Rise and fall of dominant clubs inevitable

Eventually, Graeme Souness got to the issue that was really bothering him — beyond the actual results. It was April 1993 and an ailing Liverpool had lost 4-1 at Blackburn Rovers.

So, Souness unleashed, going on a rant about how “the older players” had let the team down.

Ronnie Whelan took exception, to the point the ‘discussion’ devolved into player and manager simply shouting “fuck off” in each other’s faces. It is an account from Whelan’s autobiography that feels somewhat relevant given the situation of a core of Manchester United’s current senior players, not to mention so much of the talk about their reactions and role in the new regime. It is also remarkable just how many of Whelan’s descriptions of that period at Liverpool relate to David Moyes right now. Occasionally, it is as if he is genuinely talking about the modern day: