Manchester United have lost 8 matches in all competitions in the 2023-2024 season. They are having their worst start in 60 years.
We are below the standards that everyone expects at Man United, coach Erik ten Hag admitted after a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle and being left out of the Carabao Cup.
The Old Trafford team denied the rumors of re-evaluating Ten Hag's future, but that did not stop the media from talking about this issue.
There have been a series of names mentioned as candidates to replace Ten Hag, but before assessing each individual, it is necessary to ask, with the current situation of Man United, which coach model is suitable?
After Sir Alex Ferguson left and before Ten Hag was appointed, Man United went through 4 coaching periods, including David Moyes, Luis Van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Not to mention the three interim coaches, Ralf Rangnick, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick.
In an imagined way, these 5 coaches are enough to create a colorful picture at Man United, when among them are their own distinct personalities, different styles and coaching philosophies, independent personnel management styles.
There have also been titles in the past 10 years, but not big enough to be called a success, including Mourinho with the Europa League championship. Can we summarize from those failures to draw the key point of how much Man United need a coach at the moment?
To find a suitable person, it is necessary to understand the current context at Old Trafford. It's not that the American owners don't pay for transfers, it's not that there are no famous coaches, but why can't the "Red Devils" get up? Because they have untied chains.
Which aspects are not compatible? In the way of choosing a coach, the way of determining the mindset, the way of solving personnel problems.
Perhaps it is not without reason that Sir Alex has nominated Moyes as his successor, although the achievements of the Scots are almost zero. The 81-year-old legend's intention is to say that after his retirement, Man United should start over with humiliation. But that was not accepted at the The House of Dreams, so Moyes stayed there for less than a year.
If you don't accept to bow, you need a big name. Van Gaal and Mourinho meet those conditions, but their problem is their anti- MU playing style.
Solkjaer was in the "ysuff club" and given the most possible conditions (especially in terms of time), but lacked personality or the pushes that created the momentum, bringing the "Red Devils" back into orbit.
Although Rangnick was interim manager, he also had half a year on duty with expectations of philosophy but in the end was not outstanding.
Over the years, Man United have had all the problems of a team in crisis. To get out of that bud, how do they need a captain? Are they willing to shrink to bring in coaches who are not big names but have had great success in mid-level teams?
Or does it take someone who understands the club and has a strong personality - like Roy Keane, to "carry" the stars, put them in a miraculous position as well as regain the true image of the "Red Devils"?
Or with stars who receive a lot of money but do not want to try, they need a name that is reputable and also knows how to manage it?
There are many candidates, but not everyone wants to come up with such a full range of problems. Therefore, basically, to convince, Man United also needs to determine a change in attitude and patience...
