If I am manager of Manchester United (Part 1)

If I was Manager of Manchester United, I would be sackable, Haha..like every other manager, including *gasp* ! Sir Alex Ferguson. But, with 2 seasons gone and not with nothing to show, changes are inevitable, right ? So lets imagine this scenario ; Sir Alex is sacked in May after United finished 2nd in the league and lost the FA Cup Final to Blackburn. The board signs a relatively unknown manager with little experience (thats me !).

Backroom Staff
Like most clubs, when the manager goes, the whole backroom staff leaves too. But I would retain most of them. Carlos Quieroz would remain as my assistant while Dr Mike Stone, the club doctor, Robert Swires, the physiotherapist, and Albert the kitman are some of those who will stay. Martin Ferguson though, will follow his big bro through the exit door. He's mainly responsible for donkeys like Forlan, Djemba and Kleberson.

Transfer Market
With the 2005-2006 budget spent on Rooney last season, we'll need to sell to buy. I'll get rid of Carroll, Bellion, P. Neville, Quinton Fortune and Miller. With that and the sale of Djemba to Villa, I'll probably recruit in another 15m pounds. As for the goalkeeper, I have faith in Howard. His 1st season was superb, he's just suffering from that 2nd season syndrome. I'll also give Kleberson another chance. He won the World Cup so he must be something, right ? Who on earth can I buy with 15m ? A replacement for Keane ? A new keeper ? A creative midfielder ? Keane will be 34 in 2006. So perhaps thats the first priority. So who are the candidates ? Gattuso, Emerson, Marquez, Gerrard would be ideal. But with only 15m, I'd go for Gattuso. I love Italians. Haha

Tactics
This is gonna be tough. My favourite formation is the 4-2-3-1. Howard would be my no.1 , Neville, Ferdy, Silvestre and Heinze make up the back four. Keane, Scholes, Gattuso, Kleberson would battle for the 2 central midfield berth. Giggs and Ronaldo would start on the wings, and Rooney would play in the 'hole' behind Ruud van Nistelrooy. Sounds simple ? For away games, or tougher home games, I would go for a 4-3-2-1 or a 4-1-3-2. Against teams wilth stars like Ronaldinho, Kaka, Robben, a 4-1-3-2 is quite useful with an extra man-marker.