And then Ferguson left and the entire edifice crumbled. If Arsenal win the Europa League, United will be the only member of the Premier League's elite six not in the Champions League next season. They did not qualify in 2014-15 or 2016-17 either. Since losing the Champions League final in 2011, the deepest they have gone into the competition is two quarter-final appearances, five years apart.
There are not enough geniuses in broadcasting that we can afford to lose one. What was interesting about Danny Baker's dismissal, however, is those who leapt to his defence. Everyone who knew him, and had a public platform.
If Manchester United, a club with every advantage of size, wealth and privilege can be plunged into a relative wilderness, then City's dominance cannot last, either. Think about it: unless Vincent Kompany scores the greatest goal of his career, they probably don't win this title.
And for what? So UEFA can conjure up some branding and a meaningless slogan. 'Together to Baku,' is the one for this year. Yet who is together to Baku, considering the limitations of the venue? Together in a car, six hours from Tbilisi maybe. Together via Istanbul. Together watching from the sofa because tickets are so scarce.
One of the advantages of a two-year lead time is the compilation of evaluation reports; detailed analyses of venue logistics, including international transportation. Meaning UEFA knew of Baku's flaws and the unavoidable restrictions on tickets but ignored it.
In the aftermath of an incredible night in Amsterdam, suddenly it was all about Pochettino's intentions again. What if Harry Kane or Christian Eriksen had used such a special moment to cast a shadow of doubt across the club? They would have been accused of self-indulgence, of selfishness, of undermining their team-mates.
Pochettino can hardly complain now, if he has to field more questions about his intentions. He can hardly be surprised if his motives are regarded cynically. A sabbatical? At a time when Manchester United might be regretting their latest managerial appointment? Well, isn't that convenient?
Looking at Brighton's team sheet, it is surely no surprise the club battled relegation. With the exception of Lewis Dunk, arguably no individual would get into a team in the top half. So Chris Hughton's sacking is harsh.
This is a final constructed with the least thought, even for the playing participants, given that it has now been revealed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal might not be able to get a visa, due to Armenia's war footing with Azerbaijan.
If Daniel Levy makes good his promises of investment, there really isn't a better club for Pochettino than Tottenham right now - yet frequently his public utterances serve only to challenge that view. What is going on? This seems as strategic as any of his game plans.
Having said this, Brighton are not the first club to reject a pragmatic manager in the hope the switch to a more open style will bring with it excitement and improved results. Sometimes, however, the excitement is of a rather different kind to that imagined. Ask Stoke.
UEFA appoint Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi for Europa... 'I am really proud and I have to thank my team-mates for... Mauricio Pochettino warns Tottenham he will walk away if... Gary Neville has a pint launched at his head outside the...
UEFA appoint Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi for Europa... 'I am really proud and I have to thank my team-mates for... Mauricio Pochettino warns Tottenham he will walk away if... Gary Neville has a pint launched at his head outside the...
By the time Europe's richest clubs had finished fashioning financial fair play into a protectionist's charter, Manchester United, it seemed, were golden. Nothing would challenge their elite status. They had neutered the power of new money; they had insured themselves against the day Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down.
A Premier League money table has been published. It is made up of three categories: the equal share of £79.4m each, the money accrued from live TV broadcasts and the per place prize money. Of the 20 clubs, eight were in exactly the same position in the league table as the money table, 10 were one place off and two - Newcastle and Watford - swapped places two away.
The identity of the Europa League quarter-finalists was known on Thursday, March 14. By the following evening, UEFA should have been able to announce the venue for the final. Somewhere reachable; somewhere the fans could enjoy. Not Baku. Nowhere remote, or inhospitable. Nowhere prohibitively expensive.
It is a myth that UEFA, or any remotely competent organisation, cannot organise an event in two months. If it goes the distance, baseball's World Series completes its post-season play-offs two or three days before the finals begin.
Many years ago, when Sky's coverage of the Premier League was in its infancy, a very famous former England footballer was the studio guest. He was asked what he expected to see from a young winger, a talent on the rise, tipped for international honours. 'Not much, really,' he replied.
There are not enough geniuses in broadcasting that we can afford to lose one. What was interesting about Danny Baker's dismissal, however, is those who leapt to his defence. Everyone who knew him, and had a public platform.
If Manchester United, a club with every advantage of size, wealth and privilege can be plunged into a relative wilderness, then City's dominance cannot last, either. Think about it: unless Vincent Kompany scores the greatest goal of his career, they probably don't win this title.
And for what? So UEFA can conjure up some branding and a meaningless slogan. 'Together to Baku,' is the one for this year. Yet who is together to Baku, considering the limitations of the venue? Together in a car, six hours from Tbilisi maybe. Together via Istanbul. Together watching from the sofa because tickets are so scarce.
One of the advantages of a two-year lead time is the compilation of evaluation reports; detailed analyses of venue logistics, including international transportation. Meaning UEFA knew of Baku's flaws and the unavoidable restrictions on tickets but ignored it.
In the aftermath of an incredible night in Amsterdam, suddenly it was all about Pochettino's intentions again. What if Harry Kane or Christian Eriksen had used such a special moment to cast a shadow of doubt across the club? They would have been accused of self-indulgence, of selfishness, of undermining their team-mates.
Pochettino can hardly complain now, if he has to field more questions about his intentions. He can hardly be surprised if his motives are regarded cynically. A sabbatical? At a time when Manchester United might be regretting their latest managerial appointment? Well, isn't that convenient?
Looking at Brighton's team sheet, it is surely no surprise the club battled relegation. With the exception of Lewis Dunk, arguably no individual would get into a team in the top half. So Chris Hughton's sacking is harsh.
This is a final constructed with the least thought, even for the playing participants, given that it has now been revealed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal might not be able to get a visa, due to Armenia's war footing with Azerbaijan.
If Daniel Levy makes good his promises of investment, there really isn't a better club for Pochettino than Tottenham right now - yet frequently his public utterances serve only to challenge that view. What is going on? This seems as strategic as any of his game plans.
Having said this, Brighton are not the first club to reject a pragmatic manager in the hope the switch to a more open style will bring with it excitement and improved results. Sometimes, however, the excitement is of a rather different kind to that imagined. Ask Stoke.
UEFA appoint Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi for Europa... 'I am really proud and I have to thank my team-mates for... Mauricio Pochettino warns Tottenham he will walk away if... Gary Neville has a pint launched at his head outside the...
UEFA appoint Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi for Europa... 'I am really proud and I have to thank my team-mates for... Mauricio Pochettino warns Tottenham he will walk away if... Gary Neville has a pint launched at his head outside the...
By the time Europe's richest clubs had finished fashioning financial fair play into a protectionist's charter, Manchester United, it seemed, were golden. Nothing would challenge their elite status. They had neutered the power of new money; they had insured themselves against the day Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down.
A Premier League money table has been published. It is made up of three categories: the equal share of £79.4m each, the money accrued from live TV broadcasts and the per place prize money. Of the 20 clubs, eight were in exactly the same position in the league table as the money table, 10 were one place off and two - Newcastle and Watford - swapped places two away.
The identity of the Europa League quarter-finalists was known on Thursday, March 14. By the following evening, UEFA should have been able to announce the venue for the final. Somewhere reachable; somewhere the fans could enjoy. Not Baku. Nowhere remote, or inhospitable. Nowhere prohibitively expensive.
It is a myth that UEFA, or any remotely competent organisation, cannot organise an event in two months. If it goes the distance, baseball's World Series completes its post-season play-offs two or three days before the finals begin.
Many years ago, when Sky's coverage of the Premier League was in its infancy, a very famous former England footballer was the studio guest. He was asked what he expected to see from a young winger, a talent on the rise, tipped for international honours. 'Not much, really,' he replied.
