With next season looming dangerously on the horizon, and Manchester United only recently coming around to genuine transfer activity, the signs are somewhat ominous for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
The narrative of the ‘rebuild’ has been a consistent thread ever since Sir Alex Ferguson left his post at Old Trafford in 2013. Still, the cyclical managerial changes and erratic club policy have endlessly undermined any genuine attempts at moving beyond the iconic Scot.
And while there seems to have been a level of stability achieved with Solskjaer, who, for now, has the full faith of the club’s hierarchy, there are still significant targets that need to be met – and time may be running out for the Norwegian.
In a scene that bore far too many similarities to when Solskjaer first took over, the post-lockdown United was full of vigour and intent, ruthlessly pressing in attack and composed in defence, bar the occasional blip – ask Steven Bergwijn.
A run of 19 games unbeaten, including victories over Manchester City and Chelsea, came to an unceremonious end in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Solskjaer’s lack of trust in the depth of his squad, though wholly understandable, proved to be the bane. And it seemed to set off a chain reaction.
A gritty draw with West Ham, a fortunate victory over top-four rivals Leicester, and lacklustre performances against Copenhagen and Sevilla rounded off the season for United, who should count themselves lucky to have come third, but more importantly kick themselves for the lack of silverware – or even a final.
United’s worst trophyless run in 31 years cannot be an easy pill to swallow for any figure at Old Trafford, particularly as the club became the first English side to lose both domestic cup semi-finals and a European semi-final in the same season. But it speaks to the attacking improvements of the side that this year’s fourth-highest scorer, Bruno Fernandes, was only four behind Pogba’s club-high tally of 16 last season, despite only joining in January. The Portuguese deserves a moment of recognition for dramatically altering the side’s season, despite the inevitable baying of ‘Penandes’ from rivals.
Peculiarly, the hefty injuries that Pogba endured this season, combined with the emergence of Fernandes in midfield – as well as Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic – could prove to be the catalyst in the remaking of the Frenchman.
Without all the focus, without every eye watching him, without the Graham Sounesses of the world desperate for the misplaced pass which would allow damnation and crucifixion, Pogba is allowed to play football. It was a relief to see him work with Bruno Fernandes when the season resumed, although it highlighted United’s desperate need for a defensive midfielder.
Fred, for all his improvement this season, is incapable of occupying the role beside Pogba, behind Fernandes. He does not excel enough at any one element but is a useful dogsbody who covers a wide area of the pitch. But defensively, his lacks proved a source of frustration in the absence of the tiring Matic.
Pogba celebrates with the Europa League trophy in 2017 | Image: Twitter – @EuropaLeague
It’s a shame that McTominay was not trusted with more defensive duties in the latter stages of the season, given his similarities to Matic, both physical and technical. The midfielder experienced a similar bloom to Fred when United found themselves struggling with injuries, and it was curious not to see it fully rewarded, particularly when it became evident Matic was beginning to suffer from heavy legs, much like the rest of the squad.
But ultimately, there are still signs of improvement that cannot be disputed. A basic level of comparison would be last season’s results; sixth in the Premier League, quarter finals in the FA Cup and Champions League, and third round in the League Cup. The side’s top scorer last season was also Paul Pogba, far too often the scapegoat for poor performances.
Or, if you wish to be slightly more obscure, compare Solskjaer’s first full season with Jürgen Klopp’s – not that that’s an accurate indicator of success. But the German finished fourth, with one semi-final. And without having to contend with European football.
That isn’t to say, of course, that Solskjaer is going to reinvent English football in the way that Klopp has, nor eclipse the German. But the bar of success set by United has to be realistic, in the same way that Liverpool’s was realistic when first dealing with Klopp. And, quite simply, United have nothing to lose by waiting until Solskjaer is proven wholly incapable of conquering England.
Last season must be considered a success by United, if they are to judge themselves against themselves alone, as they should do. But with the 2020/21 season beckoning, there are still several questions that need to be answered if the side wants to return to the summit of English football. But that task is still years away, even the most bullish of United fans have to concede.
The signing of Donny van de Beek, an announcement which finally satiated the begging of fans on social media, is a tentative step in the right direction. He isn’t, perhaps, the midfield general that United require. But as became apparent towards the end of last season, United’s squad is severely lacking, and van de Beek will allow Pogba and Fernandes to rest between games, while also occupying a useful link between attack and defence.
The versatile Dutchman was at the heart of an Ajax team which garnered the hearts of football fans globally, so it will hopefully be no surprise to see him slot into a team that is similarly structured to play fast football.
It may prove a seminal season for Pogba, who is now without the entirety of creative pressure in midfield. The addition of van de Beek may indicate the willingness of Solskjaer to move in a new direction in midfield, and it will force Pogba to step up or step out.
But, as Gary Neville has been so swift to point out, United are still a few key signings away from mounting a meaningful push this season. And the glaring gaps in the team must be filled by October 5, or October 16 if it is a domestic move.
If United manage to sign a winger and defensive midfielder, the club will be in a position to improve on its place last season – even if that means a more secure third-place and featuring in a final. The calls for another centre-back, only exacerbated by recent incidents with Harry Maguire, are somewhat curious. United only conceded three goals more than Liverpool, and one more than City, in the league last year. They scored 29 and 36 fewer respectively. It’s evidently in attack there is room to grow.
With the Jadon Sancho transfer saga growing increasingly tedious, as it appears less and less likely that the winger will leave Borussia Dortmund, United cannot falter on finding an alternative for the vacant right-wing. Mason Greenwood, for all his ability, is not a genuine winger and will be better suited to pushing Anthony Martial for the central role. United need a winger to balance out their side, and to allow Aaron Wan-Bissaka the right partner with which to attack the right.
And while the outfield needs work, David de Gea’s position in goal is under threat for the first time since he arrived at Old Trafford. The new contract of Dean Henderson, and his inclusion in the England squad, must have given de Gea cause for concern – but it may be the push he needs to shake off the complacency to which he appears to have succumbed.
Dean Henderson training with England | Image: Twitter – @England
But while de Gea endured a challenging season, Solskjaer’s decision to select the Spaniard and not Sergio Romero, one of the more reliable cup keepers of recent memory, is indicative of perhaps the Norwegian’s greatest weakness as a manager – his game management.
The semi-final loss against Chelsea is a prime example. Solskjaer was content with accepting that a loss in the FA Cup was little to pay for a higher league finish.
He rested Martial, Pogba and Greenwood, changed formation to allow for more patient play from his players – and it failed, dismally. It seemed odd to play Daniel James against a Chelsea side who were, clearly, never going to allow for the counterattack he thrives on. Similarly, to start de Gea over Romero, who had otherwise started every FA Cup game this season, was an inexplicable move, especially given de Gea’s form.
Finding themselves down 2-0 just after the second half began, and their own worst enemies for much of the game, it soon figured that the players meant to be rested were on the field. In contrast, Marcus Rashford – arguably the player most in need of a break – stayed on till the 79th minute.
As a unit, there is evidence for improvement for United. But Solskjaer needs to prove this season that he is capable of adapting when it goes wrong. That he has more in the locker than a Plan A when it doesn’t go according to the script.
There has to be patience for Solskjaer to work his system, and there’s hope that another year will bestow his side with refined understandings of the roles they have to occupy, as well as the shapes they need to take. But much of this season will depend on Solskjaer’s growth as a manager, in a way more so than how his squad looks come their first game.
Apart from playing Chelsea on February 22 and Man City on March 6, United’s fixture list is relatively kind to them, in terms of avoiding clumps of top-four contenders. However, the run-in won’t be easy, as they play Liverpool and Leicester in their last five games. The extended break may prove to be a useful factor for United, who can hope to come into the season slightly fresher than their Week 2 opponents Crystal Palace.
The key man at Old Trafford will undoubtedly prove to be Bruno Fernandes, and it is on the midfielder maestro that United’s season hinges. If he can maintain his prolific start, then United have reason to be confident. Moreover, the development of Mason Greenwood alongside Marcus Rashford could prove tantalising not only for United but for England manager Gareth Southgate.
Top four ought to be the bar minimum expected in 2020/21, and along the way United should see themselves into the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Feature image: Twitter – @EuropaLeague
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