Erik ten Hag must be given three years to change the culture of Manchester United from top to bottom.
Above all, United's manager-in-waiting must make sure the recruitment is right, and that players at all levels – from the academy to first team – understand what it means to wear that red shirt. Nine years since Sir Alex Ferguson delivered their last title, and five years since Jose Mourinho landed their last trophy, United have sunk back towards the pack and there is no quick fix.
Ten Hag's first ask will be to establish whether playing for United is about money and glamour – or is it a question of respecting the values instilled by Fergie and Sir Matt Busby before him?
Where there was once a pathway from the youth team to the big stage, I have seen petulance, players throwing their arms up in the air or not tracking back to help out their mates. What some players get away with now, on and off pitch, would never have happened in the Class of 92 era. They would never have kicked a ball for the club again. But there are some fantastic people at the club who will be valuable allies for Ten Hag.
New chief executive Richard Arnold is a good man who understands football. Nick Cox, the academy director, is a terrific guy (whose under-18s have reached the FA Youth Cup final), youth coach Neil Ryan's father Jimmy played for United and Darren Fletcher understands what it means to represent the club. For Ten Hag to implement his philosophy, he needs to be given a minimum of three years.
The feeble defeat at Goodison Park last weekend must be regarded as rock bottom, and everyone – including the supporters – must understand the rebuild is a long-term project. As I said, recruitment will be key. How many players United have signed in the last 10 years have improved, or seen their market value rise substantially? Go on, name them. It won't take long. Ten Hag will be the face of the rebuild. But the keynote of a Manchester United revival must be a renewed pride in the shirt and what it means to wear that badge.
A big day in latest Klopp vs Guardiola battle
It's strange to think that Liverpool's dream of the quadruple – or Manchester City's pursuit of the treble – will be over this weekend. Clash of the Titans 2.0 at Wembley is as hard to call as the 2-2 draw in the Premier League last Sunday. I thought City were the better side at the Etihad and, on chances alone, they should have won. Pep Guardiola's decision to start Gabriel Jesus was a masterstroke, and Liverpool's defensive high line was a risky strategy, but they did well to come back twice.
Some of the messages coming out of the Liverpool camp seemed to suggest they were disappointed with a point and, yes, the title is still in City's hands. But both clubs reached the Champions League semi-finals in midweek – Guardiola is in the last four for a record ninth time – and both are capable of winning their last seven Premier League games, so the title will probably go right down to the wire.
The feeling among fans who call Six-0-Six is that Pep will never be happy at City until he wins the Champions League with City, and the holy grail is still within his grasp. After City's torrid 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid – which was a test of nerve and left Kyle Walker injured – I fancy Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp to nick their FA Cup semi-final. But there's a fair chance they will meet again in Paris at the Champions League final next month... but will there still be a Treble or Quadruple on the line?
On the subject of the FA Cup semi-finals, I feel sorry for Conor Gallagher, who has been refused permission to play against his parent club in their match against Crystal Palace. The whole point of the loan system is to give young players game time, to develop their skill set and to enjoy a first-team environment on a regular basis. Gallagher has had an outstanding season on loan at Crystal Palace, so it must be a crushing blow for the lad that he will miss their biggest game of the season against Chelsea at Wembley.
I can just about understand the rule which says you can't play against your parent club in the league. I can get my head round that. But I would change the rule that allows parent clubs a veto on players being allowed to play against their employers in cup competitions. There is already a rule in place to stop you appearing for more than one club in a cup competition during a season. It's called being cup-tied – we don't need any more.
Despite Gallagher's absence, I have a sneaking feeling Palace are going to surprise Chelsea. It's going to be hard for Thomas Tuchel to lift his side after they went 3-0 up against Real Madrid but still went out of the Champions League. Even in defeat, that was probably Chelsea's finest performance in Europe. But broken hearts don't mend easily, and Palace have the firepower to cause a shock.
