21 May 2014 22:32:59
I will probably get shot down for this, but I am going to post my view anyway.
I am, and always have been a big fan of Ryan Giggs. He is a club legend, and we will all be forever greatful for everything he has given to, and done for our great club.
However, I am not sure the club are doing the right thing if they are grooming Giggs to take over from LvG in three years time. It seems to me, especially with the failed appointment of David Moyes, that the club want to try to continue the Fergie era, but without the great man at the helm. I think Moyes was appointed because he was the closest thing out there to clone of SAF. During his time at United, Moyes started to change things quite a bit and failed.We as fans expected instant success, and the players didn't like the changes. When he was sacked, Giggs took over and reverted right back to SAF ways and personnel.
In my opinion, United have stagnated over the last 4or 5 years, while others have moved forwards. I think the appointment of van Gaal is a good one. But I really hope he takes the club forwards, and in a different direction to that of which the club was previously going. We all know the phrase about a new broom sweeping clean, and I genuinely hope that happens with the new manager. We need a new and dynamic outlook at United. One that will take us forwards, and back to the summit of English, and European football. LVG could well be the man to set us on our way, but he will need to "sweep us clean" of all those ageing players who we all know need replacing, and get younger, more talented players in.
I have nothing against Giggs at all, but I just hope that if van Gaal can set us on our way to something new, with a more modern approach, that in 3 years time all that work is not un done by one of SAF most loyal and trusted servants .

1.) 21 May 2014
I agree with a lot of that.
the club needs a change and a modernization of our football

2.) 21 May 2014
Great post Betty, spot on .

Van Gaal should be there for at least a couple of seasons and for me Giggs should get no guarantees about the job.
If he's serious about wanting to be Utd manager he should stop living off his (rightful) legend as a player and get out there and work somewhere else to get some managerial experience, perhaps after a season working with Van Gaal

3.) 22 May 2014
Great post. Spot on.

Like it or not, change is needed.

4.) 22 May 2014
Good post. I agree with it all except the bit about us all knowing the phrase about a new broom sweeping clean. I had not heard that one before, but I hope it's apt.

5.) 22 May 2014
I'm one of few who apparently believe someone's accomplishments as a player are not in any way indicators of their coaching abilities, therefore should not factor into their " CVs " when they are being considered for a job.

I would honestly rather give the job to Meulensteen/ Solskjaer than Giggs because they have more experience.

I just do not understand what Giggs has that Neville/ Scholes/ even beckham do not. I'm pretty sure it's not intellect since Giggs isn't really an educated individual, nor does he strike you as a smart individual ( in the way Lampard and Mata do ).

We need more than a mascot on the sidelines telling players " I want to see crosses, I want to see shots, I want to see tackles, I want to see pace, the Manchester United way " and actually come up with a tactical approach to the game. A manager is more than just a motivator.

If Giggs is being groomed to take over the job, than I believe that is the absolute worst idea the Glazers could come up with. They did not become billionaires by making decisions based on sentiment and choosing under-qualified individuals for certain jobs to please people.

Giggs should never get the job unless he proves himself on the world stage from a managerial point of view. Solkjaer is doing it, Hughes tried and failed, Bruce tried and failed, Keane tried and failed, Blanc arguably succeeded.

Fact is, I'd love one of our old boys to be our manager one day, but not until they are fully proven. If not, then just give the job to Fred The Red ( or Zee, where is the little bugger though? ) and hope for the best.

6.) 22 May 2014
When Sir Matt stepped down he promoted one of his ex players that knew the 'United way', Wilf McGuiness, and it was a total failure. Wilf was too young, and couldn't get the needed respect from the players, Best etc. in the end United abandoned their thinking and begun the search for the right man. This didn't happen until Sir Alex arrived.
I agree in part with Betty because of this but I do think Giggs is more integrated in United than Wilf, and he is being groomed where Wilf wasn't. Maybe 3 years will be enough to teach him, and who knows, we might have LvG for longer than that!

7.) 22 May 2014
Mick1, I agree with most of that except when you say its the worst idea the Glazers could come up with. I'm not defending those parasites in any way, but I genuinely believe that they don't interfere with football matters too much. They are business men, end of. I firmly believe that they let the management run the football side of things, and take their advice on footballing decisions. You can point to the fact that they did interfere by sacking David Moyes, but that was a decision that had to be made for business reasons as well as footballing ones.
I would expect that SAF, as well as Bobby Charlton and some other still have a huge influence on the way the football side of things are being run, and are advising the Glazers and the "suits" accordingly.
That is why I hope that LvG comes in and makes important changes that the club need. If he is only here for 3 seasons to steady the ship and help groom Giggs to take over, then we could be back to square one in 3 years time. Giggs is a legend, but he is a student of SAF, and I think would try to carry on the Ferguson way, because that is all he has ever known for 23 or so years.
In my opinion, we need to move away from that. As a business, we are in better shape than ever. But on the pitch, I feel we need a complete change of direction. Not only in personnel, but the whole structure. All the talk of transfers and big name signings is justified. But how have we got in such a bad situation? Some will point to lack of investment. But money has been mage available under the Glazers. maybe not as much as could have been, but we have had, and spent money. The problem is, in my view, the money has been spent badly. SAF bought several wingers in recent years, while failing to sign a midfielder since 2007. Is that lack od investment , or bad decision making? I would say the later.
Another thing that need a shake up is our scouting system. I know we can't sign all the best young talent, but look at the young players who have been available, at home and abroad over the last few years. Our scouting system had been abysmal, and needs to improve drastically.
Going back to the original point, the club need a change of direction. New ways, and new ideas, as well as o lot of new personnel. Grooming someone (Giggs) who has already been here for 23 odd years, to become our new manager in 3 years time does not fill me with confidence that we are willing to make those changes.
I guess time will tell.