Revolution is filling the Manchester air, on an industrial scale. New overlords who know what they are doing are in place, world-leading executives have been summoned, while a long overdue factory floor overhaul is in full swing.
Change brings excitement. Fresh faces means one thing: hope. But given the scale of the regeneration needed, Manchester United supporters, not known for their pessimism, must be aware that the Ineos restoration project will take time to bear the fruits they require.
Winning the FA Cup was deemed sufficient to earn Erik ten Hag at least one more season at the Old Trafford helm, but any repeat of their woeful Premier League form this time around and that stay of execution will be short-lived.
The squad is in better shape, that much is certain. It is, however, far from a finished product. A title challenge is therefore likely to be a few years off yet, at least.
To be fair to new co-owners and football operations chiefs Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, they have stayed true to their word. Their focus was to get the right senior figures, with the knowhow and experience, in the boardroom after years of Carrington’s offices resembling the Wild West.
After a long and protracted extraction process, Dan Ashworth is in place as sporting director, CEO Omar Berrada poached from Manchester City and another figure key to the champions’ rise, Jason Wilcox, drafted in as technical director.
And the new regime has wasted no time in getting to grips with the playing squad. Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt seriously bolster defensive options, even if Yoro has fallen foul of the United injury curse earlier than anticipated.
Joshua Zirkzee will also ensure Rasmus Hojlund does not have to shoulder the central striker goalscoring burden completely alone at the age of 21.
However, and it is a familiar source of pain among United supporters, one part of the pitch remains neglected.
Not since the days of Roy Keane have the Premier League’s most successful club possessed a world-class holding midfielder. In his first season in England, Casemiro finally looked to have filled that void, before fitness issues crept in and his form deteriorated rapidly.
Senior Old Trafford figures hoped they could move the Brazilian on this summer, but no offers materialised. As a result, with funds stretched due to Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules, there is very little left in the pot to provide Kobbie Mainoo with the midfield partner his burgeoning talent deserves.
Instead, with Sofyan Amrabat having returned to Fiorentina following the end of his loan spell, an already threadbare central midfield department will be stretched to its absolute limit.
There is hope among some that given he has had a full pre-season to get back up to speed, Casemiro can rekindle the fire of old. He may have to if no reinforcements are brought in.
Manuel Ugarte was identified as a top midfield target early, but those limited funds could scupper any deal. i understands a move could still take place, with Paris Saint-Germain desperate to offload a midfielder. The French champions are willing to drop their asking price to do so.
If no deal can be struck for Ugarte or another option, Ten Hag’s improved defence could be just as exposed as it was last season when the club shipped 20 or more shots per game for the majority of the campaign.
Mason Mount could therefore have a key role to play after an injury-hit first year in Manchester. Ten Hag’s tactical masterclass in the cup final success over Manchester City hinted at how he plans to set United up this term.
His 4-2-2-2 system caught City cold and helped provide United’s back four with some much-needed protection. Mount alongside a fluid Bruno Fernandes, who has just signed a new deal, behind a front two, could be the weapon of choice.
Amad Diallo is widely expected to get more game time, something that he deserves having taken his chances when they finally presented themselves, while Marcus Rashford, into his 10th senior season at Old Trafford, has more than a point or two to prove.
Should the new arrivals immediately settle in and struggling stars step up, United could still have a successful season, but further injury problems and form struggles could see a very different story play out.
A finish as low as eighth is almost certainly going to be bettered, given the squad improvements, but even a top four spot seems a push at this stage.
For Ratcliffe and Ineos, they just need to see some of the old fire return, even if only sporadically. A new stadium as grand as any sporting arena in the world is planned, but the show taking centre stage remains an even more challenging project.
i predicts: Man Utd to finish 5th
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/9BsPUCM
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