GARY NEVILLE has warned the next Manchester United manager they should not try to implement their own philosophy at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rejuvenated United since succeeding Jose Mourinho on an interim basis almost a month ago.
The Red Devils had become stale under their divisive Portuguese boss, whose negative tactics began to backfire after two seasons of moderate success
Renowned for his cautious approach, Mourinho won over fans in his first campaign by winning the League Cup and Europa League and, the following season, led the side to second-place as Manchester City ran away with the 2017/18 league title.
But his cursed third term delivered what everyone expected, with the 55-year-old picking battles with senior players and Old Trafford executives as the team’s performances became increasingly dour.
His final game against Liverpool – a 3-1 loss in which United faced 36 shots – epitomised the apathetic demise, and two days later Mourinho got the sack.
Sunday’s 1-0 victory against Tottenham under Solskjaer – the first United manager to win his first six games in charge – showed how far the side has come under his positive, attacking football.
And speaking after the Wembley scalp, Sky Sports pundit Neville sent a warning to the next permanent United manager, whoever it may be.
“No one should ever be allowed to enter Manchester United’s training ground or football club ever again and shape their own philosophy,” the former United captain told the Gary Neville Podcast.
“That is done. Manchester United’s philosophy is so deep, it’s so meaningful to that club. It’s like Barcelona’s, it’s like Ajax’s.
“At Manchester United, you play fast, attacking football, in an entertaining way, you bring young players through and give them belief, and you win.
“And the third one, to be honest with you, sometimes goes in cycles. The winning actually comes as a result of doing the first two right. The third doesn’t always happen – you can go years without winning trophies.”
There have only been three permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, but none of them have seen out their contracts.
“I supported David Moyes, I supported Louis van Gaal, I supported Jose Mourinho,” Neville said.
“I thought they would win at the football club and I said it at the time, so I’m not sitting here backtracking thinking that Manchester United made a bad decision by appointing Jose Mourinho.
“I thought this was a perfect appointment for a club because he cuts across everything and just does win, and did win in the first season – he won two trophies. But the league was what he was brought in to win. Louis van Gaal I thought would win as well.
“The money that’s been spent is incredible, but what I have found difficult over the last six years is the breach of philosophy… Young players have still played, but it seems that they’ve allowed managers to pull the club from pillar to post.
“No one should ever be allowed to enter that training ground or that football club ever again and adopt a different philosophy than the one that Manchester United have.
“What Ole’s done in a month is show [that to] Manchester United – irrespective of how the club do this season.”
Tottenham head coach Pochettino was upbeat about his side’s display in defeat, with star man Harry Kane’s ankle issue his main concern.
The England striker has been out with similar injuries in each of the last two seasons, compounding the first-half withdrawal of the limping Moussa Sissoko.
“I think I am worried because we will see what happens with Harry Kane,” Pochettino said. “I think Moussa is only a small thing but we will see, we need to assess Harry Kane.
“At the end I think he suffered a big tackle and twisted his ankle and now we need to assess him over the next few days, hoping it is not a big issue.”
Source:www.express.co.uk