John Barnes says next Man Utd manager must copy key Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool trait

John Barnes says whichever manager takes charge of Manchester United in the summer must be given full control of transfers and picking the team.

The Red Devils are in the process of appointing a new manager to replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick when his spell ends at the end of the season with PSG’s Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax boss Erik ten Hag the frontrunners for the job.

United need a manager who can get them challenging for trophies once again and help bridge the gap to Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Old Trafford outfit aren’t even guaranteed a top-four finish this season with Chelsea and Arsenal currently in the Champions League spots.

Liverpool legend Barnes has seen how Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have been given time to build squads capable of challenging for titles, while Thomas Tuchel and Mikel Arteta have had to make big calls with transfers and dropping players.

He feels giving the new United boss the same sort of control is the most important thing for the club’s plans to become stronger.

‘When it comes to Mauricio Pochettino’s struggles at Paris Saint-Germain with individual players, Manchester United haven’t got the same type of names that PSG have such as Neymar and Messi,’ he told BonusCodeBets.

‘PSG are unusual because they are by far the best team in France, so their players have an easy ride all the way through – apart from the Champions League. The comparison between both clubs isn’t there to be made.

‘The most important thing for Manchester United’s new manager is having complete power. Who has the power at Liverpool? Jürgen Klopp. At Manchester City? Pep Guardiola. At Chelsea? Thomas Tuchel. At Arsenal? Mikel Arteta. That’s why they are the four best sides in the Premier League.

‘All four