The Story of Man United’s Managers Under Pressure

DBasia.news – Jose Mourinho admitted that he seldom read the news about him. But he certainly understands that he is under pressure.

Before the season started, Mourinho still got the support of the club’s high-official. But the 2-3 defeat from Brighton last week made his position threatened.

There are many things made him the highlight of the club. From the unattractive performance, clash with senior players, and Mourinho’s complaint about the transfer market. No wonder there were some issues about Mourinho’s future even though the Premier League is just come off three weeks.

Mourinho isn’t the first architect who got pressured in Man United. The same thing happened to the former United managers, including Sir Alex Ferguson.

Interesting to know how the forerunner of Mourinho responded to the pressure, and also their fate.

Sir Alex Ferguson (1989-1990)

The 1989-1990 season perhaps the most difficult time in Alex Ferguson’s career. Many people said that Sir Alex almost fired in this period.

No wonder, at that time The Red Devils scored 11 matches with no winning. The supporters anxiety reached the highest point since Ferguson joined in 1986. “3 YEARS OF EXCUSES AND IT’S STILL C**P” was the sign up at Old Trafford. Ferguson said December 1989 was the worst moment with United.

In January 1990, United played against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. Many thought Ferguson will be kicked if got defeated again. Fortunately, Mark Robbins decisive goal saved Ferguson’s career.

Though finished in the 13th rank in the league, Ferguson stayed as the coach after Man Utd successfully won the FA Cup after defeating Crystal Palace in the final round.

Sir Alex Ferguson (2005-2006)

Failed to compete with Chelsea who became the Premier League’s champion last season, raised a doubt to Manchester United ahead of the new season.

The anti-Glazer sentiment was getting stronger in the supporters. The club’s movement in the transfer market was also disappointing. When the season began, after played draw with Manchester City, Villareal, and Liverpool, The Red Devils got defeated by Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford.

Furthermore, Ferguson squad got defeated by Middlesbrough 1-4 and Lille 1-0. Ferguson’s position became unstable when the competition just went half way.

Once again, Alex Ferguson escaped the pressure. Man United reopened the chance to be the domestic champion even though kicked from the Champions League. When Chelsea became the champion, United proved that they could compete. United became the Liga Cup winner of this season.

Sir Alex Ferguson (2007-2008)

Compared to the previous difficult times, the 2007-2008 was relatively easy for Alex Ferguson. But still, it was the heaviest period for the manager.

Came as the defending champion, United ended the last season with just one victory and one goal from the last five matches, also defeated by Chelsea in the FA Cup.

In the new season, the minor result continued. United just got one point against Reading and Portsmouth, also defeated in the derby against Manchester City. The anxiety rose.

However, Ferguson succeeded to rise up the team. United scored 15 victories in 24 matches before the year-end. Consequently, United defended the Premier League title and defeated Chelsea in the final round of Champions League.

David Moyes (2013-2014)

After Sir Alex Ferguson retired, Man United appointed David Moyes as the successor. Even though he started the season well after winning the Community Shield, Moyes faced a great pressure.

Four consecutive defeats in the Premier League on January, two of them in the home threatened Moyes’ position. The situation was getting intense in March when United could only score two winnings. Within a month, United got the biggest defeat from Liverpool and City. Moyes was on the edge.

Moyes could do nothing after kicked by Bayern Munchen in the Champions League and Everton that required United out of the big four of Premier League and made Moyes fired as the manager.

Louis van Gaal (2015-2016)

In his second season, Louis van Gaal was relatively the most unpopular manager in Manchester United. Performing inconsistently at the beginning of the season made United when the Premier League entered December. In that period, United scored 8 matches with no winning in all competitions.

The 0-2 defeat from Stoke City when the captain Wayne Rooney benched was the peak. United performed extremely poor at that match. Van Gaal accused the players have no gut after the match.

United revived with only one loss in nine matches. The pressure to Van Gaal was lessened. The Red Devils finished in the fifth position and won the FA Cup. However, as the rumor of Pep Guardiola’s arrival to City, Jose Mourinho also rumored to replace Van Gaal.

Two days after bringing United won the FA Cup, Van Gaal was officially fired and replaced by Mourinho. That was an awkward yet surprising decision considering Van Gaal’s achievement so far.

With United, Van Gaal scored 51,3 percent victory. There were just Alex Ferguson (60,4) and Ernest Mangali (54,2) with the higher score than Van Gaal.