Blog 2. United's recent managerial issues: What has gone wrong?

Manchester United's managerial issues seem to be continuing, with reports suggesting that Amorim has three games to save his job before the possible sacking during the October international break. It's believed that INEOS do want to keep faith in Amorim, but there is only so long these results can continue, and if heavy defeats to Chelsea, Brentford or Sunderland to follow it will be tough to stick by the manager. United have struggled to find stability in the dugout, seeing early season optimism quickly turning to managerial misery. Ten Haag had a similar story last season, with Amorim taking charge in November. Some fans want Ole back, some are questioning why Ten Haag was sacked. It can be easier to remember the better times under past managers, when none were quite this bad. Lets take a look at what went wrong under previous managers and why they did end up being dismissed.

Ten Haag was the most recent sacking and it was reported in the published accounts that the club had to pay almost £40mn pounds compensation to Erik and his staff last financial year. His first season was a tale of highs and lows. After a shaky start and a 4-0 thumping by Brentford [with Mbeumo on the scoresheet], the Dutchman's reign gained momentum with the arrival of Casemiro. Rashford's resurgence was equally vital, with his top form carrying much of United's attacking threat and even sparked talk of a potential title charge as the reds won 13/15 Premier League games in the run up to Christmas. However that optimism was punctured by a humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, a crued reminder of how far the team had to go. Ten Haag did manage to secure United's first silverware in six years by lifting the Carabao Cup, bringing a sense of progress and backing from the fans, which definitely needed reinforcement after his public fallout with fan favourite Cristiano Ronaldo, which ended up with the departure of the forward.

Ten Haag's second campaign quickly exposed the fragility of his project. United often looked disjointed and short of ideas. United failed to really improve in the transfer window, and the £70mn Casemiro, who was so influential in his debut year, struggled to replicate the same intensity. It seemed as though his age was catching up on him and many were left wondering why United spent so much on a player of this age. This midfield issue was exploited time and time again, with United allowing a staggering amount of shots at their goal. The lack of control in the middle of the pitch became a glaring weakness, something associated with Amorim's time. This leads me to believe that it isn't just the system that is at fault. The departure of McTominay has only weakened the midfield, with no additions since so it can be difficult to put all the blame on Amorim. It's almost like Deja Vu this United midfield issue. A 4-0 thumping away to Crystal Palace, shone a bright light on the midfield issues and Ten Haag was heavily linked to a sacking. An impressive cup run however, with a memorable 4-3 win over Liverpool and Cup Final victory over City gave Ten Haag more time. Questions over Ten Haag's ability to truly restore United to the top grew louder, and it was clear that INEOS were not entirely in on the manager. A slow start to the next season was the end for Erik.Ten Haag's lack of charisma, midfield structure issues and his failure to get the best out of expensive signings such as Antony, Hojlund and others led fans to turn on him. Perhaps the timing of the sacking was poor, given they had all summer to make the decision, only to do it 3 months into the season but despite his cup silverware, it was clear that fans wanted change.

Arguably United's most promising post-Fergie manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign was built on free-flowing, counter-attacking football. His early months brought a real sense of unity and attacking freedom, something that had been lacking under the previous manager. One of his most memorable moments came early on, the dramatic Champions League comeback in Paris. United defied all odds in the famous pink kit, and earned Ole the permanent job. Bruno Fernandes took the league by storm under Ole after coming in in January, as they oversaw a second place finish. Things were looking very promising. However, another poor transfer window seemed to spark a downward spiral. In recent years, Ole has spoken on how he wanted Declan Rice for the midfield, as well as players such as Haaland who ended up the other side of Manchester. Instead Ole was given Ronaldo, Cavani and Igahlo as forward options. Ronaldo clearly didn't fit how Ole wanted to play and ultimately Ole had to change his ideas. So did fans want him gone? His tactical limitations were often exposed in big games, with United looking reactive, and his inability to bring home silverware after defeat in the Europa League final left a lingering sense amongst fans that he didn't have the necessary experience to get over the line. 1 win in 7 Premier League games and a 4-1 defeat to Watford was the nail in the coffin for Ole's tenure. De Gea's awful league form was a huge contribution to the managers struggled. "I'd grab Ole and say why are you playing Fred" was the quote of Roy Keane and the opinion of fans. Ole refused to play a midfield other than McTominay and Fred [possibly due to a lack of options] and it was clear that this combination was not working. United were unable to control games and ultimately fans wanted him gone.

Jose Mourinho's tenure by contrast, was anything but sentimental. The Portuguese coach brought an edge to Old Trafford, instilling a pragmatic style that delivered Europa League and Carabao Cup success. In Jose's words, his greatest achievement in football was finishing second with his United squad in the second season, but much of this was due to the Spaniard in goal, who single-handedly kept United alive in games. His methods often clashed with the club's culture of expansive football and his relationship with key players such as Paul Pogba, deteriorated in public view. Mourinho's third season was his last, as results faltered and his frustrations with the clubs transfer policy boiled over. Again, we saw a lack of successful transfer business, with Jose very keen on a centre back but the club failed to land one. His style of play became quite stale and fans grew impatient with a lack of excitement. Jose provided us with great entertainment off the pitch, with the "Respect" press conference often still talked about, but a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool ended his time in Manchester.

Before Jose, Louis Van Gaal had attempted to rebuilt United with a rigid philosophy based around possession and structure. The Dutchman steadied the ship after David Moyes and even delivered an FA Cup in 2016. However, his football was criticized by fans as lifeless and boring. Fans became impatient due to a lack of attacking threat and Van Gaal really didn't connect with the fans or the players. Rooney has recently praised him tactically but also pointed out that Van Gaal's long meetings didn't sit well with certain players. His dismissal, was announced shortly after FA Cup success, but it is thought that the decision had been made aware to certain staff and players before the game. The club was chasing quick results, but perhaps without a long term vision. Moyes didn't have long in charge, he brought in his own staff and got rid of Fergie's backroom, a costly mistake as the pressure and size of the task ahead deemed too much.

Across all of these managerial era, a pattern ahs emerged at Manchester United. Short bursts of promise undone by poor transfer windows, internal conflict, systematic issues in midfield and a lack of clear long-term strategy. Each manager has left behind a sense of unfinished business and with reports of Amorim's role under threat, some fans have asked the question of potential reinstatement of past managers such as Ole. Ruben should be given time, a lot of the issues with the team are issues we have seen in the past and aren't all down to the system. Midfield issues have been the forefront problem of Ten Haag, Ole and Jose. There seems to be little to suggest that a new manager will turn this around quickly, so after a tough first four games, if Amorim can start to get results before the international break then time should be given.