DISNEY
What period will Disney’s Manchester United documentary cover?
After news emerged about a deal to share insights into the stories behind the club, some fans are wary over which years will be included.
Manchester United fans may soon find themselves transported back in time to relive the glory days of the club’s unparalleled success under the stewardship of legendary Scottish coach Sir Alex Ferguson. Reports suggest that the Red Devils are in talks with entertainment giant Disney to produce a documentary that will encapsulate the illustrious 26-year reign of Ferguson, during which United clinched an astonishing 38 trophies.
Disney remembering United’s good old days
Over the last decade, opposition fans (to be fair, many of their own fans would agree!) have been delighted to call out United as a ‘Mickey Mouse club’. Spending fortunes, considered a true behemoth of the global game, but failing to ignite any of the glory of the Fergie era. Rivals have enjoyed the giant’s slumber, always aware that, almost certainly, it will awaken once again.
Sources close to the negotiations, reports Adam Crafton for The Athletic, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, reveal that the proposed documentary would delve deep into the era that saw Man Utd dominate English and European football. From clinching 13 Premier League titles to lifting the prestigious Champions League trophy on two occasions, the documentary aims to provide an intimate insight into the secrets behind United’s remarkable achievements. It is unclear, though, how much will continue into the relatively barren times that followed.
Fergie, Robson, Schmeichel...
Key to the documentary’s success would be the involvement of Sir Alex Ferguson himself, who, at 82 years old, remains an iconic figure in footballing history. The production is said to include extensive interviews with Ferguson, offering viewers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the sport’s greatest tacticians. In addition to Ferguson’s perspective, the documentary is expected to feature insights from club ambassadors such as Bryan Robson and Peter Schmeichel, who played pivotal roles in United’s success during Ferguson’s tenure. Access to exclusive club archive footage will further enrich the narrative, painting a comprehensive picture of Manchester United’s rise to prominence.
When will the Man Utd documentary be launched?
While discussions between the Manchester club and Disney are ongoing, a deal has yet to be finalised, says Crafton. United, keen to aid its financial situation under the Glazers, is reportedly holding out for improved terms, with the current proposal falling short of the club’s expectations.
The potential collaboration with Disney follows in the footsteps of Amazon’s recent documentary venture, which unveiled a trailer for a series focused on the historic treble-winning campaign in the 1998-99 season. While the Amazon series offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane, the proposed Disney documentary aims to encapsulate a broader period of the club’s history, spanning over two decades of unparalleled success.
Notably, discussions with Disney are said not to have not extended to providing live access during a current season, indicating a focus on retrospective storytelling rather than real-time coverage. Until the finer details of the deal are ironed out, fans will have to keep waiting for a confirmed date at which they can once again relive those wonder years. Some will be hoping that glory in real time returns first.