Manchester United is one of the most complete clubs in the world, winning almost every trophy possible like the Premier League, Champions League, and FA cup as well as dominating the Premier League for multiple decades. As of recently, Manchester United has slipped down the Premier League standings and has just fired their manager, Ruben Amorim. The club, over the past year, has seen lots of success in the league this season. The club has risen from 15th place at the end of last season to top six and contenders for the Europa League (5th place finish) or the Champions League (Top four finish) by the end of the season.
Unfortunately, Manchester United let go of a manager who was bringing the club success but this isn’t the first time and has been happening for years. That man is Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager who transformed United into a top club. He received Sir from Queen Elizabeth for his contributions to soccer. Manchester United owners have fired over a dozen managers. They have since let go of more managers than seasons played in the Premier League since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. The new manager, Michael Carrick, has shown sparks of the old, and dominant Manchester United that teams feared, since becoming manager,giving fans and players alike hope for the club.
This pattern of firing managers has become commonplace because the owners expect Manchester United to be as great of a club it previously was but in reality, it is almost impossible to keep something so good for many decades because nothing can last forever. Managers are being put in rough spots with messy rosters filled with the old manager’s team. The players also cannot perform if the new manager every year brings them a whole new style to play and formation to follow because it causes lots of confusion. Ruben Amorim was moving Manchester United up the standings, but it was not good enough for the owners because after the frequent loses, even though it had only been a year since he was sacked.
“I don’t think Amorim was given the time he needed while being the manager,” and Lucian Hyland, a senior on the MV soccer team. “He showed his great coaching when he won some important games.”
The managers are treated as scapegoats for the owners problems. This could all be resolved if the owners settled on a long-term manager for the club. Over time, the players will become used to the system, and the results will show. Carrick has brought a spark of hope back to Manchester United by winning his first three games in a row against tough opponents like Arsenal, Fulham, and the Manchester derby, beating Manchester City. Winning three games in a row was only done once by Amorim, who had been coaching for a year, and he has done it in his first 3 games. Carrick’s philosophy is to give the younger players a chance to prove themselves, which has been successful in the recent games.
“[Michael Carrick] has been doing pretty well for them.” said John Paul Nached, a junior on the MV soccer team. “They have won the past few games and honestly they might qualify for the Champions League next season.”
Michael Carrick might be the superhero Manchester United was looking for. He has brought hope back to the club, but as the season ends, who knows if he will still be around. He has shown himself to be a great manager and the future of Manchester United. The owners would be making a mistake to get rid of a manager of top class like Michael Carrick. Will the cycle finally be broken, or will there just be another manager the following year?
