*This was originally written on 15 May 2019, quite a throwback. Despite changing scenes, similar themes and weaknesses still stand relevant today for a Manchester United fan. I hope you enjoy the read.
Manchester United are in a deep crisis. If the past five years wasn’t revealing enough, the latter part of this season has fully exposed the gulf of class, passion and identity with their past and the present top-end of the Premier League. Solksjaer provided United with wonders after Mourinho’s departure. They had a sudden bounce in their approach as they picked up a strong winning run of games. As Linekar exclaimed, Solksjaer’s early run-in may have been one of the best job application for full-time management football has seen. Everything was going so right, an adored club legend who appeared to be bringing back the glorious past and the ‘United way’ of doing things in the return of attacking football. Chants of ‘Ole’s at the wheel’ rang around the club and rightly so, they clinched victories against Spurs, Chelsea and PSG through a phenomenal comeback which I believe exceeded expectations for most fans.
Today United have fallen back into the dismal pit they’ve fallen into under the last three managers. Paul Ince went as far as claiming ‘anyone could have done Solksjaer has done“. His comment was harsh but when distancing oneself from any allegiance there is room to accept a blissful run cannot cover over deeper changes needed at the club.
Manchester United in its latest stage of the crisis has embarrassingly lost against relegated side Cardiff and accomplished only two wins in the last twelve games. The end of Solksjaer’s ‘honeymoon’ period reawakens fans to an undeniable reality that Manchester United requires systemic rebuilding. While Solksjaer’s inexperience raises fears about the prospect of returning to glory, the continuation of crises reminds fans the issues lay deeper.
Besides many players being simply unfit for the club, the mess amongst the first-team squad stems from the club’s insidious, rotting core. The abysmal operations at the top-end are encapsulated by short-termism and neglect for the serious task at hand, the restructuring of Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. A mountain of a task awaits Solksjaer which he would need every backing. This summer will be crucial for his future and the recovery of Manchester United. There are three central areas needing to be addressed that will be pivotal to how United return for the new season and move towards a new future.
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