by McNulty: First things first: He needs a clear vision that will give the team the identity it never had under Erik ten Hag. He must have a strong will to work within the new structure, collaborate with it, and at the same time connect his own ideas with those above him.
He must be strong enough to cope with the particular pressure and scrutiny that comes with managing Manchester United and not allow the shadows of the past to haunt him – although the recent lack of major success does make his task a little easier becomes.
Murray: We saw the qualities when Tottenham played against them recently. A fearless manager like Ange Postecoglou who wants to attack and play fearless football.
There were too many fears about becoming Manchester United head coach. You not only have to deal with the pressure on the pitch, but also with global expectations. Last week’s defeat to Spurs gave a glimpse of what United fans expect from their team.
Sutton: Without a shadow of a doubt he will want to come and put his own stamp on the team and bring in his own players, but until that happens he will have to make do with the players already at United.
The biggest and most important thing for whoever gets the job will be creating an identity, but does he have the players to play the way he wants straight away?
I look at their midfield and the aging players like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen and they are not able to apply the pressure that some managers would expect of them.
Right now it’s about someone getting in and building slowly because as far as I can see they lack the players to do something drastically different.
First of all, however, the new manager must be able to quickly organize the team and get his message across.
Schmeichel: It’s probably the hardest place in the world to play football. To be a manager you have to be mentally strong. The pressure on Manchester United players and managers is relentless. Everything you do is under scrutiny.
We tried with the big managers and big names, but it didn’t work. I don’t mind that we appoint the next one who is just a coach – who cares about the team, has input, but looks at the solution. This is the modern way of doing it. So why not think about it?
I think it’s an attractive job – the team of players isn’t that bad. There is simply no structure to rely on. Are we pushing? Do we keep the ball? Someone who spends all their time on the training pitch, I think that’s a good idea.
