The 2022/2023 Premier League season threatens to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Manchester United's last league title win. Sir Alex Ferguson signed out of a 26-year, 38 trophies laden reign with the Red devils clinching a 13th Premier League title and 20th top-flight triumph. Little did the club know that it was on the threshold of darker days. A succession of managers in both substantive and interim capacities have graced the hot seat at Old Trafford which seems to be fast becoming a poisoned chalice. From the ill-fated eight months of David Moyes to the eye-watering boredom of Louis Van Gaal, to the drama-laden shadowboxing years of the Special one, and then, the emotive turpsy-curvy ride of the assassin, Solksjaer, United has seen enough disappointment and are set to complete their fifth successive trophyless year.
Erik Ten Haag is set to take the baton, as interim manager, Ralf Ragnick prepares to hand over the remains of a directionless project that has failed to achieve any flash of its potential. What has been the problem? Ed Woodward, who has now left his role as Executive Vice-chairman, was keen on bankrolling expensive signings with ungodly wage packages to boot! This was a huge factor in a seismic cultural shift that graced the club in the post-Fergie days, as the academy became a secondary notion. Jose Mourinho's "Nicky Butt Team" parody only hallmarks the visual distortion that had enveloped the 20-time English champions.
This no doubt, was being amplified by the sporadic success of the noisy neighbors and the gegenpressing-themed resuscitation of the Scousers. United has gone on a plummet and even last season's second-place finish was a mirror of 2017/2018! They were nowhere near the summit.
It has all come to a head as Old Trafford reeks of lethargy and Erik Ten Haag must restore pride as the baseline as the Red devils begin an umpteenth attempt at redemption. 2022/2023 must be the beginning of a return to the heights they last experienced ten years ago.
There is a need for a cultural reset. The motions seem to be in place. Key players in the ill-fated administrative setup of the past decade are leaving or have left. That does not automatically give you the solution but it contributes if the right pieces are put together. It must be understood that a club's future thrives on the competence and vision of its key decision-makers. A look over at the Red side of Merseyside and the Blue part of Manchester simply informs this. Further afield in Europe, Barcelona is also plotting its way back from the dead after its hostage experience under bad leadership.
Recruitment must be fact and science-based and not emotional. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is a soft-hearted man, and such a level of "humanism" does not breed success at the highest level. A club like United cannot keep passengers around with the hope of getting a minimum out of them when the situation arises. Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, and Paul Pogba are leaving Carrington at least a season late! Data would have been helpful for United to realize they needed reinforcement in defensive and central midfield rather than a Cristiano Ronaldo in an attack that had burgeoning and promising spearheads already. Ronaldo has contributed his quota in goals as he is wont to do. But, on a greater scale, United is worse off despite starting the season even though with what has proven an illusion of being close.
Erik Ten Haag has to lay down the law and assume genuine authority over his squad. United fans are no strangers to a Dutch manager, only this time, they would be hopeful of a more purposeful process which will mean: meaningful and intentional attacking football, talent development and academy transition, and ultimately, trophies. But before all these, pride, respect, work ethic, and character need to be installed.
So apt... My precious club 😦😦😦
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