Former Manager Tony Pulis Calls for Stability at Manchester United

Former football manager Tony Pulis has argued that Manchester United need organizational stability rather than another coaching change. Writing in his column, Pulis analyzed the ongoing struggles at the English club following their heavy 4-1 defeat against Como in the Champions League.

Michael Carrick was appointed interim manager in January to stabilize the team. Although performances initially improved and United finished third to secure Champions League qualification, Pulis noted that such temporary improvements often fade. Players who briefly raised their standards frequently return to previous habits, leaving Carrick under mounting pressure.

However, Pulis emphasized that squad construction problems extend far beyond the manager. Since 2021, previous head coaches Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag, and Ruben Amorim spent over £1 billion to recruit 27 major signings. Under Carrick, an additional £150 million was spent, primarily on three midfielders. Despite this massive investment, Pulis questioned how many of these inherited players Carrick would actually have chosen himself.

Financial realities also complicate management decisions. Clubs often protect squad market value, which prevents managers from openly criticizing underperforming assets in public. Meanwhile, internal tension has surfaced. Defender Lisandro Martinez recently questioned the club's recruitment strategy publicly, while captain Bruno Fernandes offered critical post-match comments after the defeat in Italy.

Pulis stressed that successful leadership requires establishing firm principles of hard work and collective spirit. If the club had maintained a consistent strategy earlier, many current squad issues might have been avoided. Nevertheless, Pulis believes changing managers again will not solve the underlying structural challenges at Old Trafford.