The Manchester United manager search has begun. The Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era is finally over following a humiliating defeat to Watford, which finally forced the Manchester United board and the Glazers to take action.
Solskjaer’s sacking leaves the club looking for their fifth manager in nine years. Whoever United choose to replace Solskjaer will have a big task on their hands to get the club back to the top of the English game.
Here are three things that the new manager should do immediately to help transform Manchester United’s fortunes.
What the New Manchester United Manager Should Change
Strip Harry Maguire of the Manchester United Captaincy
The first decision the new manager should make is to strip Harry Maguire of the captaincy. The English defender has been out of form over the past few months, ever since he returned from injury in October.
At the moment, he looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. The Manchester United captaincy provides added pressure, especially if results and performances aren’t going your way.
Maguire doesn’t appear to be a natural leader when compared to United’s previous captains such, as Roy Keane, Steve Bruce, or Bryan Robson.
The 28-year-old needs time out of the team given his current form. He will now get that due to his red card against Watford. However, when he does return it shouldn’t be with the captaincy.
That should be given to Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a natural leader and will demand high standards from those around him. He is also the only one at the club who knows what it takes to win a Premier League title and have success at Old Trafford.
This should be the first decision a new manager makes.
Start Donny van de Beek
Throughout this season, one of the biggest criticisms of Manchester United has been their midfield. Fred, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic have all been disappointing so far this season.
Paul Pogba had a good start to the season but has faded. Now the Frenchman is injured and looks set to leave the club next summer.
Despite the midfield struggles, Solskjaer time and time again decided not to start Donny van de Beek. The Dutchman hasn’t had a chance to show what he can do under the Norwegian. United fans have been crying out for van de Beek to start more. He showed when he came on against Watford what he can do.
Remember, this is a player who was once nominated for the Ballon d’Or. It is time for the new manager to start van de Beek as he is United’s best option in midfield.
Get a Tune Out of Jadon Sancho
One of the biggest surprises and disappointments has been the form of Jadon Sancho. After a two-year transfer saga, Manchester United finally signed the English international from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
Over the last few seasons, Sancho has been one of the assist leaders in Europe. However, since joining Manchester United, the Englishman is yet to register an assist or score a goal.
Again the 21-year-old was largely anonymous against Watford. There is no doubt that Sancho has fantastic talent and will be a key player at Old Trafford for years to come.
It is a similar situation to Kai Havertz last season. The Chelsea midfielder struggled to adapt to the Premier League, but when the club changed manager midway through the season and brought in Thomas Tuchel, it seemed to bring the best out of the young German. He ended up scoring the winning goal for Chelsea in the Champions League final.
Manchester United fans will be hoping something similar happens with Sancho and that a new manager can bring the best out of undoubtedly one of the world’s best young players.
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