United have struggled to maintain their dominance after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, which put an end to the club's most successful spell. The Red Devils have won a pair of FA Cups and Carabao Cups since Ferguson's departure and even claimed a Europa League title under Jose Mourinho in 2017, but they've come nowhere close to the consistency of the Ferguson era in which the club won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles, in his 26 years in charge.

Irwin, who played for United under Ferguson for 12 seasons, believes that the club have often brought in good managers since Ferguson retired, but they've too often been handcuffed by poor squads. 

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“It’s been a difficult ten years [post-Ferguson]," Irwin said while speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. "Everyone kind of knew it was going to be a difficult period after Sir Alex left. They’ve had a lot of experienced managers – Ole [Gunnar Solskjær] as well – that have looked like they’re going to do something, but that light has just closed. 

“They’ve won cups, like Liverpool did in their quiet period, but not been anywhere near the league in the last ten years. It’s going to take time. I’ve said before, it’s down to the players. The manager can organise [the players], he likes a 4-3-3, but it’s literally down to the players. You wouldn’t say United’s recruitment over the last ten years has been great either – that’s the biggest problem.” 

 

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