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More than a decade on from their last Premier League title, Manchester United have declined so dramatically and so pointedly that some are starting to wonder whether they are unmanageable. Certainly, the struggles of this season under Michael Carrick appear to point to a wider malaise, but the high points of the last 13 years - be that during Carrick’s interim spell or with any of his predecessors at the helm - show there are still some positives to draw from the struggles. A significant rebuild isn’t what the club would have had in mind when qualifying for the Champions League in May, but needs must. In a few short months since Carrick was appointed as permanent manager, plenty of issues have either emerged or been thrust back into the spotlight.
Recent days have seen former United stars outline the players they want brought on board, and there were some shouts which you might call ambitious, to say the least. The likes of Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt appeared to be approaching the situation from the assumption that their old employers still have the sway they did during the Sir Alex Ferguson era - they don’t have that and they probably don’t have the financial pull either, if the messaging around their summer business is anything to go by. There is an argument for making wholesale changes to the squad; however, that’s not the only thing they need to do. Here, we’ve looked at how United can save themselves from an even worse fate.
1. Sort out the structure
"We had a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well," United defender Lisandro Martinez said after a Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid in October. “I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as a player, we have to do more.”
Success on the pitch owes a lot to having the right structure off it. In the modern age, the right sporting or technical director can be just as important as the right manager, while a joined-up approach between the two is also key.
Jason Wilcox’s time in charge has drawn criticism, though it’s also worth noting that the club operated without a sporting director or director of football in the usual sense for far longer than their rivals. A struggle to adapt to the times is arguably still damaging them, but it should be salvageable.
2. Appoint the right man to replace Michael Carrick
While getting the right person in upstairs is a must, that will count for little without the right decision at manager level. Carrick served a purpose last season but something different is needed now.
There has never been more pressure on United’s higher-ups to make the right choice. There have been moments in the past when it looked as though they had belatedly stumbled on the right appointment. It never lasted, though.
A number of names have been heavily linked, chief among them Mauricio Pochettino. Eddie Howe is another candidate if the club want Premier League experience, while if they want to go another way then Julian Nagelsmann could be the answer.
Of course, getting a potentially suitable manager is pointless if he doesn’t have the right structure around him. Fans of some of United’s rivals can attest to that.
3. Offload the dead weight
A few years ago, Arsenal were in a similar position of needing to undo years of decline and trim the fat. They got the right sporting director in place in the form of Edu and he - along with manager Mikel Arteta - worked to ditch unneeded players even if that came at a significant loss.
The current United squad includes players who ought to be nowhere near the first team of a serious contender. The likes of Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire in particular can’t be blamed for staying the course, but their continued presence speaks to deeper issues.
Others appear more than ready to move on - Martinez being one particular example - or not up to the task. It’s time for United to avoid letting sentiment get in the way of necessary decisions - as many as seven first-teamers could well be gone by the summer.
That’s not just those out of contract, either. Martinez and Maguire could leave despite their deals carrying an option, while there’s also a case for selling Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Noussair Mazraoui and Mason Mount.
4. Make the signings they need
Probably the hardest part of the equation, sure, but it’s still something the club have control over. United tried the cheaper option this summer, signing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos after being priced out of a deal for Mateus Fernandes, and this speaks to the false economy around Premier League signings.
Lewis Hall is another player who was seemingly deemed too expensive over the summer, but now it appears United couldn’t really afford not to sign him. A lack of attacking reinforcements has also hit them hard after Benjamin Sesko’s injury, while there’s surely a need for more energy and pace.
Beginning in January, they can look to rectify the situation. Full-back and striker aren’t the only areas of concern, with a case for refreshing almost the entire back line as even Senne Lammens has started to suffer from what feels like an infection working its way through the whole squad’s output.
To avoid too much overhaul, there’s a case to be made for bringing in a few with Premier League experience. Bart Verbruggen could provide competition for Lammens while Hall and Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo are young but experienced.
On the right, Spanish talent Ivan Fresneda has been linked before and could offer a much-needed blend of youth and talent. However, a new marquee plug-and-play signing might also be needed to help send a message that United are back - could it finally be time for Victor Osimhen to come to England?
Ideal XI: VERBRUGGEN; FRESNEDA, Yoro, MURILLO, HALL; Baleba, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Bruno, Cunha, OSIMHEN
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