'Can Manchester United score, they always score'?

Those were the words of Clive Tyldesley in commentary on the 1999 Champions League Final. A few minutes after those comments, Manchester United had scored twice, taken the European Cup from Bayern Munich's grasp and had completed the Treble. For most Manchester United fans it was the realisation of the impossible dream; Alex Ferguson had probed, searched, plotted and ruthlessly marched over any obstacle faced. He and his team had delivered. Within six years Malcom Glazer had exploited a Ferguson/Magnier spat and pounced on a money making opportunity. A chain of events was set in course that would change the focus for a superb football club. It has been a sad and lengthy transition.

The Glazer ownership divided fans. Some decided to follow the breakaway club FC United of Manchester. Some remained loyal to Manchester United knowing in their hearts that anything they spend on the club is lining the Glazer's pockets. The Glazer ownership had taken the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and altered their history for the worst. Manchester United's fans feared the same fate. However with a genius Manager in charge, the Glazer's dollar quest was covered up by on field success. Ferguson delivered five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the World Club Championship and three League Cups from the takeover in May 2005 to his departure in May 2013.

David Moyes hadn't won a trophy as Manager of Everton but was chosen to Manage Manchester United on a staggering six year contract. Moyes was an honest hard working man and got a shot at one of football's biggest jobs. He was put working with Ed Woodward who was effectively David Gill's replacement. The positive was that in financial terms United had given the money making job to a highly skilled professional. The football side of things was less convincing. Perhaps the problem was that Moyes realised how much change was needed instantly. Current players were given contact extensions despite having won nothing under the new Manager. Big name signings were discussed in the media. Gone were the days of Ferguson smuggling a gem like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Javier Hernandez to Old Trafford. United wanted to beat Real Madrid to the cream of Europe. It was a questionable strategy.

Under Luis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho the same strategies prevailed. Each signing was to show how big Manchester United are. Each signing was to sell shirts, increase United's Social Media following and increase 'footprint'. Rewinding to the the Ferguson era, recruitment was not always easy. When Ferguson wanted to buy Wayne Rooney in August 2004 the Manchester United PLC told him that the fee was coming out of his budget for the 2005 summer transfer market. Ferguson needed 'friends' in the PLC Board to swing the transfer for him. But he made it happen. Fast forward ten years to the post Ferguson era and recruitment is in the hands of Ed Woodward. If you are Manager of Manchester United and you want players to get you to the top of the pile who does your negotations? A financial guru or an ex footballer who is smart with money? Perhaps the trophies that Van Gaal & Mourinho won were papering over the cracks, justifying the strategy.

In hindsight, how did a club like Manchester United allow their Manager and Chief Executive to leave at the same time. It was dreadful succession planning. Had Gill remained, even for one year he would have been a help to Moyes. The same off field planning would have been in place and Moyes could have had someone he relied on. Instead Manchester United took two individuals who had not worked together and asked them to replace two men who argued, fought and often couldn't see the other's point of view, yet they worked together for the good of the club. It was gross mismanagement.

The mismanagement has continued since Moyes' departure. We are now on the fourth Manager since Ferguson yet the off field controller remains in place. Woodward seems untouchable because he makes money for the Glazers. Yet with each new Manager the decline has continued. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are two giants of European football. Both clubs regularly change Manager yet continue to win trophies. Manchester United can claim to have our own ?DNA' or want to ?do it the United way' but with the focus solely on earning money the club is vastly behind Real & Bayern. Those clubs employ directors who have come through the playing side of the game and learn the financial roles. Manchester United keep changing Manager and employ a financial wizard who doesn't understand football. Continued mismanagement.

The exchange between Ed Woodward & Phil Jones at the West Ham game was cringe worthy but can you imagine that happening under Ferguson? The only thing laughable from his sideline tenure was mouthing obscenities when Mike Phelan burst a balloon unbeknowns to him. There was strategy and focus on the sidelines as there was in the board room. Today a lot of what the club is doing is laughable. If we look at Jones' demeanour in the clip his hands and facial expressions are someone frustrated, twitching between what they want to say and can say. Woodward's demeanour is of a man who obviously feels that he is completely in charge. How is it that we didn't see such behaviour from the aforementioned Gill or Martin Edwards before him with a player on the sideline? The reason is that Ferguson and his Chief Executive had a working model where everyone knew what was expected of them. That no longer exists yet all parties are paid handsomely despite such petty behaviour.

Liverpool FC had owners they didn't want and didn't need. They found a way to move them on. John Henry brought new ideas including a lower basic wage for first team players but a sound bonus scheme based on winning. Liverpool have bought wisely and changed Manager when it was needed. It is sickening for any self-respecting Manchester United fan to be quoting Liverpool as an example of what to do. But the stark reality is Liverpool are run in a sound manner on and off the field. Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth have been better run than Manchester United since Ferguson's retirement. Why? Simply because they understand the balance between off & on the field strategy. Under Ed Woodward United's revenues have increased yet game after game confidence is draining. A club hero is in charge of the first team and the club is struggling. When Barcelona gave Pep Guardiola the Manager's job he was surrounded by people who understand football. Solskjaer, like Mourinho, Van Gaal and Moyes before him obviously has players he wants at the club. Getting them onboard is the problem.

Perhaps the most damning indictment of the Glazer era is how the club's TV station has chosen to shut down all questions about the ownership. Club legend Paddy Crerard hosts a weekly chat show which may not be a live show any more as there are no calls about the Glazers receiving air time. Press releases are embarrassing. If Edwin Van Der Saar turned down the Sporting Director or Director of Football role at Old Trafford it surely points to a lack of autonomy. Then to add insult to injury, Patrice Evra went on social media to offer the club his services. This is embarrassing behaviour all round for a former giant of the footballing world.

If Manchester United want to return to being competitive, the following needs to happen:

1. Ed Woodward needs to be removed from all interaction with onfield activities
2. A Director of Football should be installed who works with the Manager on strategy and recruitment making binding recommendations to the board
3. A new communications director needs to be employed so the tired and vomit inducing lines used by the club disappear
4. All employees at the club need to be held accountable for their performance and behaviour
5. Contracts to be altered so that performance is rewarded by bonuses, not by basic wages.

Manchester United need to immediately stop rewarding mediocrity. Ferguson moved players like Beckham, Stam and Keane on in order to keep everyone sharp. Today this is not the case. Those performing at a pretty average level in their roles receive contract extensions and pay rises. It is as ludicrous now as it was to give a Manager untested at this level a six year contract.

If the Glazer family take all of this seriously then Manchester United fans might accept that their owners are listening. If they continue to allow a Merchant Banker with no experience of delivering on field success remain in charge, then the club will slide further into mediocrity. It is highly doubtful that the Glazers will depart Old Trafford so rather than asking them to leave, perhaps holding them accountable is the way forward. We will know they are doing that when MUTV allows questions to be asked of them again.

It is not all about winning. Most of what drew fans to Manchester United was the belief in youth that Matt Busby thrilled match goers with. It was being able to play for United regardless of race, religion or belief and the spirit shown by the club after the Munich Air Disaster. Manchester United don't need official sponsors for whatever niche market the sponsors are trying to corner. What is needed is spirit like Roy Keane embodied where playing for Manchester United was about more than money. It was about making the best of yourself, enjoying your job and getting results. Everyone will tolerate poor results once effort is made to compete, nobody should tolerate lack of effort.

Effort, accountability and responsibility needs to be restored on and off the field. Can Manchester United score? They always earn.