James Norris

When Michael Carrick goes, should the director of football Jason Wilcox go as well? Was he over-promoted when Dan Ashworth left? Ashworth was “best in class”, very experienced. Wilcox wasn’t/isn't "best in class". Recruitment has been a mess, namely the transfer strategy of targeting one area, midfield, this summer. So naive. Some strengthening required with Casemiro gone and Ugarte injured/not good enough but the team were crying out for investment at left-back and striker. £50m for Andrey Santos? United are not buying best in class. DoF should be working to a club’s DNA. United’s historic identity is well-known: attacking with pace, width, intensity, expression, defiance and the dash of youth. Playing football the Matt Busby way, the Alex Ferguson way. Those days are long gone, United don't have anywhere near the quality of player or manager, but attempting to follow principles laid down by Busby and Ferguson, which fans crave, should be Wilcox's stated ambition. But Wilcox hasn’t recruited to restore that DNA. Properly-run football operations like Brighton sell players/change coaches but have an established DNA and way of playing (attacking, pressing). Brighton have best in class recruitment, data with due diligence into character. United don't. Carrick can go but the problem remains. Reports suggest that United pursue Mauricio Pochettino as Carrick’s successor. Good choice. He’s a very good manager, man-manager, great with the media (coffees and chats in London with journos he knows), diplomatic with those upstairs and popular amongst staff. Poch would have a short-term bounce but will he have the players? United's problem is short-term and long-term, and Wilcox has to take responsibility for that. United will remain stuck in a doom cycle until best in class is appointed to run recruitment and better players - with the right character - are bought. United will continue to drift until the debilitating, debt-stained ownership model changes, and they get back to being a great football club first and foremost with the whole commercial operation supporting that, not interest repayments. #MUFC