As with my previous article on Newcastle United, (available at https://wheel2wheelreports.com/2022/01/15/how-newcastle-united-could-look-in-12-months-time/) there again is an immediate disclaimer. Despite my best wishes, there is not a chance on this, or in fact any other earth, that Manchester United are winning the league this year. At the very best, they may snatch fourth place and that all-important Champions League place, but even that is looking unlikely. However, as Michael Jackson once poetically put it as a youth, it could be as easy as 1-2-3. These are the three things Manchester United need to do, in order to get above their rivals and back on top of English football.
1. Four letters – A CDM
This one, they have been crying out for, for a while. United’s only current central defensive midfielder is Nemanja Matic, and he is well beyond his prime. Fred and McTominay have done ‘a job’ in deep-lying central midfield, but neither have any defensive qualities. Fred can intercept better than most, but his passing is worse than even mine. And whilst McSauce has had his share of inspired performances, his positioning in the defensive areas borders on the tragic.
Then there’s the mysterious case of Donny Van de Beek. I was astonished to learn that he has now earned 50 appearances in a United shirt. Having never been given a run in the team, under now two different managers, something must not be clicking in training. James Garner looks a solid answer in the long-term after promising loan spells at Nottingham Forest, but even he won’t solve the problem right now.
Therefore, United need to buy one. Either Declan Rice or Jude Bellingham. I’ve left Kalvin Phillips out of the equation as I don’t feel he has the quality Manchester United need. Of the two, I think United have to beat Chelsea to Rice’s signature. Proven Premier League experience, and this £100 million signing would also cripple a fellow top four rival, as he is the most important player at West Ham. He would give United much more stability all over the park and give players like Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood, less defensive responsibility.
The answer isn’t always money, however. In fact, the transfer of Rice, even at £120 million, would cost them a single new penny. Why?
2. A Car Boot Style Clear Out
Roll up! Roll up! Players for sale! That’s right, United have an easy £200 million just sitting there, literally. And in a toxic environment, some of these players would relish an escape. So, despite some of these names being brilliant servants to the club, they need to move on. Players like Garner, Elanga and Diallo should be the ones on the bench next season, instead of some of these older players who simply aren’t good enough. United need to look across the city at the Noisy Neighbours, and look at the standards they’ve set in regards to squad strength and depth. Therefore, let’s starts the clearout.
In goal, I’d actually loan out Dean Henderson for one last year, before making him the number 1 in 2023, as David De Gea has indeed proven me wrong with a string of superb performances this season so far. In fact, he’s arguably the club’s player of the season. Tom Heaton doesn’t cause any harm as third choice, either.
Moving forward, I love Eric Bailly, I’ve even met him in person. But there is simply not a consistent, injury-free, player there. Unfortunately, he needs to go. Fortunately, United would probably get back that £30 million they gave Villarael for his services, perhaps from AC Milan. While you’re looking at centre backs, you take the financial hit and say cheerio to the captain. Harry Maguire was signed primarily because of his physical presence. Manchester United haven’t scored in 104 corners at the time of writing and he is slower than a fridge. Seriously, he is no better than Phil Jones. After that unforgivable performance versus Liverpool earlier this season, he has no future at the club. Rather optimistically, I think United could get half of what they paid for him.
Speaking of unforgivable performances against the scousers, Luke Shaw has to go to. The first six months of 2021 were the best of his career (oh that goal in the Euro final was great, wasn’t it). In the last six months, however, his overall body language hasn’t been good enough. Again, like with Bailly, I reckon you’d get back the £30 million we paid for him eight years ago.
Elsewhere in the defence, Wan Bissaka and Diogo Dalot both could be promising. Rafael Varane is certainly not a problem. Phil Jones has to be given a chance to repay two years of wages without a game. Meanwhile, Alex Telles and Victor Lindelof could be fine as squad players.
The same can be said for McTominay, I’d certainly keep hold of him. The same for Van de Beek. I watched his performances for Ajax and he definitely deserve at least a chance. Bruno Fernandes is most definitely an important player going forward and not only would I keep him, I would even make him captain.
However, other than this, it’s a jumble sale. Juan Mata, a great servant, but his wages would be better spent elsewhere. The same for the afformentioned Matic. I like Fred and his work rate, but if you can’t pass a ball, you shouldn’t be playing football at Old Trafford. I’d also cash in on Jesse Lingard. He will be free at the end of the season, so why not shift him on now for £20 million.
Moving towards attacking options, Ronaldo and Cavani won’t be a long term answer, but they certainly aren’t a short term problem. Another year with both of these up top will be fine. Mason Greenwood is going to be a huge player for the Red Devils, and players like Diallo and Pellistri may prove to be successful in the coming years, if both have loan spells next year. Patience is the key when it comes to Jadon Sancho too, not everybody can adjust to the Premier League immediately.
However, somebody would surely snap up Anthony Martial for £40 million and I would even cash in on Marcus Rashford. I can never forgive or forget that body language against Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round tie. He was dreadful. I know there’s a very good player there, but an outstanding player, I’m not so sure. I think he actually may have already peaked and the best thing for all parties may be a fresh start. Even better, you’d easily get £60 million at least for the English attacker.
3. Goodbye Pogba
You may thought I had forgotten him. Oh no, not by a long shot. A relatively quick one this one. If you don’t want to be at Manchester United, then out they go, regardless of who it is. It is an honour to play for one of the biggest and best clubs in the world, and the players should recognise this every time they step out onto a football pitch. Nobody is bigger than the club, Alex Ferguson stuck by this mentality, hence you had big name departures during his tenure. Beckham, Keane, Van Nistelrooy, Tevez, to name a few. And the club was still majorly successful. United should sign players who want to bleed for the club, who love the club, not just those who say it on social media. You never know what happens behind the scenes, but it looks like a number of players don’t want to be there, Pogba included.
The club shouldn’t buckle to his demands, even if it means losing him for free. They did this once before with the same player! It serves them right, having had their fingers burnt before. Let him go, don’t work with players like that, doesn’t matter who they are. If Haaland becomes available, but the demands are ridiculous, don’t bother. Nobody is bigger than the club.
So, this last entry is more about reintroducing a mindset that used to be at the club, at a time when we were much more successful.
Implementing these standards and improvements won’t bring you immediate success, but can certainly be a platform to build upon going forward. Let’s be honest, the club needs a monumental shift, if they are going to compete with their arch rivals.
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