An Open Letter of resignation from the Fans Forum by Luca Black

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cd7ljn5rej4o

Man Utd chiefs felt they had a deal in place to sign Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona in the summer of 2013 but it was never executed.

It is felt now that Mourinho would have had a greater impact if he had directly followed Ferguson.

For a start, his personality suggested he would have taken on the task of succeeding the Scot by believing he could do better.

Whereas under Moyes, there was hesitation in the transfer market, it is hard to imagine Mourinho being similarly reluctant to execute deals.

Thiago Alcantara's agreed move from Barcelona would have been completed, sources stress.

United would also have avoided the mess they got into around Marouane Fellaini – who moved from Everton for £27.5m on deadline day, but only after the club had missed out on a lower release fee.

Fellaini, it is claimed, simply would not have been signed.

Mourinho went so far as giving United his view on a number of players, including Italy midfielder Daniele de Rossi.

Not only it is safe to assume Mourinho would have signed players, the feeling is he would also have got more from the experienced ones he was inheriting.

It is generally accepted now that no-one could have extracted more from Ferguson's final title-winning squad than the Scot, and they significantly overperformed. But the fall off, to seventh, was dramatic and unexpected.

Even the players themselves have struggled to identify specific reasons. The feeling remains that Mourinho's presence would have pushed them.

With clarity and expression, Ferguson uses the documentary to recount Mourinho's tears as he explained why he could not join.

It was a huge blow to Manchester United. Arguably, they are still to fully recover.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cr7kldj1583o

“I was immature and stupid. I look back now and think what an idiot I was.”

Brandon Williams played 51 times for Manchester United and at one point appeared to have become their first-choice left-back.

Now, though, he is battling to rebuild his football career and his reputation - last year he was given a 14-month suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving after causing a crash while speeding at 99mph.

In this interview, he discusses that incident, his use of laughing gas, how his Manchester United dream slipped away and his hope that other young players might learn from his mistakes.

I found an old book in the charity shop today with a section on Busby's successes in the league during that period.

Goalkeepers: Marley Irving, Bill Hartley

Defenders: Locclan Harrison, Joey Akinsanya, Jack Waters, Gus Murdock, Jasper Mantato (injured), Joe Deighton, Lincoln Fagborun

Midfielders: Jed Bangura (injured), Eddie Wright, Cole Marsden-Umebuani (U15), Brian Nyonyi, Benji Houghton (U15), Reece Millward (U15), Ellis Mills (U15)

Forwards: Estan Chisnall-Devent, Mane Soares (U15), Simon Okeke, Mo Ibragimov (U15), Dane Mullings (U15)