Written by: Arka Roy
Edited by: Kiran Ninan
Under Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, people shuddered at the sight of Manchester United Football Club. This was a club whose history intertwines with the beginnings of the English Premier League, a club that struck fear among the giants on the stage of European football and a club supported by an unparalleled fan base that accustomed themselves to glory that United brought them.
1986-2013 saw Manchester United cement themselves as among the gods of European football, whereas 2013 and onwards witnessed their fall from grace. The fall is characterized by the appointment of four consecutive managers who have not been able to achieve the greatness Ferguson attained. Where Ferguson successfully earned 38 trophies in a 27 year period including 13 Premier League titles, the four managers since has failed to win the Premier League, struggled with solidifying a place in the European Champions League, and have won two trophies. United’s last 6 years has been defined by struggle, instability, and inconsistency. Ole Gunnar Solskjær, United’s current manager, has led the team to numerous successes but has also given ample reason to doubt his leadership. That being said, United is amidst a heavy process of rebuilding. It is vital that Solskjsær replicates a roster that matches the depth and talent of Ferguson’s squad in the 2000s. We, the fans, are waiting for Solskjær to reinstate the United dynasty, and it begins with how he grooms his young players to excel and who he targets during these next few crucial transfer windows.
A glimpse into the current squad would reveal an array of talented players who excel in different aspects of the game. However, individual skill is one thing, and facilitating team cohesion to exploit these corresponding strengths is another. Ferguson championed the latter arguably better than any manager in the history of football. That being said, it is necessary that Solskjær emulates Ferguson’s tactics to the best of his abilities. Ferguson’s success often came down to the passion he carried for his team, and how his players would bear that passion on the field. Manchester United in the 2000s was a force to be reckoned with because no team paralleled their ferocity and tenacity, with regards to sustain possession and creating scoring opportunities. What United must do now is breed that passion and construct a team around that.
So how do we do that?
Simple (yet difficult). We build around the following players – Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Daniel James, Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood, Harry Maguire, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Why? These players have demonstrated a love for United; their passion for this team is seen on the field where they are the ones dictating ball movement, creating goal scoring opportunities, and ensuring the ball remains away from our goal. With an average age of 24, the aforementioned players will serve as a great stepping stone for refining skills and enhancing team cohesion. United can once again dominate if these players can exploit each others strengths to develop into a greater offensive threat and provide defensive stability.
Ferguson’s squad produced a legendary defensive combination through Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. This Great Wall of Manchester was almost impregnable; this is the standard the current team should hold themselves to. The signings of Maguire and Wan-Bissaka this summer was a pivotal step forward to reconstructing that wall. Currently, United have let in 29 goals in the Premier League. Our defense is improving where the goals against us are in the same range as Chelsea and Manchester City, teams who have a similar standing in the world of football, who have 32 and 27 goals against them thus far in the Premier League season. This can definitely be attributed to Maguire and Wan-Bissaka (among others), who if you watch on a game will be clearly exerting themselves excessively to ensure United’s goal stays untouched. Personally, I do have faith in our defense and do not think that this is our Achilles’ Heel; it can always be improved upon, but with more seasons and time, our defensive line up will become more united.
Offensively, Manchester United needs to be revitalized. Again, comparing goals scored to Chelsea and Manchester City (41 and 56 respectively), United has only scored 36 goals in this Premier League season. Scoring 14 goals in 22 games and 8 goals in 18 games respectively, Rashford and Martial are the two attackers that Solskjær must construct an offensive force around. This season they have they have demonstrated their love for championing the United badge, and their performances speaks volumes to that. The last few seasons have facilitated the enhancement of their skills, and this season has been a testament to that. Rashford is slowly fulfilling the legacy of being United’s renowned number 10 through his pace, dribbling abilities, and impeccable shooting. Playing him in a centre forward, striker, or left wing position is ideal for his given strengths. Martial has also mirrored a similar level of talent. Placing him on the left wing especially, underlines his ability to move down the left wing in an agile and decisive manner and curl the ball in any corner with his excellently placed right footed shots. James has also been lethal on the right wing. His speed is unparalleled and thus defenders truly struggle if they leave him room with the ball. Capitalizing on his speed has proven effective, especially if he can find Rashford, Martial, or others in the middle of the box on an offensive run. Greenwood has been a sensational wonder boy for United this season. Slowly making his name more apparent from last season, he has scored 10 goals in 30 appearances (in all competitions). Comparing that to Martial (12 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions), Greenwood’s feat is seen as more impressive as this has been accomplished at a tender age of 18. Should Greenwood continue this progress, he will definitely go down as a United legend. However, among the most impressive United players this season includes McTominay. Watching his passion and love for United is what fans like myself missed seeing within the squad. Although statistics are an objective truth, football is a sport where statistics alone do not tell the whole story. McTominay is a prime example of that. Offensive plays are heavily centred around him; his governance of the play is seen where passes are continuously running through him and him reciprocating that forward to find his attacking teammates. His defensive resilience is highlighted where he hounds opposing players with the ball in the central midfield area. McTominay is truly a delight to watch, and bears among the highest potentials in the squad.
United’s roster shows us that hope is not lost. Glory should be soon upon us if Solskjær can focus on the youngsters of his team that show promise. The youth of United has always been the foundation, as exemplified by players such as David Beckham or Ryan Giggs under Ferguson’s leadership. This philosophy must be actualized to a further degree with Solskjær, through the supplementation of purchasing players from other squads. United’s potential is unquantifiable, and its success is inevitable. I have faith in Solskjær, but more importantly, I have faith in United’s youth.
Glory, glory, Man United.
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