Not a good year for SAF with many, mainly self-inflicted problems. Top priority is to find a new coach to work with the players. It can't be a coincidence that we have a bad year whenever his No 2 leaves. To be fair SAF's main attributes are not out on the training field. He needs someone to work with the players and get them organised. In 12 months is Walter Smith really the best we can up with? But he also needs to sort out his team selections and tactics. For three years we've lagged behind Arsenal - why because we abandoned 4-4-2 for an ineffective 4-5-1 even at OT against the weaker teams in the Premiership. The effect has been to make us struggle in many games. The idea was to make us less predictable in Europe - but we didn't do any better. SAF must also accept that he needs to play players in their established positions unless there is a clear weakness in the opposition or a major injury crisis in our own. No more Scholes as a left winger while Giggs fails through the centre please.

I agree with your comments but also would add the prolonged and unsettling issue over the racehorse rights that distracted focus and attention.

fair comments so far and yes all these misdeneanors have been to blame so here's hoping for the cup and changes all round for the start of the new season.but can we at least try with a good offer and buy schnieder and van der vaart from ajax 1,000,000 xplease.

Fergie should start playing players at their true position. Else, we'll see Ferdinand partnering Silvestre in attack and van Nistelrooy minding the goal!~

How do you know Fergie gave the season 6 out of ten? A bit nonsensical. Also to say that the signings have taken longer to adjust than expected is like saying the Iraqis are taking longer than expected to accept the American troops.

The point about needing to go back to 4-4-2 is a good one. The speed of attacking on the break has been all but non-existant this season (except in the form of our new AND IMPROVED number 7) and Giggs is surely past his best. Despite his talents anyone that can spend over ten years at the top and still not use his weaker foot is a bit of a joke. Fergie's made some solid young buys, but he needs a replacement for Keane (Steven Gerrard please) and the attacking flair that we missed out on in Ronaldhinio. We will be back next season and I think we'll be better than ever. Ronaldo is the mutts nuts.

There are 2 ways of looking at this season - either it has been transitional and the ugly ducklings that litter our squad will turn into beautiful swans next year, or it is part of a relentless decline from the peaks of '99. As Fergie is unlikely to step down this summer, we are going to find out whether he still has what it takes or has become a lame duck who should concentrate on his gardening. Who he buys this summer will be crucial to resolving that issue. Certainly, without an injection of flair from central midfield, a replacement for the fading Giggs and a proper left-back who isn't a converted midfielder/centre back, we are likely to struggle to match Arsenal again next year. Fergie also needs a competent assistant like McLaren and Quieroz were who can stop his incessant tinkering with formations, playing players out of position etc. Smith, Phelan etc just aren't the answer. Promote McClair or get a new face in - we are in dire need of a fresh approach. Of the existing squad, Butt, Forlan, Giggs, Zinedine Neville, Chadwick, Stewart, Nardiello and Ricardo should all be moved on as they never were or are no longer good enough for United. Djemba2 & Kleberson should be given until the January transfer window to prove themselves, which is about how long I'd give Fergie to turn the tide. Perhaps he has earnt the right for one last shot at getting it right but he hasn't got the right to drag us into another season of underachievement, unimaginative, flair-free football and off-field distractions such as we have seen since last August. Next season has to be the last-chance saloon for him