Former Man Utd star reveals major structure change at Old Trafford and admits midfielder is ‘not the best’

The club have famously struggled to emulate any sort of success that had been enjoyed predominantly throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

The Scotsman had control over every aspect of the club during his tenure.

American defender Jon Spector spent three years at Old Trafford, and speaking to GB News via Premier League ticket comparison site hellotickets.com, explained his belief that United’s change of structure from Ferguson’s total control to a host of chiefs making decisions away from the pitch has led to their recent on-field turmoil.

“Under Ferguson, you had a system in which he controlled everything, and he did it extremely well,” Spector explained.

“Even towards the end of his tenure, clubs were starting to bring in sporting directors, technical directors, all these other kinds of support staff that were doing those other roles that he did all on his own.

“I think the club was maybe a little bit late to that, and also maybe initially when they did it, didn't always get the right personnel in or have the right framework and structure because Ferguson was such a talismanic figure and an individual. He embodied the club; he was the club.

“Then, to have a complete shift and say, 'Now, this is how we're going to do everything. We're going to have this reporting structure, we're going to have this structure in place with the technical director, the sporting director', that was a big ask, and I think they tried to do it bit by bit. I just think that transition was always going to be extremely difficult.

“If you think about it, he was the sporting director, technical director, the chief scout. He was everything. So then you have to bring in all new people; there was no continuity then with that. So I just think that was always going to be a really difficult task. His footprint is still there.”

With Amorim’s underwhelming first season in charge, and a whopping £220million summer layout - Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens the major arrivals - pressure was undoubtedly going to be high this season.

Three losses and just two wins from their opening six games, including a recent defeat against Brentford, has done little to quell those murmurs of discontent among United fans.

Ironically, though, United’s summer incomings have made good impressions early on, despite the club languishing back in the bottom half of the table, and Spector is keen to sing their praises.

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"Yhe likes of Mbuemo, Cunha, are pretty significant investments; I actually like what they've done in terms of the attacking group - Sesko as well," he explained.

“But again, I think people have to be realistic. This isn't a quick fix either. It seems like the way they're approaching it is a little bit more long-term.

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“If they're going this route, they need to continue to give the manager a bit of time to implement philosophy, ideas with this newish group of players and some of the other players that will be coming through.”

And while their attacking additions have been praised, despite scoring just three Premier League goals this campaign, a clear lack of midfield and defensive incomings was highlighted, with one midfielder in particular singled out as “not the best solution”.

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Spector continued: “Defensively and probably in the midfield [need additions]. There are still some areas that they can improve.

"Just looking at the fact that Casemiro is still one of the guys that I think they're going to need to rely on this season, at least in spells, is not the best solution going forward for the club.

“He has been a fantastic player, and he's still a very good player, but for the club and I think how the manager wants to play, I'm not sure that that's the perfect solution.”

But Spector concluded by refuting any idea of replacing current boss Amorim, insisting a managerial change would not get the club anywhere.

“How much would they have to spend on a new manager?" He questioned.

"If they wanted to be competitive and say, hey, we're challenging for the league, we're absolutely going to get into Europe - which they should get into Europe, to be clear - but challenging for the league, challenging for the titles, what is the outlay for that immediate result? I just don't think that would be sustainable or realistic.”