Sir Alex Ferguson retired as Manchester United manager in 2013 after winning the Premier League for a 13th time. The Red Devils have been unable to replicate that feat since then.
There was a plan in place after Manchester United lost the 2011/12 Premier League title on goal difference. It involved signing Robin van Persie and a few other youthful prodigies.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s team would go on to win a 20th league title with a squad that had a mixture of superstars and veterans.
United finished 11 points clear of runners-up Man City, after claiming the title with four games to spare, beating Aston Villa 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Van Persie was the Premier League’s top scorer that season, winning the Golden Boot with 26 league goals and 30 in all competitions.
Ferguson’s retirement came as a blow towards the end of the campaign, as did Paul Scholes’ decision to hang up his boots for a second and final time.
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Sir Alex Ferguson knew end was near for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic
Although Ferguson won the league title in the final season, the squad was ageing. It was clear that many key players were coming to the end of their careers, such as Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra.
Three of those four players would go on to join other clubs, but they were no longer at their best. This was at the back of Ferguson’s mind, according to former Premier League talent scout Paul Montgomery.
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Speaking to Beyond The Back Four, Montgomery suggested that Ferguson had concerns about Vidic and Ferdinand coming to the end of their careers, which helped him decide to retire when he did.
“Sir Alex, he had Vidic and Ferdinand, and I think that helped him retire,” said Montgomery.
“He thought, ‘ohh, hang on, when I’ve lost them, who have I got to win? Because I’m expected to win a Champions League, etc’.
“And I think that kind of helped him retire at the time he did when he lost those players.
“Because you’ve got to have that spine 100 per cent if you’re going to be a top, top side.
“No ifs, buts or maybe that is the main ingredient.”
Having a stable defence is crucial to any team wanting to win the Premier League.
Ferdinand and Vidic had the best defensive partnership in Europe for years as shown in 2008 when United were last crowned Champions League winners.
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Interestingly, Ruben Amorim has United playing in a back-three system, but he is still trying to settle on a formidable line-up that will bring the glory days back to Old Trafford. That will take a lot of hard work and patience.
Rio Ferdinand among Man Utd legends at star-studded Grand Prix
Ferdinand was one of the former United players at the Qatar Grand Prix at the weekend.
Sir David Beckham was also present at the illuminated Lusail International Circuit alongside Gary Neville.
The United trio weren’t the only stars seen at the Grand Prix.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was in attendance with popular TV presenter Maya Jama and tennis sensation Novak Djokovic.