What indeed.
As we know, there is no magic bullet.
It will be all down to hard work on the training ground. Not something any coach is going to get the time for because of the fixtures.
But it is the lack of competitive committment that is, for me, the biggest concern.
Even when United were not playing well under Sir Alex, the committment was usually there.
To be honest, I really cannot remember the last time I saw this.
And we still look like a bunch of strangers on the pitch.
Difficult to see us finishing in the top 4 against an improving Tottenham and (hate to say it) Arsenal.
RR has a huge task to turn this United team around.
But a few strategic signings should definitely improve our awful midfield.
Yes, the problem is will he try to make some personnel changes in the January window, or soldier on with what he's got? Time is never on a managers side in this position and living in the goldfish bowl (
as Shearer once described it) which is Manchester United, he will really need to live up to his reputation.
After a marginal improvement for half an hour against Palace, then poor performances at Norwich and last night, I am convinced (
reluctantly) that Ralf is going to have to strip things back down to the bare wood, a bit like Tommy Doc did in the 1970's; unfortunately that went very bad (relegation) first, before it got better, lets hope that particular scenario can be avoided!
Stage 1
There needs to be a clear out of all the whingers, deadwoods and no hopers; but most of all he has, IMO, to get at the 'ringleaders' in the dressing room, the barrack-room lawyers, the 'talking behind their hand' merchants, and those perhaps only here for the beer! This will in the meantime rely almost entirely on one or two players (De Gea of course) and a host of youngsters given a chance to make their name, to take the strain and to carry the flag.
Stage 2
Hand pick the players he wants to bring in as soon as possible but wait if necessary to get the ones he wants and to tell the Glaziers this is not for negotiation.
Stage3
Hand pick the new manager who can carry forward the work he's started, go get him... again brook no nonsense from the owners.
If the above is beyond him, then with all due respect Ralf book yourself on the next flight back to Moscow.