Fergie’s fury at woeful efforts
HOW do you solve a problem like Manchester United?
Since Sir Alex Ferguson left seven years ago, having delivered United’s 20th league title, the most famous club in the world has been mired in mediocrity.
A total of £948.23million has been spent on players, with United still no nearer to challenging for the title and in danger of missing out on the Champions League for a fourth time in seven years. They are deficient all over the pitch and need strengthening in so many key areas, it is difficult to know where to begin.
While David De Gea has been United’s best player in recent years, errors have crept into his game this season and last, raising questions about his untouchable status as No 1.
Sergio Romero has always delivered for United when called upon, while Dean Henderson, excelling on loan this season at Sheffield United, having conceded fewer goals and kept more clean sheets than De Gea, will return to Old Trafford in the summer to push his claim to start next season as first choice.
They have kept three clean sheets in 21 Premier League games and the much-vaunted central defensive partnership between Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof lacks conviction. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a sound addition at right-back, while Brandon Williams has the potential to make the left-back slot his own, ahead of Luke Shaw, whose turbulent United career continues to be blighted by injury.
In central midfield, with their best pair Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay injured, they lack creativity and drive. With Pogba still wanting to leave, Fred looked to have overcome his difficult first season but has reverted to type. Nemanja Matic is past it and Andreas Pereira too inconsistent.
Jesse Lingard, once a key player, suddenly cannot score or assist; Anthony Martial is unplayable on his day but unable to deliver on a consistent basis; and summer buy Dan James is, unsurprisingly, struggling after a fine start. Only Marcus Rashford, who already has a career-best haul of 17 goals this term, and Mason Greenwood have delivered up front this season.
MANCHESTER UNITED’s first-half drubbing in the Carabao Cup left senior figures at Old Trafford crushed.
It is understood former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, right, and executive vice-chairman EdWoodward felt humiliated after United went
3-0 down to Manchester City in the semi-final first leg.
It could have been even worse for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men had Raheem Sterling not missed two glorious chances to extend the lead.
Ferguson had a face like thunder at half-time, and a club source said: “The
Solskjaer talks of the need for time, and it is worth noting it has taken Jurgen Klopp just over five years and eight transfer windows to turn Liverpool into champions-elect.
But the structure and recruitment has been wrong at United for so long, it is difficult to see them emerging from their current slump any time soon. While their arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester City have got everything spot on in recent years, United have got pretty much everything wrong, from managerial appointments to player acquisition, and it will take a new approach off the pitch and some considerable time to unpick the damage. directors’ lounge wasn’t a good place to be at.
“All Sir Alex wanted to do was go straight to his office.
“He couldn’t face anyone and was determined to be somewhere else, while Mr Woodward just had his head in his hands.” Woodward remains desperate for Solskjaer to succeed, after hiring and firing three managers since Ferguson stood down in 2013, but United continue to struggle this season.