Man Utd: Michael Owen reveals ‘mentality’ of Ferguson’s side
Manchester United can overtake Liverpool and Manchester City again if they make two key appointments, says legendary Liverpool defender Steve Nicol. Liverpool and City have become the two powerhouses in English football in recent seasons. The Reds are set to win the Premier League at a canter this term to back up last year’s Champions League triumph and City have won the domestic title four times since 2012.
United, meanwhile, have not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are currently 38 points behind leaders Liverpool and face a battle to finish in the top four this season.
Nicol believes change is needed in the dugout in terms of the manager but also believes a director of football must be brought in to replace executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward as the person who is in charge of recruitment.
“With the amount of money that Man United can generate, two pieces of the puzzle are a proper head coach and somebody who can sort out the transfer dealings in the correct manner,” Nicol told ESPN FC.
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“I don’t see how Atletico Madrid are ever going to get above the other two again.
“Manchester United have got a very important thing these days and it’s a lot of money.”
United are currently on a training camp in Spain for their mid-season winter break.
Solskjaer said his players needed a break but insists they have to be ready to perform when they return to action next Monday at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.
Man Utd news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are a long way behind their rivals (Image: GETTY)
“December and January were really hectic with loads of games, nine in each of those months, so our players were stretched and yeah, it’s a good time for us now,” Solskjaer told MUTV.
“Especially the ones who have played a lot, they have been more or less told to take it easier than the others.
“Everyone’s got more or less their own individual programmes, so the ones who played less or are just returning from injury, they’re doing a little bit more and of course for the new signings, it’s also a good time now for them to integrate into the group.
“Of course, we come back and we kick on. We want to get results.
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“Towards the end now, before this break, we played okay and didn’t concede too many goals. But we didn’t create chances and missed that little bit of spark, I felt. Maybe because of the mental tiredness.
“Physically, they did really well in every aspect of the games but mentally, now, we kick on.”