Manchester United are facing a major rebuild on and off the pitch after a dramatic decline that has left some questioning whether the club is manageable. More than a decade has passed since their last Premier League title, and this season's struggles under Michael Carrick have highlighted deeper issues, though recent highs under Carrick and his predecessors show positives remain.
Structural changes needed
United defender Lisandro Martinez said after a Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid in October: "We had a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well. I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as a player, we have to do more."
Jason Wilcox's time in charge has drawn criticism, though the club operated without a sporting director or director of football in the usual sense for far longer than rivals. A struggle to adapt to the times is arguably still damaging them, but it should be salvageable.
Managerial succession plan
Carrick served a purpose last season, but something different is needed now. A number of names have been linked, chief among them Mauricio Pochettino. Eddie Howe is another candidate with Premier League experience, while Julian Nagelsmann could be the answer if the club wants another route. Getting a suitable manager is pointless without the right structure around him.
Arsenal faced a similar position a few years ago, needing to undo years of decline. They appointed Edu as sporting director, and he worked with manager Mikel Arteta to ditch unneeded players even at a significant loss.
Squad overhaul and new signings
The current United squad includes players who ought to be nowhere near the first team of a serious contender. Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire can't be blamed for staying the course, but their continued presence speaks to deeper issues. As many as seven first-teamers could be gone by the summer, including Martinez and Maguire despite their deals carrying an option. There's also a case for selling Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Noussair Mazraoui and Mason Mount.
United tried the cheaper option this summer, signing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos after being priced out of a deal for Mateus Fernandes. Lewis Hall was deemed too expensive over the summer, but now it appears United couldn't afford not to sign him. A lack of attacking reinforcements has hit them hard after Benjamin Sesko's injury, with a need for more energy and pace.
Beginning in January, they can rectify the situation. Full-back and striker aren't the only areas of concern, with a case for refreshing almost the entire back line as even Senne Lammens has started to suffer. Bart Verbruggen could provide competition for Lammens, while Hall and Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo are young but experienced. On the right, Ivan Fresneda has been linked before and could offer youth and talent. A new marquee plug-and-play signing might also be needed to send a message that United are back, with Victor Osimhen potentially coming to England.
The ideal XI would be: VERBRUGGEN; FRESNEDA, Yoro, MURILLO, HALL; Baleba, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Bruno, Cunha, OSIMHEN.
