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What went wrong at United and how did City overtake us? A thread:
In 2008, Manchester United were crowned Champions of England and Europe.
10 days before being winning the Champions League, Manchester City were beaten 8-1 by Middlesbrough in the league & finished 9th.
In 2008, Manchester United were crowned Champions of England and Europe.
10 days before being winning the Champions League, Manchester City were beaten 8-1 by Middlesbrough in the league & finished 9th.
08/09
A few months later, the Abu Dhabi Group completed the takeover of City - officially on 23rd September 2008.
They wasted little time, spending £50m in the January 09 window to bring in the likes of De Jong, Bellamy and Bridge. In the same window, United spent £6.5m.
A few months later, the Abu Dhabi Group completed the takeover of City - officially on 23rd September 2008.
They wasted little time, spending £50m in the January 09 window to bring in the likes of De Jong, Bellamy and Bridge. In the same window, United spent £6.5m.
Total spend at the end of the 08/09 season since the Abu Dhabi Group took charge;
Man Utd: £6.5m
Man City: £50m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
Man Utd: £6.5m
Man City: £50m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
09/10
The transfer window that represents the height of Glazernomics. United sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid and replaced him with Obertan, Valencia and Owen giving United a total spend of approx. £25m, despite receiving £94m in outgoings.
The transfer window that represents the height of Glazernomics. United sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid and replaced him with Obertan, Valencia and Owen giving United a total spend of approx. £25m, despite receiving £94m in outgoings.
In what would be the Abu Dhabi Group's first summer window, they spent a total of £133m, even signing Tevez who had spent the previous 2 years on loan at United.
United lost Tevez as they didn't feel he was worth the money, despite being a key component the previous 2 seasons.
United lost Tevez as they didn't feel he was worth the money, despite being a key component the previous 2 seasons.
In those 2 seasons, Tevez made 99 apperances, scoring 34 goals.
He won the Premier League twice, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, a League Cup and a Community Shield.
Deemed not worthy of the £22m City paid to sign him permanently.
He won the Premier League twice, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, a League Cup and a Community Shield.
Deemed not worthy of the £22m City paid to sign him permanently.
Given that United had just lost Ronaldo, you'd think they'd have done more to keep him.
People blame Tevez for this but the fact is United hesitated. After seeing your best player leave, it wouldn't make sense to let go of another attacker unless it was financial.
People blame Tevez for this but the fact is United hesitated. After seeing your best player leave, it wouldn't make sense to let go of another attacker unless it was financial.
There was no denying just how good Tevez was. His work-rate quickly ensured he became a fan favourite and his chemistry with Rooney & Ronaldo was special.
A key player. We stood by whilst he joined our neighbours. The 'Welcome to Manchester' banner was the start of the shift.
A key player. We stood by whilst he joined our neighbours. The 'Welcome to Manchester' banner was the start of the shift.
United lost the title that season by a single point, finishing behind Chelsea whilst City made the leap from 10th to 5th, their highest finish in the Premier League era.
Tevez was named City's player of the year. Maybe he would have been he difference for United...
Tevez was named City's player of the year. Maybe he would have been he difference for United...
Total spend at the end of the 09/10 season since the Abu Dhabi Group took charge;
Man Utd: £31.5m
Man City: £183m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
Man Utd: £31.5m
Man City: £183m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
10/11
Heading into their second full season at City, with progress evident, City spent a further £166m.
Manager-wise, they'd also appointed Roberto Mancini mid 09/10, who had just won three back-to-back titles with Inter Milan.
Heading into their second full season at City, with progress evident, City spent a further £166m.
Manager-wise, they'd also appointed Roberto Mancini mid 09/10, who had just won three back-to-back titles with Inter Milan.
City's spending in the 10/11 season included bringing in Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure, Alexsander Kolarov, Mario Balotelli, James Milner and perhaps more importantly, David Silva.
All of which had a part to play in their eventual success.
All of which had a part to play in their eventual success.
Whilst City were building a squad to take the next step to challenge, United were standing still.
Whilst City were securing the signings of Toure and Silva, United spent a total of £26.5m - which included Bebe, Smalling, Chicharito and Lindegaard.
Slight contrast.
Whilst City were securing the signings of Toure and Silva, United spent a total of £26.5m - which included Bebe, Smalling, Chicharito and Lindegaard.
Slight contrast.
Manchester United did go on to win the title, thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson's genius and Wayne Rooney producing maybe his best ever season - but City were catching up. And fast.
City finished 3rd that season and ended their 35 year wait for a trophy by winning the FA Cup.
City finished 3rd that season and ended their 35 year wait for a trophy by winning the FA Cup.
Total spend at the end of the 10/11 season since the Abu Dhabi Group took charge;
Man Utd: £58m
Man City: £349m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
Man Utd: £58m
Man City: £349m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
11/12
After securing CL football for the first time and winning their first trophy in 35 years, City had something to build on. And build they did.
A more conservative spend of £82m (still more than United had spent in the previous 3) was enough to sign Aguero & Nasri.
After securing CL football for the first time and winning their first trophy in 35 years, City had something to build on. And build they did.
A more conservative spend of £82m (still more than United had spent in the previous 3) was enough to sign Aguero & Nasri.
Clichy and Savic also joined but the signing of Aguero for just over £30m is one that still haunts United to this day.
Sir Alex Ferguson himself admitted that United rejected Aguero because he was too expensive.
Sir Alex Ferguson himself admitted that United rejected Aguero because he was too expensive.
"His agent was demanding a price we were not prepared to pay," Ferguson explained in his book.
That season, United had a total spend of £56m, which saw De Gea, Young and Phil Jones (sigh) join the club.
Whilst City were building, United were propping things up.
That season, United had a total spend of £56m, which saw De Gea, Young and Phil Jones (sigh) join the club.
Whilst City were building, United were propping things up.
The less said about the 11/12 season, the better, but we all know how it ended.
Sergio Aguero, the man deemed too expensive, winning City their first ever Premier League title.
Fine margins but City built a squad capable of challenging - and winning - within 3 seasons.
Sergio Aguero, the man deemed too expensive, winning City their first ever Premier League title.
Fine margins but City built a squad capable of challenging - and winning - within 3 seasons.
United ended that season trophyless. Their first trophyless season since 2005. Their first season without a final or trophy since 1998.
Getting knocked out in the group stage of the Champions League and subsequently the Europa League too.
Getting knocked out in the group stage of the Champions League and subsequently the Europa League too.
Total spend at the end of the 11/12 season since the Abu Dhabi Group took charge;
Man Utd: £114m
Man City: £431m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
Man Utd: £114m
Man City: £431m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
12/13
Normal service was resumed in 12/13 thanks to the short-term signing of Robin van Persie and this would be Ferguson's last ever season in football.
The writing was on the wall and Ferguson squeezed every last drop out of this squad before retiring as a champion.
Normal service was resumed in 12/13 thanks to the short-term signing of Robin van Persie and this would be Ferguson's last ever season in football.
The writing was on the wall and Ferguson squeezed every last drop out of this squad before retiring as a champion.
This was the first season since City's takeover that United outspent City - by £13 million - but it's well known that van Persie turned City down in favour of United. The title that season hinged on the decision of Arsenal's best player and where he'd go.
City spent £56m whilst United's signing of van Persie and Kagawa took their total spend to £69m.
City finished 2nd and the season trophyless after losing the FA Cup final to Wigan, which opened the door for Manuel Pellegrini.
City finished 2nd and the season trophyless after losing the FA Cup final to Wigan, which opened the door for Manuel Pellegrini.
Total spend at the end of the 12/13 season since the Abu Dhabi Group took charge;
Man Utd: £183m
Man City: £487m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
Man Utd: £183m
Man City: £487m
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
From 08/09 - 12/13, City outspent United by £304m.
That was despite United receiving a world record fee for Cristiano Ronalo in that time.
The years that followed were a mess structurally for United and they were desperately trying to play catch-up.
That was despite United receiving a world record fee for Cristiano Ronalo in that time.
The years that followed were a mess structurally for United and they were desperately trying to play catch-up.
A revolving door of managers not good enough or not getting along with the board followed.
Decisions made by men who don't know the first thing about football.
Managers being overruled on incomings and outgoings.
Decisions made by men who don't know the first thing about football.
Managers being overruled on incomings and outgoings.
That 5 year period between 2008 and 2013 is why we're in the mess that we find ourselves in now.
Sir Alex Ferguson's genius left the next man no hope, with an ageing squad against a club across the city who were seemingly doing everything right - and still are.
Sir Alex Ferguson's genius left the next man no hope, with an ageing squad against a club across the city who were seemingly doing everything right - and still are.
The Glazers' ownership for Manchester United has been bad financially - obviously - but it goes far beyond that.
We still don't have a clear structure or the right people in the right positions. City seemed to figure that out pretty quickly.
We still don't have a clear structure or the right people in the right positions. City seemed to figure that out pretty quickly.
The difference?
The reason why City have overtaken United at an alarming speed?
Their owners care about football. Our owners care about money. And it's that simple.
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
The reason why City have overtaken United at an alarming speed?
Their owners care about football. Our owners care about money. And it's that simple.
#GlazersOut #GetGlazersOut
