I think all three had very different periods in charge, were contrasting personalities and faced unique difficulties within the club itself.
Sure, towards the end of Bassett, large sections turned on him, but hatred? Most understood he'd done his utmost in trying circumstances. A lesser man would have walked after Deano got sold, when he was on holiday. We neve recovered from that, although if the board had provided money for Blake earlier, who knows? Bassett should have left after Chelsea, he admits this, but again his loyalty was poignant. I'd be amazed if even a year after he left, whether any United fans felt anything but thanks and admiration for him and his achievements. But no legacy.
Warnock kept us up and gave us our pride back, especially in the triple assault season. Initially he worked well with McCabe, the crowds came back during this period and we played with passion and no little ability. The loss of Brown and the hangover from two semi and a final defeat stifled progress but the transfer activity was frenetic and he got the squad he needed, to eventually take up. There was the Portsmouth saga but Warnock has and always will be an idiosyncratic personality who would fall out with himself if it was just him in the room. Yes, his away tactics and signings cost us in the PL, but it was very close. A fit Hulse and who knows? Did people hate him when we were relegated, I really didn't sense this. We should have kept him for at least another season but didn't. Increasingly he became hated but in a Kaiser Soze way, where it was the myth that attracted attention. Legacy. Yes, the academy set up. We were cash rich when he left. Not his fault Robson blew the money and chance to bounce back.
So Wilder. Too much said and written already. Hated? Personally I feel depressed seeing him at Boro and jealous. That could and should have been us, there really was a chance for something special. After the Palace away game win when Berge debuted, it felt as if United were at the party, we'd arrived. No one would have believed what's unraveled since, it's so sad. I'm afraid to say that of the three, Wilder will become the devil incarnate and a figure of real hatred. He'll do well at Boro, working with a loyal, rich and level headed chairman (fan too) and will be given time and money. Boro fans are success starved (less then we were) and will respond to his working class cloak and honest approach. Our fans will become more embittered, as Boro rise and we fall. Boro in the PL and us back in League One within the next 18 months is possible, albeit not probable. Legacy? It's still being created and it isn't pretty.
In 36 years, I've had three managers who made an impression, but I fear Wilder's will be the most telling in the club's long term future.
