Manchester United Are Moving In The Right Direction – Here’s Why…

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Manchester United lost to Crystal Palace, not creating enough chances and are nowhere near rivals Liverpool and Man City. However, there are things happening at Manchester United right now, that prove that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s regime is moving in the right direction.

Youth

At Manchester United there are certain principles engraved within the walls of the club, a certain set of doctrines that set the club aside from many other football institutions in the world. One such principle is that of youth. The red devils are a team that should always give young talent the time to express themselves. A precedent set by set by Sir Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy in the 50s in the form of the Busby babes and achieved in Sir Alex Ferguson’s Class of 92. Manchster United are a team famed by their youth talent, from Edwards, Charlton and Best to Beckham Scholes and Giggs – there is clearly a rich history in regards to nurturing talent at Old Trafford.

With history comes expectation from the fans. The Old Trafford faithful expect young players to be integrated into the first team regardless of circumstance. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made strides in order to live up to the expectations. Last season he quoted Sir Matt in relation to playing youth saying ‘if you’re good enough your old enough’. Ole has practised what he preached as Manchester united fielded a starting lineup with an average age of 21.7 in their defeat to Palace. Ole has also hinted that more youth would play a part in the first team. Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong, Mason Greenwood and James Garner are the most likely names. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is playing youth.

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Courage

When faced with the term “courage” in relation to Manchester United, many would link this to the style of football – quick fretless and possibly using width. However, I believe the courage of Manchester United under Solskjaer has come from the manager himself. The Norweigian has been brave enough to do what others haven’t. The deadwood is finally getting cut off from the side. Solskjaer is showing the ruthelessness that previous management failed to display.

Romelu Lukaku, did not fit the system and was a big time Charlie – gone. Alexis Sanchez, overpaid, off the pace and doesn’t seem to want to be there – gone. Chris Smalling and Matteo Darmian are also on the verge of leaving simly because they are not good enough, that is the cut-throatedness we all needed – the courage we all wanted.

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Success?

Manchester United lost to Crystal Palace at home on the weekend. Everything about that game seemed to point away from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being successful at Manchester United. However, what it does prove is that Manchester United despite blowing Chelsea away on the opening day are still rough around the edges.

Personally, this season for Manchester United was never about winning every competition nor should that have been the expectation. One thing that cannot be doubted is that for once there is a sense of direction for the fans, a philosophy being structured at the club and if player does not fit that as we saw with Lukaku they are out. Under Mourinho everything was the result of a panic, decisions were reactionary as opposed to logical, for example ‘ City are going to strengthen with Alexis, lets sign him’ even though he didnt fit any sort of plan for the club. Rebuilds do not happeen overnight. Regardless of what Ole says there will be more Crystal Palace type results this season. Over the last 6 years our club has been ground down but I am certain Manchester United are moving in the right direction.