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It is no secret that Manchester United have struggled for glory since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013. Since he left the club, a number of managers have taken over - David Moyes, Ryan Giggs, Louis Van Gaal, and most recently Jose Mourinho.
But it is fair to say that none of them have been able to replicate the most decorated manager in Manchester United's history. Although Jose Mourinho may have done a splendid job to finish 2nd with Manchester United last season, they were far from being considered as title contenders.
This season, it is fair to say that Manchester United have struggled for consistency under Mourinho. Although Mourinho might be a great manager, his tactics don't suit the players he has at his disposal.
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They are much more comfortable playing a free flowing attack style of football, rather than parking the bus. Hence, it is important for Manchester United to look for a new manager. Here are 3 reasons why Borussia Dortmund's Lucien Favre could just be the perfect candidate.
#1 Direct style of play
Favre has given his players a clear footballing identity, consisting of patient build up play, defensive solidity, and superb attacking at pace. Favre usually lines up his players in a 4-2-3-1, a formation quite synonymous with Manchester United.
Although possession is not an obsession at Borussia Dortmund, they have an average possession of around 56 percent, and like to play out from the back. The double pivot in this formation is responsible for breaking up play, recycling possession, and holding the ball along with the centre backs to break the press.
Their main aim is to move the ball to the wings as quickly as possible, where the fullback, the winger, the #10, and possibly the striker can create overloads and attack at pace. These overloads allow one of the players to cut inside into the half space to take shots, create chances, or switch the play to the other flank.
Martial, Rashford, and Sanchez are extremely quick wingers who could suit Favre's style of play, along with Pogba, Mata, and Lingard who can fill in the #10 role. Lukaku can be a great option for the striker role, as he can hold the ball and drift out wide if necessary.
Moreover, all these players can switch positions, which makes them extremely difficult to mark. Manchester United have an abundance of players who could fill up the double pivot role like - Matic, Herrera, Fellaini, Fred, etc.
The only area where they are lacking is the central defence, and backups to the fullbacks. Moreover, they might need to sign a proper right winger (or push Antonio Valencia higher up the field, and get a new right back) as none of the above mentioned wingers are comfortable on the right flank.
While defending, Favre likes his team to defend in a medium block, and cut out the passing lanes for the opposition. The main aim is to prevent the opposition from playing centrally, and force them out wide, where they can press with numerical superiority and win back possession.
#2 Putting faith in younger players
Jose Mourinho has received a lot of backlash from Manchester United in recent years for not giving deserved minutes to younger players (unlike Sir Alex Ferguson). However, Lucien Favre is a manager who likes to put his faith in young talents, and it has paid off.
It is worth noting that it was Favre who handed Marc Andre Ter Stegen and Marco Reus their debuts during his time at Borussia Monchengladbach, and he hit the jackpot.
#3 Taming "difficult" players
During his time at OGC Nice, Favre had one of the hardest jobs to perform on earth - manage Mario Balotelli. Where Jose Mourinho, Jürgen Klopp, Roberto Mancini, and a host of others tried and largely failed, Favre succeeded in taming the beast in Balotelli.
There has been a similar situation in Manchester United with Paul Pogba, as Mourinho has been unable to man manage him, and has suffered numerous fall-outs with him. However, Favre could be the right man to bring the best out of Pogba, and hence make him a world beater.
Final thoughts
As a manager, Lucien Favre is a perfect blend of tactical & man management skills, and he could be the perfect manager to bring the glory days back to Manchester United.
