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Establishing a cohesive structure of play at Manchester United is essential for success in football, as demonstrated by examples such as Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The statement that the players are not good enough at Manchester United is often made, but it misses the crucial point that the coach must first establish the structure of play that they want to see at the club. Only then can they sign players who fit that style.
The new coach needs to put their principles in place before players can be signed to fit it. This is exactly what was expected of Erik Ten Hag, the current boss at Old Trafford, but he stated that he did not come to play the same style of football that the club and fans were attracted to in the first place.
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09:13 - 28.02.2024
‘He’s a machine’ — Manchester United legend lauds five-star Erling Haaland
The Manchester City forward netted five in the Cityzens’ 6-2 FA Cup 5th Round win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
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18:47 - 27.02.2024
Five problems Erik ten Hag is facing at Old Trafford
After the Fulham game, Erik ten Hag is facing several challenges at Manchester United, highlighting areas that need immediate attention to steer the club back on course.
Manchester United's struggles
The Red Devils have struggled to control matches and in the last five matches have conceded a remarkable 100 shots against teams like Luton Town, Fulham, and Aston Villa in that run.
It is important to note that control is a style, and it is the coach who instils that style. Teams like Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town, managed by ex-United backroom staff and coaches, Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna, and even Manchester City, pre-Guardiola, were not playing the dominant football we watch them play now until the right coach came in and instilled their style.
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Therefore, it is not about the players, but rather the structure that is needed to play the desired style of football. Once the structure is in place, players can be signed to fit it.
A good example of this is Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. He did not start his journey with Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Robertson. Instead, he established his principles and gradually replaced players who did not fit those principles.
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This is what Guardiola did at Manchester City, and it is what Xabi Alonso or Julian Nagelsmann now linked to OT, would need to do if they end up at Manchester United under the management of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Therefore, instead of blaming the players, the new coach needs to establish a structure that fits their desired style of play and gradually replace players who do not fit that structure. This is the most important thing, and it is what will lead to success at the club.
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