Few could have predicted just how drastically Manchester United’s fortunes would change when Sir Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson in 1986.

The legendary manager turned the Red Devils into a footballing powerhouse as he amassed 38 trophies in a glittering 27 years in charge, but less is known about the circumstances that brought him to Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson took charge of Manchester United in 1986 after managing both Aberdeen and Scotland simultaneously Credit: Getty

United’s current group find themselves in a desperate place after losing their win-or-bust Europa League final against Tottenham.

The result leaves the English giants confronting one of their worst-ever seasons, who sit 16th in the Premier League table, and now without the prospect of Champions League football next term.

It piles the pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim, who has failed to turn the tide since his appointment in November, with the 40-year-old throwing his own future into doubt after the crushing blow.

Following the defeat to Spurs, he told reporters: “If the board and the fans feel I am not the right guy I will go tomorrow with no compensation. But I will not quit.”

And Amorim’s current woes may well remind older fans of another time when a United manager found himself under-fire.

In November 1986, former boss Atkinson had his five-year stint at Old Trafford cut short after a disastrous year which saw the Red Devils fall off the pace in similarly dire circumstances.

It was a decision which few would have seen coming 12 months earlier, when the Englishman looked destined to become the first United manager to win a league title in almost two decades.

After winning the FA Cup in 1983 and 1985, Atkinson’s side then got off to a flying start in the 1985/86 campaign.

United won their first 10 First Division games, and went unbeaten for 15, putting them comfortably top of the league.

Unfortunately for Atkinson, this was ultimately as good as it would get, as things then began to go spectacularly wrong.

Manchester United are set for their worst-ever Premier League finish after suffering heartbreak in the Europa League finalCredit: Getty

Ron Atkinson felt the heat in 1986 after his United side squandered their shot at a first English title since 1967Credit: Getty

Even legends like Bryan Robson were unable to save United from a terrible loss of form under the English managerCredit: Getty

The Red Devils went on to win just nine of their remaining 27 fixtures, who ended up finishing fourth – a full 12 points behind champions and bitter rivals Liverpool.

To add insult to injury, United were also denied of a UEFA Cup place, with English clubs banned from European competition.

But things would get even worse, as Atkinson’s group then made a dismal start to the following campaign.

Despite boasting a squad of greats including Bryan Robson, Gordon Strachan and Norman Whiteside, United lost six of their opening eight league fixtures to pile the pressure on their manager.

And while he managed to steady to ship somewhat with a five-game unbeaten run, time was soon up for the English manager, whose side were in the bottom four of the First Division table.

A 4-1 hammering at the hands of Southampton in the Littlewoods Cup spelled the end for Atkinson, who was sacked on November 6.

Atkinson won four major honours in his managerial career, including his two FA Cups with UnitedCredit: Getty

Ferguson brought United’s total English title tally to 20 during his tenure, a record which Liverpool have since gone on to equalCredit: Getty

Reacting to his dismissal at the time, ‘Big Ron’ said: “Obviously I’m a bit disappointed.

“Things have gone against us so I suppose it was inevitable this would eventually happen.”

In Atkinson’s place came Ferguson, who left his role in charge of Aberdeen before being appointed as the Red Devils’ manager on the same day his predecessor was dismissed.

This would prove to be one of the most defining football decisions of all time, as the Scot transformed United into an all-conquering force.

While it would take him nearly seven years to assemble a title-winning squad at Old Trafford, finally tasting league glory in 1993, this then kick-started an era of unprecedented dominance.

Ferguson would leave the club in 2013 as arguably the greatest manager of all time, lifting 38 trophies during this time, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.