Manchester United is one of the biggest football clubs in the world, with a legacy built on success, world-class players, and an electrifying fan base. However, in recent years, the club has struggled to reclaim its dominance, and one of the major reasons has been poor player management. From misguided transfers and tactical mismatches to mismanaging player contracts and failing to nurture young talent, United’s inability to properly manage its squad has led to frustration among fans and underwhelming performances on the pitch.
1. Transfer Chaos – Buying Without a Clear Vision
Manchester United’s transfer dealings in the past decade have often seemed reactive rather than strategic. Unlike clubs such as Manchester City or Liverpool, which recruit players to fit a well-defined tactical system, United has frequently signed players based on reputation rather than suitability.
- Overpriced and Underperforming Signings: The club has spent over £1 billion on players since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, yet many of these signings have failed to live up to expectations. Angel Di Maria, Alexis Sánchez, Jadon Sancho, and Antony are just a few high-profile acquisitions who struggled at the club. Instead of identifying players who fit the manager’s system, United has often pursued big-name stars without a long-term plan.
- Lack of Planning in Squad Building: Some signings have been made without considering how they fit with existing players. For instance, Donny van de Beek was brought in despite Bruno Fernandes already excelling in the same role, leading to the Dutchman being benched for most of his time at the club. Similarly, Casemiro, a defensive midfielder signed in his 30s, was a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution.
- Failing to Sell Underperforming Players: The club has held onto players long past their prime. Anthony Martial, who has struggled with consistency and injuries, has been at United for nearly a decade without ever becoming a key player. Players like Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay, despite not fitting into the manager’s tactical plans, have remained at the club due to a lack of decisive action from management.
United’s inconsistent transfer strategy has left the squad unbalanced, with weaknesses in key areas such as midfield depth and right-back.
2. Failure to Develop and Retain Young Talent
Manchester United has a proud history of developing young players, from the Busby Babes to the Class of ’92. However, in recent years, the club has failed to properly nurture and manage its young stars.
- Jadon Sancho’s Struggles: Signed for £73 million in 2021, Sancho was expected to be a game-changer for United. However, poor man-management, tactical inconsistency, and a lack of confidence from the coaching staff saw him struggle for form. Instead of handling the situation privately, the club’s public fallout with Sancho further damaged his confidence, eventually leading to a loan move back to Borussia Dortmund.
- Marcus Rashford’s Inconsistency: Rashford, one of the brightest academy graduates, has shown glimpses of world-class ability but has lacked consistency. The club has over-relied on him without providing a stable environment for him to develop into a truly elite player.
- Mismanagement of Promising Talents: Players like Wilfried Zaha, Adnan Januzaj, and James Garner were highly rated when they broke into the first team but were either sold prematurely or not given enough trust.
The inability to properly develop young players has forced the club to spend excessively on expensive signings instead of building from within.
3. Contract Mismanagement – Wasting Resources
Manchester United has consistently struggled with managing player contracts effectively, leading to wasted wages and unnecessary financial burdens.
- Overpaying Underperforming Players: One of the biggest mistakes United has made is giving massive contracts to players who fail to perform. Alexis Sánchez was signed on a reported £500,000-a-week salary, yet he contributed little before being moved on. Similarly, players like Phil Jones and Eric Bailly were handed contract extensions despite being injury-prone and rarely playing.
- Allowing Key Players to Leave for Free: Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba were both valuable assets but were allowed to run down their contracts and leave for nothing. Instead of securing their futures early or selling them for a profit, United let them walk away without recouping any money.
- Poor Squad Planning with Contract Renewals: The club has often extended contracts of players who are not contributing significantly to the team. Players like Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata were kept longer than necessary, taking up wages that could have been better allocated.
This poor contract management has made it difficult for the club to offload unwanted players, restricting financial flexibility in the transfer market.
4. Dressing Room Issues and Low Morale
Beyond the tactical and financial mismanagement, Manchester United has struggled with maintaining a positive dressing room atmosphere. Reports of conflicts between players and managers have been frequent, and a lack of leadership within the squad has affected team morale.
- Public Fallouts with Players: In recent years, the club has seen high-profile disagreements between players and managers. José Mourinho’s falling out with Paul Pogba, Erik ten Hag’s public dispute with Jadon Sancho, and the Cristiano Ronaldo controversy all highlight a failure to handle internal issues properly.
- Lack of Strong Leadership: Since the departures of Roy Keane, Nemanja Vidić, and Wayne Rooney, the club has lacked true leaders who can inspire and demand high standards. Maguire’s captaincy was widely criticized, and the current squad lacks a vocal presence on the pitch.
- Low Team Morale: The frequent managerial changes, inconsistent tactical setups, and lack of faith in certain players have created an unstable environment where players struggle to perform at their best.
Without a strong dressing room culture and clear leadership, the team continues to struggle with motivation and consistency.