When Sir Alex Ferguson stepped away from the Manchester United dugout in May 2013, he left behind a legacy that had defined the club for 26 years.
His departure, after securing a 13th Premier League title and a 20th league championship overall, marked the end of an era of dominance that included two Champions League triumphs and a reputation for resilience that became the hallmark of the Red Devils.
Since he’s gone, Manchester United has embarked on a winding path, filled with managerial experiments, tactical upheavals, and a relentless quest to rediscover the magic that once flowed through Old Trafford. This analysis dives into the post-match narratives that have shaped the club since Ferguson’s exit, exploring the highs, lows, and the evolving identity of a team yearning to return to the top.
The Handover Fumble: David Moyes’ Brief Reign (2013-2014)
David Moyes’ appointment as Ferguson’s successor in the summer of 2013 was met with cautious optimism. Handpicked by the departing legend, Moyes brought a reputation for stability from his time at Everton, but the transition proved seismic. The 2013-14 season opened with a 4-1 thrashing of Swansea City, where Robin van Persie’s hat-trick suggested continuity. Yet, post-match analyses quickly revealed a team struggling to adapt to Moyes’ more cautious approach, a stark departure from Ferguson’s attacking ethos.
The 0-3 home defeat to Liverpool in March 2014 became a defining low. Analysts highlighted a disjointed midfield, with Michael Carrick overwhelmed and the forward line of Wayne Rooney, van Persie, and Danny Welbeck lacking synergy. Moyes’ preference for a 4-4-2 system clashed with a squad designed for fluidity, and post-match reflections from Patrice Evra hinted at a dressing room grappling with a loss of direction. Fans, stunned by the champions’ slide to seventh place—their worst Premier League finish—voiced their dismay on forums and radio shows. Moyes’ sacking in April 2014, after a tenure marked by inconsistency, set the tone for a post-Ferguson era defined by uncertainty.
The Tactical Tinkerer: Louis van Gaal’s Philosophical Experiment (2014-2016)
Louis van Gaal’s arrival in 2014 promised a new intellectual approach, with the Dutchman’s possession-based philosophy aiming to rebuild United’s identity. The 2014-15 season ended with a fourth-place finish and a Champions League spot, but post-match reviews often lamented a lack of dynamism. The 0-0 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October 2014 typified this, with United controlling the ball yet failing to breach a resolute defense. Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation, featuring Ashley Young and Daley Blind as wing-backs, was innovative but exposed defensive frailties.
The 1-2 loss to Swansea in October 2014, where Bafétimbi Gomis scored twice, drew scrutiny for a back three of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo that struggled with pace. Post-match discussions highlighted a squad lacking creativity, with fans growing impatient for the swashbuckling football of Ferguson’s tenure. The 2016 FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace, sealed by Jesse Lingard’s late strike, offered a rare high, but van Gaal’s dismissal days later underscored a mismatch between his methods and United’s soul. Since he’s gone, this period marked the beginning of a search for a new tactical identity.
The Pragmatist’s Tenure: José Mourinho’s Results Over Romance (2016-2018)
José Mourinho’s appointment in 2016 brought a promise of immediate success, and his first season delivered the League Cup and Europa League, alongside a sixth-place Premier League finish. Post-match analyses of the 3-1 League Cup final win over Southampton in 2017 celebrated Zlatan Ibrahimović’s heroics, but the 0-0 draw with Burnley earlier that year underscored a defensive focus that stifled attacking flair. Mourinho’s teams conceded just 29 goals in 2016-17, earning praise for solidity, yet the style left fans longing for Ferguson’s adventurous spirit.The 2017-18 season yielded a second-place finish, the closest United had come to the title since Ferguson’s departure.
The 2-1 Manchester derby victory highlighted Romelu Lukaku’s physical presence and Paul Pogba’s resurgence, but the 1-0 Champions League quarter-final loss to Sevilla in 2018 exposed defensive weaknesses and a lack of cutting edge. Post-match narratives increasingly focused on Mourinho’s deteriorating rapport with the squad, with the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham in January 2018 signaling a fractured team. His sacking in December 2018, after a third-place finish, left United at a crossroads, with analyses reflecting a missed chance to bridge the Ferguson gap.
The Local Hero’s Struggle: Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Emotional Journey (2018-2021)
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s interim appointment in December 2018 sparked an immediate revival. The 3-1 win over Cardiff City and the 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham at Wembley rekindled memories of Ferguson’s late drama, with post-match reviews praising the freedom given to Pogba and Marcus Rashford. The 3-1 Champions League round-of-16 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in 2019, clinched by Rashford’s penalty, cemented his permanent role. Since he’s gone, Solskjær’s early tenure offered a glimpse of hope.
However, the 2019-20 season exposed inconsistencies. The 1-0 loss to Newcastle in October 2019 drew criticism for a lack of midfield control, while the 2-0 defeat to Burnley highlighted defensive disarray.
Manchester United Post Alex Ferguson
Solskjær’s faith in youth—players like Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams—brought promise, but the 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the 2020 derby revealed a quality gap. The 2020-21 season saw a second-place finish, yet the 2-1 FA Community Shield loss to Leicester and the 4-2 league defeat to the same side underscored persistent flaws. His sacking in November 2021, after a 4-1 loss to Watford, left fans questioning whether the “baby-faced assassin” could ever fill Ferguson’s shoes.
The Interim Innovator: Ralf Rangnick’s Pressing Puzzle (2021-2022)
Ralf Rangnick’s interim stint from November 2021 to May 2022 aimed to introduce a high-pressing, transitional style. The 3-2 win over Arsenal in December 2021 showcased potential, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace and Fred’s late winner earning post-match acclaim.
However, the 4-1 loss to Manchester City in March 2022 exposed a lack of defensive structure, with analyses noting the team’s inability to sustain Rangnick’s system.
The 1-1 draw with Chelsea in April 2022 highlighted a squad lacking unity, and Rangnick’s shift to a consultancy role left United finishing sixth with a negative goal difference. Since he’s gone, this period reinforced the challenge of imposing a new philosophy on a legacy club.
The Dutch Architect: Erik ten Hag’s Promising Yet Flawed Tenure (2022-2024)
Erik ten Hag’s arrival in 2022 brought a fresh tactical blueprint, inspired by his Ajax success. The 2022-23 season began with a 2-1 win at Anfield, where post-match reviews lauded Casemiro’s midfield mastery and Antony’s flair. The Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle in 2023, a 2-0 triumph, marked progress, with analysts noting improved defensive organization under Lisandro Martínez. However, the 7-0 loss to Liverpool in March 2023 and the 4-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City exposed vulnerabilities.
The 2023-24 season yielded a third-place finish, but post-match analyses of the 3-0 loss to Bournemouth and the 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace highlighted ongoing inconsistency. Ten Hag’s sacking in October 2024, after a 2-1 loss to West Ham, ended his tenure with two trophies but no sustained title challenge. Since he’s gone, ten Hag’s reign offered glimpses of a new era yet faltered under pressure.
The Portuguese Hope: Ruben Amorim’s Early Impact (2024-Present)
Ruben Amorim’s appointment in November 2024 has injected renewed vigor into United. The 4-0 win over Everton in December 2024 saw post-match praise for Amad Diallo’s hat-trick and Kobbie Mainoo’s midfield control. However, the 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest in February 2025 exposed defensive lapses, with analysts calling for better transitions. As of 02:41 PM CEST on July 30, 2025, with the new season on the horizon, post-match analyses suggest a team in transition under Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, balancing youth and experience.
Tactical Evolution and Recurring Themes
Since Ferguson’s departure, United’s post-match analyses reveal a club grappling with identity. Moyes and van Gaal leaned on rigid structures, Mourinho prioritized results, Solskjær relied on emotion, Rangnick pushed pressing, and ten Hag introduced possession play. Amorim’s early tenure hints at a blend of attack and defense, but the absence of a consistent striker—Rasmus Højlund’s 18-match goal drought as of March 2025—remains a concern.
Defensive fragility has been a constant, with set-piece weaknesses and midfield gaps costing dear. The emergence of academy stars like Diallo and Mainoo offers hope, yet the team’s reliance on individual brilliance rather than collective pressing mirrors the post-Ferguson void. Fan debates on platforms like X and in punditry from BBC Sport and Manchester Evening News reflect a mix of exasperation and belief, with many nostalgic for Ferguson’s commanding presence.
Player Performances and the Legacy Gap
Individual contributions have shaped post-match stories. Pogba’s peaks under Solskjær contrasted with his struggles under Mourinho, while Rashford’s inconsistency has been a focal point since 2019. Ibrahimović’s brief brilliance, Lukaku’s power, and Ronaldo’s 2021-22 return added star quality, but none matched Ferguson’s ability to elevate the collective. Current talents like Diallo and Martínez carry forward momentum, yet the lack of a midfield enforcer like Roy Keane or a creative fulcrum like Ryan Giggs is keenly felt.
The Fan’s Voice: A Community in Flux
For United supporters, post-match analyses are more than critiques—they’re a reflection of identity. Boos have echoed after losses to Bournemouth and Brighton, yet the 4-3 comeback against Brentford in May 2025 sparked renewed chants. Social media buzzes with opinions, with some blaming the Glazers’ ownership and others pinning faith on Ineos’ investment.
As Arrigo Sacchi once said, football is the “most important of the least important things,” and this love sustains a community through adversity.
Looking to the Future
As the 2025-26 season approaches, post-match analyses will continue to define United’s trajectory. Amorim’s ability to integrate signings like Bryan Mbeumo and address the striker issue with targets like Ollie Watkins will be crucial. The team’s away form, a historical barometer of morale, and the resolution of transfer sagas—such as Rashford’s potential loan to Barcelona—will shape the next chapter. Since he’s gone, Manchester United’s story has been one of adaptation rather than conquest, but the embers of Ferguson’s legacy still burn, awaiting a spark to reignite the flame.
All in all, Alex Ferguson still keeps busy of course today.
He never really retired.