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As Robin van Persie broke Aston Villa’s offside trap, all the time his eyes fixed upon Wayne Rooney’s delicate long ball from beyond the halfway line, there was a sense of anticipation around Old Trafford.
The Manchester United faithful had become accustomed to the Dutchman’s brilliance all season, but his first-time left-footed volley was something else. Hit with perfection, the ball nestled into Brad Guzan’s net as the crowd roared in appreciation.
It was April 22, 2013, and the second of a Van Persie hat-trick that would seal United’s 20th English First Division trophy. It would also mark a fine farewell to Sir Alex Ferguson, who announced his retirement two weeks later.
It was a job well done, Ferguson’s masterstroke being the signing of Van Persie from rivals Arsenal for a fee of £24 million at the start of the campaign.
Yet from there the dynasty crumbled. Of the 20 footballers that played 10 or more games in that historic season, only nine remain. United have been forced into a unprecedented spending spree to claw back power in England, and the blame falls at the feet of a legend.
Ferguson, whether misguided or caught up in his own success, thought he had laid a strong platform for successor David Moyes to continue the trophy-laden era. Yet, at the time, the victorious 2012-13 squad looked like the worst in Ferguson’s history as manager, and it has now been confirmed as much.
There was distinct lack of vision from Ferguson and his board, no long-term plan to assist a smooth transition.
The Scotsman was content in the knowledge that Phil Jones and Chris Smalling would be the replacements for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
His last signing was short-sighted, albeit successful, in Van Persie. The classy striker almost single-handedly delivered Ferguson his parting gift, though the ageing legs and injury-prone bones were never going to last.
Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were wrung dry of every last bit of quality, and Ferguson failed to find their successors. Tom Cleverley, anyone? Danny Welbeck was not the future England star that Ferguson had predicted.
Moyes was doomed from the start, and his reputation left in tatters. The former Everton man deserved better – much, much better.
Now, under new manager Louis van Gaal, United have been forced to replicate their rivals, Chelsea and Manchester City, in attempting to buy back success.
In the first eight seasons of the Glazers’ ownership, a net outlay of about £150 million was spent in the transfer market.
While Chelsea and City were heading into every window with limitless chequebooks, Ferguson was living off his golden generation, making astute purchases here and there, dipping into the youth system, and using his exceptional management skills to churn out trophies.
Over that period Ferguson claimed five Premier League titles, three League Cups, and the coveted Champions League. All while his rivals dwarfed United’s spending on recruitment. He truly was an exceptional talent.
Yet since Ferguson’s departure, United have spent a total net outlay of almost £250 million. And the number could jumped a further £90 million if Sergio Ramos and Christian Benteke (or another similarly priced striker, pending Liverpool’s interest) complete mooted moves to Old Trafford. That would represent almost 2.5 times the net amount spent during the previous eight seasons.
Van Gaal has been responsible for the majority of that binge. Even Jose Mourinho was not afforded such luxuries when arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2004 under Roman Abramovich. His club spent a net outlay of about £180 million in three seasons. It resulted in two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups.
Van Gaal has already eclipsed that spending with three and a half transfer windows in hand. Now the trophies must follow.
United fans have so far been able to look down on Chelsea and Manchester City, mocking their credentials as they spent lavishly in order to achieve success.
No longer. If United win the title this season, it will undoubtedly have been bought. They have now joined the incessant race for trophies, backed by millions of pounds.
It is fairly safe to say that that has never been the case in the proud club’s Premier League history.
Splurges have never been part of United’s recipe for success, with luxury buys often limited to one, occasionally two, per season. These signings were usually expensive but spot-on – think Andy Cole, Paul Ince, Jaap Stam, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.
Now, however, it is a case of collecting a number of world-class players in one hit, multiple times. It is a dramatic shift in policy.
But will it be enough to win Van Gaal a trophy? You would hope so.
The signings so far have been impressive. Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Memphis Depay, combined with Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata, provide United with a frighteningly loaded midfield.
Matteo Darmian’s signing is also a winner, the Italy international providing quality in defence and attack for the troubled fullback role, which winger Antonio Valencia was forced to occupy last season.
Yet the two areas where United were particularly lacking in last season – centre back and striker – are yet to be filled. The arrival of Ramos could be key to United winning a 21st English League title, while a quality striker is also essential to support Rooney.
Either way, another dip in the transfer market is essential to deliver success to the Red Devils.
Any failure from Van Gaal to win silverware this season could only be seen as a disappointment considering the outlay. The pressure is on United to turn extravagant spendings into results. And all because the club’s most revered manager failed to adequately prepare for his own departure.
United fans will not see a sumptuous Van Persie volley deliver them a title in April next season, even though it will be a mere three years on from that historic date.
And from remaining 10 players that Ferguson relied on for that Villa victory it is highly plausible that only Rooney and David de Gea will remain as regular starters.
Ferguson created a magnificent dynasty, and deserves his place as one of the best managers to grace a dugout. However, the collapse of his empire is not solely down to Ferguson’s successors.
The United legend has to cop a large portion of the responsibility.
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