In April 1989, with Alex Ferguson into the third year of what appeared certain to be an ill-fated stint in charge of Manchester United, Guns N’ Roses, then the biggest rock band in the world, released Patience. In the years that followed, that tune with its inimitable acoustic guitar, would almost become the soundtrack of the Ferguson years.
Fast forward to the present day, and Manchester United will play Manchester City, their cross-town rivals, in the FA Cup final at Wembley. The club once derided by Ferguson as the ‘noisy neighbours’ are now so far ahead of United that they no longer inhabit the same football universe. City have just wrapped up a sixth English Premier League (EPL) title, and are on course for yet another double in the Pep Guardiola years.
Even if they lose, it seems a given that Eric ten Hag will lose his job as United manager. Success at Wembley would mean a second trophy in two seasons for the Dutchman, but every Chinese whisper of the last 48 hours would indicate that his card has already been marked. Like Louis van Gaal back in 2016, any celebrations will be cut short by a dismissal letter.
Ten Hag then could be forgiven for thinking back to G N’ R, Patience and the Ferguson years. In 1989-90, Southampton, Wimbledon, Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers and Coventry City all finished above United, whose 13th place finish included 16 defeats and a goal difference of -1. That was also the season where City thrashed United 5-1 at Maine Road, their old home. The only thing that saved Ferguson was the FA Cup.
Mark Robins, who would also score the winner in the semi-final replay against Oldham Athletic, scored at the City Ground to get past Nottingham Forest in the third round. And with Crystal Palace causing a seismic upset by beating Liverpool in the semi-final, Ferguson’s situation was temporarily alleviated by success in the final, even if Palace took United to a replay.
Those were very different times though. United had already gone more than two decades without a top-tier title, and social media wasn’t around to whip up waves of indignation against managers and players. The average fan was also probably slightly less entitled and obnoxious than his or her counterpart in 2024.
There’s no escaping the fact that United’s football this season has often been dire. Among the top 10 sides in the table, only Palace scored as few goals as United (57). Just for context, Newcastle United, a place above in the table, scored 85. But ten Hag can also point to a horrendous injury list, with Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, two key components of his first-choice back four missing most of the season.
But despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who took over the football operations earlier this year, initially stressing the need for fans to understand that there were no quick fixes, ten Hag is unlikely to be shown the patience that Ferguson was allowed all those years ago.
He may still command considerable support from segments of the match-going fan base, but the decision-makers above him clearly don’t believe he’s the one to steer the ship into calmer waters. What should sorry fans most, however, are the names being bandied about as replacements.
Kieran McKenna did a stellar job to get Ipswich Town promoted to the EPL against all odds. But he has absolutely no experience of the big leagues. When you think of how Old Trafford chewed up and spat out David Moyes – with 11 years of solid work at Everton behind him – you wonder why McKenna’s name is even part of the conversation.
As for Thomas Tuchel, whatever his tactical nous, he burnt his boats at Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and, now, Bayern Munich. It’s not without reason that some call him Toxic Tuchel behind his back. Is a man seemingly incapable to staying in a job the right choice to take on the considerable task of rebuilding United?
Xavi Hernandez has just been sacked by Barcelona, and Michel did a sensational job to get Girona into the Champions League. Ruben Amorin is one of the most coveted names in European football. Any one of these names might be worth a punt, as would Mauricio Pochettino, sacked by Chelsea, but one who would need no adjustment period in English football.
Whichever way United go, the road ahead looks as painful as it seemed in April 1989. City and Arsenal are miles ahead, and even Arne Slot, Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool, has a more battle-hardened squad to work with. Once again, United will need to focus on the strums of Patience.
Also Read: FA Cup Final: Rodri, Manchester City’s ‘Machine’, Ready for More Glory