Bayern show the standard United need to get to on and off the pitch

Manchester United will once again be in the Champions League next season.

That represented a job well done for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last term but his ultimate goal is to make United capable of challenging for the famous trophy in the coming seasons.

Bayern Munich made it into this year’s final with a 3-0 win over Lyon last night, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.

It’s hardly cutting edge to point out that United aren’t as good as the German champions right now.

But their brilliance shows the work which still needs to be done at Old Trafford, and United could do worse than take some elements of their blueprints for success on and off the pitch.

On the pitch

Bayern don’t have a rigid, defined playing strategy like Barcelona or Ajax.

But everything they do is with speed – specifically passing and pressing – in a system geared to get the best out of the talents they have.

Solskjaer has so far not been as wedded to a tactical style as Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp, so perhaps the Bayern blueprint is closer to what he wants.

There is relentless consistency and professionalism coursing through this Bayern side, and those are the messages which have to be drummed into this young United squad.

FC Bayern Muenchen - Training Session — (S. Widmann/Getty Images for FC Bayern)

Off the pitch

In the era of the superclub, the very richest can afford to be wasteful in the transfer market and are largely insulated from dropping too far.

What sets Bayern apart is the way they are well-run to make the most of their resources – although it should be pointed out they can poach players from their domestic rivals in a way United never could in England.

As United flounder over the signing of Jadon Sancho, Bayern have already sewn up a deal for Leroy Sane for an initial £40.9 million (Guardian) – a fraction of what we’d need to pay for the England man.

On top of that, they’re always on the hunt for young talent and Alfonso Davies has enjoyed a sensational breakthrough campaign.

They also treat their fans well, like most German clubs.

As per Statista, their most expensive season ticket for 2019/20 was 765 euros (£690), a full £260 less than United’s costliest for next term.

No club is perfect, but United becoming more like Bayern off the pitch may lay the foundations for that required improvement on it.

Manchester United fixtures after the international break