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It’s perhaps fair to say that until Manchester United win the Premier League they won’t ever be back to where they should undoubtedly be. Terms such as “rotten to the core”, “tired” and “uninterested” have all been bandied around of late and it’s very hard to disagree with.
Old Trafford needs a revolution to get back to top, but where will that revolution come from?
The Manager
Arguably the buck stops with the manager in on-field matters and for many fans Jose Mourinho is already working on borrowed time.
His antics on Tuesday night once again was divisive and if results and performances continue to follow suit then he could well struggle to greet the end of the season.
The bookies are certainly expecting it with United priced as much as 6/1 to finish in the top four with bookmakers 888sport.
Most bookmaker offers are even delivering bonuses and enhanced odds on United struggling and almost all are seeing the Portuguese as one of the next top flight managers to be shown the door.
Mourinho is only behind Mark Hughes in the sack race according to the bookmakers, although with odds at 888sport available at 6/4 and 6/5 respectively, many fans are already deciding upon who they’d like to see next.
Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino are among the favourites with the former admitting he would like to see a return to coaching.
Either could be the confidence boost the players need in order to move away from the lethargic displays of today, with the likes of Pogba potentially flourishing under his fellow countryman.
The Players
While much can be directed the way of the manager, few players have covered themselves in glory so far this season.
Luke Shaw has perhaps turned a corner, and Anthony Martial has shown moments of brilliance, but quality is needed all over the park and January could be a key month.
The club are monitoring a number of players according to reports with Christian Pulisic being the latest name linked to an Old Trafford move.
Paper talk signed United many players over the summer though, few of which actual materialised – a scapegoat Mourinho makes on almost a weekly basis.
That isn’t without substance though. It’s undoubted that more quality is needed in January. Mourinho was failed by Ed Woodward over the summer, will he again be?
A January spending spree could influence the rest of the season incredibly, and with the Champions League and top four on the line, it could get the wheels rolling nicely.
The Board
United have made plenty of signings this term, but while it’s fantastic to have a new toothbrush sponsor and official glue partner, it isn’t going to bring short term success on the pitch.
Attention is starting to turn towards Ed Woodward now. Would David Gill have let it get to this stage? It’s easy to look to the past but the answer is arguably no.
Pressure will be mounting now and at some point he’s going to have to make big decisions otherwise one big decision may come his direction.
Former players have been quick to criticise how the United ‘culture’ and ‘philosophies’ are now longer in place. That’s largely on his part.
A Director of Football looks likely to be the best possible step at Old Trafford. A former player who knows the game and knows what’s needed on the pitch. Someone who can liaise knowledgeably with the manager on football matters. That’s lacking and it’s so evident by the business that’s been done, or should we say lack of.
The Owners?
The Glazers have never really adhered themselves to United fans but with talk in recent months of a takeover, could it be the revolutionary step that’s needed?
A complete change from the top. With that inevitably comes changes below. A new plan, new blood and likely a burning desire to win titles rather than milk the cash cow of Manchester United until it runs dry.
Whatever happens over the next year or so as the Reds look to get back to the top, the Owners are the ones who need to make it happen. And that’s the biggest problem.
