Thanks Sir Alex, but it's time to go!

Manchester United need new investment, the Glazers out, but most of all fresh new ideas

Firstly, Manchester United were but ten seconds from winning a 13th Premier League Title. They have amassed eighty nine points. No team with that number of points has failed to win the Premier League since it's inception in 1992. Manchester City's winning margin is on goal difference only. This was the closest "top flight" championship since 1989. Judicial Cat was going to make this call regardless of today's outcome. However, with the Premier League trophy now en route along the Mancunian Way, an era has ended.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been an inspiration but nothing lasts for ever

The manager is by far the most successful in the history of the game in the UK. His trophy haul is second to none. However, Sir Alex is 70 and has been at the club since 6 November 1986. Most of the players were not even born when he first took charge at United. The fact is that United where "lucky" to win the league in 2010-2011. Only because the rest of the division fell far short in expectations did United's winning margin last year appear to give the club merit. The fact is last year's win ( and had United won this year) papered over the "cracks" and allowed the club to "plod along" believing all was well! The fact is all is not well at Old Trafford.

A club that has won 12 out of the previous 19 Premier League titles should not have thrown away an 8 point lead

Forget what Manchester City did in the first half of the season. The fact is United where eight points clear with a month left of the season. An experienced team with an experienced manager yet they threw that lead away. Losing to Wigan Athletic and then conceding a two goal lead at Everton is not the form of champions. United had lost the hunger and desire to retain a trophy that they had won all too often. Even after this "performance" they then went to Eastlands and LOST. A draw would have sufficed! And that is before one considers what happened in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. That debacle contributed to the goal difference, which ultimately allowed Manchester City to prevail!

Blackburn, Arsenal, and Chelsea, we've seen it all before!

This is different! City's achievement does not even begin to compare to Blackburn Rovers in 1995, Arsenal in 1998, or Chelsea in 2005. Here were teams set to dominate for years to come but then faded away. This City team has the resources, the fans, and the world class players to dominate in a way United themselves did from the mid 1990s onwards. Judicial Cat wishes it were different; however, this is a 1993 moment for Manchester City. This first title, together with the money they have, will lead to bigger and better things. Make no mistake this will be no "flash in the pan".

This is why it is time for United to seize the opportunity and plan now for the years ahead

Yes any United fan would like Sir Alex to leave on a "high". That is not going to happen. Not only do United have to plan for the future in terms of the Premier League, the club needs to plan NOW for their future in Europe. Something has to happen with the Glazers. Judicial Cat does not have the answer. They can't be forced out easily; however, bare in mind Sir Alex has fully supported their regime in full knowledge (and contempt) of the fans' wishes. The PLC format worked well for the club. Let's be honest there have been no "wow" signings for the club for a number of years now and that is the real problem here. Manchester City now have the status, the money, and the momentum to attract world class players. They have realistic chances of winning the Champions' League in due course. What have United got? Massive debt, a manager who has been there far too long, and no long term plan!

A manager with fresh ideas, "star" pulling potential and a CV to match is what United now need

In the end a time comes when a club needs to "move on". The worst possible thing for United is to have a situation similar to the early 1970s when Sir Matt Busby finally left the dug out. This loss of the title should be used to bring in a new manager, let him find his way, attract new talent, with focus on a plan to bring glory back to Old Trafford consistently within the next five years. Waiting for Sir Alex to "bow out" in, for example, three or four years time is too late. The changes need to come NOW! Judicial Cat accepts this is not a popular sentiment and many United fans will say your blogger speaks "crap". So be it. Your blogger supported United in the days of Ron Atkinson. Judicial Cat watched Liverpool fall from their perch (and not return almost a quarter of a century later). It would be a great disservice to the United fan base if Manchester United followed suit!

It's time for action! That action should be the immediate installation of Jose Mourinho as the next Manager of Manchester United Football Club.