The Duncan Edwards museum in Dudley added to their collection last week with a letter from the Worcestershire FA warmly congratulating the 15-year-old Busby Babe on signing for Manchester United.
It represented a key moment in history. More than any other individual, Edwards embodied the adventure and vitality of youth that turned United into a successful worldwide brand and produced decades of success lasting until Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Recent years have been less kind. Manchester has turned blue, with United lurching from one failed strategy to another. Even now, with club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm attempting to revive former glories, the global fanbase remains split as to whether he is the right man.
There are arguments on both sides. Backers will point to steady progress, with United in second place going into today’s derby, unbeaten away from home and in 10 games overall.
Homegrown talent is fashionable again, with Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood leading the way and the training ground is again full of club DNA, with former players Mike Phelan, Michael Carrick, Nicky Butt and Darren Fletcher on the coaching staff.
But some will argue the current manager is out of his depth. United are four years without a trophy, their longest run since the Eighties, and have scored only once against the Big Six this season, in a 6-1 defeat against Spurs. They are 14 points behind City and their last three matches have been goalless.
Solskjaer has just a year left on his contract deal and is aware the club are approaching an important crossroads.
He strongly suggests abandoning another plan now would be foolish given they are still playing catch up eight years after Fergie’s departure, with Ed Woodward hiring and then firing David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
‘To makes things grow you need to bless them with some patience,’ said Solskjaer.
‘The more time we get, the better we will become. Every manager builds a team around a club’s culture. We have a culture at Man United we want to stick to. It was built from Sir Matt and Sir Alex; pace, power, quick attacks. It’s made the club successful in the past and I feel we are improving and getting closer to winning things again.’
City’s success down the road does not make the challenge any easier. Pep Guardiola has won 21 games in a row without having to rely on Raheem Sterling or Kevin De Bruyne every week.
United’s squad looks light in comparison. If Bruno Fernandes does not unlock the door, it often remains shut.
Solskjaer is adamant his group is closer to being the real deal, having steadily recruited to add to inherited talent such as Paul Pogba. And the boss sounds like a man desperate to be allowed the chance to have a real tilt at a title challenge next season.
‘We are getting a better and stronger squad,’ he said.
‘Some of them just need experience of playing in the Premier League. We brought in Alex Telles, Donny van de Beek, Edinson Cavani, Amad Diallo, Facundo Pellistri for this season. They need that little bit of extra time. Even Bruno has only been here for 13 months.’
Add a top centre-half, right-winger and centre-forward and there will be no excuses left.
Bruno’s role on Sunday is fascinating. The Portuguese playmaker has been world-class in many games but rarely showed up in the big ones. Solskjaer says others have to step up if he is being shackled.
‘Taking responsibility is important for anyone when they play. Don’t wait for things to happen, make things happen,’ he said. ‘We expect everyone to be a leader. I know teams are trying to man-mark Bruno, sometimes in football they try to stop your best player. And someone else will have to step forward.’
At least Solskjaer knows his side can beat City, having achieved it three times last season. ‘You have to attack and defend at your absolute highest level,’ he said. ‘You can’t just defend all the time for 95 or 100 minutes, your heart would stop.’
City have made light of this unique season with a congested fixture list and no crowds. This is their 42nd game since starting on September 21 and they’ve won 33.
Guardiola has found new ways to conserve energy and has taken the momentum of one competition into another, leaving City with the prospect of winning four trophies.
He said: ‘We have less meetings. Maybe that’s the reason why we have been winning because I don’t bother them (my players) as much. If you win it gives everyone confidence. Every night you sleep better, every day you train better.’
Whereas United struggled to replace Ferguson and the Class of 92, City have continued without Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Yaya Toure. The likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Rodri, John Stones and Ruben Dias have become new heroes.
‘We’d have loved to have Vincent eternally but the age is the age and unfortunately you have to replace him. And all of us,’ said Guardiola.
‘When the manager has to leave, the club mustn’t say “Oh, Pep is not here anymore”. There is no time to wait, you have to do it and the players are the same.
‘The lowest position after winning it was second. You see other champions fighting now to qualify for the top four.’
Football has changed immeasurably in 70 years but Solskjaer still wants to lead a club that retains the ethos of Duncan Edwards. The next few weeks should go a long way to deciding if he gets the chance.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com