Manchester United has officially appointed Dan Ashworth as its new sporting director, allowing him to oversee their regeneration initiative under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ashworth's move to Old Trafford couldn't have come sooner. Last season, the Red Devils finished ninth in the Premier League standings, their lowest result ever, with a negative goal differential. The club endured its most defeats in a season since 1978, although they finished on a high note by winning the FA Cup.
Though there will be a significant rebuild this summer, Ashworth must address these four issues to get United out of its current slump.
Erik Ten Hag's future was the most visible doubt over the past few months at Old Trafford until United decided to retain him after failing to persuade other suitors to take his position.
The Dutchman's contract is still good for one year, but United must now consider whether to demonstrate further faith in him by giving him a longer term beyond that or simply letting him keep the reins for an additional year.
Ten Hag had a reputation as a sharp tactical thinker who could produce visually striking possession-based football and was an excellent nurturer of young players when he left Ajax in the summer of 2022.
Casmiro Replacement Sought
In May, Casemiro's performance in the 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace was so poor that it made doubt his future at the highest level and his career at United.
In his post-match analysis for Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher stated, "I believe that Casemiro, who is an experienced player, should be aware of the fact that he only has three more games at the top level, the next two league games, and the [FA Cup] final. He should not think he must go to the MLS or Saudi Arabia."
The Brazilian midfielder, temporarily serving as the center-back at Selhurst Park, was to a lesser or greater extent responsible for each of the four goals scored by the Palace. No, it was not an isolated incident. Since his £70 million transfer from Real Madrid to Old Trafford two years ago, the four-time Champions League champion has aged in dog years. His mobility has diminished, and his decision-making has been elusive, resulting in a significant decline after a successful performance in his first six months with the club.
United has several tasks to complete in the transfer market this summer, but the most pressing one is the search for a replacement for Casemiro in central midfield. Kobbie Mainoo, a 19-year-old, will no longer be considered a viable long-term companion for the 32-year-old four-time Champions League winner. Ashworth must consult his renowned database of prospective targets to identify a suitable successor to the former great midfielder.
Recruitment that is organized
If Ten Hag had been dismissed before the commencement of the upcoming season, his successor would have encountered a comparable challenge to that of the Dutchman and those who preceded him: being presented with a roster containing players the previous manager had recruited.
United's continued adherence to an old-fashioned approach to transfers, which involves the manager taking a lead role in identifying and selecting targets, may be a relic of the club's past when Ferguson was an all-powerful figurehead or, more likely, a consequence of poor organizational leadership under the Glazers.
Currently, most prestigious clubs adhere to a structure that prioritizes the club's vision in the transfer business. This structure involves a director of football who is responsible for scouting potential targets and negotiating transfers, with the manager (or head coach) serving as a component of a more extensive system. This guarantee prevents the necessity of a costly overhaul of the playing staff in the event of a dugout turnover.
.png.webp)
0 Comments