OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S sacking at Manchester United leaves the club in desperate need of change to save their season.
While the Red Devils look for a new boss, the likes of first team coaches Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher will be tasked with keeping this sinking ship afloat.
United have a crucial Champions League tie against Villarreal up next before a daunting trip to league leaders Chelsea.
Here, SunSport explains what needs to be done to change the club’s fortunes.
1. Speak out on Paul Pogba
Like Jose Mourinho before him, Ole failed to get the best out of the enigma that is Paul Pogba in a Man United shirt.
The Frenchman has flirted with leaving the club and stalled talks of a new deal with his contract expiring next summer.
Whoever is in charge will need to make it clear whether Pogba is in their plans or not to avoid any further hangover from the current lack of clarity that is currently doing the team’s morale no favours.
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2. Sort out defence and get Harry Maguire’s confidence back
Club captain Harry Maguire looks a shell of the player that began so brightly after joining in 2019 – and it is having a knock-on effect on the whole backline.
The defensive display against Watford was abysmal with Maguire’s confidence shot to pieces both on and off the ball.
An arm around the shoulder and a reminder of the player he is – one who helped England to the Euros final this year – will go some way to shoring things up at the back.
3. Find an effective midfield partnership
Ole’s biggest problem was finding a combination in midfield to give his side the platform to attack.
The likes of Scott McTominay, Fred, Nemanja Matic and Donny Van de Beek have all been tried in a midfield two to allow Bruno Fernandes to venture forward.
But a return to a midfield three will surely make United more solid, as well as control the middle of the park better than they have done in their recent games.
4. Get Jadon Sancho firing
The signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for £73m this summer appeared to be one of the coups of the window.
But yesterday’s game at Watford was just the 21-year-old’s fourth start of the campaign with Ole struggling to find a slot for him.
His preferred position is as a right winger, and he showed glimpses against the Hornets. Now he needs to be given consistent game time to get him back to his elite levels quickly.
5. Keep Cristiano Ronaldo onside
United’s returning hero in Cristiano Ronaldo has been the most vocal of his team-mates on the club’s current form, and his mood was not any better against Watford.
Lose Ronaldo’s trust and you lose the dressing room, so whoever is in charge needs to make the Portuguese superstar’s happiness a priority.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
