3 managers who could bring back fancy football to Old Trafford

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It is high time for a change

With an increasing amount of Manchester United fans moaning about a lack of style and substance in their team's football philosophy, Senor Jose could get the sack at the end of the season.

According to reports, there are certain top players in the squad willing to look for newer pastures in the upcoming January transfer window.

Gone are the days when United had the most potent strike-force in the world, although the club still has a talented attacking unit. Now, all out attacks with full throttle press have been replaced by a tepid United back six, protected by the second line of four players sitting in front of them.

It is to Mourinho's credit that his strategies even make Brighton and Hove Albion look like a significant threat. However, the Stretford End has seen better football - much better than the boring lateral passes, followed by losing the ball meekly in the midfield. They know they deserve better.

Given Mourinho's dismal third season records at his former clubs, it should not come as a surprise to many if he gets the sack before his term comes to an end.

This season Mourinho has continuously berated the press, and Manchester United have been in for some terrible publicity. It finally looks like Mr. Woodward is learning the importance of playing football the United way, and he could probably recruit a manager worthy of being at the helm of the biggest club in England.

Here is a look at three managers who could bring the glory back to United.


#1 Leonardo Jardim

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Leonardo Jardim

The man from Portugal does not need introduction. His side overachieved a couple of seasons back as they roared into the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2016-17. The most important aspect of this was that the squad was a mix of homegrown talent, and some very astute business deals.

Key players from the title winning squad in 2016-17 were snapped up by some of the most elite clubs across Europe. AS Monaco went on to sell the core of the team. The departures include prodigious talents like Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho, Mendy, Bernardo Silva, Bakayako, Guido Carrilo, Fabinho, and Lemar.

They have earned Monaco almost €500 million over the last two summers, with a net profit upwards of €300 million.

Given the way he resurrected Falcao's flailing career, Man Utd's veterans like Young and Mata could have a new lease of life. With Monaco reduced to just a shadow of its former self, the Portuguese may very well be persuaded to replace his compatriot in the Old Trafford dug-out.

Tactically Jardim prefers a conventional 4-4-2 system, although he has sometimes opts for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Rashford and Martial could finally play upfront under his guidance, rather than wasting away on the flanks. Pogba would also have a greater license to show his attacking displays if the Portuguese opts for the 4-2-3-1 system.

#2 Marcelo Bielsa

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The revolutionary tactician

My favourite person for the job is the Argentinian who has taken up a one year deal at Leeds United, and in his short duration at the helm he has already guided The Peacocks to the top of the table ahead of Middlesbrough on goal difference.

The men at Elland Road are in a much better physical condition, and the tactics of Bielsa have opened a new dimension of football for the once bitter rivals of Man Utd. His man management skills are second to none, and he could bring in the much needed peace and harmony, as well as inculcate a sense of leadership if he were to be given the reigns at United.

The Argentinian is trying to revolutionise the game with his very attacking 3-3-3-1/3-3-1-3 system, a formation that has brought him varied amount of success across Europe. These tactics are suitable only for players with extremely good conditioning, as he wants his team to seamlessly transition from a defensive position to an attacking one, and vice versa.

This system of play has wowed fans across the globe, as it was one of the key assets in his tenures with both Argentina and Chile (he helped Chile qualify for the 2010 World Cup after an absence from the previous two editions).

His football is easy on the eye, and is bound to create a lot of chances given the right personnel - something the Mancunians are dying to see.

His teams have a lot of possession in attacking areas, quick on the break, and aggressive in pressing the opposition high up the pitch.

Under the Argentinian, his teams play with three at the back - a sweeper (he plays a very critical role as the defense tends to maintain an extremely high line) in the center, and two traditional defenders on either side.

The three in deep midfield will consist of two wide attacking players that can play with more freedom if required, and a defensive midfielder to protect the defense.

The defense itself will play an extremely high-line, and all players must be able to adapt fluently into a number of positions on the pitch, as Bielsa demands a dynamic style of football based on fluidity.

There is room for three attacking midfielders providing vigor to the attack and holding up the ball, bringing teammates into play – something Lukaku is very good at - and thus transitioning into a more potent 3-3-1-3 with wingers playing off the striker.

Also at Bilbao, he adapted the system to a more traditional 4-3-3, this proves that he could very well adjust to the strengths of his players, and not be too rigid with his football philosophy.

It is true that usually a possession based style of football is played at a slower tempo, but Bielsa demands high intensity and high energy throughout a match. His players have to leave everything on the pitch if they have to survive the rigors of this system, weeding out the unfit casualties.

#3 Chris Wilder

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Chris Wilder

He has easily been the most successful English manager in recent years. Winning League Two with Northampton, and then League One with Sheffield United. This season itself The Blades are looking in imperious form as they have scored 12 goals, and sit in third place after the opening six fixtures.

Add old school tactics to the latest sports science, and that is the 50 year old Englishman for you in a nutshell. He can very much bring back the attacking verve while maintaining defensive solidity in the back-line. Incidentally, the only thing United have done over the past 5 years is defend, but still manage to fail in the most dismal of ways.

With experience of English football under his belt, and also some inside knowledge about some of the hidden talents in the lower leagues, Chris could very well end up being a relevation at United.

Tactically he is very flexible, as he varies the 3-5-2 formation with 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1. He demands fluidity in play, and could very well act as the catalyst in waking up the sleeping giants.

Don't count out the Englishman just yet as he could prove to be a dark horse should United need a new man to take charge of the crumbling United empire.


These were my choices, and if you think that I should have added another manager, then leave a comment.

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