The tale of Manchester United over the years has been a sorry one. Too many throwbacks and recollections of past glories have been needed to cheer up a growingly distressed fanbase which was turning toxic at a fast pace. The banter on social media was going a bit too far, boos would ring around Old Trafford during half-time and full-time whistles. A community that had grown so accustomed to success over the span of 2 decades was now in turmoil. Ever since the teary-eyed departure of the old, faithful Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United has looked a sorry state.
A team that finished in the top 3 in every season of the new version of the English Premier League until Sir Alex’s retirement, now saw themselves struggling to make 4th place. The humorous barbs thrown at Arsenal over the years, calling them the “4th place specialists” were quite ironic in the current state of affairs. The prodigy in the form of David Moyes was not to be, he lacked depth and creativity and the pedigree required to run an organisation as large as United. Some fans argue that, given more time he might have achieved as much as the other “failures” did, but the accelerated fall from grace just the season after claiming a record 20th league title was a tough pill to swallow for everyone associated with the club.
Then came Louis Van Gaal, with a stellar World Cup performance by the Dutch national team under his guidance to boost the fanbase’s confidence. This seemed like a man with a Fergie-esque aura, who would continue the dynasty-like grip that the Red Devil’s held on the throne. The so-called “maker” of modern day juggernauts Barca and Bayern Munich, he needed no introduction. Unfortunately for old man Van Gaal, even his Gaalacticos could not save his job. The biggest positive of his reign was the introduction of Martial and Rashford as well as the elusive FA Cup that United had struggled to claim for over a decade. To his credit, he helped Carrick and Rooney round off their trophy cabinets with this piece of silverware.
Enter, the Special One – Jose Mourinho – the one the fans were crying for, the man “made for Manchester United”, two giant names with one goal – this was a match made in heaven. His first season brought 3 different pieces of silverware, one we’d never won before. In his second season, a runners’ up medal in the league. But this eventual meltdown came in the third with him being fired mid season.
Now we come to the present Act, the story of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, a United legend and novice manager, with a coaching staff comprising of other alumni like Michael Carrick and Mick Phelan. Their motto – inject the United DNA in the squad. In his first full season, peppered with ups and downs, he has managed to claim a podium finish in the form of 3rd place. His signings have born fruit, they have blended well and majority of them seem like a positive to the squad, which wouldn’t happen necessarily with his predecessors.
He has forged the perfect starting 11, but lacks talent outside of that. This transfer window will be of paramount important to add quality depth to the side so that a fixed starting 11 isn’t fatigued over a 50 match season. A third place finish means nothing if you can’t build on it, so if United don’t mount a considerable challenge for silverware next season, there will be plenty of questions asked. Now that Champions League participation is secured, inability to lure high-profile signings in the form of Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho will through a huge blanket of doubt over Old Trafford over the potency of the current management.
If United wish to be a force to reckon, a Director of Football and strategic signings that improve the squad are the major areas Ed Woodward and Ole need to look into. The club has always been in good hands on the commercial front with Woodward, but squad improvements have always been dodgy. It’s about time we see a string of improvements in different areas with dead weight heading for the exit at the same time. Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard have been great servants of the club, but they lack the calibre required of a player that helps a Premier League winning squad to the throne.
Ole sure has his work cut out – win the Europa League in August and get in a right winger, midfielder, left back and centre back in order to challenge for the league next season. He just needs to look at the Liverpool squad to get a hint. Klopp can choose amongst Minamino, Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum and Keita to set up his midfield. This means he always has 2 quality players to rotate. The story with their forward line is a similar one.
It’s time United returned to the top, we can only wait and watch to see how Ole goes about the task at hand.
We Need To Talk 