Soccer analysis: Are Manchester United ready to compete for European glory?
Manchester United were once seen as the benchmark for men’s football.
The Red Devils dominated the domestic scene during Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure, winning the Treble in 1999 and cementing their status as an elite force in Europe.
The club became synonymous with consistency, a winning mentality, and the ability to perform in big games, a culture that endured even after Ferguson’s departure, writes Sports News Blitz’s Nerea Fernandes.
From dominance to decline
However, recent results on the domestic stage have hampered the club’s progression since that period of success.
An underwhelming season in the 2024-25 Premier League left the team in 15th place with 42 points, five places worse off than their lowest finish in 2023-24.
With United out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season, the team faces a rare period without elite competition since 2014-15, something fans and players alike are not accustomed to after decades of regular continental football under Ferguson.
With the team struggling to maintain dominance on the domestic stage, questions have been raised over United’s ability to compete at the highest level.
With the Red Devils sitting third in the table at the time of writing, inconsistent league performances still indicate a side searching for identity and stability.
But are United truly ready to compete with the world’s best once again, or does their rebuilding process still have a long way to go?
Decline after Ferguson
Frequent managerial changes, the club’s structure, lack of leadership, and unclear direction have disrupted the team’s consistency in recent years.
Weak tactical frameworks have contributed to inconsistent results, with the team struggling to control possession, dominate matches, and maintain early leads.
The success of clubs such as Manchester City and Arsenal has widened the gap between United’s on-pitch ambitions, setting the team further back.
While there was optimism before Ruben Amorim’s appointment in 2024, United’s rocky season under the manager was undermined by poor performances, limited tactical cohesion, and unclear title ambitions.
Although there were positive improvements towards the end of his 13-month tenure, his signature back-three system struggled to adapt to the league and was criticised for lacking tactical flexibility.
United’s inability to cover defensively and in midfield left the team exposed against opponents capable of exploiting space in wide areas, a problem that became obvious during their January exit to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
This inconsistency and unpredictability in building momentum, combined with defensive disorganisation and poor structure, allowed opponents to expose United’s vulnerabilities and capitalise on key moments.
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Recruitment and squad building
United’s recent performances domestically have seen them fall short against Europe’s top clubs, highlighting gaps in tactical clarity and squad depth.
These struggles have been compounded by inconsistent recruitment and squad management, resulting in an imbalanced squad and limited depth in key areas.
There were high expectations in the summer window that new signings would add stability to a weakened defence and strengthen options in midfield and attack.
After a reported £236 million investment in Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens, there was optimism that the squad would take a step forward.
While Cunha, Šeško and Mbeumo were expected to strengthen key areas, questions remained over whether those additions had addressed the squad’s core weaknesses.
Expectations in the INEOS era have not always been met, with performances at times falling short of the standards required at the club.
United chose not to make any mid-season signings in the January 2026 transfer window, raising questions over whether any players made a lasting impact at the club.
Expectations were high for the trio, but regular starter Senne Lammens has made the most significant impact.
Signed for an initial £18.2 million (€21 million), there were doubts over whether Lammens could justify the fee and establish himself as a top-level goalkeeper.
Amorim made the risky decision to start Lammens over Altay Bayındır in the win over Sunderland in October 2025, and he has since become a regular starter for the club, establishing himself as United’s first-choice goalkeeper and a long-term solution.
Life under Carrick
Michael Carrick took the helm in January 2026 after a difficult season under Amorim, which left the team in sixth place after a string of mixed results.
United are currently third in the league at the time of writing and in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League next season.
While Carrick’s appointment originally came with a short tenure, his successful start has led to speculation that he is a strong candidate for the permanent role.
Six wins and one draw from his first seven games in charge equalled the joint-best return from nine games by any manager in Premier League history.
Although recruitment under Carrick has shown improvements in structure and stability, his early impact suggests that, within the right system, certain signings can perform more effectively in a settled tactical framework.
With improved organisation, more disciplined performances, and greater consistency this season, United have shown signs of progress.
As they approach the end of their domestic campaign, the focus now shifts towards maintaining stability and delivering consistent results.
The challenge remains balancing short-term pressure with long-term planning, particularly in recruitment and tactical clarity.
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Can United return to the top?
United’s dominance was marked by a period of sustained success under Ferguson, during which the club established itself as a leading force in English and European football.
While there are signs of progress and structural improvement, questions remain over whether these changes are enough to return the club to its former glory.
As United prepare to return to Europe, is there clear progress for the team, or is this a longer-term problem that requires further rebuilding before they can return to the top?
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