Manchester United fans around the world are desperate to see their club return to the glory days. Old Trafford was once a place of fear for opponents and pride for supporters. Today, it is a stadium filled with hope, frustration, and endless questions. One of the biggest questions is simple but painful: how long will it take for Manchester United to be great again?
Sir Alex Ferguson, the man who built United into a global football empire, has now given a very honest and sobering answer. Speaking about the club’s current situation, Ferguson warned that the road back to the top could be very long. In fact, he said it could take up to 11 years before United truly return to their former glory.
This warning has shocked many fans, but it also carries deep meaning. Ferguson knows this journey well because he lived through it himself. He reminded supporters that even the biggest clubs can fall into long cycles of decline, and escaping those cycles is never easy.
“He [Amorim] is a good personality, it is not easy.”
With these words, Ferguson showed respect for the current manager, Ruben Amorim. He acknowledged that the job at Manchester United is one of the hardest in football. The pressure is constant, the expectations are massive, and every decision is judged by the world.
Ferguson then took fans back in time to explain why patience is so important. He spoke about Liverpool, United’s greatest rivals, and how even they struggled for decades before finding success again.
“I remember looking back on my own time there, starting off when Liverpool were the bee’s knees. They were a fantastic club winning the European Cup four times and all that, but then it took them 31 years to win the league again.”
This comparison is powerful. Liverpool were dominant in Europe and England, yet they still suffered through 31 long years without a league title. Ferguson’s message is clear: history can repeat itself, even for the biggest clubs.
“We are now in the same situation. It could be ten years, could be 11 years, because of that cycle.”
For United fans, these words are difficult to hear. No supporter wants to wait another decade. But Ferguson is not speaking to create fear. He is speaking to bring realism and long-term thinking back to the club.
He stressed that the recovery must be planned carefully, especially when it comes to transfers and squad building. Mistakes in recruitment, he suggested, have already cost United valuable time.
“It has to be thought out carefully and we have to make sure the recruitment is going to be better than what it was.”
In modern football, bad recruitment can destroy even the strongest teams. Ferguson believes that United’s future success depends on smarter decisions, patience, and building the right balance of youth and experience.
Despite his warning, Ferguson did not speak without hope. In fact, he highlighted three players he believes could play a key role in Manchester United’s recovery. These players, according to him, are already making a difference.
“I think the appointment of the goalkeeper [Lammens] has made a difference.”
Ferguson praised the new goalkeeper highly, pointing out his physical and technical qualities.
“He’s young, he’s quick, a big lad, good feet and hands, and I think that helps. I think they have needed that player.”
A strong goalkeeper has always been a foundation of successful United teams, from Peter Schmeichel to Edwin van der Sar. Ferguson clearly sees Lammens as a modern version of that tradition.
He then spoke about the importance of inspirational players at Manchester United. Players who lift the team, the crowd, and the spirit of the club.
“United have always had inspirational players over the years. I think that has helped.”
According to Ferguson, two attacking players could now fill that role.
“The other two, Mbuemo and Cunha, they look as if they will contribute to the recovery of our form.”
This statement has given fans something to believe in. While the journey may be long, the presence of players who can change games and inspire teammates is crucial.
Ferguson’s message is balanced. He offers honesty without destroying hope. He reminds fans that success is rarely instant and that rebuilding a giant like Manchester United takes time, discipline, and vision.
For supporters, the challenge now is patience. Modern football moves fast, but true greatness is built slowly. Ferguson’s warning may hurt, but it also protects the club from repeating the same mistakes.
Manchester United’s future is not written yet. The road may be long, but with the right leadership, smarter recruitment, and players who make a difference, the journey back to glory is still possible.
The question is not only how long it will take, but whether the club and its fans are ready to stay united through the struggle.
