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Forget managerial change, United have deeper problems

Forget managerial change, United have deeper problems. Festive cheer was in short supply on Wednesday as Louis van Gaal prematurely called time on his press conference, with the intense scrutiny over his future coming to a head.

The Dutch supremo was not happy with reports that he’d already been relieved from his duties as Manchester United boss, with Jose Mourinho on his way up the M6 to begin talks about becoming the fourth United manager in two and a half seasons.

However, despite a run of six without victory against ordinary opposition, another new manager is not the answer to United’s problems. Unless fundamental change is made to the hierarchy and infrastructure in place, this cycle of a new, talented manager trying in vain to replicate the glory of yesteryear will continue, and the danger of a Liverpool-esque league trophy drought would become of more realistic possibility.

Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward has become a trailblazer in commercial revenue generation, having been afforded the time to learn the ropes under David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson’s stewardship.

However, with Gill and Ferguson gone, Woodward was thrown in at the deep end, overseeing the expanded commercial projects, while having to also negotiate transfers.

Initially, this lead to Woodward becoming a joke figure in the unrelenting Twittersphere, as several botched deals left United short of quality in key areas on the pitch.

With time though, Woodward has developed the skills and established relationships with the likes of Jorge Mendes, allowing United to be one of the frontrunners when top talent becomes available.

Some supporters of other clubs now look on with an envious eye, as their own club is run by a transfer committee of conflicting ideas.

This is an archaic view. In the modern era, a well-constructed transfer committee is the way forward, with a meeting of minds, data and knowhow giving you the best chance to accumulate the ideal players for a particular manager’s system.

United have bought hastily under Van Gaal, with limited success. A transfer committee, whose sole responsibility it is to recruit the required players to rejuvenate a side, could have utilised the near £300m spent by the Dutchman more effectively. The squad is better, but how much better than under Moyes? Marginally, at best.

It is not only the United hierarchy that needs a facelift. Brian McClair left his role as Academy Director at United in February, with a replacement yet to be named.

There are currently some talented youngsters at Carrington – the best group for some time – but how are they going to develop into the next big thing if they are not managed correctly?

The record of having a youth product in every matchday squad since October 1937 is something to be immensely proud of, but it adds to the near-arrogance of a club who just assume the best youngsters will look at United and only United when they are deciding where their future lies.

United are miles behind rivals Manchester City in terms of facilities, coaching practice and education system – City have built a school to educate all their youngsters together, developing a relationship at every opportunity.

Robin van Persie, Darren Fletcher, Phil Neville and several more former United favourites have taken their offspring out of United’s academy in favour of City’s new East Manchester base – another sign of diminishing power in the red half of Manchester.

The past few seasons toil on the pitch is a result of wider structural problems. Pride has to be swallowed by the gallon, Ferguson’s influence on the club has to be forgotten, and fresh faces behind the scenes need to be added to turn things around.

There is only so much sacking Van Gaal can do. Bringing in a ‘damaged’ Mourinho will only paper over the cracks – United need rebuilding, from the top down, Woodward needs help, the youth need guidance, and investment in infrastructure is essential.

Fans of a certain generation who witnessed the barren 70’s and 80’s are more realistic – they have seen a host of stars fail to replicate the glory of Matt Busby’s dynasty – and, without fundamental change, Ferguson’s achievements could similarly become the last success fans remember for a long, long time.

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