Attacking style of play based on reunited centre-back pairing and new backroom staff

INEOS scouted for replacements to Erik ten Hag after that special FA Cup final win against City as part of end-of-year review, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe even interviewing Thomas Tuchel in Monaco. It is thought that Brailsford in late February explored the possibilities of Gareth Southgate, Thomas Frank and Mauricio Pochettino when going was tough for Manchester United. With no convincing choice and Southgate sticking with England for the Euro's, Erik ten Hag was approached while on vacation to commit on a new contract. Erik ten Hag deliberated and took his time to ultimately settle for extending the existing terms of a deal where he will have a final say on all players and coaching staff. No manager after Ferguson has survived the dreaded 3rd year that ten Hag now enters into!

Meanwhile INEOS continued to further the plans on finalizing the future of Old Trafford by formulating a committee to be headed by Sebastian Coe, Gary Neville and Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham, who have supposedly suggested to retain a 30,000-seater Old Trafford for Women's and Youth matches while developing a brand-new stadium for Men's team at the adjacent site to the existing stadium. Final report is awaited in December. If true, this will assuage all sections of the fan base who are split between building a new stadium and redeveloping the century old marvel of Archibald Leitch, Old Trafford. Presently Carrington is getting a facelift and the Tunnel at Old Trafford has a new look.

United faced the maximum number of shots on goal for a top tier team over the course of last season. That number was embarrassingly high, crossing the 200 mark. This forced changes in the backroom staff with long time assistant Mitchell van der Gaag leaving, also 2-time goal keeping coach across two decades in Richard Hartis, Steve McLaren left to become coach of Jamaican national team, forwards coach Benni McCarthy has been released, Eric Ramsey became a coach with an MLS side. Sounds like a total clear out. In comes United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy who was available after being released by PSV Eindhoven despite winning the Dutch Cup in May, 2023. Rene Hake resigned from his position as Head coach at Go Ahead Eagles to join and has overall 15 years of experience while Jelle ten Rouwelaar is the new Goalkeeping coach from Burnley. Ruud, Rene, Jelle are all Dutch. Perhaps the most important one is that of Andreas Georgson who was managing Lillestrom in Sweden while previously being an technical set piece coach at Southampton (under Jason Wilcox), Arsenal and Brentford. 

In the last days of June, the year end for most of Premier League clubs Manchester United struck a deal with Newcastle to relieve their Technical Director Dan Ashworth and join the reds immediately. Deal making ability of Sir Jim to the fore. Next they hired the out of work Transfer Specialist formerly at Chelsea and Red Bull group in Christopher Vivell to lead the recruitment on a short term basis. Despite this appointment they had to take the services of super agents Jorge Mendes and Kia Joorabchian to secure the services of Leny Yorro (18 years) and Joshua Zirkzee (23 years) respectively. Yorro is thought to be a generational talent who had his heart set on joining Real Madrid, except that his club Lille were not ready to accept a 30million fee nor allow him to run down the last year of his contract to leave on a free transfer. Both players are deemed for the future, while this is a welcome move as supposed to going for an experienced players over the age of 30; it comes at a staggering cost of 62 million plus 42.5 million amid spending restrictions due to Profits and Sustainability Rules (PSR). United's main problem lies in midfield, someone who can win the ball back and this was not deemed as first priority to fix by the esteemed hierarchy of INEOS! Optimistically let's bracket it as 'seizing the market opportunity'. Second priority would have been left-sided centre-back as a cover for injury-prone Lisandro Martinez in Jarrad Branthwaite.

Perhaps Christopher Vivell has indeed made good progress in selling Mason Greenwood (26 million), Aaron wan Bissaka (17.6 million), Willy Kambwala (10 million), Alvaro Fernandez (6 million), Donny van de Beek (initial 500k) thus generating about 60 million in revenue from player sales. Previously United have brought players paying over odds and sold at fire-sale rates to be in perpetual and heavy loss. United are still open to selling Casemiro, Maguire, Lindelof, Sancho, Hannibal, Pellistri, Eriksen and McTominay. After long deliberations with Bayern Munich, two players who had previously worked under Erik ten Hag at Ajax have agreed to join: Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. de Ligt was the youngest captain of Ajax side under Erik ten Hag who reached the Champions' League semi-finals and is still 25 while Mazraoui can play as full-back on either flank giving that extra flexibility. As per Fabrizio Romano, United have agreed terms with Uruguay midfielder Manual Ugarte of PSG as first choice, Sander Berge at Burnley as second choice and Sofiyan Amrabat of Fiorentina as third choice to fill the midfield role. This multi-pronged approach to pursue targets of interest is something that is completely different than the one transfer at a time strategy which used to fail at the end leaving United to go for very expensive, often wrong alternatives at a short notice. This is indeed a long pending and welcome change to transfers. United are in talks with Arsenal to agree terms for transfer of 16-year old sensation Chido Obi-Martin.



United's preseason took them to Norway, Scotland and USA. They lost their first game to Rosenberg 0-1, beat Rangers 2-0, lost to Arsenal 1-2, beat Real Betis 3-2, lost comprehensively to Liverpool 0-3. Once again there were no new players in preseason training except Leny Yorro, who after making a brilliant debut at Ibrox sustained a major injury to his metatarsal against Arsenal to be ruled out for minimum of 3 months. Yet again United are not ready for the new season as rightly called by the Gaffer. Fulham beat United at Old Trafford last season, and it's the season opener Friday night fixture. Players who impressed in the preseason tour were Toby Collyer, Harry Amass and Ethan Wheatley from the youth academy and Amad Diallo in the senior squad who is continuing his good form into next season. After Garnacho and Mainoo in previous two years, this season Erik ten Hag could hand Collyer his breakthrough.

United lost the curtain raiser of the new season in the Community Shield, losing to City 7-8 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in normal time. Alejandro Garnacho scored the goal late in second half and United conceded an equalizer 2 minutes from time. Despite slow start United grew into the game and Rashford, Amad had good chances to win the game outright. Performance wise it was a departure from last season and hope this continues through the rest of the campaign. It's always gives good vibes if clubs best player and Captain, Bruno Fernandes commits his future by extending his contract. With Liverpool in post Klopp era and Chelsea having a new coach yet again, it's a good opportunity to finish in top 4 with City, Arsenal, Villa, Manchester United as my top 4 predictions. But finally, fans will be eagerly waiting for the team to play a style of possession based attacking football consistently. This may be realized as Erik ten Hag has his first-choice centre-back pairing from Ajax days back in Lisandro Martinez-Matthijs de Ligt, only if they get good protection in front of them and injuries are manageable.

Best performance of the season in FA Cup final leads Manchester United back into Europe

Lead-up to the FA Cup final was dire for Manchester United; tepid displays throughout the season with most of the defence being injured that made critics question the inflexible tactics and bad signings of Erik ten Hag. English Premier League concluded with United finishing 8th with -1 goal difference and record 14 defeats thus missing out on playing in European competition next season. United lost both home and away matches to Man City, Arsenal, Crystal Palace and suffered embarrassment at Old Trafford to Wolves(won), Brighton, Bournemouth, Fulham, Burnley(draw) to name a few. Despite injuries Erik ten Hag persisted with same formation due to which United were humiliated with an onslaught of attempts at their goal irrespective of the opposition. It was terrible to watch.

INEOS who took charge of sporting organization at Old Trafford despite their minority stake, started to build a structure with appointments of Omar Berrada as CEO and Jason Wilcox as Technical Director while waiting for Dan Ashworth to take charge as Sporting Director. Wilcox also reviewed Erik ten Hag's tactics and United have seen a change of formation with Bruno Fernandes playing as a false nine with no striker being selected in last 3 games of the season and win! The capitulation in FA Cup semi-final against Coventry to lose 3-0 lead, Sky Blues were denied a victory by thinnest of margins in offside rule and then finally United won on penalties. To many critics, this level of non-performance to a Championship side was simply unacceptable and managerial change an inevitability.

My comments after draw with AFC Bournemouth

United were battered by Thomas Frank's Brentford in 1-1 away draw but worst was yet to come. Losing 0-4 to Crystal Palace under inspired management of Oliver Glasner made even Erik ten Hag to admit "This was our worst defeat of the season" and accused his players of not following his instructions. United lost the next home game to Arsenal but showed some fight. Back-to-back victories over Newcastle and Brighton brought a sense of calm. Manchester derby in FA Cup final yet again as last year, and City were the overwhelming favourites to win.

Meanwhile Chelsea did a review of their season and decided to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto de Zerbi left Brighton mutually. This started a chain reaction of clubs jostling to speak with new breed of young managers who could be moulded by the hierarchial structure of directors at top clubs now. Kieran McKenna, Enzo Maresca, Thomas Frank, Michel are all being considered for these vacancies. Vincent Kompany on the verge of becoming Bayern Munich head coach and Thiago Motta is set to manage Juventus. News started to emerge of United representatives being in touch with those of Kieran McKenna. Consequentially report was published in the Guardian that United have already decided to sack Erik ten Hag after the FA Cup final.

Erik ten Hag's number one choice of centre-half's Martinez and Varane made the XI so did defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat who belatedly found his form so late in the season that he was selected ahead of substandard Casemiro, who at the time of warm-up before the game withdrew citing injury. United pressed City from the start and Amrabat marked Kevin de Bruyne out of the match thus affording Mainoo and McTominay to venture forward. First goal by Garnacho exposed City's bad call to not start their experienced keeper Ederson while the second was a great team goal. Started from the back then to Fernandes to Mainoo, long from Rashfoard to Garnacho who cut in to pass to Fernandes whose deft touch opened up City's defense for Mainoo to slot the ball perfectly at the far corner. In both goals long ball was used; firstly, by Dalot to Garnacho and then by Rashford to Garnacho. To defend the late surge from City, Aaron wan-Bissaka was good to thwart the dangerous winger Doku. Onana made a few crucial saves especially the two thunderbolts from Kyle Walker and commanded the penalty area. Foden had a day to forget, so did Pep Guardiola.



United became the first team to have two teenagers score in the final of the FA Cup! It was United's 13th FA Cup! First time Guardiola has lost a Cup final in 7 attempts in England! After a drought of five years, United now have won two trophies in two years! United qualify to play in Europa League and Newcastle miss out on European football despite finishing 7th. After the last FA Cup win in 2016, Manchester United sacked Louis van Gaal and appointed a non-United like choice from purist's viewpoint in Jose Mourinho. Hope they don't do the same mistake again! This was a statement win with performance of the highest calibre from players who demonstrated they still play for the manager. Tactical masterclass to beat the best manager in the world to win the trophy that's most dear to the fans, let's give Erik ten Hag another year and see what he can achieve with a full-strength squad.

My prediction before the FA Cup final! Hurrah!!

Erik ten Hag's future uncertain despite the heroics against Liverpool in FA Cup

Oft overlooked by Erik ten Hag the Ivorian winger Amad Diallo scored an unlikely goal to help United win in 121st minute of extra time in the FA Cup quarter-finals against arch rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. That 4-3 victory will go down as an all-time FA Cup classic. It's the 10th time that Manchester United have knocked Liverpool off in the world's oldest Cup competition, more than any other team! This match was billed as a 'Judgement Day' for the embattled Dutch coach and he came out victorious. This epic victory should have galvanized the team to finish the season stronger.

That did not happen. United gave one of their worst performances of the season to draw 1-1 at Brentford, lose in 2nd half stoppage time to Chelsea 4-3, drew with both Liverpool and Bournemouth 2-2. That's potentially dropping 8 massive points when United are already 10 points behind 4th place! Realistically United now battle with other two United's in Newcastle and West Ham for the 6th spot and rule out Champions' League football. That will hurt the earnings given the already challenging situation with respect to Profitability and Sustainability Rules and impact the summer transfer activity.

Against Liverpool, Erik ten Hag got the substitutions right and he timed it well. He was always proactive and seemed to think of all options available to him. Yes Liverpool failed to capitalize on their dominance and score. Rashford missed chance after chance until the extra time for 3rd goal, Anthony having a torrid season saved his coach's blushes by scoring the vital equalizer after he came on as a sub to take the match into extra time. Eriksen made a rare appearance after being sidelined by the rise of Kobbie Mainoo. Andre Onana has finally settled in and earning his team points by his crucial saves. Have the team and coach started to believe in one another fully now?

United faced 31 shots against Brentford and 4 hit the bar with McTominay partnering Mainoo in midfield. Erik ten Hag rested Casemiro and introduced Licha Martinez too soon and got injured again, so did Lindelof after Maguire was brought on for Varane. Defensive nightmare. Mason Mount scored his first goal in injury time and team gave away the lead inside 3 minutes. United had 28 shots against Chelsea and lost the lead in stoppage time to concede two goals! Unpardonable. At half time United probably lost Raphael Varane forever with his later claim of concussion as he approaches final 3 months of his contract with United having averaged partly 19 games a season in 3 years. Evans substituting Varane also got injured and had to be subbed. Anthony had a decent game while Rashford was rested for this game.

It was time for Liverpool in the league and United's first half was atrocious to concede 15 shots with their best XI available to them. Credit to Willy Kambwala who displayed no nerves and gave a rousing audition. Kambwala, Mainoo and Garnacho the three teenagers to face the arch rivals. Second half was much better with two pieces of individual brilliance from Fernandes and Mainoo to give United the lead 2-1. Wan-Bissaka was harshly adjudged to give away a penalty. United did dent Liverpool's title hopes. Bournemouth hit United 20 times and took the lead twice but for Fernandes to score twice and deny the seasiders their first double over United. Fans were left to wonder how this team that battled Liverpool in second half can be so flat in the next game. Kambwala's slip is to be ignored but not the decision to not bring either Eriksen or Amrabat on to get more control in the game. Garnacho was tired and Amad was brought on at half time. United were simply battered black and blue by Iraola's side. 

Amrabat who had played for Erik ten Hag earlier surprisingly looks out of depth to play for United. His loan fee is not cheap. Licha Martinez is often injured and forces the hierarchy to get two new centre-backs instead of one. Anthony has not lived to the hype around his massive transfer fee and instead United should have got Victor Osimhen. Reluctance to change the shape of midfield given that both Mount and Eriksen are available to gain more control of games. Persistence with out of form Casemiro. Erik ten Hag will lead United against Coventry City in the FA Cup semifinal but his methods have not yielded a style of play that fans can relate to.

Instead, it's the same old counter attack and relying on moments of individual brilliance to scrape through when the opposition has completely dominated the game. Injuries especially to the back four, Ronaldo/Sancho/Greenwood situations, lack of football structure behind the coaching staff, change of ownership, promoting Garnacho/Mainoo/Kambwala all adds in his defense so does his first trophy the League Cup and second potential FA Cup final in two years. There is however Massimiliano Allegri who had always wanted to coach United and might be available in the summer. That is high profile candidature unlike Potter, Frank, O'Neil and his relaxed attitude might edge the players too. Decision time for INEOS. With the right structure behind him including recruitment, medicine, training etc being setup by Brailsford, Berrada, Ashworth, Wilcox et al the Dutchman might get one final shot to make things right. The on-field evidence has clearly not been convincing.

Garnacho, Hojlund, Mainoo

INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe not only met with all staff and players but also fans forum and community groups to stress the same message which was in their subsequent statement "determined to put football and performance on the pitch at the heart of everything we do". This clearly meant they want to do what they mean. Sir Jim also attended the events to mark the 66th anniversary of Munich air disaster on 6th February alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. This in itself has been a huge departure as Glazers never did attend the event the response to which defines what United are all about. This affirms INEOS understanding of what matters most to Manchester United fans.

The announcement of Omar Berrada as United's new CEO took everyone by surprise. Industry experts agree it's a great appointment of someone thought very highly in the City group hierarchy and as a possible successor to Ferran Soriano. Prior to this United were all about leaks to press including the team-sheet but this operation was done discreetly and decision made very soon without wasting time. It is the most challenging job in world football right now. Berrada is expected to join United in the summer and might have a say in who becomes the director of football. Dan Ashworth, Julian Ward, Paul Mitchell, Dougie Freedman are thought to be considered. Meanwhile Sam Williams returns to United as Lead Scout for 17s to 21s from Ipswich.

In calendar year 2024 United are unbeaten. Seen off minnows in Wigan and Newport County in FA Cup, drew with Tottenham, beat Wolves and West Ham in the process scoring 15 goals conceding 7. Unsurprisingly it coincided with the return of defensive lynchpin Licha Martinez from long term injury. But he again sustained an injury in the game versus West Ham and will be out for about 8 weeks. Not only did Licha return from long term absence but also Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo. That's four first team starters and the poor bench strength was clearly exposed for first half of the season. United aren't yet controlling games with specific patterns of play and haven't displayed enough intelligence to switch from one pattern to another by reading the opposition during the games like how Champion's do. Nor have they stopped conceding easy set pieces.  

Silver-lining that fans were waiting for occurred in the match against West Ham after Garnacho scored and raced toward the advertising board behind the goal post and sat, to be joined by Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo on either side. The image of young United players coming together to score and celebrate went viral eliciting eulogies from everyone. It lifted the mood and fill the hearts instantly. United could not make any signings in the January window owing to FFP rules, now called PSR. Their summer transfers were made possible by a fire sale of academy graduates like Elanga, Kovar, Mengi, Zidane, Savage etc as their unwanted first team players did not evoke any response from even the lower leagues. Now the same academy players in Garnacho and Mainoo are saving the dire season.

Rasmus Hojlund by his sheer industry and skill managed to be top scorer in Europe in Champions' League qualifying rounds but found going tough in Premier League mainly due to lack of service from his team-mates. After 1027 minutes without a goal, he showed great awareness and generated enough pace to beat the Aston Villa keeper to clinch the winner. His tenacity reminds me of my favourite player Mark 'Sparky' Hughes. He has scored 4 goals and created 2 assists in last 4 games. He like Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a boyhood United fan and scoring at Stretford End would have made his dream come true.

One of the reasons for the change was that Erik ten Hag finally dropped Anthony after his goal and assist against Newport and moved Garnacho from left to right wing as Rashford was not enjoying playing there. Rashford has been fined for another transgression which made him to miss the game at Newport and was quickly integrated for Wolves game after he apologized. By including Omari Forson in the squad who got the assist for Kobbie Mainoo's winner at Wolves and plays at left wing was a clear signal from Erik ten Hag that Manchester United will march on regardless of anyone's reputation. In the immediate manging with Licha Martinez's absence will be crucial to maintain the momentum as United aim to reduce the 9-point deficit from final the Champions' League spot.