I just see history repeating itself. I remember McGuinness leaving the job and the players split into various factions. I remember O'Farrell who just did not get along with the established players and who was also stabbed in the back in a manner worthy of the Senate on the Ides of March. Docherty, for all his faults, had one hell of a mess to clean up which he did in about three years. That was a remarkable achievement and despite relegation, he understood the fans, the club, the history, and he built his team to conform to certain ideals.
Matt Busby, bless him, could never truly let go and maybe Fergie is the same. True, he doesn't keep an office or allow players to bend his ear behind the manager's back (or so he says), but his influence is still there. He wants Giggs and has said so several times. Someone is feeding the press stuff and Giggs' mates, or at least Scholes, are vocal in their dislike of Van Gaal's team. Who would benefit most if Van Gaal was sacked or forced to resign? There's a power play going on and the club is suffering.
On your last point, we lost that a long time ago. They tore up the roots with the Stretford End and bunged 'em in a skip. Modern football is run by oligarchs, oil sheikhs, venture capitalists, and brutes who make their millions off the backs of low-paid and ill-used workers. Local communities count for nothing. We've lost out to the globalists. We are a franchise and there's no going back.
Wish the Glazers weren't so passive - I don't think Ed is subtle enough to quite fight this. I'm hoping for the best.