The importance of Sir Alex Ferguson

When Alex Ferguson retired, there was an examination over his character and professional life that said all that was needed. Much of the criticism was warranted. Like everyone else, he had failings and oversaw failures. But much of the praise was far too measured - there is perhaps no manager in the modern era to have built more than one great team under his own steam alone. During his career in football he had grudges, forged enduring friendships, repaired relationships and did exceptionally kind things when few would have expected it.

The fans had their say, too. Largely, most supporters paid little attention to Ferguson’s actions attracting the Glazers to United, a drag on a club that could have dominated Europe without them. What they cared about was the trophies that were won, not the ones that went elsewhere. Looking now, purely at the positive contributions and achievements from the best manager of the Premier League era, even ambivalent fans are floored by Saturday's news and left directionless.

Assume you are a Manchester United fan who came of age throughout the Premier League. United won the first title under the new corporate branding as it met the modern age, in 1992-93. It had almost come a year before, United falling just short of Leeds United, but then came Eric Cantona. Cantona’s arrival and Ferguson's indulgence gave heroes like Bryan Robson a league title. It gave grandfathers and ageing fathers the first taste of league success since 1967. For many people, that would have been enough, to break the back of a curse. But a league title wasn’t the end. As the Sky era emerged, there was one double, and then a double double. United went from feeling their way into a championship to developing the swagger of a side who never expected the success to end. If you were young at the time, there was no other side to hold your attention.

Throughout the tumult of teenage years, United were a constant. However difficult real life was, United were a succour. However brilliant teenage kicks were, United were even better. The 1999 treble proved to the world that English football was back, but more importantly for United fans, it was back because of them.

The trophies didn’t stop. While they underperformed in Europe, the league titles, FA Cups and League Cups kept coming. There was a hairy moment for Ferguson as the Glazers took over, when it seemed he had found an opponent he couldn’t outlast in Jose Mourinho. Three seasons later, all Mourinho had done was spur Ferguson into creating his third great side. There was luck involved: the Michael Carrick transfer in 2006 was a masterstroke, but the absence of injuries in United's comeback season was vital to their success. But there was genius too: Cristiano Ronaldo was obviously talented but it is only with Ferguson’s assistance that he became Lionel Messi’s equal, and occasionally peerless. No other manager has given so many great players or great teams to his club's fans.

A teenager in 1999 would have been negotiating his or her 20s in 2008. At this age, they would have dealt with the greatest financial crisis in 80 years, mortgages, employment, unemployment and heartbreak. They negotiated austerity, and became the precariat. They might have been the first generation to expect a worse life than their parents, but there would have always been Ferguson overseeing success. For United fans, that was often the only positive as they tried to make something of themselves. While you’re never more than a few feet from a rat in London, Ferguson was never more than a few seasons from a triumph.

Carrick is the last remaining player at United to have won the Champions League under Ferguson in 2008, but he is retiring at the end of the season. Carrick, then, is the last memory of watching United at their best, despite the obstacles, frustrations and missteps. It is a poignant enough moment for fans, to let go of a recent past into a disappointing present, with no sign Jose Mourinho will re-establish United under his managment.

We can all hope for a speedy recovery, that Ferguson will be back in his seat for next season, but now we are preparing for the worst. Fergie time always went to the wire, it would be a dreadful and intolerable thing if it were cut short now.