21 Nov 2021 14:25:24
Nothing will improve at the club until the Ferguson era comes to an end. and that means absolutely everyone associated with Ferguson, and Ferguson himself. The idea that we need to be what we were is the basic concept that is misguided. Football has moved on tactically and structurally, and United needs to move on too. When I hear words like "the United Way" and vainglorious versions of "We're Manchester United", I cringe - as I used to when suggested innovations at work were met with obstruction on the basis "that we've always done it this way".

Given the quality of the individual players as suggested by their price tags we ought to be challenging for titles. To achieve that objective, however, takes tactical nous, technical excellence, transfer policy acumen, and teamwork, from the backroom to the pitch.

As an example I think of de Gea. He has been excellent this year and is now keeping Henderson out of the side. But, as good as he is, de Gea is not a modern goalie who provides the extra field player that allows the rest of the team to press more effectively. He's an example of a failure to move on.

Lingard, Jones, Mata, Pogba, Dalot etc should not be United players today. Forward looking clubs do not buy and build teams around stop gap short term players like Ronaldo, Cavani, Ibrahimovic and, even though he brought us and himself a league title, RVP. The best teams get rid of players with perfect timing, sometimes when it seems completely wrong. Ferguson used to be good at it. Van Nistlerooy? Beckham? Clough and Taylor were brilliant at it.

Whoever the new manager is he will need to have the unconditional support of the board. A lot of heads are going to have to roll and I think that will have to include Fletcher, Carrick, Phelan, Murtough and any other members of Ferguson's insider clan. It's the Board's responsibility to hire the right executive/ managerial team. Have they learnt their lesson yet? They're going to be on their own. Wherever they have been looking for advice in footballing matters to date has not availed them.

1.) 21 Nov 2021
21 Nov 2021 14:33:20
I hate to comment on my own post, but was just looking at MEN and a comment by Brendan Rogers endorsing my view of De Gea. "We play with 11 men, not 10 and a goalkeeper".

2.) 21 Nov 2021
21 Nov 2021 16:23:22
Absolutely agree 100% on all of that shawthing

We have to jo adapt to the modern game and this will have to start with a manager.

3.) 21 Nov 2021
21 Nov 2021 21:51:17
Agree ShawT, but you know and I know this will not happen. The board will mot stand down, fergie will still be there, and Murtough, phelan and Co will hang on to the bitter end.
Why has the club not sacked all the useless players you mentioned? Answer is quite simple, the Owners are only interested in money and the poppets they've installed in the powerful jobs, are non football people.

4.) 21 Nov 2021
21 Nov 2021 22:15:39
If the club fails to make it into Europe over the next few seasons, how does that affect its finances, its ability to attract good players, future sponsorship deals, its ticket sales? The clubs value is less dependent on its geographical presence in Manchester than it ever was. We are no longer the top team in Manchester, let alone England. Eventually that reality will have a negative impact on the Glazer's investment value.

5.) 22 Nov 2021
21 Nov 2021 23:58:45
We won’t fail to make it into Europe though, we never do.

6.) 22 Nov 2021
22 Nov 2021 06:19:08
"The best teams get rid of players with perfect timing, sometimes when it seems completely wrong. Ferguson used to be good at it. Van Nistlerooy? Beckham? Clough and Taylor were brilliant at it. "

Clough and Taylor weren't brilliant at it though. They dismantled their European Cup winning side at Nottingham Forest far too quickly and the replacements weren't of the same quality, which contributed to their decline. Clough himself admitted they did it wrong and should've copied Paisley and Liverpool in how to rebuild and sustain success at the same time.