In an interview with The Mirror, former Manchester United legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel showed his deep understanding and long term perspective on the current situation of Manchester United. He not only expressed his support for the team's new manager, Jens Ten Hagar, but also offered his insights on the road to United's revival.
Schmeichel began by emphasizing the competitive nature of the Premier League, noting that winning the title is not something that happens overnight. He, as a fan, naturally hopes that United will outperform last season, but he also understands that it takes time and effort. He mentioned that United is currently in a period of transition and needs to make steady progress instead of rushing.
Talking about the new chairman of the club Ratcliffe, Schmeichel said he agreed with Ratcliffe's "three-year plan". He believes that the revival of Manchester United is a big project that requires patience and long-term planning, rather than simply attracting reinforcements to quickly improve performance. He especially mentioned the Old Trafford stadium facilities, suggesting that the club needs to make comprehensive improvements and upgrades in both hardware and software.
On the current state of the team, Schmeichel said that while United have made all the right noises, there is still a lot of work to be done on the practical side. He specifically mentioned the team's injury problems, with Luke Shaw's recurring injuries in particular worrying him. He believes that the health of the players is key to the team's success and that United need to be more careful and scientific in managing the fitness of their players in this regard.
Schmeichel also showed caution when talking about the integration of new players. He believes that although the introduction of new players is an important means to enhance the strength of the team, it does not mean that all new players will be able to immediately adapt to the style of play and team culture of Manchester United. He emphasized that new players need time to adapt and integrate into the team, and this process may not be smooth.
Finally, Schmeichel expressed his confidence and expectation for the future of Manchester United. He believes that as long as Manchester United can stick to the right direction and move forward steadily, they will definitely be able to return to the top of the Premier League. At the same time, he also reminded the fans to remain rational and patient, and not to place too high expectations or exert too much pressure on the team.
