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Ole's at the Wheel! Manchester United have officially put pen to paper, permanently appointing the Baby Faced Assassin, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as manager on a three-year contract. Manchester United have seen a rise under Solskjaer winning 10 of their last 13 Premier League fixtures since his caretaker appointment back on December 19. Combined with a memorable comeback European night, in which they came back from a two-goal deficit and knocked out French giants Paris Saint Germain, Solskjaer appointment looked perfect on paper. The scrutiny Solskjaer faced, as to whether he had the capacity and managerial expertise to manage a top club like Manchester United or not, looks like a distant memory now.
Time will tell, however, as to whether Manchester United's rise in fortunes can be sustained, as they have looked very vulnerable and shaky when closing matches. Recent fixtures against Arsenal and Wolves demonstrated Manchester United's weakness when faced with a quick counter-attacking opposition.
Manchester United desperately need big-name signings in order to compete in all fronts. The current crop of talent, although performing, lack the cutting edge in order to bring silverware towards Old Trafford. Good teams win games, Great teams win trophies. Defense wise, Manchester United constantly look vulnerable when faced with elite pressure.
On paper, in the training ground, in the transfer market, and on the pitch, much is needed before Manchester United can truly transform into an elite team that can match their lofty ambitions.
Below, I list decisions and changes needed in order for Manchester United to become an elite European team capable of combating in both the Premier League and Champions League.
#4 Getting Rid of Dead Weight
Getting rid of players who have not had a decent run of form, or are far from demonstrating the performances they were once capable of, is the most difficult part when dealing with the transfer market. Looking out for inflated prices is a close second. But managing to recuperate the vast sums of cash spent on a player seems to be a difficult part when dealing with a busy, heavily reported, inflated transfer market.
Manchester United have done relatively well when getting rid of players. Notably Morgan Schneiderlin to Everton and Fellaini to Chinese team Shandong Luneng Taishan. They are going to have to continue that trend this transfer market if they are going to sign new players.
Alexis Sanchez is one player who has been unable to exploit the talent we were all accustomed to seeing at Arsenal. Matteo Darmian, Marcus Rojo and Chris Smalling all look surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
#3 An Elite, Recognized Center-Back Partnership
Since the defensive duo of Rio Ferdinand and Serbian Nemanja Vidic under the Sir Alex Ferguson day's, Manchester United have lacked a true defensive central combination. A lot of center-backs have come and gone, and Manchester United have still not found an elite central defensive combination that can protect David de Gea. Five of Manchester United last thirteen fixtures have ended in clean sheets. But much can be pointed towards de Gea.
Manchester United need to look appropriately with an astute eye when determining who to buy. They cannot afford to sign an expensive name, just for the commercial side of things. Sergio Ramos and Diego Godin look like fairytale signings. Nathan Ake is an affordable realistic signing with Premier League experience to boost. Jonathan Tah and Mario Hermoso, of both Bayer 04 and Espanyol respectively, look like good additions towards this Manchester United team.
The current crop of talent available for Solskjaer, is shaky at best and vulnerable, to say the least. Chris Smalling's and Phil Jones' places in the team can be attributed to them being Sir Alex Ferguson's players. Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof have both not shown both the mental and physical assets needed in order for Manchester United to truly contend on all fronts.
Elite and competitive competition is needed to shore up the middle of defensive. Who can remember Chris Smalling's last good game?
#2 Getting more Involvement from the Youth Setup
Youth players breaking into the first team is a good sight to see in global football. It lifts the atmosphere around the team seeing a local lad breaking into a club's professional sports team. And they are usually far more explosive and agile with raw talent and ability.
Since Solskjaer's appointment, Tahith Chong, 19, and Mason Greenwood, 17, have been handed their professional debuts, along with Angel Gomes, 18, and Andreas Pereira, 23, who have benefited from Solskjaer. It had been a tremendous sight seeing these youngsters break into the team, but realistically, they have lots to improve on in order to compete at the highest level.
They should not be derailed, however. Marcus Rashford, 12 goals in all competitions, and Jesse Lingard, 5 goals, demonstrated that breaking into the Manchester United first team can be accomplished.
These youngsters should continue to develop at Manchester United and benefit from being involved in the first team.
#1 Sign Big Name Signings
Aside from Paul Pogba, does Manchester United possess world class footballers? Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial possess the talent and assets to become elite footballers but are still far away from being considered world class. Alexis Sanchez currently looks as if he's lost the fire and ruthlessness which made him so lethal at Arsenal. Romelu Lukaku remains Romelu Lukaku.
In order to truly compete against city rivals, Manchester City and arch-rivals Liverpool, ruthlessness in the transfer market will be required. Not only looking to bring players in from a commercial standpoint but footballers who can instantly make an impact to the side. A Gareth Bale to pair Anthony Martial in the wings would light the Theatre of Dreams. Lazio's Sergej Milinković-Savić to solidify the midfield alongside Paul Poga is another player Manchester United should take into consideration.
With rumors about Mauro Icardi looking unsettled, Manchester United should go all in order to get a week in week out lethal goal scorer. They can not afford to have another weak transfer market. With their opponents constantly improving, they will have to make the uncomfortable business decisions in order to succeed.
