Manchester United is in a precarious managerial situation, with uncertainty looming over the club's leadership. Despite the ongoing speculation surrounding potential candidates, United's new manager must navigate through strict rules and directives set by the club's hierarchy.

Manchester United's Adherence to Strict Rules

Manchester United's bumbling executives are yet to officially dismiss Erik ten Hag as they continue deliberating over his potential successor. Names such as Kieran McKenna, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Gareth Southgate, Thomas Frank, and Graham Potter are all in contention for the managerial role at Old Trafford this summer. However, fan support for Ten Hag following his FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City has complicated matters for the club's decision-makers.

Whoever assumes the managerial role must adhere to the strict rules outlined by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his associates to propel the club forward. These rules include aligning with a predefined style of play blueprint, enforced across all club levels by new technical director Jason Wilcox. The new manager must also agree to a recruitment model focused on acquiring young talent, emphasizing building a fitter, stronger, and faster team.

Directives from the Top

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the new co-owner, advocates for a recruitment strategy that prioritizes identifying promising young players rather than pursuing high-priced superstars. This approach was evident when Ratcliffe opted against bidding for Kylian Mbappe despite the French World Cup winner announcing his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. The intention is to shift away from extravagant spending, as Manchester United has previously invested approximately £1.5 billion in player acquisitions since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, with little success to show for it.

The club's restructuring under Ratcliffe's ownership includes the appointment of a new CEO, Omar Berrada, who was poached from Manchester City, and the impending arrival of Dan Ashworth as sporting director, who was recruited from Newcastle. Jason Wilcox, serving as technical director after moving from a similar role at Southampton, adds further expertise to the club's leadership team.

Managerial Selection Process

A notable directive from the top dictates that the manager will only be consulted on preferred recruitment positions. Subsequently, the club's executives will identify three suitable candidates for each position, aligning with the desired player and team model. The manager will then be able to select one candidate from the provided shortlist.

As speculation continues surrounding Ten Hag's future, the Dutchman remains on holiday while United conducts a review of the season before making any decisions. Despite Ten Hag's recent success, including an impressive FA Cup victory over Manchester City, his future at Old Trafford remains uncertain, prompting him to express his willingness to seek opportunities elsewhere if deemed surplus to requirements by the club's hierarchy.

Manchester United faces a pivotal managerial transition characterized by strict rules and directives set forth by the club's new ownership. The incoming manager must navigate these challenges while adhering to the outlined principles to restore the club's former glory and usher in a new era of success at Old Trafford.