Jason Wilcox given massive responsibility of implementing playing style at Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United newest appointee, Jason Wilcox, will be charged with the responsibility of bringing some order to the chaos that has been Erik ten Hag’s playing style this season.

One of the biggest gripes United fans have had over the years is the fluctuating styles of play that have seen large shifts from a possession based structure of Louis van Gaal to a much more counter-attacking system under Jose Mourinho.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer largely used the same counter-attacking principles as the Portuguese but then Ten Hag’s appointment placed a greater emphasis on ball possession.

Nonetheless, it seems not even managerial continuity can stop United from drastically changing their style as Ten Hag inexplicably opted to rip up his more original structure to try and become a transition-based side, with incredibly questionable results to date.

The primary problems of this constant flux are not only that it becomes impossible for players to get used to a system, but it also renders much of the playing staff bought under different coaches as useless when there is a change of manager and hence style.

It seems that INEOS have taken notice of this problem that has plagued the club for years and the hiring of Wilcox had this very issue in mind.

It is important to remember that while the new technical director was working as sporting director at Southampton most recently, the Englishman made his name while working at Manchester City, where he has been lauded for his work with the City academy in terms of playing style and identifying youth talents to be promoted to the first team, such as contemporary Premier League superstars Phil Foden and Cole Palmer.

Wilcox’s appointment at United was confirmed last week and it has already been reported that one of his main jobs will be to assess Erik ten Hag’s suitability to lead the Red Devils moving forwards in terms of his relationship with the players and his ability to implement a playing style.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already stated publicly that gone are the days where the manager at United has sole responsibility for deciding the playing style and this will now largely be controlled by the sporting department.

According to a report by The Telegraph, it has become clear that is also very much in Jason Wilcox’s remit.

The outlet states, “it is Wilcox who has principally been tasked with implementing an overarching playing vision and ensuring recruitment is no longer of the scattergun variety but anchored towards a specific methodology, identity and style of play”.

In addition, “Wilcox’s appointment was driven by Omar Berrada, United’s incoming chief executive who worked closely with the 53-year-old at Manchester City before the former Blackburn winger took over as Southampton’s sporting director in January last year”.

“And it is not by chance that Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have looked to people with a track record of excellence. At City, the style of play is immediately apparent whether you are watching their Under-10s or first team. United want the same thing, even if it is too early to say precisely what that the so-called game model will be”.

Until all the pieces are put together, it is hard to say with certainty what direction the club will move but one thing is for sure. With the appointments of highly successful football people like Berrada, Wilcox and Dan Ashworth, at least there will be a large degree of method behind whatever decisions will be taken.

This has certainly not been the case in the Ed Woodward, John Murtough and Richard Arnold eras.

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