Manchester United have endured a miserable season, with Ruben Amorim struggling to improve upon Erik ten Hag's efforts, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first year in charge has brought lots of turmoil
Comments
Sport
Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt
Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt are unimpressed by how Manchester United have been run
(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt have delivered a damning verdict on their former club's chances of getting back to the top any time soon. United are down in 13th place in the Premier League, with the Europa League their only hope of salvaging the club's worst season of the modern era.
More than £1billion has been squandered on players in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, with United now further away than ever before from competing for the title. United endured a 26-year wait for the title until Ferguson won the first of his 13 Premier League crowns in 1993, with Giggs and Butt fearing a similarly long spell to be crowned champions.
Article continues below
Butt branded United's season a “disaster” while Giggs said consistently poor decisions over the past decade have led to the club being at its lowest ebb. “Over recent years, United has looked like it's a plaster on a gaping wound,” said Butt. “It doesn't work.
“I think every single fan – and I'm one – has to understand we're at the bottom of the mountain and there's a massive, massive climb to get up to, probably four or five clubs above them. Not only on the pitch, but off the pitch.
“I would never be naive and say it won't take that long because we're United, because big clubs have had it before, where they've had to wait so long. I hope not, but I wouldn't bet against it.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim has already axed two Man Utd stars that 'let down' Erik ten HagREAD MORE: Man Utd set Rasmus Hojlund price tag after rival makes transfer approach
“There are a lot of things I think they're doing wrong, but we all know that and it's sad to see, because I loved my time at United since I was six years of age and it's not the United I know and loved.”
Giggs, the most decorated player in United's history, agreed with former team-mate Butt that it is likely to be some time before the team is challenging for the big prizes again – despite his belief in new boss Ruben Amorim. “I like Ruben, I think he comes across well, but he's got a tough job,” said Giggs. “I think it's a case of backing him and sticking with him.
“It might be a long time before we bring success back onto the pitch but, from what I've seen so far, I believe he's got a great chance if he is backed, so hopefully he will be. It's such a big club and we had such success for such a long time, you don't believe it can [go wrong], but it does happen.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim inherited a tough job
“It happened to us before we won the league, it happened to Liverpool and football always goes in cycles. But there's a lot of work to be done because of what's happened over the past 10 years or so.
“Recruitment-wise, bad decisions, both on and off the pitch, there's a lot of work to be done. It's not great to see, as someone who was there for so long and also as a fan.
“There's been some harsh words and maybe some truthful words been spoken over the last couple of months by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and by Ruben, with some of the statements he's come out with. He's called a few people out when it's needed.
“Maybe it was needed, we'll have to wait and see. I don't think anyone's got a crystal ball to see what's going to happen in the future and it's going to be really interesting to see how it goes in the next five, 10, 15 years. I don't think Ruben has shirked away and I don't think anyone knew how difficult his job would be until he's actually gone into it. But he's remained positive.
New Man Utd stadium
Manchester United are proposing to build a new £2billion, 100,000-seat stadium
“He's had success, he knows what it takes to win leagues. He's got that charisma, he's got that personality, but he's also got that bit of steel as well and needs to be backed.”
On United's new £2billion stadium plan, Giggs said: “I think everyone, if it was possible, would like to keep the stadium as it is, like what they've done at Nou Camp, what they've done at the Bernabeu.
“If that isn’t possible, then the next best thing is a new stadium. United has always been at the forefront of technology, about having the best facilities, the best stadium, the best fan experience and we fell behind with that. On the pitch, off the pitch, we fell behind with a lot of things. If it's going to be a new stadium, it needs to be the best and hopefully we get the best players on the pitch as well.”
*Giggs and Butt were speaking at the Champions for Children gala dinner, to raise funds for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Foundation 92. The gala dinner, at Manchester's Victoria Warehouse, raised £267,412 for Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Foundation 92, the Class of 92 backed charity.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.