Manchester United are on the verge of hiring their next permanent manager, with the hopes that this appointment will end their years of switching between projects and having to rip things up and start again every 2-3 seasons. With Erik ten Hag looking more and more likely by the hour to take the hot-seat, the talk will turn immediately to the huge undertaking he has in rebuilding the club to their former glory.

With a mountain of tasks piled up on the desk ready for his arrival, we have gone through and picked out the 5 biggest issues that will need addressing from the outset. From playing staff to getting fans on side, these 5 areas are in urgent need of attention. Although the talk has been that this will be a long-term project, possibly up to 3 transfer window cycles to truly sort, the areas we have picked out will likely play a major role for the entire tenure of Ten Hag or whoever comes in.

As always, if you have anything to add to what we’ve picked out, or want to question any of these issues we think need addressing at Manchester United, head over to Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) and let us know what you think.

Squad List

Our first point on the to-do list regards the entire playing staff. With 5 first team players with contracts expiring in a matter of weeks (valued currently at £74,025,000), there is nearly £75million worth of footballers that are about to simply walk out of the door.

Admittedly, the new manager will have little impact on these players, as for the likes of Pogba, Lingard and possibly even Cavani and Mata, any talks of an extension are out of the question after so many broken promises of playing time and being given a run in the first team. However, despite being focussed on the off-field finances, to allow this amount of money slip through their grasp is highly disappointing considering we will later be discussing a possible transfer kitty for the new manager.

Meanwhile, looking at the remaining squad members, there is arguably at least another 5 players who will be potentially eyeing up an exit from the club, is again agreements with the new manager aren’t met over playing time and contract demands. The new manager will need to quickly make decisions on players’ future, and with only a short pre-season to really make big calls on several players, either the players will need to allow the new manager time to figure things out, or the manager will need to be ruthless in his chopping down of the current selection. Either way, I think United’s squad need a revamp to allow the current crop of players to lose the air of complacency they’ve felt for a while, while the younger players and possible new arrivals will have even the likes of Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford upping their game.

*For more detailed information on who we think should stay/go from Manchester United’s current squad list, check out our post from last week (nextgoalwinner.com/manchester-united-clearout)*

Ronaldo Conundrum

Within the squad dilemma, sits one of the biggest challenges for the new manager to tackle, as the Cristiano Ronaldo return hasn’t quite panned out as any stakeholder envisaged. The surprising move to bring him back to United from his spell in Italy had many thinking United’s board had suddenly become ambitious for silverware once again, allowing Ole to bring in heavyweights in the summer that would give his side the boost and allow them to match the might of Liverpool and City.

However, as time goes on, this move is looking less rooted in football, and more commercial and ill-thought out. Since Ronaldo’s arrival, there’s no doubt that the atmosphere at the club has changed, the harmony that Solskjaer strived for has been decimated and there is no clear and obvious on-field strategy. For many fans and neutrals, it seems as though the transfer was arguably out of sheer panic that Manchester City may well snatch him from their grasp (similar to the Fred and Alexis Sanchez of the past).

Of course it’s harsh on Ronaldo to lay blame at his door for every issue Manchester United have on-field and off-field, and every player and coach has publicly claimed the dressing room are together and united, but in reality you don’t need a psychology degree to see that he isn’t happy, and given his stature, players have become disjointed within the ‘pecking order’ of the club. Prior to his arrival, there was no superstars in the squad, and there seemed to be a harmonious balance in the squad, with each player taking responsibility as and when required, and I don’t think Varane or Sancho are really to blame for that.

Despite these criticisms, in contrast we must also then discuss the huge positive impact that has come since the arrival of their legendary Portuguese attacker. Firstly, his huge goals that have essentially won games single-handedly. With Ronaldo out of the squad, United have only won 1 of the 6 games they’ve played across all competitions, and in games such as the recent victory over Spurs, the Champions League group stage late heroics and the win over Arsenal during Carrick’s brief reign, he’s been the difference. Scoring 18 goals in 33 appearances (at time of writing), he’s United’s top scorer by some distance (Fernandes in 2nd with 9 from 39 appearances). Further, the reports of how he has motivated and helped in developing the younger players is a huge benefit to the young attacking talent United has coming through. Having Ronaldo in your side instantly gives you an edge over your opponent, and his influence on games by being able to get a goal from nowhere cannot be underestimated.

So, you may be wondering why the new manager has a dilemma, however with 1 season remaining on his contract, now aged 37 and obviously on an astronomical wage, while taking up the main striking role within the squad, a decision needs to be made. Can the new manager strike a balance within the dressing room of ego and power, on-field with playing time expectations and rotation, and create overall balance within the squad? Alternatively, is it the right time to accept this return hasn’t gone to plan and allow Ronaldo to move on to possibly his final move of his career to whoever can afford to make this happen. In what could be a statement move, a decision regarding the future of Cristiano Ronaldo will need to be made, and although this is obviously not simply down the manager given his financial and commercial impact, along with the personal team around him that will assist in such huge changes, if he decides Ronaldo won’t fit the system (we’ll get to that shortly), or if he wants to bring in a younger striker as many big European clubs are looking to do this summer, it may well be a big decision from the outset.

Formation/Playing Style

Our 3rd big issue on the list is potentially quite an easy fix given the new manager, especially Erik ten Hag will have their own ideas and are quite clear in expectations, and that is the formation and playing style that Manchester United will take forward for the next few seasons.

From Fergie’s adaptable attacking legacy, to Van Gaal and Mourinho’s strict defensive attitude, United fans have experienced it all in the past 10-15 years. Even this season, they have gone from a starting point of ‘vibes and hope’ from Solskjaer, which although counter-attacking in mentality was often criticised for lacking technical understanding when they were expected to dominate the ball and also when they were pressed by the opposition, to now with a ‘Rangnick-lite’ style wherein Ralf Rangnick has intentions of what he would like, however seems almost reluctant to go all guns blazing into his philosophy due to the temporary conditions of his position.

Because of this chopping and changing, the squad is still filled with players suited to each previous ideology, and you can see this now when the players are asked to play in a way which perhaps doesn’t suit them. As a result, the new manager in my opinion will need to go in heavy on his personal philosophy in a ‘adapt or leave’ mentality for the playing staff. If the new manager tries to match a personal ideology with the existing squad, there will be issues, as the squad is so disjointed that each player has their own preferred playing style within the team, so connecting them is an impossible feat, and instead the manager will lay out his plans and if specific individuals cannot work in this system, they are for the scrap-heap and replaced over the coming transfer window/windows.

With the expectation of Erik ten Hag being the next man in charge, we will focus in on what we expect from him. The Dutchman has primarily used a 4-3-3 or more recently a 4-2-3-1 formation, the formation employed by Solskjaer and arguably worked the best for United’s current crop. Given their abundance of young exciting wingers, and the fight for the no.10 position, a 4-2-3-1 worked well given the lack of confidence in defensive midfield, however should United rectify this, they could opt for the 4-3-3 with a no.6, no.8 and no.10 and a much more attacking outlook.

Ten Hag also likes his team to play high-intensity attacking football, which will no doubt endear him to the Old Trafford crowd, who have seen off previous managers in Van Gaal and Mourinho for their defensive style despite silverware successes. Rangnick has operated a similar style previously to Ten Hag, however it’s unclear how well United have adapted to Rangnick’s playing style in his brief spell, and perhaps this reliance on intense and energetic football may take some adjusting to, given the current fitness levels.

With a reliance on stamina, pressing, physicality and positioning, players will need to get fully on board with this in training and commit fully to the new managers’ regime in order to stand a chance. Additionally, within their positions several players will need to adapt. From the striker needing to be a physical presence who leads the press, to the wingers playing perhaps wider and also in central midfield where the physicality and pressing style will be most felt.

Several aspects of Erik ten Hag’s play-style will please fans at Old Trafford, who have been crying out for exciting, attacking football with the team collectively pressing as their rival clubs do so well. Further, the willingness to develop young players as Ajax do so well will greatly fit the long-term ambitions and historical requirements United expect of their manager. Finally, and arguably most importantly, Ten Hag gets his team to score plenty, and although Rangnick has been trying to defensively improve, the lack of goals is still a huge concern, again especially when their nearest and fiercest rivals often decimate opposition sides week-in week-out.

Overall, with a 4-2-3-1, this can fit seamlessly into United’s squad, however the players will surely be upping their training levels in anticipation of the new manager’s arrival, as with the summer window an opportunity for him to make big decisions on key positions, they’ll need to prove their worth from the outset.

Transfers

The fourth item on our agenda, is really the most uncertain at this time, and that is who will arrive in the summer transfer window. We are hearing daily about the talks with Ten Hag being centred around him being given control of signings and departures, something which previous managers (in particular Mourinho) have criticised the board so heavily for. We have seen so many occasions where the higher-ups have been signing players which perhaps doesn’t fit with the managers ideas, and the headlines from Ten Hag’s interview and discussions seem heavily focussed on this concern.

If Ten Hag is to come in, he will want almost full control, or at least a big say on who comes in, as in order to be successful long-term, the squad needs to be built in his image, whether successful or not. It’s become a crazy situation at Manchester United where managers are given players signed by non-football minded number-crunchers and then judged on how well the manager gets them to play. This won’t stand from Ten Hag, and if he is given the responsibility, with input from Rangnick and others, then we will start to see some big changes in playing staff and slowly but surely a cohesive unit at Old Trafford.

We’ve already discussed who should stay and who should leave, but what about arrivals. Well the rumour is that Ten Hag will be given the say on who comes in, with a budget that could vary anywhere between a ridiculous £20million up to £150million depending on what you read and who you believe. Without Champions League football, it’s highly unlikely that the budget will exceed £100million, and it may well be that the new manager has to earn his budget through cutting current staff, however several big targets have already been touted to fill some big positions.

United’s biggest concern is central midfield, and the admiration of Declan Rice comes at a huge cost of close to £150million, essentially putting him out of contention from the outset. Similarly Kalvin Phillips would be a perfect signing for the club, however with an inflated price tag and having to move to rivals Manchester United, it may be out of the question. Other names being suggested include Ruben Neves and even John McGinn, although it may be from elsewhere in Europe that Ten Hag looks for his new holding midfielder.

Elsewhere, there is talk of a new striker arriving at United, with many of Europe’s elite eyeing up a new striker, United have become favourites for Benfica’s talent Darwin Núñez among many others. Additionally, a new centre-back may be high on the list with Pau Torres being suggested from several sources.

What’s also being reported, is that Erik ten Hag will want to bring with him several key players from his time at Ajax. In centre-back Jurriën Timber, young and exciting winger Antony and even suggestions of Sebastien Haller from some questionable sources.

Whatever priorities Ten Hag has on his arrival, having the guarantees of being able to take the lead on these decisions will spark the biggest change at the club for some time and give fans optimism that there is an actual long-term strategy being shown and faith in their new manager, which despite hearing often previously, may well be the truth on this occasion.

Supporters

The final challenge for the new manager will be ongoing throughout his tenure, and that is getting the supporters on side. This will occur naturally if the previous 4 points are addressed successfully, as playing good attacking and exciting football will bring support for the new manager, and if results follow then things will look even more promising. Of course this will vary throughout a season, but to get off to a strong start is crucial for any new manager, and especially in such a high-profile position as Manchester United manager.

In addition to the on-field positivity, Ten Hag as the new manager will need to show unity within the squad, and then link this to the supporters. Simple things such as applauding away fans, playing football with a smile and showing desire will give any player or manager the backing of the United faithful, and they will be willing to get on board with a long-term plan even if the results don’t show immediately. Just look at the Solskjaer spell to see how far positivity from within can get a manager and the club.

Finally, and arguably the most difficult issue on this entire list, is to balance the relationship between owners and the supporters. The United supporters group the 1958 are planning a protest ahead of their next game against Norwich, and have summarised how United fans still discontent with the higher-ups at the club, Now of course nobody would expect the new manager to be critical of their bosses, however to strike a balance of understanding and listening to supporters and also keeping the numbers-men happy will be the toughest challenge. That’s not to say fans are expecting the manager to comment on refurbishments of the stadium, or the role of supporters in the hierarchy, but to create the environment of everyone working for the same goal will endear him to the supporters, and again ease any pressure of on-field results.

As mentioned, dealing with fan concerns is ongoing and unpredictable, making it the toughest item we’ve discussed, however as the manager of Manchester United, you must deal with the criticisms and issues that come from on-field and off-field issues. With owners who rarely if ever show their faces, the manager is often left to bear the brunt of concerns and outrage, meaning everything within their power needs to be essentially perfect, or on the path to perfection.

Manchester United manager isn’t an easy job title by any means, and it’s not to be taken lightly, however the new manager can chip away at the issues, and with it looking likely to be the fan-favourite choice for the position in Erik ten Hag, then things are looking optimistic (for now at least).