Where is Sir Alan Sugar when you need him?

[Dorset]

Slowly, almost remorselessly, the Premiership draws to its inevitable conclusion. We will soon see another clenched fist retention of the title, framing a white shell-suited Siralex, as he and his team cavort around in celebration of a job done, if not well, then adequately. However, that said as quickly as possible, this season has at least ushered in a shocking new element to the usual galling mix of Media adulation and general genuflection when in the presence of this knight of the realm. In short, we have seen [for once] some close scrutiny of the old boy’s methods and the red nosed easy rider of the past twenty years is beginning to find his final stretch of road bumpier than expected.

Fergie’s club finances haven’t escaped critical examination either, despite a recent ridiculous attempt by him to feign a lack of awareness of what goes on in a particularly murky corner of the Old Trafford boardroom. Presumably, the thought never crossed his mind that the main reason why the odd £20 mill couldn’t be readily dished out to retain Tevez is that the recession is affecting everybody, including Malcolm Glazer. Naturally enough, unlike other clubs, it is just too demeaning for United to actually come out and say that they must sell before being able to buy, or that this sound economic principle also applies when dealing with players you get on the cheap in the first place.

The year 2014 already looms large in David Gill’s thoughts, as, apparently, the bulk of the debt foisted on United has to be repaid by then. Not that his faithful old retainer need worry too much about it, of course, because, unless they are going to install a Stannah Stairlift at the Cliff, he will be long gone. Maybe that is the real reason why he acts dumb on the subject of finance at press conferences and concentrates solely on the mind games, brickbats, barbs and banalities he is famed and fawned over for. Except that, it would appear, he can’t anymore. It isn’t working. It was all taken a step too far in collusion with a crony called Big Sam in what turned out to be the biggest backfire since Fergie started shoving verbal spuds up his rivals exhaust pipes.

In fact, in this particular instance Rafa drove on, albeit down the cul-de-sac d ‘Arse, seemingly oblivious to the childish prank, and since the theatrics took place there has been scant support for the theory that Ferguson’s antics in any way contributed to the dropping of points. At last, a disapproving and universal response [by a previously sniggering Media] to infantile behaviour that is in itself ‘beyond the pale‘. The backtracking began immediately in what turned out to be his next, somewhat jocular, session in front of assembled mics, when not one Mickey take was tried, but the damage had been done and duly noted by the people who are not only giving, but getting, the message.

Trying to turn the screw on Benitez was an unnecessary and rather self indulgent act that should also result in a backlash in the Champions League semi-final when Wenger, if he’s got any sense, will no doubt take the moral high ground as well as push the prettier football argument. The Media, tiring of CL sameness, will likely as not provide underdog backing, with the exception of Sky who have predictably continued in staunch, Red Devil promotional mode throughout. SSNews is good at keeping its head down when ManU matters go pear-shaped and their silence, when the present spat turned ugly, was deafening and no exception to the ‘one rule for them’ philosophy of Andy Gray and Co.

Exactly how this late change of attitude towards Ferguson [by the Media majority] will affect coverage of their impending Premiership title retention, or any further success against the Gunners and beyond, is anybodies guess, but the manager has certainly done himself no favours over the last few weeks. A direct comparison with the other Big Four men at the helm leaves him struggling on almost every level except results, which, although described differently in print, are currently churned out in much the same way as we once ground them out under Jose. This familiarity wont breed mass Media contempt for Fergie or his team because both are too successful and established in their own comfort zones to be undermined, yet decisions he has made over the last twelve months are now being picked upon in an unprecedented way, especially where players are concerned. Here are a few chickens that may soon come home to roost…

1. Ronaldo almost forcibly retained for another season that has so far proved to be a disappointment for club and player. A misjudgement that will be costly in both financial and team morale terms. Quite frankly, body language shows has never wanted to hang around longer than was absolutely necessary.

2. Cashing in could have provided the money to retain Tevez and that statement of intent early in the season would have satisfied the fans, whereas now a crowd favourite is seen to be jettisoned unfairly.

3. The stage-managed summer signing of Berbatov is in danger of looking like an over-hyped and glitzy extravagance, as the moody Bulgarian fails to live up to the [Cantona high] expectations of his taxi driver from the airport. Although these may well be achieved in the future, the first season signs are that his character is nowhere near as strong as the Frenchman’s and the Old Trafford faithful aren’t being so and already getting on his back.

Ferguson doesn’t usually make a string of blunders like those above, and I accept that I may well have prejudged issues right across the board, but, at a time when his unique position in the English game should be unassailable, hacks throughout the country are beginning to question his judgement like never before. The mood is definitely changing, circumstances may soon dictate damaging terms, and that is usually the moment for wholesale transformation. Whilst 2014 is still a long way away, it will always be true to say that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks and, as no truer word could be spoken of Siralex, how long will it be before the ManU hierarchy grow tired of dictatorial tetchiness in its dotage?

[bonetti]

Re Berbatov - you would think that red nose would have learnt from Veron

Now where did Veron go on to!

[dkw]

Re Berbatov - you would think that red nose would have learnt from Veron

Now where did Veron go on to!

cheers bonetti, youve just totally ruined my friday. take it back, TAKE IT BACK NOW!!!!!!!!! please.....

[bonetti]

cheers bonetti, youve just totally ruined my friday. take it back, TAKE IT BACK NOW!!!!!!!!! please.....

Sorry couldn't resist - consider it fully rescinded

[TheWestwayWonder]

Ferguson has often made personnel and financial blunders in the past. That is nothing new. But he has been astute enough to get (mostly) the right buys at the right time to add to what he has, and then get the best out of said players in a tactical sense. He has also made a few high profile screwups, and now they simply cant afford those unlike 10 years ago

While I do think the the Mancs have not been anywhere near as impressive as the last two seasons, and that Ronaldo has regressed, Im not really convinced this is indicative of a pattern. People said Man U were done, as a force, when Rio forgot his piss cup and Roy Keane slagged off his team mates. Here we are 5 years later, and they look likely to make it 3 league victories since then. So I have learned to not count them out.

While the old man is surely close to walking away, alot depends on the final few years of his reign and the successor he decides to appoint. Unfortunately, right now they have a core whose average age is about 25. Rooney and Ronaldo are probably the only two you would label "definitely world class" but having stability in the next few years, and keeping a good core of player together is half the battle. The other half is, of course, having the right man at the helm. And once Meester Ferghusun is gone, I dont know if anyone is gonna be able to handle that pressure.

That debt, on the other hand, might be the death of them in a much more direct way. Sadly, because of the sheer potential for revenue, I think they will be an attractive option if the Glazers sell up