MU's dark record and the 'minefield' awaiting the new captain

Last night and early morning on January 12, MU officially said goodbye to the FA Cup after a 1-2 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford. This bitter loss revealed Darren Fletcher's helplessness, and now everyone is waiting to see how the club’s interim coach, whether Solsa or Carrick, will handle the situation.

MU faces a terrible record

After being knocked out of the Carabao Cup, MU was almost solely relying on the FA Cup to compete for a trophy this season. Although this was known, MU’s stars truly underperformed in the third round match losing 1-2 to Brighton at their home ground Old Trafford. Two goals from Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck put Brighton ahead 2-0. It was only near the end of the game that MU scored once through Benjamin Sesko. However, that was not enough to prevent the Red Devils from losing.

This is the first time in 44 years that MU has been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions (the English League Cup and the FA Cup) in the opening rounds. Before being knocked out by Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup, MU had already been eliminated by fourth-tier Grimsby Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup. The last time MU faced a similar situation was in the 1981/82 season. Back then, the Red Devils lost to Tottenham in the second round of the League Cup and later were knocked out by Watford in the third round of the FA Cup. That season, MU was managed by Ron Atkinson. In the English top flight that year, MU finished third behind Liverpool and Ipswich Town.

This season, MU does not have a spot in European competitions. This means that for the rest of the season, the Red Devils will only compete in the Premier League. Currently, after 21 rounds, the Manchester red team stands 7th on the table with 32 points, three points behind the top 4. MU’s most important task for the remainder of the season is to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. This is no easy goal as the race for the top 4 is very intense and unpredictable. However, whether MU can even qualify for European competitions remains to be seen, let alone the Champions League.

Will Carrick or Solsa take the hot seat?

MU has dismissed coach Ruben Amorim and is currently searching for a new manager on a contract until the end of the season. Recently, the Red Devils have negotiated with both Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. According to MailSport, after interviews with MU’s board, Carrick has taken the lead in the race. The club’s leaders are impressed by Carrick because the former player showed a clearer and more structured style compared to Ole Solskjaer.

Moreover, Carrick was very successful when acting as interim manager for MU in three matches in 2021. At that time, Carrick helped the Red Devils beat Arsenal, draw with Chelsea, and win against Villarreal. While working at Boro, Carrick was also well-liked by players and the board.

Before the interview round, MU’s board was mainly split into two camps, one supporting Carrick and the other backing Solskjaer. But after the interviews, Carrick received majority support from the board. According to sources, MU plans to announce the interim coach appointment today. They want the new coach to have enough time to prepare for two upcoming big matches against Man City and Arsenal.

Even though the season risks being wasted, Fletcher still believes that qualifying for the Champions League is achievable. MU currently sits 7th in the Premier League, three points behind the top 4, and is preparing to face their biggest rival Man City this weekend:"The players need to unite, take responsibility, and find ways to improve immediately. Don’t waste this season", Fletcher urged. He also compared the current situation to the disastrous 2021/22 season, affirming that the current squad has a better foundation and that tough times will reveal the players’ "true character." But Fletcher was right about one thing: MU is very close to the Champions League spots next season. Moreover, they have an advantage that no club likes but fears: fewer matches in other competitions.

Although this displeases MU fans, clearly if the club does not make use of this "advantage," it will face numerous problems, including players facing salary cuts due to missing out on the Champions League. That is just the "surface" and obvious to all. Whoever takes the MU coaching job now must accept many challenges, including mental and psychological pressure and the "wreckage" left by Amorim.

It can be said that coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Carrick is entering an enormous challenge in their career. Success will make them heroes of the club, but failure... everyone knows what that means. Manchester United is currently in a far worse state than the "legacy" left by the Norwegian strategist after his 2021 dismissal. Predecessor Ruben Amorim clearly destroyed MU and left Old Trafford in ruins for his successor before leaving.

The upcoming interim coach of the club will have a lot to do once officially appointed by MU. Simply cleaning up the mess left by predecessor Ruben Amorim has already cost Solsa a lot of time, not to mention how he will rebuild the Manchester team. Furthermore, the budget for January transfers for the interim coach is very limited, if not nonexistent. Indeed, dealing with the "battlefield" of the Red Devils now is like... trying to pick stars from the sky.