Scholes moved on at some stage; in much the same way Mark Hughes, Nicky Butt and Roy Keane were inadvertently shown the door in seasons gone by. Players have a shorter shelf life these days as Ferguson knows only too well. 

Last Season; Chelsea paid heavily for failing to replace an aging Makelele, who like Keane and Scholes, had been fundamental to their successes. John ‘Obi’ Mikel hardly constitutes an adequate replacement as anchor man, contrary to the views of some media critics. With the exception of Keane, Ferguson has had the knack over the years of getting rid of players at just the right time and I expect Scholes will be no different. It may sound grim, but in the corporate world of football winning is everything. Players who threaten to jeopardise this will be disposed of.  
 

Of course spending the money doesn’t necessarily guarantee results as Ferguson is well aware. Prior to 2001/02 season, United spent close to £60 million on team rebuilding following on from a disappointing season by their standards. Despite winning the title they were knocked out of Europe in the quarter-finals, humbled by a classy Real Madrid side. After the dizzy heights of their treble season, by comparison, this was a failure and had Ferguson licking his wounds. The resulting season was disasterous. The signings didn’t have the impact intended and that season, amazingly United won nothing.

The lesson in Milan bears remarkable similarities to that defeat by Madrid. Both ended Fergie’s hunt for that elusive second European trophy and both proved to be the catalyst for significant strengthening. Fans will be hoping this summers spending doesn’t have corresponding results.

As I sat up transfixed on this summers only footy action: The Copa America, something suddenly dawned on me. Tevez’s performances left United fans drooling with anticipation and his potential partnership with Rooney promises to be tastier than a bacon and egg barm cake(subject to opinion, naturally). With all eyes on Tevez, the subject of much transfer speculation, I turned my attentions to a couple of his couragous teammates. The mere sight of a vintage Veron and an evergreen Heinze (both soon to be former Red Devils) blew gales of caution. I wonder if they told Tevez: global warming has yet to hit Manchester? A little birdie told me that they dont get along. So it could well be they lied to him. Maybe thats why he was so incessant in signing!

Ferguson’s record with South Americans is pretty dire also. Argy’s aside, Forlan and Kleberson also proved expensive flops. This has caused widespread debate that its either the Manchester rain or English culture which doesn’t bode well with Latin Americans, or maybe both. In Tevez and Anderson, Ferguson has the chance to make amends. Both personify ‘rough diamonds’ and are crying out for Fergie’s guidance and discipline. Potentially they could make huge impacts in the Premier League.

Just recently Ferguson vowed “never set a date to retire” claiming his motives to be the extent of talent posessed by his current crop of players. This may well be the case. Great managers thrive on bringing the best out of their prodigies and see such challenges as a privilege. Ferguson now has the chance to put right missed opportunities. Least we forget how Ferguson was infamously denied the chance of nurturing the vulnerable but ultimately talented Paul Gascoigne. We only have to look at Keane to see what discipline can do for players of such raw precocious ability.

I’m not entirely convinced that these are the only reasons why Ferguson is reluctant to call time on his tenure at Manchester United. He’s certainly out to prove his single European Cup triumph was no fluke, but I fear there are bigger things on his agenda. Alex Ferguson is without doubt one of the finest football managers of his generation, but one suspects Fergie wants to go down as the best there ever was. Delusions of grandeur wont help him in his quest. By competing against pioneers of the past, Ferguson is embarking down a road of discontent and bitterness. As if he doesn’t have enough to worry about!

Bob Paisley is probably the most successful manager in the history of Liverpool FC, possibly in English Football. Yet his achievements are incommensurable to those of Bill Shankly whom he proceeded.  The legendary Shankly is irreplaceble in the hearts of Kopites, despite winning far less silverware.

By trying to emulate his predecessors ‘King Rat’ (as labelled by Brian Clough) will never reach contentment, just ask Sissyphus. For every treble that he wins, there’s someone whose done the quadruple (Jock Stein with Celtic); every European Cup victory there’s those who’ve won it twice: back to back (Paisley & Clough – Liverpool & Forest respectively) and for every championship he wins with just ‘Kids’, there’s somebody’s ‘Babes’ who’ve won it younger! (Busby won title with United in 1955/6 with an average team age of 22).

Whether Ferguson resolves matters or not, wins more trophies, or turns more talent into superstars. He should feel proud of what he has already achieved (28 major club trophies in total) and retire gracefully.  Sir Matt Busby(all bow) once claimed that “to win at all costs” was not in fact winning. Take heed Sir Alex of Scotland!

In future, Fergie should think twice when trying to compete against football’s immortals and be content with becoming apart of footballs illustrious past.