Manchester United has undergone significant change since the Class of ’92 were playing regularly, but have the core principles remained?
When Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of Manchester United, he had a strong presence throughout the entire football club. As such, he created a minimum standard that had to be followed by everyone, or you risked being left behind or moved on.
The Class of ’92 made their way into the first team during the 1990s, departing Eric Harrison’s youth setup. Like Ferguson, Harrison ensured that all of his players met the high standards of United before being allowed to progress into the senior squad.
While the Class of ’92 have now moved on from their playing days, they are forever bound together by their brilliance on the football pitch and the businesses they have now created away from it. Although Salford City FC is now only owned by Gary Neville and David Beckham from the United players who once purchased a stake, the Class of ’92 also have their own university – University Academy 92 (UA92).
The university was founded on 11 core principles that many of which were taken from United and Ferguson. They are as follows:
- Academic learning
- Life skills
- Work experience
- How to survive in demanding workplace situations
- Leadership skills
- Peer group analysis
- Participative learning
- Fitness (both mental and physical)
- Presentation skills
- Financial skills
- Work ethic
While they are just a set of guidelines for a university, they also represent the values that United once held. In the ‘Glory Days’, United players showcased all 11 principles on and off the pitch as they fought for title after title. But, do they still exist today?
How far have United fallen?
United aren’t close to the levels they once reached under Ferguson, with many different reasons theorised over the years. But the core principles held by UA92 could finally provide United fans with the clarity they are looking for.
While some principles are harder to measure than others, it’s clear that the United players who represent the club today aren’t held to the same standards, especially those who have come through the academy system.
Academy players in recent years have failed to show critical thinking and teamwork qualities (the ‘Life Skills’ principle). Since the days of Jose Mourinho, United lineups have been released hours before confirmation, which only harms the team’s chances of coming out of a match with all three points.
There have also been cases of greed at the club, where players demand more than they are worth, or are even just selfish on the pitch.
As for surviving in demanding workplace situations, United players have been known to down tools when the side hits poor form in the last few years. Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Erik ten Hag both struggled to motivate the squad in the last days of their United tenures.
This seems to have improved under Rúben Amorim, but there is now a lack of academy players in the first team, raising the question: Is United the problem?
During the ongoing international break, Amorim revealed what United are looking for in the academy players today: “First of all, it’s an honour to play for Manchester United, and sometimes, some young players take that for granted. Next, you have to look at the physical aspect, because it’s very important for playing in the Premier League.
“Then, you have to help the kids manage media attention. You have to be very careful when a young player plays a match, not to overhype it. That’s been a problem in the past. Finally, talent and work ethic. That’s what we look for in our players.”
United must go back to their former principles
While Amorim has clear standards that players must meet, it can’t be demanded of them when they reach the under-21s, just before making their senior debut. The young players of United must follow the core principles throughout their journey at Old Trafford. Otherwise, they are just playing for another football club, not the greatest club in the world.
UA92 have developed a set of guidelines that prepare a student for life after education, but those principles could also be used as a baseline for the next set of United standards. Academy players should be subject to the same standards, as they will then be prepared for a life fighting for the Premier League, or a life outside football if they don’t make it.
For United to get back to the very top, the club needs a complete overhaul from top to bottom. Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to have started the process with the new recruitment team and transfer strategy, but that is not enough.
The principles created by the Class of ’92 for their university are 11 simple guidelines, but they could shape the next generation, both at UA92 and Manchester United.
Why 11? Some may ask, as, on the face of it, it is a curious number. But, of course, that is the number of players in a football team, and that’s exactly what United must become again. A team.
The days of 11 individuals looking to succeed for themselves must be over.
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