To say it’s been a quiet 12 months since for the U’s would be a blatant, straight up lie.
On the one-year anniversary of Manning’s exit, we had a look at the fortunes of both United and the Robins since the 39-year-old’s departure.
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November 7, 2023
In the hours before the U’s hosted Chelsea Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, the only topic of conversation seemed to be when, not if, Manning was going to the Robins.
Then came the official club statement confirming the departure, not just of Manning, but also his assistant head coach Chris Hogg.
The duo had only arrived that March, and guided United to safety in Sky Bet League One in the final weeks of the 2022/23 season.
A rapid start to the following campaign saw the U’s flying high in second place upon Manning’s exit.
Within the space of just under eight months, he had turned United from a team fearing for its survival in League One to a side battling at the top.
Whatever thoughts supporters may have on the way the departure was handled, credit must go to Manning for the turnaround and foundations laid for whoever his successor would be.
Not that it mattered, but the U’s won 5-0 against Chelsea the night Manning left.
Josh Murphy grabbed a brace, and that was perhaps more telling.
The victory was backed up with a 3-2 win at Leyton Orient, with interim boss Craig Short brilliantly navigating his two games in charge.
Elsewhere in London, Manning’s Robins were held to a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers in his first game as boss.
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United appoint a successor
Nine days after Manning left, the U’s revealed Des Buckingham as the man to replace him.
Much of the narrative revolved around the ‘local lad returns to hometown club’. And rightly so. It’s unusual in professional football, however Buckingham’s worthy achievements elsewhere were somewhat glossed over.
The fairy tale return didn’t occur though, and it took Buckingham until his fifth league game to pick up three points, although there were victories in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy before the 3-0 win at home to Burton Albion.
Form remained patchy though, and a run of one win in 10 had many worried, and then the 5-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers on March 12 became a defining moment.
It was the catalyst to tear up everything that had gone before and start afresh. And we all know how things unfolded from then.
While United celebrated a Wembley play-off final win, thanks to Murphy’s brace, Manning was reflecting on an 11th-placed finish in the Championship.
Robins reunion
With both teams now in the second tier, the first game that many U’s fans looked for when the fixtures were released was the Robins away.
After a fine start to the campaign, Buckingham took his side to Ashton Gate on September 21, and it was the hosts who came out 2-1 victors.
The footballing rivalry that’s developed was firmly put to one side last month when it was announced that Manning’s baby son had passed away.
The sentiments and tributes from United fans demonstrated how the sport can be a force for good.
Now, one year on from Manning’s move to the Robins, the sides are separated by just two points.
There may be different objectives come the end of the season, and the reverse fixture at the beginning of February could tell us a lot about how the final months of the campaign may pan out for both teams.