Where Next for the Underperforming Manchester United?

As the curtain raised to commence the 29th season of the Premier League, fans, players, management and anyone in between were riddled with nerves, excitement and even a sense of pride. For the first time in history a Premier League season was kicking off behind closed doors, which will continue for the foreseeable future. As fans spectated from the comfort of their lounges, many were aware that this season promised to be one of the tightest in history and couldn’t wait to catch a glimpse.

Numerous managers had been given time to settle into their roles. Not to mention they now had another full transfer window behind them. The pressure has mounted, and the forthcoming results will now display exactly where each club currently belongs.

As match day one began, none could have anticipated the turnaround for the big six, but most notably, the apparent and meteoric decline of Manchester United.

Less than seven minutes into their 2020/2021 campaign, Manchester United found themselves behind against Crystal Palace. Andros Townsend dispatched a perfectly weighted, low-driven cross from Jeffrey Schlupp, which came after a through ball caught out United centre back, Victor Lindelof. Things only got worse for United, after a dubious handball from Lindelof allowed Palace to double their lead from the penalty spot through former red, Wilfried Zaha.

The only positive that came in an afternoon riddled with disappointment, was when summer signing Donny Van De Beek pulled one back for united in the 80th minute. That goal wasn’t enough as Lindelof capped off a woeful night for both himself and his club, by letting Zaha in behind to make it three for Palace.

After an abysmal start to the campaign, United bounced back with a fortunate 3-2 win over Brighton, courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes penalty which was converted ten minutes into stoppage time. The match wasn’t without its clear faults as Brighton dictated proceedings from start to finish, hitting the frame of United’s goal on four separate occasions. Both of Brighton’s goals came courtesy of United errors at the back. Bruno Fernandes conceded a first-half penalty for the first, with Solly March being left unmarked inside United’s penalty area to head a second in for Brighton.

This performance left a sour taste in the mouth of United fans, who couldn’t have imagined what was in stall for them the following week.

On Sunday the 4/10/20, former United manager Jose Mourinho returned to Old Trafford once again, leading an aspiring and well recruited Tottenham Hotspur side. His Spurs side went on to subject Manchester United to a humiliating 6-1 defeat. This was the largest defeat for a United side in a little under nine years.

The details of the match needn’t matter as every single player that wore the Manchester United shirt on the day put in a performance that could only be described a shameful. Spurs’ goals came courtesy of braces for Harry Kane and Heung Min Son, with Serge Aurier and Tanguy Ndombele also finding the net. To make matters worse Anthony Martial got himself sent off for an alleged slap on Eric Lamela.

Three games into the 2020/2021 season and United’s ambitions already appear to be shaping up for the worst. After securing a 3rd place finish in the 2019/2020 season following a positive string of results, where and how have the club managed to go so drastically wrong?

Recruitment, management, or the board who are in charge of Manchester United behind the scenes?

Recruitment

From the moment the summer transfer window opened up until its closure only a few days ago, Jadon Sancho’s allegedly imminent transfer to Manchester United dictated headlines across the media. After such an elongated process, how could it be possible that one of the most powerful sporting clubs on the planet didn’t manage to obtain one of the hottest prospects in world football?

Simple. United didn’t believe he was worth the €120 million price tag that Dortmund had adamantly place on him since day one. This was a catastrophic error of judgement from those responsible for the decision to not match Dortmund’s valuation of the winger (we’ll get to them later). United’s representatives made it clear that they didn’t value Sancho as highly as Dortmund did, expecting them to lower their asking price. United’s incapability to recruit Sancho at a time when he was willing to join the club will allow for many of Europe’s biggest clubs to circle the English sensation in either January or in the following summer. Consider this a missed opportunity of unparalleled proportions.

Amongst the complete and utter disaster that was the Sancho transfer saga, United did manage to successfully make three significant recruits, along with two lesser known teenage signings. The first signing of the window came in the form of talented 23-year-old Ajax midfielder Donny Van De Beek. Although a welcome arrival, the centre of midfield is undoubtedly the area in which United come equipped with the largest squad depth.

The remaining four transfers were all completed on transfer deadline day. In the final hours the club managed to bring in free-agent and Uruguayan goal scoring marvel Edinson Cavani, as well as Brazilian international left-back Alex Telles, from FC Porto. On top of the aforementioned duo United also completed the signings of teenagers Amad Traore and Facundo Pellistri from Atalanta and Penarol respectively.

Given the abundance of signings, how can such a transfer window still be considered a disappointment?

As discussed before United still missed out on their number one target, who’s creativity and attacking prowess would have provided both a much-needed shake up to their attacking options and also bolstered their squad depth. Along with this, not only did Manchester United not make a single signing at centre back, they also allowed long-term servant Chris Smalling to sign for AS Roma on a permanent deal. Given that the club have conceded eleven goals in their opening three matches, such a decision will only make things more difficult in defence for United. With an abundance of matches coming thick and fast in the coming months, the club is already promising to struggle at the back.

The inability to make the two signings that mattered most has led to a moderately average transfer window for The Red Devils. Even with their five acquisitions, their current level of squad depth will struggle to compete against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and even significantly improved Chelsea and Everton sides for the Premier League title in 2020/2021.

Management

With such a poor string of performances behind them already this season, as well as an underwhelming transfer window, questions naturally must be asked of club manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his management team. Are those in charge of directing the first team players responsible for the deterioration that this club is currently seeing? Unlikely, as it is a picture that is now becoming all too familiar for Manchester United and their fans. The managerial position has been a revolving door since they bid farewell to long term manager Sir Alex Ferguson, following his title winning farewell season in 2013. Since then they have seen David Moyes, Ryan Giggs (as an interim manager), Louis Van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm of the club.

Although on occasions his tactics may have been some-what questionable. Solskjaer has only over-achieved since his first day in charge of Manchester United. Unbeaten in his first 12 league games in charge, Solskjaer managed to bring confidence back to a woeful United side that was underperforming beyond measure in 2019. He then followed that up by finishing 3rd last season and restoring Champions League football to Old Trafford. Through these performances over the last season and a half, Solskjaer has displayed that he has the capabilities required to guide Manchester United back to where they belong.

Former United manager Louis Van Gaal publicly stated in 2019 that the board wouldn’t always allow him to recruit the players he both needed and wanted, making it tough to rival their biggest competitors.

This restriction has proven time and time again to impede the club’s success on the biggest stages.

The Board

The board that run Manchester United have unknowingly made it apparent that their decisions for the club are strictly financial. They often display little to no consideration for the footballing element of proceedings which is then evident in the club’s performances. The Glazer family, Ed Woodward, as well as their associates that oversee how the club operates, clearly view this club as a revenue-generating business and nothing more.

For Manchester United to guide themselves back on track, considerable changes would be required within the framework of the club, starting with the board. This would enable the club to change how they operate and change their philosophy. Subsequently, this would allow their misjudged priorities to transform into ones that will nurture this club back to success. Allowing football to become the focal point driving the club forward is key in re-establishing them as a European powerhouse. If implemented, Manchester United could return to their former level of glory, with their ambitions returning to becoming the benchmark of British football, rather than consistently attempting to keep up with the pack.

Although easily said, how realistic is a change of heart and change at the top regarding those in charge of Manchester United?

Looking at it from a realistic perspective and observing the same situation that the club has been in previously, highly unlikely. It is probable that should things get any worse in terms of Manchester United’s performance then the club will bid farewell to their manager.

Should things continue as they are then Manchester United fans will have to settle for ground hog day once again. Although it isn’t and never will be the long-term solution, it is the only result that seems as though it could possibly eventuate. Should there ever be an overhaul then the club can rebuild, but until then the managers will always be held accountable, be it for better or worse. Regardless of how much control they have over the club and its poor fortunes, the manager will pay the price of the actions of others.