Former Manchester United player Ashley Young has recently provided valuable insight into the impact of different managerial styles on the club following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. In a recent interview, the 38-year-old, who now plays for Everton, shared his experiences of playing under various managers and how their footballing styles affected the team.
Young, who joined Manchester United in 2011 and was part of the last squad to secure a Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson’s leadership, continued his career at Old Trafford under four different managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
During his time at United, Young experienced the arrival of Jose Mourinho in 2016. Despite Mourinho’s success with the team, winning a League Cup and a Europa League in his debut season, Young acknowledged that the Portuguese manager’s style of play was not aligned with the traditional values of Manchester United.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Young expressed his initial enthusiasm when Mourinho was appointed as United’s manager, but also noted that Mourinho’s style of football did not conform to the values and playing style associated with Manchester United.
According to Young, there was “real excitement” when Mourinho took charge due to his successful track record. However, he admitted that the style of play introduced by Mourinho did not align with the club’s footballing philosophy, leading to challenges for the players.
The former United captain also acknowledged that the transition period following Ferguson’s departure was a challenging time for the club. He observed that there was a lack of cohesion among the players, which affected their ability to fully adapt to Mourinho’s tactical approach.
In discussing the team dynamics during Mourinho’s tenure, Young highlighted the challenges faced by the players in adjusting to the new managerial style. He acknowledged that there were conversations among the players about the tactics and their roles within the team, revealing that there was room for improvement in their response to Mourinho’s approach.
Despite the difficulties faced by the team during the post-Ferguson era, Young emphasized the need for players to take greater responsibility and adaptability under different managerial styles. He highlighted the impact of the managerial transition on the players, expressing that there were instances where the team could have responded differently to the changing tactics and expectations.
Young’s insights shed light on the complexities of managing a top-tier football club during a period of transition. The challenges faced by Manchester United following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure serve as a reminder of the importance of aligning managerial styles with the club’s traditions and values.
As the club continues to evolve under new leadership, Young’s reflections provide valuable lessons on the dynamics between players and managers, and the impact of footballing philosophies on the overall team performance.