Civil War: A Live Re-Enactment At Old Trafford

How United Are Manchester United?

The idea of a civil war, a war between two factions of a united or formerly united state, is fascinating to me. The American Civil War is my favorite to study. The news has been monopolized by civil wars as of late: the atrocities and chaos in Syria, and the Marvel blockbuster Captain America: Civil War, along with the flop Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. All of those civil wars have taught us that with division there is weakness. It was Benjamin Franklin who made the political cartoon in 1754 titled "Join, or Die." It wasn't a threat, it was a call for the Colonies to unite and  help the British win the French and Indian War. The call was repeated again, to the dismay of the British, during the American Revolutionary War, where a unified makeshift group of soldiers used unconventional tactics to defeat the mighty British Empire (well, on American soil at least). The American Colonies united is similar to Leicester City's tight-defensive team that won the Premier League: passionate, determined, and focused on one task. The British Empire with their redcoats learned much from the Colonies in the American Revolution and the mighty Empire of Manchester United with their red jerseys can learn a thing or two from the rebellious Leicester City.

Benjamin Franklin's famous political cartoon "Join, Or Die"

There are two sides to every coin, two opposing opinions generally on every move a  football club dares to make. Manchester United were spoiled under the stability of Sir Alex Ferguson. There was complete faith in every choice he made. The stability and success on the field covered up the chaotic ownership problems off the field. The Glazers took over Manchester United in 2005, dumping a vast amount of debt on the club. The Glazers taking over was enough to cause a faction to break away from the club and form their own club in 2005, wholly-fan-owned FC United of Manchester. Sir Alex Ferguson's man-management ability and his ability to work on a (somewhat) tight budget allowed for unrest to be kept to minimum. But all hell would break lose when Ferguson would leave his throne at Manchester United in 2013.

David Moyes was appointed by Manchester United, the ownership trusting Sir Alex Ferguson to pick his successor. He had won his 13th Premier league title at the club, even if a transition period was needed how far could Manchester United really fall? Well David Moyes did a good job of helping Manchester United fall, to an unprecedented 7th in the league by the former champions. Ed Woodward was a big reason for this, the CEO of Manchester United can hash out one hell of a noodle sponsorship deal (along with a few record-breaking ones as well) but has shown inexperience and a reluctance to pull the trigger when it comes to closing the deal for transfer targets. A Director of Football has been asked for by many, something Manchester United may feel is not traditional: not giving the manager nearly full say over the players to acquire. The success on the field was no longer there to cover up the crumbling pieces behind the scenes: a failing youth system, a large amount of debt, failed transfers and a loss of tradition.

Tradition, a style, an identity. Manchester United were arguably the world's most popular club for good reason. Glory hunters are part of their global fan base surely, but the majority of their fan base are those who respect tradition, who see a reflection of themselves in the club's identity. A big part of United's identity was arrogance, being the world's most hated club if you weren't their fan. If you found yourself the least liked in the room, or found that people were jealous of your success or way of life, then Manchester United were definitely the team you identified with and saw a reflection of yourself in. In this fast-moving society, tradition often takes a back seat. In football, the end of tradition and beginning of a new age is labelled by many as the "rebuilding" stage for these teams. Manchester United, failing with Moyes, full of an aging squad, went against the current traditional players to continue the tradition of bring youth through the system. The man in  charge of bringing about this change: Louis Van Gaal. While all of this chaos is happening another faction of the traditionalists appear. The "Class of '92" is full of players like Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes. It was Manchester United's golden generation, a team full of players who played with an identity. In late March/April of 2014 Salford City, a lower league club, is bought by the Class of '92. They aimed to grow the club. Ryan Giggs later that month would go onto be appointed interim manager after David Moyes is fired, a tradition manchester United do not associate themselves with: firing a manger after a short period of time. The Class of '92, aside from Ryan Giggs as he was (and is) still part of the set-up, hell he was currently a player, were mouthing off to the press negative things about United in its current state.

Class of '92 at Salford City

You could argue a second Manchester United breakaway team has been created with Salford City, joining FC United of Manchester who are currently charging up the leagues. Former players of Manchester United have been sending their children to other team's football academies. Change may be coming from within. Nicky Butt has recently come into his role as the academy chief. He claims there is a lot of work to do, with a few departing academy staff members including former academy chief Brian McClair and neighbors Manchester City (along with other clubs) having state-of-the-art youth facilities and recruiting. Manchester United have come under plenty of fire for falling behind in youth set-up, yet we see a generation of promising young players taking the field today, including Marcus Rashford and Cameron Bothwick-Jackson. Maybe the U15's and younger are where United are falling behind. We will have to see, and if there are issues we will see if Nicky Butt can turn them around. 

Ryan Giggs is currently the assistant coach of Manchester United, with Gary Neville already taking a jab at coaching Valencia, and Nicky Butt the academy chief at United, the time is right for the Class of '92 to attempt a coup d'etat at Old Trafford. Maybe if Moyes had worked out or Louis van Gaal was successful in laying down a a foundation for them to build upon, but not this summer. Louis van Gaal dragged on through this odd Premier League season, each game the fans, the ownership, everyone involved in the club, cringed and clenched. With Chelsea having a worse championship defense than Manchester United two years prior, Jose Mourinho was fired. A world class manager is sitting right in front of Manchester United ready to sign the contract while Louis van Gaal struggles. The larger than life personality of Jose Mourinho over taking control of Manchester United angers many traditionalists within the club. This traditionalists find themselves angered with louis van Gaals tenure too. The traditionalists are split, with board members like Sir Bobby Charlton being against Mourinho's appointment as Mourinho doesn't appear to fit within the identity of the club. While his word and the word of other directors like Sir Alex Ferguson should be considered, they have no actual, legitimate power at the club. They are in a director position to advise the board on how to uphold Manchester United's traditional values, but they cannot vote and therefore have no final say. Mourinho had apparently written a six-page letter that was "leaked," telling of his dream to manage the club and that he would change his personality to fit United's values. Many traditionalists have accepted it as fate that Mourinho will take over, pretty much saying "anyone but Van Gaal, please." Some are believed to be touting Ryan Giggs for the role, after his experience as an assistant under both Louie van Gaal and David Moyes. There has been ideological conflicts between Van Gaal and Giggs this season, most evidenced by the time when Giggs came off the bench and give instructions from the tactical area to his struggling players during the 2-1 loss to Norwich back in December. Ryan Giggs may not want to stick around to be an assistant under a third manager, he may leave to get head coaching experience elsewhere. The question must be asked, as an assistant under two disappointing managerial campaigns, how good of an assistant coach is Ryan Giggs? Can any of the blame be shifted on him? If he leaves this summer, the Class of '92 may not be together to coach at Old Trafford.

A division is growing, and will continue to grow, no matter who is appointment. The board, multiple factions of traditionalists, fan groups, former players and staff, everyone has an opinion. Some want immediate change and success with Jose Mourinho, some want tradition and gradual success with a former player in Ryan Giggs or even Mark Hughes, and one or two people who haven't watched a game the past few years want Louis van Gaal to see out his third year on his contract. While Manchester United continue this long rebuilding process following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United, how united are they really?