Manchester United had a roller coaster year in 2022, in which they saw Ralf Rangnick leave and Erik ten Hag take the reigns at Old Trafford.
Things haven’t been easy for the club and the fans, but the Red Devils have performed well in the second half of the year. Still, there is work to be done, and we believe that the club should have a New Year’s resolution of their own as they enter 2023.
If they follow these points, then United would have a positive year ahead:
1. One thing they should do more of
Ten Hag’s first few months in command at Old Trafford have been a mixed bag, with some good results mixed in with some not so excellent ones.
Although the road back to the top is long, patience and having faith in the manager will be essential. For the first time in years, it feels like United are pointing in the right direction again.
United should take the lead from Arsenal, who are the ideal example. While the Gunners’ experience under Mikel Arteta has been far from easy, the Spaniard has revamped the team and invested in youth, and this season they are really starting to reap the benefits.
Ten Hag is unlikely to become a success story quickly, but if United trusts the process, they should succeed in the end, even if it takes three years.
2. One thing they should do less of
Everyone could see that United needed to sign a top-tier holding midfielder last summer, but it took weeks of back-and-forth negotiations with Frenkie de Jong until they were forced to walk away.
In the end, they decided to sign Casemiro, who some regarded as a panic move. However, despite the Brazilian’s unquestionable quality additions to the engine room, his late arrival in the transfer window meant he needed time to adjust and wasn’t able to make a significant impact during the first half of the season.
United must improve in the future at locating their targets and closing deals on time. They may look at how quickly and effectively Manchester City typically moves in the transfer market Director of football John Murtough is still unpopular with his methods, but he has a great chance to gain some support by making some wise decisions over the next two transfer windows.
3. One position that they should improve
Ten Hag can now carry on with his work without having a continual selection issue looming over him thanks to the mutual termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract, which was a necessary move for both player and club.
Although Anthony Martial is fit again and Marcus Rashford has impressed this season, Ronaldo’s departure does leave United a little short in the attack. A top-tier number nine is still required.
Cody Gakpo has since joined Liverpool, but United might now shift their focus to Dusan Vlahovic or Victor Osimhen. However, they would require significant investment by the owners in January.
4. One player that should be dropped
Donny van de Beek appeared to be a fantastic signing for United when he signed in the summer of 2020, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn’t seem to find a use for him, and his loan move to Everton last season was utterly forgettable.
Van de Beek was supposed to get a fresh start when his former Ajax manager Ten Hag moved to Old Trafford in the summer, but the 25-year-old has hardly appeared this season.
It’s time to release Donny and give him the opportunity to pursue his career elsewhere. He appeared to be really skilled while playing for Ajax, and talent is not something you lose over night.
5. United’s top objective for 2023 should be…
A title push is undoubtedly out of the question for United this season, but if they can stay consistent in the second half of the season, a top-four finish is well within their grasp.
They should also want to win the Europa League, since doing so would ensure their qualification for the Champions League regardless of where they finish in the league this season.
Silverware of any type would go a long way toward establishing that Ten Hag has United on the right track, so they should take nothing for granted and put in as much effort as they can to win one or both of the domestic titles as well.
