- Manchester United have a disconnect between the ownership and the fanbase
- It’s difficult for Erik ten Hag after he did a magnificent job at the club last season
- Follow Mail Sport’s new Man United WhatsApp channel for all the breaking news
Whenever I went back to Old Trafford as a manager, I’d think, “Wow, I played here”. I’m so proud of my association with the club. Now I look at them and I’m reminded of a universal truth. If things aren’t right at the top of any football club, it’s not right.
A disconnect between the ownership and fanbase ends up affecting what happens on the pitch so no team can perform to its full potential. There are many examples over the last 20 years.
It doesn’t work unless different parts of the club are in harmony. I’m not close enough to United to pretend to know what specifically needs to change.
But I understand the Glazers take money out and aren’t at Old Trafford themselves a lot of the time. They have spent money on big signings but you still have to identify the right players.
It’s difficult for Erik ten Hag, who did a magnificent job last season. United need a head of the orchestra, someone who is going to plan ahead and have the personality to be successful — like Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie had a great relationship with the chief executive David Gill, as I did at Crystal Palace with the chairman Ron Noades.
Manchester United have endured a torrid opening to the new season summarised by the weekend’s derby defeat
United need someone like Sir Alex Ferguson who is going to plan ahead and have the personality to be successful
Manchester United supporters are only going to be happy when the Glazers leave the club
Ron wasn’t always the most popular figure but every fan knew he gave everything to Palace. Until the rift between the club and the fanbase is repaired, it’s hard to see a full recovery at United.
The supporters are only going to be happy when the Glazers go and then it’s down to whoever comes in to have the vision to see what the club can become.
Things are difficult for Erik ten Hag after he did a magnificent job last season
Steve Coppell formerly managed Crystal Palace and previously played for Man United
That said, there are also questions about the manager and his team. If Manchester City kicked off in pink or canary green, you’d still know it’s City because of the way they play.
You could say the same about Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou so far this season. United are different. Their style of football depends on which individuals they pick for a particular game, not an overall identity.
With my United team, you knew we played a million miles an hour, got the ball out wide and tried to win it back double-quick. It’s what we trained to do.
There doesn’t seem to be that same settled framework with the current side. You wait to see who is in the starting XI game by game and take it from there.
