For a long time in Manchester, Man united has been the undisputed champion as City trailed behind as an underdog. But for the last decade, City has overturned the tables to become a dominant force in Manchester. Also, they boast of being among the few top-tier teams that dominate the English Premier League.
Besides, with a new manager at Old Trafford, Eric Ten Hag joins the club with a responsibility to return the team to its former glory. Since 2013 the team has yet to win any premier league title. Also, since 2008, it has not won a champion league trophy. Please continue reading to know what United needs to finally get right to return to its former glory in Manchester.
What United needs to get right, finally.
In this season, there is hope for United to turn the tables. The Dutchman has recruited six new players in the summer, with Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Antony, Lisandro Martinez, and Martin Dubravka joining the club. This signing has brought excitement among United supporters, who anticipate what their club could achieve this season. The following are the areas United needs to work on to get right, as shown here.
#1. Fully utilize the skills of their new dedicated coaching staff and manager
With the signing of Erik Ten Hag this summer and the departure of the interim manager Ralf Rangnick, there is hope for a comeback. The 52 years old Dutchman joined United with five successful seasons in ajax.
This success positions Ten among the best coaches in Europe. After hanging his boat, Ten Hag has managed several teams, which includes FC Twente as a youth team coach, an Enschede-based club, and PSV Eindhoven as an assistant manager.
So, what has changed with the signing of the new manager? In reality, Ten Hag management has changed the general running of this club. Since he started his role, United has got a genuine sporting structure. To have a quicker turnaround on his result, Ten Hag requested to recruit some former players to strengthen the team. These are players he had coached on his previous assignment. That is why from his pre-season signing, things look encouraging.
His management is also avoiding all the mistakes his predecessor made. Ten Hag is concentrating more on playing a possession-focused style. From the few games he has taken part in, he has shown more adaptability than Mourinho, who was accused of failing to embrace this vice. The Dutchman has ditched the demand of playing from the back after David De Gea struggled in his first two games of the season. Also, his thought of playing Christian Eriksen in defensive midfield seems not to work.
Ten Hag is a great leader who does not hesitate to make tough decisions when duty calls. For instance, he dropped Luke Shaw and Captain Harry Maguire(captain) after playing their first two games. Also, he was excluded from the Chelsea game after Cristiano Ronaldo failed to come on against Tottenham. This action is a good show of leadership.
Although it is too early to conclude, his positive outcome against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham and his draw at Chelsea are good signs that United is on the right path.
#2. A good manager who can emphasis on player development
Part of United’s investment has gone to developing their young players. The club has first-class facilities and works with top-notch coaches at all levels. For instance, they signed their new coach this summer, “Ten Hag”, a man of principle who believes in player progression through basic training and repetition. This gentleman understands the basics and how simple the game of football is. From his experience, he demonstrates his appreciation for professional footballers and believes these individuals are of particular talents that need to be trained to excel at the highest level. From the few games he has participated in at Old Trafford, he has shown by action that any player who wants to qualify in the paid ranks must be a bit robust when kicking the ball.
In addition, the manager appreciates the basics and understands the grassroots. Working on the grounds is not optional for this manager. For instance, when they lost to Brentford, he took part in a 14 km race with his team. This action is a testament to his commitment to take the cause.
The club has a set of young players who have been developed internally and are expected to be moved through the ranks.
#3. Smart Spending
United has undoubtedly gone into the market and purchased six players during the summer. Unlike before, the club has been more careful and strategic with its spending thanks to its new manager. They have now gone for players who are willing to win titles rather than a show-off.
#4. The Club might require an active January transfer window
Manchester United is reportedly not going to have a busy January transfer window. According to Samuel Luckhurst of Manchester Evening News, the club will not proactively look to make more additions at this time of the year. The Club will focus more on the contract situation it’s facing, like Diogo Dalot, M. Rashford, Luke Shaw, D.De Gea, and Fred are all in the final year of their contract. However, the new manager Erik Ten Hag is looking to sign two fullbacks: a left-back and a right-back. The two talents will add depth to his defence in the many games ahead.
Wrap up
When United perfects the above four points, they will find themselves in the position they were in back in 2013. The team will come to its winning streak and regain its growly back in Manchester.
