It is no longer fashionable to lament on United’s failings over the years. They are well documented, and most United fans, and even critics, by the look of things, just want the solutions without ruminating too heavily on the methods by which they are achieved. For fans, the reasons are obvious, and for those who have reported on United’s failings, the view is that a competitive United benefits the Premier League.
INEOS haven’t been around for long and will demand patience, but the coming summer will have to
be one of urgency. The same goes for United’s midfield reinforcements going into next year. That United have known this but still failed to address this area is also well documented, but the coming season provides an opportunity unlike previous years.
Things are a bit different this summer as there are more options in the market, and the need is more urgent in this area compared to the others. By focusing on the attack last summer, the club has allowed itself to go big in midfield the coming summer. A similar approach to last summer should also be encouraged by prioritising solid experience before supplementing the same with youth.
One only has to look at Chelsea’s recent windows to know that youth alone can’t be the answer. United in the past have gone with one or the other when it should always have been a combination of both. It’s also worth keeping in mind that while the likes of Casemiro and McTominay never fully convinced in their regular midfield duties, their goals often made a difference.
Too often, and this isn’t limited to midfield, United have made sharp U-turns. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made for Jose Mourinho, and Andre Onana did the same for David De Gea. There’s always a quality of the predecessor that is important to retain, and a quality of the successor that is called for. If United continue to go down this extreme pattern, nothing will change.
Casemiro’s experience and goals will be missed. United will have to replace this, amongst other things. Not to mention, a single player is unlikely to fulfil this duty, and United’s task going into next season isn’t just replacing like-for-like or staying in and around third place, but to compete in all competitions. For that, a serious statement has to be made. Fans and observers might disagree on what players best match these requirements, but not so much on the need of the hour.
