How Manchester United Can Compete Once Again

Since Sir Alex’s retirement, it’s safe to say that Manchester United fans have watched their beloved club try to rise to the top of English football again a few too many times. The club have tried time and time again to close the gap on Manchester City through different managers and players, too many of each. Having only regressed, United now find themselves in a dire situation with a mashed-up squad full of players from different managers and subsequently, different philosophies. Including Cristiano Ronaldo, United still have 3 players from Ferguson… It’s nothing short of a mess.

With the club bringing in Ten Hag as manager as well as large scale changes going on upstairs, it seems like some long-needed decisions are finally being made – there might be a long-term plan being formed. It’s vital this time that the Glazers make sure this plan is the right plan and that it is followed all the way. If recent history is not repeated and the plug isn’t pulled, a blend of making sensible signings, giving power to footballing people, making the odd big money signing, improving current players and trust might just see United getting back to where they belong.

Making Sensible Signings

For the last 9 years, United have massively lost their way in the transfer market. Since the Glazer take over, a tremendous amount of debt has been slapped onto the club as well as a consistent amount of money being taken out of the club annually in dividends. When the structure at the club was in check, United made sensible/bargain signings such as Chicharito and Van Persie which saw a continuation of winning trophies.

Klopp is also managing to challenge at the top with a similar strategy. Players such as Salah, Robertson and Diaz were all brought in for reasonable prices. Despite not being second best to City most seasons, this transfer strategy has allowed Liverpool to push City all the way to the end. United on the other hand spent a combined total of £120 million on two failed defenders in Maguire and Wan Bissaka – surely, there could have been some better scouting going on? Whenever the club seem to get a bargain (e.g. Diogo Dalot or Dan James), it hasn’t worked out.

The Odd ‘Big’ Signing

Despite the problems surrounding ownership and finances, Manchester United have still proven they can spend big of late. Marque signings such as Di Maria, Pogba and Lukaku are all examples of United flexing their financial muscles to show that they are still a force to be reconned with. The problem has been that none of these signings have ended up working out.

If the club is willing to continue to make these signings in combination with the ‘bargain’ transfer policy previously analysed, the route back to the top of English football might not be as long as it seems. Taking another look down the M62, Liverpool have just done this. To complement the sensibly priced signings, though not too often, Liverpool have spent big when they needed to. Van Dijk and Allison are the main examples of expensive players that have become fundamentals in their squad. United must allow Ten Hag to recruit in a similar manner.

Giving Power to Footballing People

Despite being warned by Louis Van Gaal to join a “football club” over a “commercial club”, Ten Hag stated in his Unveiling Press Conference on Monday that “I will draw my own line” on the current state of the club. Erik Ten Hag therefore clearly believes that the letting go of Ed Woodward (Executive Vice Chairman), Matt Judge (Director of Football Negotiations) and Jim Lawlor (Chief Scout) is going to allow him to succeed. These dismissals have hopefully left room for an improved hierarchy including Ralf Rangnick and, heavily linked, Paul Mitchell. These are actual footballing people.

United must appoint footballing people and then let them do their work. Top managers such as Mourinho and Van Gaal both failed at the club due to the interference by non-footballing people regarding signings and pre-season tour arrangements. City have let Pep do his thing and Liverpool the same with Klopp. It’s vital that Manchester United prioritise football over the commercial side of things if the good times are going to come back to Old Trafford.

Trust & Patience

Time is vital.

It’s a moment which still makes the hairs on the back of Manchester United fans necks stand up. As Sir Alex ended his last end of season speech in 2013, he gave the club one instruction – “Your job now is to stand by our new manager”. The crowd roared yet 10 years down the line, the club haven’t only sacked David Moyes, but the 3 other managers.

Okay, Moyes probably wasn’t the right man however, it seems that as soon as something goes terribly wrong, the board give the manager the bullet. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was doing a much needed clear out job at the club however, due to a bad patch, he was given the boot midway.

United now seem to have a real contender of being the right guy. He’s proven he can win in an attacking manner whilst blending in youth – this is a key component of the United DNA. Now, Ten Hag has a lot to sort out. Disunity, deadwood players and a terrible wage structure are just to name a few. There’s a huge chance it’s going to get worse before it gets better but the club must stick with him through the bad times.

Although tough to imagine, there are some players within the squad who Ten Hag will improve, even if they are currently playing woefully. It’s happened at Spurs. A few players including Ben Davies and Matt Doherty were all but written off by Tottenham fans until a bit of Antonio Conte magic saw a huge improvement in their ability. They have both become integral members in a much-improved Spurs starting 11.

Improving Current Players

Who knows who Ten Hag will be able to revitalise? Maguire? Fred? Telles? McTominay? It’s not certain but what is certain is that Ten Hag is very highly rated as a coach. “Watch his Ajax team and you see his qualities” said Pep Guardiola. “One of the most exciting coaching talents in world football at the moment” said Jurgen Klopp.

Do not be surprised to see some youngsters become staples in a not-so-distant United squad. Ten Hag took top prospects such as De Jong, De Ligt and Ziyech and turned them into to some of the top players in Europe. Ten Hag will no doubt have been watching the Under 18s and 21s this season. Just look at what Guardiola has done with Foden, what Klopp has done with Alexander-Arnold. Youngsters such as McNeil and Garnacho are going to be rubbing their hands together.

It’s going to be one hell of a task but Manchester United might well have finally got the right man for the job. Erik Ten Hag’s attacking/possession-based philosophy in addition to making talented youngsters champions should be ideal for modern day English football but more importantly, screams out Manchester United. If the club are prepared to allow Ten Hag and other footballing people at the club to lead the charge as well as giving the time to do so, this mighty club that’s been riddled with problems over the last 10 years might just be able to challenge once again.