Over the last 13 years, Manchester United fans have had to sit back and watch other clubs in the Premier League claim title glory since their last finish at the top of the table.
The likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and even Leicester City have finished top of the pile in the last decade – with the Red Devils now going over 13 years without a title.
Michael Carrick has been the latest manager to try his luck at Old Trafford, but after just 11 games of his permanent tenure, the writing could already be on the wall for the 45-year-old.
Staff behind the scenes are said to be split over whether or not the club should sack the current manager, but if they do, they should take inspiration from the current Premier League holders.
Why Man Utd need their very own Mikel Arteta
Manchester United supporters may dislike Arsenal Football Club and Mikel Arteta, but thereโs no denying they wish they had a manager of his calibre at Old Trafford.
The Spaniard has spent the last seven years in charge at the Emirates and has developed the Gunners from mid-table outfit into the most dominant side in England.
Heโs a manager who built a project in North London and often survived numerous near misses at losing his job during the early stages of his tenure at the helm.
Arteta has benefited from the support of the board at the Emirates, and with the help of investment from the higher-ups, has finally brought success back to the club.
|
Arteta wins per season at Arsenal |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Matches |
Wins |
Win percentage |
|
2019/20 |
20 |
9 |
45.0% |
|
2020/21 |
38 |
18 |
47.4% |
|
2021/22 |
38 |
22 |
57.9% |
|
2022/23 |
38 |
26 |
68.4% |
|
2023/24 |
38 |
28 |
73.7% |
|
2024/25 |
38 |
20 |
52.6% |
|
2025/26 |
38 |
26 |
68.4% |
|
2026/27 |
6 |
5 |
83.3% |
He ended their two-decade-long wait for a league title last campaign, and fell at the final hurdle in the Champions League final against PSG – something which United have been unable to do since 2011.
The Spaniard is also an example of the benefits that are available if you build for the long-term future, something which United have been unable to do in recent years.
How Man United can appoint their very own Arteta
If the United board are to sack Carrick in the near future and hire a new boss, itโs crucial that they donโt fall down the rabbit hole they have previously been guilty of.
Big-name managers who have previously claimed glory elsewhere have failed to deliver at Old Trafford, which should see them steer clear of a move for Antonio Conte.
Other managers who have previously starred in the Premier League have also struggled to match expectations, which could cast doubt over a move to appoint long-term target Eddie Howe.
However, other names such as Julian Nagelsmann have also been mentioned for the managerial job, with The Telegraph providing the latest on his situation.
They have reported that the 39-year-old would be open to taking over from Carrick in the near future and is waiting to get back into management after being sacked by Germany at the end of July.
Itโs unclear if the board are set to sack Carrick in the coming days, but itโs thought that the former Bayern Munich boss would be high up on the hierarchyโs radar.
Any move for Nagelsmann would hand United their answer to Arteta, with the Red Devils able to appoint a manager who can build for the future and catch the eye in the Premier League.
The German has never managed in the Premier League before, just like the Spaniard prior to his appointment at Arsenal, which could see fresh ideas being implemented in the Red Devils’ squad.
The young manager also likes to operate with the same system as the Gunners boss, which places a huge importance on the attacking fluidity in a 4-2-3-1 system.
However, without the ball, Nagelsmann demands that his players be strong and build on such a quality – with the same component being a vital part in Arsenalโs title win last term.
Although heโs never managed in England, the former German boss does have experience of winning titles – as he led Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga in 2022/23, leading to Josh Bunting calling him the “best young coach in Europe.”
As a result, his philosophy is clearly a winning one and one which could finally end the title drought at Old Trafford after continuous managerial switches in recent years.
However, if he is to be a success, the board will have to hand him the time to settle into life in the Premier League and sign the players he craves to make an impact.
Arteta has been given such a license during his time at the Emirates, with Nagelsmann able to achieve a similar feat should he be chosen to replace Carrick in the weeks ahead.
