Why Manchester United Have the Foundation for Another Decade of Dominance
Since the early 1990s, Manchester United have been the elite club in British football.
Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils have won 12 of a possible 20 Premier League titles and could very well be set for their lucky 13th this year.
Fans of other sides may decry United's domestic dominance, but Fergie and his ever-revolving cast of talented footballers have truly perfected the art of winning.
This article will argue that the club is set to maintain its superiority over the next 10 years.
The future is bright, or, the future is red.
Winning Mentality
The winning mentality instilled in the players will remain long after Sir Alex Ferguson retires.
Manchester United are a club built on success. Finishing first is the only option for the Red Devils—second is unacceptable.
Even when Manchester United have gone through down periods or seasons, they have bounced back with a vengeance within a very short amount of time.
Players come to Old Trafford to win trophies—goalscoring extraordinaire Robin van Persie can attest to this fact.
Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta addressed this Wednesday, stating "United have built a winning culture over the last 20 years, while City’s project is at the start" (via The Express).
The Glazers would have to hire a complete dead fish when Fergie eventually passes on the reins to eradicate this vast legacy.
Sir Alex's Legacy
Following on from the previous slide, it is Sir Alex Ferguson whose legacy and obsession with winning already haunts the halls at Old Trafford.
When he retires, the Scotsman will not pass gently into the night.
In an interview with twentyfour7 Football magazine earlier this month, Fergie revealed that he has plans to take an upstairs role at the club when he ceases to be manager (h/t ManUtd.com).
"There’s no getting rid of me. I’ll probably become a director."
Referring to his eventual successor, he said "with the structure we have here, it can't be an impossible job."
He will play a role in finding a successor, as well as keeping the tradition of excellence alive at Manchester United.
Ability to Attract the Best
On Wednesday, Robin van Persie revealed "United could be my last club" (via BBC).
"You have a number of clubs in Europe where older players can find it good, where they are valued," he said. "So who knows how long I will stay at the club."
The world-class forward's decision to move from Arsenal to Old Trafford this past summer drew plenty of criticism, but the move only served to highlight the Red Devils' undiminished pulling power in the transfer market.
The Premier League may not be as highly rated as it has been in previous years, but a club with the history and tradition of United will always attract the world's best.
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the two best footballers on the planet, has spoken of a desire to one day play for United again (via Goal.com).
Who can argue with CR7?
Commitment to Youth
Talented youth will always have a place at Manchester United.
The Busby Babes and the Class of '92 are just two examples of the Red Devils' exceptional youth academy and dedication to developing burgeoning footballers.
On Wednesday, the Daily Mail revealed the clubs in Europe who have fostered the most players from its own ranks into the starting XI.
The Red Devils have produced the joint-fourth most top-flight players in recent seasons across the continent and currently have nine academy graduates in the first-team squad.
The likes of teen stars Nick Powell, Adnan Januzaj and Mats Daeli will serve the team in fine stead going forward.
The same policy exists regarding the transfer market as well—bringing in young prodigies from other clubs is equally valued.
Global Brand
Manchester United currently sit atop Forbes' annual rich list, ranked as the most valuable club in all of sports ahead of Real Madrid and the New York Yankees (via Yahoo).
Though the club's owners debt has been highly publicized, the Glazers have made funds available for Sir Alex to spend every summer in the transfer market.
The Red Devils are a massive draw wherever they go—empty seats are very rarely seen at Old Trafford while games are played.
Sean Wheelock, the BBC's North America football correspondent, once said "United are undoubtedly the most popular, the most recognised and best supported foreign team in the United States" (via The National).
Wheelock could just have easily been talking about the club's worldwide popularity.
With such an income and popularity as theirs, it would be incredibly difficult to stop the juggernaut that is Manchester United from maintaining their dominance in Britain.
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