As Sir Alex Ferguson turns 82, Manchester United continue to miss their iconic manager.
The Red Devils saw the Scot walk away from the job in 2013, shortly after beating Manchester City to Premier League title glory and banishing the demons of 12 months previously.
Ferguson left United with a squad of serial winners, from dangerous duo Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to defensive rocks such as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
However, a decade on and the Red Devils are unrecognisable from the team they used to be.
Manchester United continue to miss Sir Alex Ferguson a decade on from his emotional retirement
GETTY
United lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, just days after a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.
Erik ten Hag looks increasingly frustrated and, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe now in the picture, it's not unfeasible that United will soon start looking for another new boss.
One thing is clear, however. If they had a time machine, Ferguson would be back and working his magic.
Some have criticised the 82-year-old in the years since his retirement, believing he left a squad that wasn't fit for purpose.
Others also hold Ferguson responsible for the Glazers owning the club, with the family purchasing United in 2005 despite strong opposition.
Yet Ferguson has been hurt and saddened by United's plight.
He continues to attend matches but even the presence of the Scot hasn't been enough to lift the Red Devils out of their slump.
In 2019, it emerged Ferguson felt 'sidelined' by United.
He had been asked to pick his successor in 2013 and the board went with David Moyes, who had the backing of his countryman.
United gave Moyes just 10 months, however, and have refused to accept help from Ferguson or ask for his advice in the years since.
Ferguson, four years ago, didn't want United to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager - despite previously being in charge of the Norwegian.
Had he got his way, Mauricio Pochettino would have been drafted in instead.
However, Ferguson didn't get his wish.
Pochettino was considered that year but Solskjaer's excellent time as interim boss saw the 50-year-old given the job instead.
United again thought about hiring Pochettino in last year - but appointed Ten Hag after he'd impressed John Murtough in interviews for the role.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Sir Alex Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles during his glittering spell in charge of Manchester United
GETTY
Ferguson has felt 'out of touch' at United, too.
For too long, now, they've had people with no footballing experience calling the shots.
From Ed Woodward to Richard Arnold, Murtough to Patrick Stewart, United have hired with economics in mind - and not results on the pitch.
Ferguson was said to rely on 'scraps', with many figures keeping him in the dark.
It is poor treatment from a man who guided the club to 38 trophies and made them one of the best teams in the world during his tenure.
A source was quoted as saying: "Sir Alex feels conflicted. He can see the irony that he still spends time thinking about United when he's retired.
Manchester United are a sinking ship under Erik ten Hag after their 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest
GETTY
"But he loves the club and does feel a bit hurt that his opinion is never sought.
"He knows he's not in charge any more but it would still be nice for him to be asked."
All these years on from Ferguson's final match and United remain drastically different from the team they used to be.
Ten Hag is fighting for his job and it seems a matter of when, not if, the axe will fall.
United couldn't even give Ferguson a win over Nottingham Forest as a birthday present.
A grim 2024 seems to lie ahead - and memories of Ferguson's exploits will fade that little bit more as a result.
