Managing Manchester United Appointment and first years Ferguson was appointed manager at Old Trafford on 6 November 1986. He was initially worried that many of the players, such as Norman Whiteside, Paul McGrath and Bryan Robson were drinking too much and was "depressed" by their level of fitness, but he managed to increase the players' discipline and United climbed up the table to finish the season in 11th place, having been 21st (second from bottom) when he took over. His first game in charge was a 2–0 defeat at underdogs Oxford United on 8 November, followed seven days later by a goalless draw at newly promoted Norwich City, and then his first win (1–0 at home to QPR) on 22 November. Results steadily improved as the season went on, and by the time they recorded what would be their only away win of the league campaign at title challengers and deadly rivals Liverpool on Boxing Day, it was clear that United were on the road to recovery. 1987 began on a high note with a 4–1 victory over Newcastle United and United gradually pulled together in the second half of the season, with relatively occasional defeats on the way, and finished 11th in the final table. Ferguson's mother, Elizabeth died of lung cancer, aged 64, three weeks after his appointment. Ferguson appointed Archie Knox, his assistant at Aberdeen, as his assistant at Manchester United in 1986.[citation needed] In the 1987–88 season, Ferguson made several major signings, including Steve Bruce, Viv Anderson, Brian McClair and Jim Leighton. The new players made a great contribution to a United team who finished in second place, nine points behind Liverpool. However, Liverpool's points lead had been in double digits for most of the season and while United had lost only five league games all season, they drew 12 games and there was clearly still some way to go before United could be a match for their north western rivals.[citation needed] United were expected to do well when Mark Hughes returned to the club two years after leaving for Barcelona, but the 1988–89 season was a disappointment for them, finishing eleventh in the league and losing 1–0 at home to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup Sixth Round. They had begun the season slowly, going on a nine-match winless run throughout October and November (with one defeat and eight draws) before a run of generally good results took them to third place and the fringes of the title challenge by mid February. However, another run of disappointing results in the final quarter of the season saw them fall down to mid table. During the season, United played in friendly matches against the Bermudan national team and Somerset County Cricket Club as part of the Bermudan team's tour of England. In the match against Somerset, both Ferguson himself and his assistant, Archie Knox, took to the field, with Knox even getting on the scoresheet. The match remains Ferguson's only appearance for the Manchester United first team.[citation needed] For the 1989–90 season, Ferguson further boosted his squad by paying large sums of money for midfielders Neil Webb, Mike Phelan and Paul Ince, as well as defender Gary Pallister and winger Danny Wallace. The season began well with a 4–1 win over defending champions Arsenal on the opening day, but United's league form quickly turned sour. In September, United suffered a humiliating 5–1 away defeat against fierce rivals Manchester City. Following this and an early season run of six defeats and two draws in eight games, a banner declaring "Three years of excuses and it's still crap...ta-ra Fergie." was displayed at Old Trafford, and many journalists and supporters called for Ferguson to be sacked.[49][50] Ferguson later described December 1989 as "the darkest period [he had] ever suffered in the game", as United ended the decade just outside the relegation zone.[51][52] However, Ferguson later revealed that the board of directors had assured him that they were not considering dismissing him. Although naturally disappointed with the lack of success in the league, they understood the reasons for the sub-standard results (namely the absence of several key players due to injury) and were pleased with the way that Ferguson had reorganised the club's coaching and scouting system. Following a run of seven games without a win, Manchester United were drawn away to Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup. Forest were performing well that season and were in the process of winning the League Cup for the second season running,[53] and it was expected that United would lose the match and Ferguson would consequently be sacked, but United won the game 1–0 thanks to a Mark Robins goal and eventually reached the final. This cup win is often cited as the match that saved Ferguson's Old Trafford career, even though it has since been stated that his job was never at risk.[53][54][55] United went on to win the FA Cup, beating Crystal Palace 1–0 in the final replay after a 3–3 draw in the first match, giving Ferguson his first major trophy as Manchester United manager. United's defensive frailties in the first match were unilaterally blamed on goalkeeper Jim Leighton, forcing Ferguson to drop his former Aberdeen player and bring in Les Sealey. 11th in his first year; 2nd in his 2nd; 11th in his 3rd. Fans and journalists calling for his head in the 4th and saved by that now famous FA Cup run and that Mark Robins goal against Forest. He had had three and a half years BEFORE the boo boys came calling. Now compare this to some of our fans and calling for MoN's head after just 37 league games and less than a year in charge and all because we are not top 6 or 7. It's ****ing ridiculous. Bruce had to go because it was HIS players; HIS team and HIS **** stats that caught up with him in the end. We were going backwards. Martin is still partly operating with Bruce's set of nuggets and until he can get another 4 or 5 far better players can he call this team HIS and only then will we be able to discuss his record fully. A win today puts us into 13th place and only 4 points behind the mighty Arsenal in 10th (still with a game in hand). There is almost 2/3rds of the season remaining and a helluva lot of points to play for, plus the transfer window opens for business in 4 weeks or so. Keeping the Faith with the best manager we have had in my lifetime is easy for me but unless some of our more spineless followers develop themselves a backbone and get behind the manager AND the team, we will suffer this season. I wonder how many Utd fans will admit today to being part of the Fergie out campaign back in his early years? I wonder if they feel like knobheads now as well?
Oneil has had 2 windows to bring players in.. If you like watching oneils football that's fair enough, but I know the majority don't.. And the majority normally wins. He has a few games left to change things, if he can't, he will need to go, otherwise he could take us down.
Steve Kean (Blackburn), Alex McCleish (at Birmingham), Gareth Southgate (Boro), Coyle (Bolton) were all given time and all got their teams relegated. Every situation is different to be fair, but for me a manager has to earn the right for time. If fans see some form of progression then that time will be granted, if they don't then concerns & discontent will be voiced.
Oh yes I forgot, the useless twat didn't bring in 4 or 5 top drawer players in the January transfer did he, despite having a whole 4 weeks to prepare. What a stupid ignorant comment to make.
The one difference I would say about now Cest is that although I trust MON can turn it round. The money from actually being in the Prem is huge. When Fergie took over at Utd am I right in thinking the money came from gate receipts and a small amount from TV? The money men running clubs now, are not so forgiving and willing to wait, like the old style Chairmen who used to run the game.
Who do we get? Which players can we get if we appoint a new manager with the window only a month away. My biggest concern is someone coming in for Rose. I firmly believe we will not get relegated and I still think MON should be given at least two more transfer windows. We will then have MONs team, nobody elses, no brucie to blame.
Gil is asking the right question: who could we get instead? MON is respected throughout football and any manager worth his salt seeing him get the shaft from us after a year isn't going to be too keen to come here even if he did fancy a relegation scrap. And how many managers want their reputation on the line with that? Right or wrong, we hired MON and now we have to back him. I don't like what's happening in terms of results, but the 2nd half today showed what we can do and there's still 24 games to go. We only need 3 to be worse than us and I still think we'll put a run together to get us out of the poop.
