Markus Frjotoft on Why Erik ten Hag Fails to Replicate Sir Alex Ferguson’s Legacy at Manchester United Despite Spending $500M+ in 2 Years [Exclusive]

Manchester United last won the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final year at Old Trafford in 2013. As of November 2023, United had splashed north of $1 billion on players since 2018, eyeing a Premier League title. Notably, Erik ten Hag splashed north of $513 million on stars since his arrival in 2022, only to fall short in the title race. Hence, ten Hag is now set for showdown talks about his future at the end of the season. But is ten Hag the only person to blame? Former Norwegian player turned pundit, Markus Fjortoft thinks not. Speaking on the EssentiallySports Exclusive interview, Fjortoft laid bare the problems that keep United away from a League title.

As per Fjortoft, a manager is not the only vital part of a club’s success. It starts with a club’s upper management. The Norwegian, however, sees Manchester United heading on the right track since Sir Jim Ratfliffe’s INEOS group bought a 25% stake in the club.

There’s more to Manchester United’s failure than Erik ten Hag’s struggles

In the recent EssentiallySports Exclusive interview, Markus Fjrotfot was asked to comment on Manchester United’s struggles. “It’s never easy finding a replacement for someone as iconic as successful as Sir Alex Ferguson,” said Fjortoft. He continued, “The thing with football is that the manager is one part of a bigger club. But it does not end all or be all with the manager. He needs support. It starts from top with the owners. What sort of precedent do you set at a club, culture-wise? Things work with one another in combination.” 

Manchester United’s majority owners, the Glazers family, have been facing tremendous scrutiny for their management over the years. The vitriol around the Glazers has triggered the INEOS group’s takeover of the sporting operations of the club. “If you don’t have the foundations in place and that’s what Manchester United perhaps has been lacking, are those sorts of people to really run a successful organization?,” Fjortoft added. Besides, Fjortoft thinks the Devils are not yet ready to win a Premier League title.

Markus Fjortoft asserts Manchester United are far from Manchester City’s level

Later in the EssentiallySports Exclusive interview, Markus Fjortoft said that everyone expects United to win the Premier League, considering they are the most valuable soccer club right now. However, he added that fans will have to wait to see MUFC seize the title. “I don’t think they are strong enough to win the Premier League. You see that you need a spectacular season to compete with someone like City,” said Markus Fjortoft.

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Soon, he added that Erik ten Hag’s side can still win other cups such as the FA Cup, Carling Cup, and the Carabao Cup. He recalled United winning some of these honors during Jose Mourinho’s ‘chaotic’ stint. Notably, ten Hag also won the Carabao Cup last year at Old Trafford. But to set eyes on the high prize, ten Hag or any boss should get the front office’s ample support.

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