Realistically, what do people think the steps are that we need to take to get back into a consistent, contending team? We can all agree that on our day we can go against and beat most sides in the world, but we have a serious issue with consistency both within our players and the overall system (or lack thereof) that they are put into. Short of "Glazer Out", spunking a bunch of money unrealistically, getting a DoF, or any other solutions that aren't going to happen, I want to know what people think.
My opinion:
1. Continue to spend big money on the young prospective stars of tomorrow. Our transfer strategy has been shown to be a sham with the Glazers refusing to spend big to reinforce the squad in consecutive years. However, our youth recruitment has been very good lately and is probably our best shot of forming a deep, talented squad while not relying on Ed Woodward to do so.
2. Get a manager that understands modern styles of play and implements his ideas on to players. Poch, Hassenhuttl, Nagelsmann, or whoever it is, we need someone who from day 1 implements instructions to his players that are simple and clear, and plays on the front foot through this. This manager also has to be someone with a track record of being a good man manager and developer of young players, as our squad will be quite young comparatively. Ole does well with the second, but it's clear at this point that he has holes in his knowledge when it comes to creating a clear pressing system and passages of play when we are dominating the ball. Midfielders and attackers are sat stagnant, while we aimlessly pass the ball waiting for an individual to create something out of nothing. Likewise, building from the back under pressure is a nightmare for us, and much of it has to do with players not moving to the proper areas in order to break the press. Obviously once we break through, we become lethal as teams push men forwards and allow our counter attacking to flourish. Credit to Ole for refining this, but he's clearly limited when it comes to the other facets of the game and it's part of our overall inconsistency.
3. Sell Pogba and Maguire, as well as continuing to flog off the deadwood eventually. Those two players are almost automatic starters in our first XI, but the limitations they bring to the team cause us to have to build around them to compensate, and it harms us in other areas. Maguire is dreadfully slow and struggles playing a high line, meaning we have to play multiple defensive minded midfielders in front to shield him as well one of the best defending full backs in the world next to him. Pogba provides exquisite passing and skill, but is completely devoid of any defensive instinct and forces us to, again, shield him in the side. I've never been a Pogba hater, but his limitations at this point are too much in the modern game with how important having energetic midfielders and a pressing system are.
If we manage these three things, I think the club's future is bright. It's obvious at this point that the squad has talented footballers, as well as our academy. But all we are right now is a team that blows hot and cold depending on the day, and the issues discussed above would go a long way towards raising both our floor and ceiling.
My opinion:
1. Continue to spend big money on the young prospective stars of tomorrow. Our transfer strategy has been shown to be a sham with the Glazers refusing to spend big to reinforce the squad in consecutive years. However, our youth recruitment has been very good lately and is probably our best shot of forming a deep, talented squad while not relying on Ed Woodward to do so.
2. Get a manager that understands modern styles of play and implements his ideas on to players. Poch, Hassenhuttl, Nagelsmann, or whoever it is, we need someone who from day 1 implements instructions to his players that are simple and clear, and plays on the front foot through this. This manager also has to be someone with a track record of being a good man manager and developer of young players, as our squad will be quite young comparatively. Ole does well with the second, but it's clear at this point that he has holes in his knowledge when it comes to creating a clear pressing system and passages of play when we are dominating the ball. Midfielders and attackers are sat stagnant, while we aimlessly pass the ball waiting for an individual to create something out of nothing. Likewise, building from the back under pressure is a nightmare for us, and much of it has to do with players not moving to the proper areas in order to break the press. Obviously once we break through, we become lethal as teams push men forwards and allow our counter attacking to flourish. Credit to Ole for refining this, but he's clearly limited when it comes to the other facets of the game and it's part of our overall inconsistency.
3. Sell Pogba and Maguire, as well as continuing to flog off the deadwood eventually. Those two players are almost automatic starters in our first XI, but the limitations they bring to the team cause us to have to build around them to compensate, and it harms us in other areas. Maguire is dreadfully slow and struggles playing a high line, meaning we have to play multiple defensive minded midfielders in front to shield him as well one of the best defending full backs in the world next to him. Pogba provides exquisite passing and skill, but is completely devoid of any defensive instinct and forces us to, again, shield him in the side. I've never been a Pogba hater, but his limitations at this point are too much in the modern game with how important having energetic midfielders and a pressing system are.
If we manage these three things, I think the club's future is bright. It's obvious at this point that the squad has talented footballers, as well as our academy. But all we are right now is a team that blows hot and cold depending on the day, and the issues discussed above would go a long way towards raising both our floor and ceiling.
