Manchester United: 5 things to fix to get anywhere close to the Sir Alex Ferguson era

If you think, by being the only manager to win the first five games, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the ideal manager for Manchester United, you are either being highly optimistic or just don’t want to see things otherwise. Any English Premier League player or manager, past and present, will vouch for the fact that this is the toughest league. And managing Manchester United, although a privilege, is the toughest challenge. The difficulty of the job is epitomized by the fact that two of Manchester United’s bitter rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool FC, have had two managers at the helm while United have already seen three full-time managers and two interim managers, since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Liverpool FC, who are the second most successful team in top flight English football behind Manchester United, are yet to win the English Premier League. And with Jurgen Klopp at the helm since 2015, they are now closer than ever to achieve it in this season. This speaks volume of the enormity of the task at hand for the manager of Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t just leave behind a football club; he left behind an empire with great legacy and a global brand. It’s no mean achievement to win 13 Premier League titles in 21 years, since the inception of Premier League, apart from the plethora of trophies and awards won by the team and its players. He's had a hand at producing some of the best talents that English Premier League has seen. Be it the Class of 92, which included the greats like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and David Beckham, or the likes of Eric "The King" Cantona, England's all-time leading goal scorer Wayne Roony, and probably the best footballer of modern era Cristiano Ronaldo.

The manager of Manchester United, including the incumbent, must address these five things on a priority before the chips fall in place to start recreating the Fergie-built legacy.

#1 Players Enjoying the Game

One obvious change fans have seen in the past five games is the smile on the players’ faces. A trademark of Manchester United teams of the past was the joy and freedom with which they played the game. This translated into the killer instinct and never give-up attitude that the best and worst of Fergie’s teams displayed during his long standing tenure at Manchester United. Manchester United has always had gifted attacking players not just in the forward line and midfield, but also in wing back and central defence positions.

Let's look at the following numbers for Fergie's last five Premier League seasons, the subsequent five seasons, and the current season. Lack of potency in the attack and the defensive failures post Fergie Era are quite evident. However, the numbers do not imply that the players lack the attacking/killer instinct. The poor numbers are purely due to the style of play which has seen more flank to flank crosses and backward passes than the forward push and through balls that Manchester United fans yearn to watch.

Goals Scored and Conceded by Man Utd from 2008-09 to 2018-19

The current team has amazing skills, enough attacking prowess, and the killer intent to knock the best of opponents of the park. The game against Newcastle at Old Trafford proved that this young team can fight back and not just win a point but all three. The style of play employed by the current and future manager has to bring a smile not just on the players face but also on that of the fans. Apart from the first team chances and winning trophies, the joy of playing a beautiful and free style of the game is of utmost importance to retain some of the best talents in the game. Hopefully, the renewed style of play lures Anthony Martial and David de Gea to sign new contracts.

#2 Old Trafford – The Fortress!

The best of the managers in Europe will gladly acknowledge that winning @Old Trafford against a Sir Alex Ferguson team wan an achievement worth cherishing. A vast majority of the Premier League teams were elated to take a point from an Old Trafford fixture. Even leading against a Manchester United team @Old Trafford with 10 minutes on the clock did not guarantee a point, forget three. You had fight through your skin and defend for your life to get a favourable result. Is the same true today? A part of the legacy has been destroyed in the last five seasons. “Old Trafford is a fortress” is more or less a myth now.

In Sir Alex Ferguson's last 5 seasons at Manchester United, the aggregate results at home were: W-81 D-6 L-8; that's an average of W-16.2 D-1.2 L-1.6 per season. Now compare that to the subsequent five seasons and the aggregate results at home were: W-58 D-22 L-15; that's an average of W-11.6 D-4.4 L-3 per season. And in the current season, the results at home are W-6 D-3 L-1. As you can see, Manchester United has already conceded points in 4 out of 10 games this season at home in contrast to the 14 out of 95 games during the last 5 seasons of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Not conceding points at home game after game after game will be of utmost priority for any manager, including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. That's exactly what the Manchester United faithful expect. Anything less and the original vibes of Old Trafford would be missing.

#3 Bench Strength

One cannot fault Manchester United for not spending in the transfer market to build a great squad. However, not all the talent that was attracted in the past five seasons has been a great fit to the team. A lot of good talent has been let go and the club has failed to attract and/or sign numerous other. By opting for second and third choice players in the transfer market, the bench strength is no longer threatening enough. Most of the first choice players don't even have to try hard to keep their place in the team. And an injury to any of these players clearly shows the result on the pitch.

With a strong squad, players have to compete for a place in the line-up week after week, thereby fostering and enhancing their skills. It's the prerogative of the manager to identify the right talent and create such a competitive environment to build a great squad. The choice of plenty is a good problem to have because you are covered for almost all eventualities. While there has been a lot of finger-pointing and blame game between past managers and Ed Woodward, it's the club that has been at the receiving end. Appointing a Director of Football at the club might not just be a good option but also a realistic long-term solution.

#4 Class of 20NN

'The Class Of 92' - World Premiere - Red Carpet Arrivals

Class of 92 along with the rest of Fergie’s Fledglings defined his legacy at the club. Manchester United has produced some of the best young talents that the game has witnessed. Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford being two of the latest bright sparks to come from the youth academy and going on to represent England at the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. England were one of the semi-finalists of FIFA World Cup 2018. The duo also represented England in the first edition of the European Nations League and have taken the team to the Nations League finals, which will be held later this year in Egypt.

The club must keep developing and enhancing the youth academy and attract the best of the talent at a very young age. Attracting talent in the transfer market in one way to strengthen the squad. However, nurturing the talent from a young age and grooming them in the ways of the club helps you build a lasting legacy. It's then the responsibility of the manager to give these young talent opportunities in the first team to showcase their talent and prove their worth.

#5 Everyone Wants to Play for Man Utd

If the above four priorities are achieved, this is more than likely to happen. Today, players sign with a club for money, brand, and/or manager, more or less in that order of priority. Young players look for first-team opportunities so that also get looked upon by their national team coach for the various international footballing events. The ultimate glory for any player is to play and win for their nation.

The Manchester United board has spent nearly six hundred million dollars in the last five seasons, only to be outspent by their neighbour Manchester City and Chelsea in the same duration. So money for the right talent does not seem to be an issue. The brand is still big globally and widely known across the five continents. A lot will now depend on the manager, his management style, his support staff, and the style of play & tactics he brings to the table. Almost everything must resonate with what the fans have been seeing over the near three decades of the Fergie Era.

The destination is far and the road tough with lonely stretches, but someone who enjoys such a road-trip will truly relish the journey.

Edited by Aaditya Narayan