Editorial A
s far as nightmares are concerned, the 2021-22 season must surely rank as the worst ever season in Manchester United’s recent history. No, you weren’t hallucinating if you witnessed United being torn apart against a polished Liverpool side at Old Trafford. No, your eyesight was perfectly fine when you witnessed the Reds concede four goals at Brighton. Last year’s campaign saw the club reach its greatest ever nadir - probably since the late 80s. The season certainly does not merit a revisit or an end-of-season DVD. Richard Arnold’s pub showdown with some fans highlighted the current negativity permeating all corners of the Old Trafford club. By his admission, Arnold confirmed that “last year was an [expletive removed] nightmare! I was hating every minute of it.” By and large, Arnold’s feelings mirrored that of every single fan across the globe. So horrid were United last year, that a summer exodus was certainly bound to occur - sooner rather than later. Changes in the boardroom were inevitable and a necessity to revamp the coaching staff (once again) unavoidable. Ralf Rangnick, despite boasting an erudition of the game which is second to none, could do nothing to halt the rot and inevitable decline. Contextually, Richard Arnold was, unbeknown to him [considering the clip was a leaked recording] heard stating that: “I don’t think we’ve done well with the money we’ve spent historically. We’ve blown through an enormous amount of money”, before seemingly taking a dig at former CEO Ed Woodward by declaring: “Do you want me buying the players? Does that not ring a bell?” At least, Arnold’s recognition that the “statusquo” was not only broken but nonsensical is a demonstration by the new CEO that major problems are not only identified but in the process of being remedied. “We’ve burned through cash. We spent a billion pounds on players, we spent more than anyone in Europe” was another statement that certainly needed no confirmation or verification. With the previous management at the helm, the club not only embarked on some disastrous transfers (Alexis Sanchez anyone?) but seemed to spend club
funds without any purposeful or meaningful strategy. Last season’s campaign saw the club still field players from the Sir Alex (David De Gea), Moyes (Mata), Van Gaal (Shaw & Martial), Mourinho (Pogba, Fred to name but a few) and Ole eras (think Maguire). That shouldn’t be happening – not at an elite club such as Manchester United. Considering the “nature” of the industry, a new manager should be able to completely revamp and rebuild a fresh squad. The fact that some players are past their sell-date speaks volumes of the current situation facing the new coaching staff.
Frenkie De Jong transfer is ostensibly no different.
The seemingly “poisonous” atmosphere within the dressing room also led to many stories being leaked to the press. All fingers pointed towards both Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard - the two players whose discontent was made public on a number of occasions. That being said, Richard Arnold’s confirmation that “the two sources of the leaks have now left the club” should provide incoming manager Erik Ten Hag with a glimmer of hope that the atmosphere, if not better, should be tighter and more controlled - up and until he can properly lay down the law and establish a new “modus operandi”.
One can only hope that at a point in time, the club would be able to follow the blueprint of both Manchester City and Liverpool - who evidently snapped up both their main targets (these being Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez) as soon as the transfer window opened. Such decisiveness, ambition and strategy are certainly the cornerstone of both clubs’ recent success/es. United would do well to quickly adjust and pursue a similar blueprint.
As at the 30th of June 2022, Manchester United have parted ways with the following key players: Edinson Cavani (Released), Jesse Lingard (Released), Juan Mata (Released), Nemanja Matic (Released - snapped up by AS Roma) and Paul Pogba (Released – and returned to Juventus again on a free transfer). In this connection, it will be interesting to see whether the manager will decide to offload even more players that formed part of the group during 2021-22. However, much will also depend on the transfer market and whether any sensible recruitment will be conducted - allowing much of the “old guard” to make way for fresher (and more precocious) options.
Depending on the source, it seems De Jong initially had no intention of joining - and realistically who could blame him(?) although week after week, most journalists opined that Barcelona were yielding - given their urgency to generate some funds through transfers. Considering the seemingly endless negotiations taking place, if De Jong does join, it will still be testament to United’s lacklustre (and indecisive) approach towards transfers.
“It’s the hope that kills you” is common parlance amongst football fans. That United fans have been “living in hope” for the past couple of years is certainly no secret. That United seem to be finally acknowledging their deficiencies and weaknesses fills me (to a certain degree) with a ray of hope that the club is building proper foundations for long-lasting success. Whilst I will endeavour to ensure United’s performances do not leave any long-lasting effects on my well-being - I am reminded by the adage that: “Football is more important than life or death” - with that in mind, I’ll endeavour to ensure I partake in as many stress-relievers as possible throughout the 2022-23 season! Yoga anyone?
Testament to United’s predicament (not helped by the fact that the club failed to qualify for the lucrative Champions League) is reflected in the current transfer market – already protracted and nerve wracking. (Coincidentally, it’s exactly 10 years since all fans had to endure the Eden Hazard debacle. So much optimism over the summer, inestimable expectation only to be met with abject disappointment when he finally opted to join Chelsea instead). The “prospective”
VOL 49 - ISSUE 4 - JULY 2022
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