What would be final straw for Glazers?
UNITED fans have always agreed on one thing.
Supporters have always been truly united in opposition to the Glazers’ controversial regime. The unprecedented protests in May this year around Old Trafford against the custodians of the club amid the European Super League fallout were a consequence of years of neglect, broken promises and incompetence. It was communicated that lessons would be learned from that fiasco, however, mistakes of old are now creeping in again.
Although it had been clear for some time during the 2015/16 season that United were heading backwards under Louis Van Gaal’s leadership, the call to part ways with the Dutchman in May 2016 was an overdue decision, which proved costly. While his successor Jose Mourinho would deliver silverware, that was placed at the expense of the long-term wellbeing of the club.
Managerial decisions are the most important aspect of ownership and yet it’s an area in which the Glazers fail.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has actually been a success at United across his almost three-year managerial reign, though. That statement might initially cause aghast, but the United boss was the perfect candidate to inherit what Mourinho had left behind. Solskjaer implemented a radical culture shift at Carrington upon his permanent appointment; he addressed key issues regarding personnel in the squad and made visible progress on the pitch.
Solskjaer was the caretaker that United desperately needed to find, but caretakers shouldn’t manage clubs of United’s calibre for very long.
Although the Norwegian has always received criticism over his alleged lack of tactical nous, there has been an argument that he deserved the opportunity to try to take United to that elusive next step, but that case is now quite frankly redundant.
Solskjaer’s work ensured that United were in the strongest position since Sir Alex Ferguson retired this summer, but it’s now abundantly clear that he’s taken the club as far as his capabilities allow him. It’s time for another manager to finish the project.
There was a grossly unacceptable inevitability in United’s tepid performance against Manchester City at the weekend and the international break is the ideal time for the Glazers to make the right decision, to remove Solskjaer from office. But the Glazers are reactive, not proactive - the hallmarks of poor owners - and they’re watching their ‘asset’ decline. At what point of decline will they feel required to pull the trigger? The Glazers will react when Champions League qualification is in doubt, but that will be too late for United supporters.
Their priorities at the club have always been misplaced and their persistence with Solskjaer could be the final straw.