Since Sir Alex Ferguson left United as Premier League champions six years ago, mega millions have been spent and four men have sat in the dugout as manager. Indeed, the fact Mike Phelan didn’t remain in the dugout has been a major factor in the club’s troubles.
It was always going to be tough when Sir Alex retired after 26 years as manager, as it was when Sir Matt Busby left after 23 years in 1969. Sir Matt’s interference from the boardroom was rumoured to have led to United’s struggles, but this time it was the lack of involvement from people who knew the club best that caused the problems
Mike Phelan and chief executive David Gill left with Sir Alex, then money man Ed Woodward and David Moyes moved in. The results were dire and reports quickly emerged of a broken dressing room. Repeat this twice over with Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho and United are back to square one.
They have won a Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup in those years, so it’s certainly not been as disastrous as the post-Matt Busby era which ended in relegation, but for a club that has grown to the calibre of Manchester United, it’s not been good enough.
United’s dressing room is littered with prima donna types who are becoming more common in the Premier League nowadays – the likes of Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba. The last thing a new manager needs is to have to earn the respect of these players. Instead, a manager and his coaching staff should demand it from their team and Mike Phelan’s history at the club certainly does.
With 12 years of experience as Sir Alex’s right-hand man, his knowledge of the club and how it was running successfully is vital if United are to reignite those flames. As they have learned, money simply doesn’t buy experience and passion so whichever players and manager comes in during the summer Phelan’s coaching will be needed to steady the ship.
Since his and Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s arrival, the players appear to have been enjoying themselves more and playing without the pressure that comes with wearing the shirt of the most successful club in English football. This will be partly due to the manager and the assistant’s understanding of how it feels to be at the club, something other managers haven’t experienced until they are in the hot seat and have to acclimatise themselves.
The summer brings uncertainty for United on all fronts, but if Mike Phelan remains part of the coaching staff perhaps the club can regain some of its former stability.
