Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United was a winning machine.
Over the next seven years, their dominance was lost, with no league titles under David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
FA Cup and Europa League triumphs followed, including Community Shields, but Ferguson’s 13 Premier League titles have not been added.
Much of the reasoning for the relative struggles has been placed at the door of executive vice president Ed Woodward and his “Galactico” transfer policy, signing big names for big money.
While sometimes you actually get what you pay for, sometimes United was made to look silly, wasting large amounts of money on a small reward.
(Image: PA)
Since returning to the club, current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has undergone a radical overhaul of the United team – in all honesty, aided by Woodward – shifting the focus from signing star names to supporting home-grown talent.
“He’s going out and finding players who fit into Manchester United,” says former United defender David May.
“When those players join the team, you know I’m not only here for the money, I’m not only here for the race, I’m here to improve Manchester United.”
United still has a long way to go to return to the levels of the Ferguson years, but it’s a start.
Having said that, Mirror Football takes a look at some successes and shortcomings of the past seven years …
(Image: Action images via Reuters)
SHOTS
Anthony Martial
He joined in 2015 from Monaco for a tax that rises to £ 58 million.
He has struggled for consistency in terms of score, but has flourished this season, with a better career return of 19 goals.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Signed by Crystal Palace for £ 50 million last summer, he has proven reliable on the defensive right-back and has improved on this season, now showing a much greater threat of attack.
(Image: Getty Images)
Harry Maguire
United has had to pay £ 80 million for him, but Maguire has brought solidity and consistency in defense and has so far claimed his transfer fee.
Lead by example.
Bruno Fernandes
The catalyst for the current rebirth of United.
Signed up for £ 46.6 million in January, since he scored six, he has produced four assists and helped the Reds beat 15 undefeated matches.
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
MISS
Angel Di Maria
He joined Real Madrid in 2014 for £ 59.7 million between high expectations, but was sold only a year later in St Germain Paris after failing to settle on and off the pitch.
Radamel Falcao
Another Galactico whose signature generated a lot of excitement, Falcao managed to score only four goals in 29 appearances for United and left after only a forgettable season on loan.
(Image: Michael Regan)
Bastian Schweinsteiger
The legend of Bayern Munich and Germany was far beyond his best when he joined United in 2015 with Louis van Gaal.
Left 18 months later to join the Chicago Fire MLS team.
Alexis Sanchez
Definitely the biggest flop in United history.
He arrived with a salary of £ 500,000 a week, but only scored five goals in 45 games before being sent on loan to Inter.
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