Why Manchester United fans will not get what they want this summer

Michael Owen believes that Manchester United fans may not have the expected clearance this summer, as lack of Champions League football and big contracts will limit manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's options.

United has won only two of its last 12 games to finish the Premier League season in sixth place, 32 points behind rival Manchester City – a disappointing end to a campaign that promised much more during the season. winter when the Red Devils won 14 of the first 19 of Solskja. games in charge.

The results, which included eight consecutive victories after Jose Mourinho's temporary replacement before Christmas, helped the Norwegian secure the position permanently in March, but the last two months of the season were marked by an alarming loss of shape.

This has prompted many fans and experts to plan a massive overhaul at Old Trafford, but Owen, who spent three seasons with United near the end of his career, is not so sure.

the BetVictor The brand's ambassador said, "It's pretty hard to get rid of more than three or four players in a window, especially if you want something back.

"I thought I had better control of United in that I thought it was a better team than the one they had demonstrated with David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho.

"And we saw that for about a dozen games when Solskjaer came in, but there was a relapse.

"I still think the players are better than that, but the team obviously needs a surgery and it will not be easy without Champions League football next season – these are the big players who so I do not think it's realistic to be able to make 10 changes in one summer. "

Midfielder Ander Herrera and captain Antonio Valencia have already announced their departure from the club. Defenders Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo should follow.

But the biggest problem is that with Romelu Lukaku, which cost 75 million pounds two summers ago, and the big winner, Alexis Sanchez, under contract, but surplus. To ship them without making a big loss seems impossible.

Owen, however, is more optimistic about United's long-term future.

"One thing I'm sure we'll see next year under Solskjaer is an important boost for young people," said the 39-year-old.

"I'm expecting to see four or five of their young talents come out of the academy and I think one or two of them could become real Manchester United players at the same time. 39; future. "

The most likely graduates of this 2019 promotion are the teen foursome consisting of Tahith Chong, James Garner, Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood, though Owen also thinks that United will have to "sign two or three players also the rhythm at the end of the season.

But Owen, who has scored 17 goals in 52 games for United, is less sure that Gareth Bale, star of Real Madrid and Wales, will be one of these recruits, as has been suggested.

Bale, 29, has spent six rather successful seasons at Bernabeu, but his stay in Spain seems to be over since he spent most of this season on the bench and that he is known to have had a difficult relationship with Real recently. Zinedine Zidane, the boss back.

Owen left his Liverpool youth club for Real in 2004, but despite 16 goals for the Spanish giants, he spent only one season there before signing for Newcastle.

"I would not want to be somewhere that I did not want to and if Gareth feels that he is not getting the love that he deserves, then maybe it's time that's right." he's coming back, "said Owen.

"But his problem will be that there are not many teams that can afford it. I'm sure a lot of clubs would like to have it, but it's at a point in his career when he's no longer an investment – there would be no buying value, signing it would be like talk about the here and now.

"That will tempt some clubs, but I guess it may have to further reduce his salary and this is not an easy decision. Some players decide to go if there is a chance to win something, but others say, "I'm going to live another 60 years and I have 5 million pounds, which is important for me and my family."

"I would add that it may not have the appreciation that it deserves on the part of some, but I bet that when it is walking down the street in Madrid , he continues to attract fans who want to congratulate him for having scored a famous goal or helping them. win some Champions League titles.

Michael Owen is an ambassador for betvictor.com.