You leave, and you win. Why do the trophies of Manchester United only await them behind his doors?

In the past seven years, Manchester United has failed to maintain its status as a dominant club. Despite winning the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024, the Manchester players remain the only ones among the “big six” clubs who haven’t won the FA Cup since Ferguson’s time. Meanwhile, players who leave Old Trafford often end up collecting medals in other leagues or with other national teams. This isn’t some kind of mystery or “curse,” but rather a result of systemic problems that the professional football community has long been pointing out.

The main reason is the lack of a stable sports structure. Over the past ten years, the club has had six different head coaches. Each of them brought their own tactical philosophy, but none of them had enough time to implement those philosophies effectively. The transfer policy was inconsistent, with a mix of high-profile signings and mass renewals without any clear criteria. As a result, the team was constantly in a state of flux. Young players didn’t have a predictable environment to grow, while veterans faced unrealistic expectations and media pressure.

Psychological factors are equally important. Manchester United has historically been a team that must either win or at least make it through. Every mistake is analyzed in detail, and losses are accompanied by toxic situations that affect players’ confidence. In clubs with more stable structures, players have the opportunity to adapt, make mistakes, and gradually reach their full potential. In Manchester, patience is measured in months, not seasons.

With the arrival of INEOS, things started to change. Sports directors were appointed, analytical models were implemented, and the influence of media noise on coaching decisions was reduced. But reforms take time. As long as the structure isn’t stabilized, and the coaching staff doesn’t gain long-term trust, the paradox of “leaving to win” will continue.

Football history has seen examples of clubs that emerged from crises not through individual transfers, but through a well-structured ecosystem. Manchester United has the resources, brand, and infrastructure to regain its competitive edge. The question is whether the new management will have the discipline to not sacrifice strategy for short-term gains.