What is wrong with Manchester United?
There were times at Manchester United when supporting the club was a bed of roses. These days it is agony and despair every other week. The mentality of the players which existed during the time of Sir Alex Ferguson has taken a nosedive since his departure. Not only the players, but the entire club lacks direction.
The famous Fergie time came into existence only because the great man was able to build a mentality of never give up. Most players that played under Sir Alex can be seen giving it all for the team. For years and years, they were seen as mentality monsters who will keep fighting till the last whistle.
Embed from Getty ImagesBack to the painful current times of Man United, we see them barely making it to the Champions League. A team that settles for mediocre success. Beating mid table and lower teams but when it comes to the title challengers, they are not a competition.
A Manchester United Premier League title was more than a decade ago and seems to be another decade away when we see them play, particularly against the teams in contention for the Premier League title.
The never-ending cycle at Man United
It was only last season when Man United were in the title picture, although for a brief period. However, this season is like the 2nd spells of previous managers. The script is same every season.
A manager walks in with a promising background. The first season fans get good performances, a defeat/bad patch is put under the carpet considering it as manager’s first season. An overall good season sets up for a promising next.
But this is where it gets bad for everyone. Even with a big bank, the following season is a leap back rather than a step forward.
If we look at the story this season, it has a lot of similarity with previous seasons where the fans expected a title challenge and got a hammering reality check. With Erik Ten Haag, United got a lot of quality players in the transfer market. Though, some players did not deliver and were brought in for a huge price.
Last season, the Brazilian signed from Ajax, Antony, was supposed to deliver big this season. However, he had a controversy back home that hurt his focus on the game and forced him to miss matches.
There is enormous potential for him to go on and be an important player, but he has had no impact this season at all. 29 games and only 1 goal scored is a sorry sight and is a major downgrade from last season.
The signings this season
Both Mason Mount and Andre Onana came in with a lot of promise. The gaffer rated Mount very highly and he was supposed to fill the gap for that box-to-box midfielder. Unfortunately, he is out injured most of the time. Is he even a fit at that position or is he another no.10 that will have to sacrifice and drop back? Only time will tell.
With Onana, he now looks solid. He had a horrendous start to life at Man United with him costing his team the Champions League with errors left, right and centre.
His start to life at Old Trafford raised huge questions on the club’s scouting and recruitment. At this point he is doing well with his saves keeping United in the game. Though, the recruitment criteria at the club are still questionable.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe loan signings also had minimal impact which leads to more questions on how the club is run. It must be mentioned that Jonny Evans have been superb for the reds. A fairytale scenario for the former Leicester City defender who was only at the club for training and impressed. He has featured and performed in big games taking responsibility as a leader at the back.
Who takes the blame for United’s misery?
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was never going to be easy finding the perfect replacement for the great man Sir Alex Ferguson. Even he was not able to do that. Every time we see the answer to misery is followed by the sacking of the manager. But is that the core issue?
In the recent times, the blame was heavily shifted towards the Glazers (owners) with huge protests. The growing frustration was finally eased when INEOS purchased 25% of the club brining in hope for change.
Early signs do suggest that they are trying to change the culture at this club. The mentality which has gone mediocre needs to come close enough to their noisy neighbours and the recruitment must show that. Omar Berrada onboard will be a huge part of that cultural change at the club.
Continuing our focus on recruitment, Manchester United have spent a lot of money on players that may never have worn the red shirt under Sir Alex. Beyond skill there is passion that carries you an extra mile. The right attitude allowed so many talented players to become skilful players at this club. Not settling for anything less than becoming champions allowed the club to have so many glory days.
The bunch after 2013s title triumph have not been at the same level in terms of mindset. Settling for mediocre results and positions have now become a new normal at this club. Not only in terms of skill, but in terms of desire/hunger too, none of these men from the current squad will make the current City or Arsenal XI.
Conclusion
Manchester United have had their success under a father figure whose orders were accurate for each department of the club. Since his departure, they are looking for their next messiah. However, the times have changed, and each department needs its own proper functioning with people taking the responsibility.
United may need a Jurgen Klopp whose charisma will change the club’s mentality. A man like the German great who knows how to motivate and get the best out of players. His kind of manager may have been perfect to replace the legendary Sir Alex.
It is hard to find that kind of a manager now. Sticking with the dutchman, Erik ten Haag seems the best viable way forward. Even if United fail to qualify for the Champions League, they need that continuity to avoid the cycle that is discussed above in this article.
Stop wasting time and invest in the right people from top to bottom. Get the right players in who want to win trophies and not just be there as pedestrians.
Hope to see United back where they belong…
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