Diagnosis of the malady afflicting Manchester United

If the previous defeats haven’t made it clear, the result on Tuesday night should do it. On a difficult night in Athens, Manchester United’s dreams of Champions League glory and its revival suffered a massive blow with a 2-0 loss away to Olympiakos in the round of 16.

With the title out of sight, and even the top four a steep climb, especially with Liverpool eyeing a final assault on the title, this season would be a cruel one to endure for the die-hard United supporter, who would have been used to the aura of dominance as they have been dominating the Premier League since its inception. In fact, this has been a result of a set of events, which when left untreated, has brought about their downfall. So, the diagnosis begins in 2012.

January 2012: Paul Scholes returns to Manchester United

Paul Scholes: The missing link

In a month which saw two of the league’s legends return, Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry returned to United and Arsenal respectively. United were looking light-weight in midfield and needed his presence to sustain a tough title defence against Manchester City. Henry, meanwhile came on a 2-month loan from the MLS to aid Arsenal’s resurgence towards the Champions League spot (Arsenal finished 3rd).

The big question is: Why Scholes? Waa it because of a lack of money? No. Manchester United have a staggering total of 34 sponsors currently (if I am not wrong and even then would have had a substantial number of sponsors) and there would be more than enough money to buy a good midfielder. Lack of good players? No. With the resources they had, they should have got some one. Scholes was supposed to be a stop-gap solution. As it stands, nearly three years have passed since Scholes retired. In that time, he has had to return, play one and a half years, win another title, retire and even then, the midfield conundrum hasn’t been solved.

Felliani is not the midfielder that controls a game. Moyes went for Fabregas, a game he was never going to win, and now wants Toni Kroos. Offering 250k/week can only take you so far. If the project is not good, you are not going to get a player. Then again, Mata proved us wrong. United have been scouting William Carvalho for umpteen times and yet, with Chelsea keen to pair him with Matic, United will have to work hard for the transfer to come through.

May 2013: Sir Alex Ferguson recommends Moyes’s name

Moyes: Does he deserve better?

A big chapter of United’s history had ended after 26 years of glorious success. At the same time, Jose Mourinho’s career as Real Madrid manager was nearing a controversial end. His defensive mindset didn’t win over many people and fans were raging over him dropping Iker Casillas to the bench.

Chelsea and Manchester United were the front-runners for Mourinho’s signature. It seemed that Chelsea and Mourinho were made for each other, but Manchester United’s winning mentality would have complemented his style. But whatever support he had ended when Ferguson recommended Moyes’s name for the post. Somehow, his recommendation over-ruled all other opinions that the board had, and Moyes was signed.

Allegedly, Mourinho cried over the fact that he lost the chance to be United coach, but he made his return to an out of shape Chelsea. As it stands, Chelsea are top of the table, while United have slipped into mid-table mediocrity.

But the main question here is: Did Ferguson have the right to exert his power to get Moyes the job? Is he bigger than the club?