The Rise and Fall of Manchester United: A Tale of Flawed Recruitment and Lack of Ruthlessness
It’s no secret that Manchester United has been struggling this season. Currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League, the team is facing an uphill battle to secure a spot in the Champions League. But what may be surprising to some is that this predicament is not a shock to those who have been paying attention.
As the author and owner of Kosport Magazine, I have been closely following the struggles of United and their manager, Erik ten Hag. And while it may be easy to point fingers at the coach and players, the real issue lies in the flawed recruitment and lack of ruthlessness within the club’s leadership.
Let’s take a closer look at the situation.
The Illusion of Success
United’s struggles this season are a culmination of years of poor decision-making and taking the easy way out. Despite being the biggest and most successful team in the Premier League, the club’s recent performances have left many bewildered. How can such a prestigious club continue to make a mess of things on the pitch?
The answer lies in the executives who have been in charge of the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. Co-owners Joel and Avram Glazer, former chief executive Ed Woodward, and his successor, Richard Arnold, have overseen the building of a team that is simply not good enough to be at Manchester United.
But the blame cannot solely be placed on the coach and players. It is the executives who allowed such an unimpressive squad to be built in the first place.
The Cost of Mediocrity
In recent years, United has spent huge sums in the transfer market, but with little to show for it. Since the start of the 2019-20 season, only Chelsea has spent more on new signings. Yet, United’s performances on the pitch have not reflected this investment.
What’s even more concerning is the club’s tendency to go for easy options rather than signing the best players. In the past, United has missed out on top talents like Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Erling Haaland, instead opting for players like Donny van de Beek, Casemiro, and Odion Ighalo.
Even when presented with the opportunity to sign one of the world’s best strikers, Harry Kane, United chose to pursue the unproven potential of Rasmus Højlund.
This pattern of flawed recruitment has ultimately led to the team’s current predicament.
The Need for Ruthlessness
It’s clear that United’s leadership lacks the ruthlessness needed to make tough decisions and build a successful team. This was evident when the club chose not to pursue Virgil van Dijk in 2017, despite Jose Mourinho’s interest, and instead signed Victor Lindelöf.
But there may be hope for United’s future. With the recent minority investment from Ineos, the club’s football operations are now under new management. It will take time to dismantle the failed structure and build a new one, but it’s a step in the right direction.
As we continue to watch United’s struggles on the pitch, let’s not forget the real issue at hand. It’s time for the club’s leadership to take responsibility and make the necessary changes to bring Manchester United back to its former glory.
Summary: The Flawed Recruitment and Lack of Ruthlessness Behind Manchester United’s Struggles
Manchester United’s current struggles in the Premier League may come as a surprise to some, but for those who have been paying attention, it’s a result of years of flawed recruitment and lack of ruthlessness within the club’s leadership.
Despite being the biggest and most successful team in the league, United’s recent performances have left many bewildered. But the blame cannot solely be placed on the coach and players. It is the executives who have overseen the building of a team that is simply not good enough to be at Manchester United.
In recent years, the club has spent huge sums in the transfer market, but with little to show for it. This is due to their tendency to go for easy options rather than signing the best players. And the lack of ruthlessness in making tough decisions has ultimately led to the team’s current predicament.
But with the recent minority investment from Ineos, there may be hope for United’s future. It will take time to dismantle the failed structure and build a new one, but it’s a step in the right direction. As we continue to watch United’s struggles on the pitch, let’s not forget the real issue at hand. It’s time for the club’s leadership to take responsibility and make the necessary changes to bring Manchester United back to its former glory.
The Cost of Mediocrity at Manchester United
Manchester United, one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the world, has been struggling to live up to its reputation in recent years. Despite having a squad of highly paid players, the team has failed to achieve any significant success. This begs the question, what has gone wrong at United?
Kosport Magazine, the author and owner of this article, delves into the costly misjudgments and wrong decisions that have led to mediocrity at Manchester United.
In 2019, United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward proudly announced the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a whopping £50 million. However, it was later revealed that the club had analyzed a staggering 804 right-backs before settling on Wan-Bissaka. In the same summer, Manchester City quietly signed the more versatile and impressive João Cancelo from Juventus for around £60 million.
This is just one example of United’s costly misjudgments in the transfer market. Players like Casemiro and Raphaël Varane were signed on huge contracts from Real Madrid, despite their best years being behind them. And last summer, Mason Mount was signed from Chelsea for £55 million, despite not having a clear role in the team.
But it’s not just in the transfer market where United have made wrong decisions. In the manager’s seat, they have also gone for the wrong man at the wrong time. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given a permanent contract in 2019, despite the club initially wanting Mauricio Pochettino. And when Erik ten Hag arrived in 2022, Pochettino was once again overlooked in favor of a coach who had never been tested in one of Europe’s major leagues.
All of these bad calls have led to mediocrity, and that’s where United find themselves now. They have a squad of players who have survived at one of the world’s biggest clubs, despite not justifying their place. Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelöf, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all still at the club, despite not being at the level required for a team of United’s stature.
According to Transfermarkt, United are top of the Premier League table when it comes to the average length of time a player stays at the club, with an average of 1,539 days. This is a clear indication of the lack of ambition and progress at the club.
In the Premier League player stats, there are no United representatives in the top 10 of goal scorers, assist creators, or passes. The highest United player in the goal-scorer charts is Højlund, in 27th place with seven goals. Bruno Fernandes is 21st in the assists table with six, and he is also the club’s highest in the passes ranking at 25th, with 1,511.
United are nowhere near the top in any of these categories. Just like in the league table, they are treading water in the middle of nowhere.
In conclusion, the cost of mediocrity at Manchester United is evident in their poor decision-making and lack of progress. It’s time for the club to make bold and ambitious moves to get back to their winning ways. Otherwise, they risk falling further behind their rivals and losing their status as one of the world’s biggest clubs.
The Decline of Manchester United: A Tale of Mismanagement and Comfort Zone
Manchester United, one of the most successful and iconic football clubs in the world, has been on a steady decline in recent years. Despite their rich history and massive fan base, the Red Devils have failed to live up to their expectations and have fallen behind their rivals in terms of success on the pitch.
While many factors have contributed to this decline, one of the main reasons can be attributed to the mismanagement and complacency within the club. Unlike their rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, who have consistently made smart and ruthless decisions in the transfer market, United have failed to adapt and evolve with the changing landscape of modern football.
As a result, United have found themselves in a state of comfort zone, where they have become complacent and content with their past successes. This has led to a lack of urgency and hunger within the squad, ultimately resulting in their recurring failures on the pitch.
It’s no secret that United have a talented squad, with players like Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes. However, the lack of a clear and effective transfer strategy has hindered their progress and prevented them from reaching their full potential.
While their rivals have been quick to identify and address weaknesses in their squad, United have been slow and indecisive in their approach. This has not only resulted in missed opportunities in the transfer market, but also a lack of competition within the squad, as players have become comfortable in their positions without any real threat of being replaced.
Furthermore, the managerial decisions at United have also played a significant role in their decline. Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, the club has struggled to find a suitable replacement, going through multiple managers in a short period of time. This lack of stability and continuity has had a negative impact on the team’s performance and has prevented them from building a strong foundation for success.
As a result, United find themselves in a position where they are constantly playing catch-up with their rivals, both domestically and in Europe. While they may have occasional moments of brilliance, their overall performance and consistency have been lacking, and they have failed to challenge for major honours in recent years.
So the next time you are surprised by Manchester United’s recurring failures, remember that they are simply a reflection of the club’s mismanagement and complacency. Until they address these issues and make necessary changes, United will continue to fall behind their rivals and struggle to reclaim their former glory.
Kosport Magazine’s Summary:
Manchester United’s decline can be attributed to mismanagement and complacency within the club. Unlike their rivals, they have failed to adapt and evolve, resulting in a state of comfort zone. This has led to a lack of urgency and hunger within the squad, hindering their progress and preventing them from reaching their full potential. Until these issues are addressed, United will continue to struggle and fall behind their rivals.
