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Ole’s at the wheel: How much better can it feel for United?

Qasim Mujtaba Naqvi·
Manchester United
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As the summer transfer window approaches, we contemplate how Ole and Manchester United can improve their squad…

Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s official appointment as Manchester United manager has instigated a massive debate among pundits and fans alike. While some feel Solskjær fully deserved an opportunity at the helm given his side’s great run of form (15 wins in 20 games at the time of writing), others firmly believe someone with established credentials deserved the job. Regardless of which side of the debate you’re on, it’s already been confirmed – and fans are now looking towards Ed Woodward, Avram Glazer, and the rest of the United board to back Ole in the transfer market.

With that said being, what would an ideal window for Manchester United look like as Ole settles in? There are obvious shortcomings in the center of defence and on the right-wing, while another midfielder and right-back could also benefit the side. First-team regulars Juan Mata and Ander Herrera look likely to run down their contracts, leaving the board under considerable pressure to avoid other superstars running their contracts down.

Who should be tied down?

Ander Herrera is widely rumoured to have agreed, at least in principle, a deal that sees him leave the club. Herrera’s contribution to the club has been massive, illustrated by the fact that he’s the only outfield player to have won the club’s Player of the Year (POTY) award since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. If he does leave, he’ll need replacing.

Similarly, Juan Mata looks set to bring an end to his association with the club – which dates back to January 2014. Both the Spaniards, although replaceable given their advancing age, are players with the kind of pedigree and experience that United could have utilised.

United could greatly benefit from offering new deals to David de Gea and Paul Pogba, two huge stars nearing the end of their contracts. De Gea in particular has won four of the last five POTY awards and has arguably been the best goalkeeper in the world during that period. Pogba, albeit more divisive, has shown flashes of the brilliance that convinced United to pay a then-record £89 million for his services in 2016. His contract situation has already attracted interest from Europe’s elite and United and Ole need to act fast.

Who should leave?

(Before beginning this section, please note that this piece is based on speculation and represents the writer’s opinion)

LW: Alexis Sánchez

Let’s begin with the man burdened with much of the blame for Herrera leaving – and for De Gea and Pogba demanding more money. Sánchez joined United in 2017 as part of a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan go the other way. Sánchez earns £350,000 a week, more than any of his colleagues, but his performances haven’t justified his elevated status. In 27 appearances this season, Alexis has notched only 2 goals and 3 assists.

That doesn’t make great reading for a man who was once considered a legitimate rival for Eden Hazard in the race for best player in the Premier League. Add to that his ridiculous wages and the unrest they’ve apparently caused in the dressing room, and the Chilean’s time is up. Chances of redeeming himself are also minimal as he’s ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up an injury during United’s stoppage-time win against Southampton in March. Offloading someone with his salary could prove to be a tough task though.

CB/LB: Marcos Rojo

Rojo joined Manchester United in the summer of 2014, as part of Louis van Gaal’s post World Cup spending spree. A World Cup finalist in 2014, the fact that his most memorable moment since then has been a goal scored for Argentina in 2018 speaks volumes. Rojo has played a total of 389 minutes for United all season and spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch. He’s recently been declared fit again, but it’s safe to say that this should be seen as a chance to offload him rather than give him playing time.

CB: Phil Jones

A decade ago, Phil Jones had the world at his feet when possibly the greatest manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, said he could be the best player in Premier League history. As the opportunity for a testimonial nears, Jones has cost United more games than he’s won. He’s no longer the teenager from Blackburn with bags of potential, and has seen himself become a figure of ridicule. His most notable performance for United recently saw him give away a crucial penalty, which led to United losing the final of the 2018 FA Cup. With a host of names linked at centre-back, and Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelöf establishing themselves as first-choice while Eric Bailly limps back, the door for Jones is open only due to his English nationality. Whether that saves him for another year (or more given that he’s just signed a new contract) is still left to be seen.

RB/RW: Antonio Valencia

Club-captain Valencia last played for the club on January 2nd. Since then, he’s reportedly been injured and the only managed to play for his country. With his contract expiring, the versatile Ecuadorian right-back sees his great United career dwindling after 10 trophy-laden seasons, during which he won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and the Europa League. The arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjær at United and Ashley Young’s emergence as first-choice right-back has made Valencia’s departure inevitable. July 1st will see him become a free agent.

GK: Sergio Romero

Romero’s name is one that’s mentioned among the best back-up goalkeepers in the Premier League. A solid addition, his arrival coincided with David de Gea pumping out best-in-the-world performances. He was never first-choice, but does boast a record of 27 clean sheets in 45 appearances for United. His most notable achievements though, like Rojo, were with Argentina, where he’s the national team’s number 1. He’s won both domestic cups and a Europa League with United, but an ideal transfer window would see Romero depart and be replaced by Joel Pereira or Dean Henderson – who are younger and can provide competition for De Gea. Now is the ideal time for the 32-year old to move on.

RB/LB: Matteo Darmian

Darmian also arrived at Old Trafford on the back of a good World Cup in 2014. However, he’s been unable to nail down a place in the starting XI, having been usurped by both Valencia and Ashley Young since then. Still 29, Darmian could thrive after a return to Italy as his versatility seems to have no place in Manchester. Both Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot promise to serve for many years at left-back. With only 6 appearances all year, it would be a good time for Darmian to read between the lines and depart for greener pastures.

Both Chris Smalling and Ashley Young would also be replaced in an ideal scenario. However, it doesn’t seem plausible as they’ve signed new contracts and are likely to stay.

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