Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary Manchester United manager, has voiced a sobering prediction about the club's future. He
believes it could be a decade or more before the Red Devils are truly competing for the Premier League title again.
Ferguson also expressed sympathy for current United head coach Ruben Amorim, who took the reins in November 2024.
Amorim's tenure has been challenging, with the team struggling to find consistency.
Last season, Amorim strategically prioritized the Europa League, hoping it would provide a more direct path to Champions
League qualification. However, this gamble didn't pay off, as United suffered a disappointing defeat to Tottenham in the
final. They ultimately finished a lowly 15th in the Premier League.
While United have shown signs of progress this season, currently sitting sixth, concerns remain about Amorim's tactical
approach. His initial reluctance to move away from a three-at-the-back system drew criticism, although he has recently
shown more flexibility due to player absences.
Speaking to Press Box PR, Ferguson drew parallels to his own early days at Old Trafford, recalling Liverpool's dominance
and the long wait they endured before reclaiming the league title. He emphasized the need for careful planning and
improved recruitment to turn things around at United. "It could be ten years, could be 11 years, because of that cycle,"
Despite his overall pessimism, Ferguson did offer some words of encouragement, highlighting the positive impact of
goalkeeper Senne Lammens. He praised the 23-year-old's agility and all-around ability, suggesting he has been a key
addition to the squad. Ferguson also noted the potential contributions of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to United's
However, United will be without Mbeumo until the new year due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
with Cameroon. Amad and Noussair Mazraoui will also be absent during the festive period, representing Ivory Coast and
Adding to United's selection woes, Casemiro will miss this weekend's game against Aston Villa due to suspension, having
accumulated five yellow cards. This absence could create an opportunity for academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo to make his
first Premier League start of the season.