Manchester United are now three points ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool on the Premier League table, and their quest for UEFA Champions League qualification looks more feasible than that of their rivals.
This situation was almost inconceivable some months ago, but two brilliant decisions have helped Manchester United settle back into a club that can finish in the Premier League’s top four again.
One of the decisions Manchester United made is obvious and clear — sacking Ruben Amorim. Manchester United sacked a stubborn, underachieving manager who was keen on bending players into his system instead of finding a system that worked for the current players he had. That decision was clearly spot on, and some would even argue that United gave the Portuguese too much time.
The Key Strategy
However, the first and most powerful decision Manchester United made to leapfrog a side like Chelsea and even Liverpool was banking on proven Premier League talent last summer.
Chelsea spent almost £100 million to bring in Jamie Gittens and Estevao as attacking reinforcements in the summer. Liverpool invested £150 million in Bundesliga superstar Florian Wirtz, but Manchester United placed their bet on players who were already doing brilliantly well in the Premier League, like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
These two players are the new backbone of Manchester United’s attack. They complement Bruno Fernandes’ brilliant capacity to create. Mbeumo and Cunha have fired Manchester United to many victories this season, while Florian Wirtz and Chelsea’s attacking duo of Gittens and Estevao have struggled to settle in the Premier League.
Manchester United’s new strategy of buying proven Premier League talent with enough experience trumps Chelsea’s policy of bringing in young talents from abroad who will need time to settle. United will get ready-made Premier League starters who fit into their wage budget, while Chelsea make risky bets on unproven youngsters who might fail to settle into the Premier League.
The results of each club’s strategy is beginning to show on the Premier League table and in how United put up big performances in big games, while Chelsea struggle to beat top-four sides.
Manchester United want to continue this strategy by bringing in Morgan Gibbs-White this summer by triggering his £60 million release clause, as he will fit into their wage structure and future plans.
