Manchester United: Has Real Football Taken The Lead?

Manchester United: Has Real Football Taken the Lead?

I was probably seven or eight years old when I chose to support Manchester United. Even after two decades, I still can’t quite explain why. I just felt that was my team. It was instinctual—much like how many Nigerians support their local clubs in the Nigerian Professional Football League or the National League.

I’ve stuck with that choice ever since, not because I watched them play at the time, but because the connection was instant, deep, and personal.

When I began supporting the club, I quickly became aware of many talented players—and, of course, the legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. In fact, the notion of building a football team around a single player, like Barcelona did with Messi, was a foreign concept to us. Even Cristiano Ronaldo’s stellar performances under Sir Alex didn’t overshadow the manager’s playing philosophy. Rather, Ronaldo fit into it. Transfers were made to complement the system, not just to make headlines.

Yes, we won trophies—many of them. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Sir Alex found his winning formula over time, and when he did, it remained potent even after Ballon d’Or-worthy players left the club. That was his magic touch.

There’s a difference between just playing football and playing entertaining football. Then there’s real football—the kind that wins titles. Sir Alex mastered both. He knew the players to buy, even when the board wasn’t keen on opening the purse strings. He worked with what he had, and we still lifted silverware.

Of course, Sir Alex couldn’t stay forever. Manchester United knew the post-Ferguson era would be uncertain—and it has proven to be just that. His handpicked successor, David Moyes, was meant to carry the torch, but the flame flickered early. Realistically, you might expect a long-time assistant to transition more smoothly than an outsider, but even an assistant must discover his own winning touch. And if he finds it, he must bring it to life under pressure.

Meanwhile, Spain’s football giants seemed to have cracked a code. Their systems are so solid that any top-tier coach can step in, work with the squad at hand, and win at least one trophy. That’s the kind of structure they’ve built over decades, thanks in no small part to visionary presidents and a commitment to what works.

The Premier League took a sharp turn when the Arabian moneybags came into the picture. In the 21st Century, Roman Abramovich was the trailblazer of this “money football.” The Russian oligarch was willing to spend whatever it took—on elite managers and world-class players—to get results. And it worked. Money football wasn’t just effective; it became the new norm. Suddenly, football was no longer just about skill or heart—it was about budgets and balance sheets.

Real football has always been rooted in playing for the love of the game. Players were chosen based on how well they fit into a club’s philosophy. Stardom was secondary to the collective goal. In contrast, money football has only one goal: win trophies—at any cost.

When the big money arrived, clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United suddenly found themselves watching Chelsea and Manchester City take center stage. Even Leicester City stunned the world with a title win backed by smart investment. Now, we see clubs like Nottingham Forest riding the wave of financial muscle.

Manchester United, too, gave in to the pressure. Since Sir Alex’s departure, we’ve brought in high-profile signings. But the culture of success he built was never about throwing money at problems. He relied on sound judgement and team unity. While Chelsea chased hot prospects, United focused on solid, dependable ones. Sometimes, we even let players go for free—only to buy them back later for a fortune. That was part of the culture, and it was fine.

But the money-football culture at United is still underdeveloped. We've spent a lot, yet we’ve failed to deliver a UEFA Champions League title that might justify such investments. At best, we’ve picked up a second-tier Europa League trophy and some local cups. The truth? The money game doesn’t seem to be our thing—at least not yet.

This 2024/2025 season has made one thing painfully clear: while we’ve strayed from our roots, smaller teams sticking to “real football” have outshone us. We’re neither here nor there—no longer playing the kind of football that once made us feared, and not yet masters of the money game.

Ironically, this season has rewarded real football more than flashy spending. Clubs playing with heart, system, and purpose—not just chequebooks—are the ones winning.

Even Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga with a coach whose prior top-flight experience was with Burnley. He signed players that wouldn’t typically be linked to a club of Bayern’s pedigree—and still lifted the title.

Liverpool is managed by a name unfamiliar to casual fans. Xabi Alonso is preparing to take over at Real Madrid. Barcelona’s appointment of Hansi Flick was hardly seen as threatening—but even Madrid is ensuring its place in this return to real football, despite Mbappé smashing new records.

Big-name players have come and gone. Even Cristiano Ronaldo returned, but United still struggles to get back to the elite level. The reality? Manchester United is not playing at the top tier right now. And we must begin that long, hard climb again.

A 16th-place finish and a missed Champions League spot weren’t just unexpected—they were disheartening.¹ Still, maybe only the manager can tell us if this is truly the bottom, and whether it's only upward from here. If so, it’ll be music to our ears.

A second-place finish with no trophies. A sixth-place finish with local trophies. Both failed to satisfy the fans, and calls for sackings—from managers to boardroom members—have been granted. But what do we say about a 16th-place finish with nothing to show?

Perhaps we are back to hoping in history.

Our ownership now includes more billionaires than ever, yet we seem further from the solutions. If moneyed football is now our path, we need to figure out how to walk it—and fast.

So here’s a toast to real football—it seems to be winning again. As for Manchester United fans like me, we’ll sulk all summer. But hey, there’s no use crying over spilled milk. In real football, these things happen. And they can happen to any club that fails to play at the highest level.

But in moneyed football?

Well… they rarely do.

¹On Gameweek 38, Manchester United triumphed over Aston Villa, but despite the victory, we still finished a disappointing 15th on the table.