27 Dec 2015 08:20:14
I'm sure it's Ed002 who has said in the past that we should not rule out managers such as Conte, Allegri or Koeman.

If LVG was to get sacked soon, could you see any of these taking over from him? I'd guess the timing for these guys to come in wouldn't be ideal.

Allegri has done brilliantly with Juve and they have found their form over the last 2 months. Koeman is doing very well at Southampton and based on how much they want to hold onto players in January I can't see them letting their manager go. Then Conte has 6 months to the Euros.

If not any of these guys as well as Mourinho, Pep and Ancellotti, it's a struggle to think of a leading contender should LVG be sacked.

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I did indeed say that RJ. Obviously things are now changing.}

1.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 09:03:53
I honestly think blanc would be a good appointment. His availability may be an issue but come the summer things may change.

{Ed002's Note - PSG are already one of the clubs looking to see what can be done with Guardiola and will, if needs be, force Laurent Blanc out in order to make way. They will offer a certain amount of latitude with the team but they are wary of FFF regulations, FFP and the fans craving major French players being recruited. They will get a very early indication of how Guardiola feels about PSG and I suspect that he will immediately turn down any approach with a language barrier and other options available. It is difficult to see Guardiola opting for PSG and I suspect they will shore up the defences and offer Laurent Blanc a new contract.}

2.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 09:45:16
With things changing then Ed, does that mean that Jose might well be a contender? Other than him, there aren't too many available unless we look for a younger manager who may be deemed more of a risk as Giggs isn't the answer imo.

It's looking more likely by the hour that Van Gaal will leave. After Jose was sacked, I was adamant that Van Gaal would end up going and Mourinho would come in just after the Chelsea game.

{Ed002's Note - The club don't want him whereas another club does.}

3.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 10:17:07
Thanks for the info ed. Hope your having a good Christmas holiday.

4.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 10:43:41
Hi ed thanks for the info.

Are any managers that we may well be interested available now as it's looking increasingly likely Lvg may be releaved from his position? Or will it be a case of waiting til the season is over.

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - He will almost probably leave due to the behavior of the so called "fans" who don't support the club, have no idea how the business is run, have no understanding of the goals of the business, and certainly do not realise the damage they do. This is the new breed of pestilent "fans" (like many you see here) - not "supporters".

The obvious thing to do would be to appoint Giggs until the end of the season and cancel all plans for January. That would give the club time to start looking around to see who might be available to take over in the summer.}

5.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 10:53:14
It's all just a mess I hate the uncertainty and bad press and surely at some point whether it's this manager or the next or the next we are going to have to show some patience otherwise success will be a distant memory.
The theory that a new manager will come in and everything is OK is alien to me I just can't see it happening all it will mean is that we have to start all over again.

{Ed002's Note - The club cannot keep starting again. They don't want vG to go but are equally aware of certain quarters of the press also trying to push him out.}

6.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 10:57:34
Thanks for the info Ed. Clears a lot of things up.

Just out of curiosity Ed002, who do you believe is the best fit to take United forward should LVG end up going? I'm not talking about who's available etc but who you think is best suited for the job?

{Ed002's Note - I can't easily separate the availability from who would be best suited - but I can say that if he were not being driven from the club by the rubbish fans and had the opportunity to see his time out, a 5 year contract offered to Massimiliano Allegri from the summer of 2017 to his planned retirement in the summer of 2022 would have been the absolutely perfect solution - and have no doubt about that at all. It was also very much the plan. However, that will no longer be an option.

In terms of who will be available in the summer Antonio Conte would probably be the best option available in my view. Whilst efforts are being made to have Conte extend his contract with Italy beyond the European Championships he will be aware that there are options available with Roma, amongst others, looking for a new coach. Antonio Conte will be aware that there will be options in England and may wish to have his representatives make any interest and availability known to Chelsea. Manchester United is a potential option that I would put forward although the septic fans seem to be going out of their way to make the club as unattractive as possible. Coaches will be aware of this.

In the longer term and perhaps with Far Eastern institutional owners we might see a step change and one of the high-profile managers or coaches from the Far East given a shot - the likes of Hajime Moriyasu, Ong Kim Swee or Kiatisuk Senamuang?}

7.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:02:27
Ed002,

You must understand the frustration at what has happened at the club over the last 6 months? The style of play is appalling but while we were getting results many were happy to see what happened. Now we are playing with a terrible style of play and seem incapable of winning a football match, the players seem bored and when we go behind there seems to be no fight in anybody to get back into the game or 'throw the kitchen sink at it' like we are used to.

I'm not sure we are overreacting suggesting we would like a change, what in the last 6 weeks has suggested to you that LVG has any idea what he is doing?

If you follow this page you will know I am a glass half full guy and I always look for the positives, I get a lot of stick for being like that, I pay my hard earned money for my season ticket and for the last 7 home games United haven't scored before half time (and many not in the 2nd half either) . I am bored of watching us but I will still be there, I just don't understand how what is happening is meant to be part of some long term plan under LVG, as the way it is going we are going to struggle to finish top 4, when LVG came out and said he thought we could win the title.

I am not sure he will leave because of the 'behaviour of the so call fans', isn't he more likely to leave because of the poor results and style of play he has brought to the club?

Not having a go, just putting my opinion across as I don't think it can all be fantastic behind the scenes and not sure the poor results can be blamed on the fans.

{Ed002's Note - It is not suggesting a change it is second-rate fans trolling social media and internet forums over and over again with the same tiresome points. It is how it has become here, a site primarily aimed at transfers, is being dragged down by these vegetables. Certainly that is true with the primary troll on the site, one that knows zero about the business nor how the club is run - nothing, nada - and seems to have very limited knowledge of the game. Yet over and over again he brings his tiresome, pitiful and embarrassing message demanding the owners sack of the manage and the chief executive. The club had a primary plan going forward and had options it would consider - that will all be gone any time now. Great job.}

8.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:27:10
As a fan I'm quite embarrassed by the whole thing tbh ed.

{Ed002's Note - Good for you Deano.}

9.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:38:07
Is that why we aren't seeing messages from that person anymore Ed or am I thinking of the wrong person?

Is there no way a similar 'business plan' can be continued to be implemented by a manager who can get us results in the short term as well?

{Ed002's Note - It means changing everything completely - the plan between now and 2017 and the plan from 2017 to 2022. The club has worked to put these plans in place and they will soon need to be scrapped.}

10.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:38:56
Really interesting info Ed002, thanks.

Looks like Conte will be the best and most realistic option in the summer then. Others like De Boer, Blanc etc will all likely be linked in some way as well I'd imagine. However, we really look like a club without a plan at the moment. Buying players for vast sums, still having an extremely unbalanced squad and a manager who has been rightly criticised imo, managing a squad who just look devoid of any confidence or any belief in what they are being told by the staff.

One outsider who I would guess has 0% chance of getting anywhere near the job is Berizzo who's the Celta manager. He's done a wonderful job there and made them into a top 6 side in Spain.

11.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:45:51
Ed002, thanks for your insight. I think it is the first time I have seen Allegri talked about in terms of our succession plan. I always believed the club wanted Guardiola due to similar 'Philosophy' to LVG.
I like Conte, thought he would be great after Sir Alex but then he took the Italy job.
Mourinho to me is a choice I can't decide on. if he carries on his current ways I don't want him near our club. however deep down i have this belief he genuinely wants, a long term project to finish off his legacy before international management.
Might be wrong
Is Pochatino someone being looked at? Whether he would leave spurs yet or them let him go!

{Ed002's Note - I don't suppose that Pochettino has or will be looked at by Manchester United.}

12.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:50:51
is embarrassing. But this is what the x factor generation demands and expects. Everything on a plate straight away.

Yes the style hasn't been great and the early part of the season with wins papered over it. But the last half a dozen games the blame has to fall on the players. They just cannot be bothered and that's a disgrace.

Ed couple of questions if you don't mind.

Has the attitude of the players had any impact at a higher level like the board?

Will there be any repercussions for any players whose effort has dipped and contributed to the removal of the manager or will they get away with it?

The other day you said last season there were 10 targets and 8 were achieved. Would you be willing to share what the targets were?

Many thanks.

{Ed002's Note - (1) The business structured in such a way that there are effectively three boards – at the lowest level, the board are aware that the players are not so much struggling with attitude problems but with the rigors of the training techniques. LvG has said that whilst he does not really understand this, he is willing to compromise somewhat. (2) The problem with changing manager under such circumstances mid season is where do you go next. It fouls up the long term plans so do you give the job to Giggs until the end of the season and then get someone in with experience to steady the ship next season before getting back on track? Hodgson? Another year for Giggs? Or do you go for a solution the club really doesn’t want (Mourinho) and try and make the most of it? Do you scrap the January transfers plans and put all efforts in to getting someone like Guardiola to join at the end of the season? How does that work in terms of summer transfer plans – a new top of the range goalkeeper will be required – does the club wait until the new manager arrives in the summer or does the club move based on gut feeling of the scouts and Giggs or whoever?}

13.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:52:28
ed002 while i don't disagree with u about this social media bashing of the manager by fans, u can't blame the fans or the media if lvg gets sacked, pundits have been crying about our football since start of the season, and there always will be few fans who want the manager sacked, i remember that rainfish guy on this site who disliked fergie with passion, now we have beast who does the same about lvg, the problem starts when things go down hill on pitch.

Lvg had many fans gunning for his head last year too before the we started winning games against the big teams to conform our top 4 position, had we lost then, most fans would have wanted wanted him sacked last season itself. We are right now in a situation of lvg's making rather than fan's, had we won against psv or wolfsburg and still been in ucl and won even 1 of the games against norwich or bournemouth, most fans would not be wanting lvg gone, in the end lvg's faith will be decided by the results his team produces on the pitch.

{Ed002's Note - You are happy to have the club run by pundits? Perhps the fans will be back behind him tomorrow when Manchester United beat Chelsea.}

14.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:53:37
I'm guessing then the plan was lvg until 2017. He retires, the club gets sold and then allegri?

Sound like the club already has buyers lined up.

{Ed002's Note - There was no "sold" in the plan - that is a secondary matter. In terms of "buyers", it won't work like that Mor.}

15.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:55:42
Do you think Ed002 that the club/ board will be strong enough to stick to their plan of LVG until 2017, despite the pressure of fans and media?

{Ed002's Note - I rather suspect that van Gaal will eventually tell the club he i in an untenable situation. We'll see - certainly it is not something the business had planned for nor needs at this time.}

16.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:56:14
Good post GDS.

I am not sure what I watched yesterday. The performances in the first half from some of the players was beyond poor. Some looked like they couldn't be bothered and wanted to be else where. That isn't the manager's thought.
Regardless of them liking the manager or not, they get paid an obscene amount of money to basically kick a football about. They should at least be professional and cognizant of their responsibility to the fans and the club.

I am genuinely gutted about what is going on. Gutted and concerned.

I don't know where we go from here to be honest. The manager won't be able to turn this around now as it is plain to see that he is being hounded out. That said, I think he has lost the team so I am not sure keeping him on will do any good. So we basically go back to square one by bringing in another manager with his own ideas and player list.

I know it won't happen, but I think only SAF would be able to get the best out of what we got.

As it stands, we are 9 points of the top of the league. After losing 4 on the bounce, that is't an insurmountable amount of points to claw back. But with the game tomorrow, can we afford to leave the manager in charge if the writing is already on the wall for him?

17.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 11:57:07
Thanks Ed002 - it's always good to get your broader view. But aren't you giving the fans too much clout in regards to Managerial changes? I mean you always get moaning fans - If we don't win it's a disaster, if we scrape a win "we haven't won in the United way", if we do thrash someone "we can't we do this every week? " - it gets dull quickly. I always thought that the board weren't that fussed on the fans' views, just on keeping the financial situation on track. I reckon it's the fear of missing out on the CL that will put LVG's head on the block rather than fans moaning. If you look at Chelsea, the fans supported Mourinho right to the end (and beyond) - it didn't save him.

The Allegri info is fascinating - I wonder if it would be possible to attract him a year early, if LVG goes. I've defended LVG for a long time, but I can't see him surviving until the summer now.

Sorry for the ramble.

{Ed002's Note - Sadly fans can influence matters more than they should- they are not long term supporters of he club but this new generation of knuckle-dragging morons who would not go to games if their club got relegated. They want to spoil things for others more than anything. Allegri will not be available next summer.}

18.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 12:08:03
Liverpool fan here. Ed, I need to strongly but respectfully disagree with your opinions on the fans in this matter.

I don't think this is a problem with a 'new breed' of fans. United fans initially treated Fergie just the same way, and that was in bloody 1989, certainly an era of an apparently more noble breed of supporter.

They may be a little more impatient these days, but that's because clubs have become more impatient. When clubs become more impatient, fans become more impatient.

I indeed stand from a point of ignorance here, but whichever KPIs LVG has been set that he's apparently achieving, they don't seem to be very ambitious. If LVG is still satisfying his KPI targets while his team is winless from 7 games, looking less and less likely to make the top 4 under his tutelage while generating massive discontent within the home crowd, then those targets do seem rather frivolous.

I don't think fans necessarily need to know how the business is run in order to feel dignified in whichever way they feel about the club. Which fans actually do? You seem to be one of only a select few football fans out there privy to this exact information, but even you won't tell anyone. No one needs to have the specific business goals of Man Utd down pat to feel dignified in voicing their concerns over the massive underachievement and erosion of identity that is currently unfolding on the field. LVG is without a doubt failing at what matters most, and I don't think you need to be informed of United's business plan to confidently say that.

{Ed002's Note - (1) Could you send me a link to the web page where the Manchester United fans were treating Ferguson this way 26 years ago please. (2) Nobody has ever mentioned "KPIs". (3) What is it you don't think I am telling anyone? What makes you think I am a football fan? Whay are you sending in such an embarrassing post?}

19.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 12:17:48
A new goalkeeper Ed002?

So De Gea will indeed leave at the end of the season?

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}

20.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 12:22:27
Thanks Ed002.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

21.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 12:34:18
Thanks ed.

Its moyes all other again. That's two managers now. Makes me wonder who this lot would play for. i'd certainly be bouncing some out.

And who cares what the pundits say. Second rate players mostly who never won anything. Most of them are loving this and having a good chuckle.

22.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 12:56:29
Thanks Ed, brilliant info and makes you think that we don't know the broader outlook on what's happening at the club and to think fans have so much power is frightening really. Sounds like a mess doesn't it, not just the who is available but who do you get, who do you stick with, transfer plans up the wall, before we know it we're another year in transition and when does it become a decline. I've been one of the guys that's said maybe it's time for a change, mainly due to the style of footbsll, but reading this change is something the club doesn't need every few months, it needs stability wether we're top dog or not, one things for sure if we keep chopping and changing we will be in dissaray for an ongoing period.

23.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 12:56:29
Thanks Ed, brilliant info and makes you think that we don't know the broader outlook on what's happening at the club and to think fans have so much power is frightening really. Sounds like a mess doesn't it, not just the who is available but who do you get, who do you stick with, transfer plans up the wall, before we know it we're another year in transition and when does it become a decline. I've been one of the guys that's said maybe it's time for a change, mainly due to the style of footbsll, but reading this change is something the club doesn't need every few months, it needs stability wether we're top dog or not, one things for sure if we keep chopping and changing we will be in dissaray for an ongoing period.

24.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 12:59:53
Based on the information you've given Ed002, it looks like the most likely scenario/ best case scenario is LVG to go and Giggs to take the position until the end of the season.

Then in the summer, try to get Conte and effectively start again. Throw in trying to sign a replacement for De Gea as well.

It really is a mess.

25.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 13:00:47
ed002 i am not saying that, pundit's opinion should not even be considered when manager's future is in question, just that most fans like it or not are fickle, it is not just utd but same with chelsea, liverpool, Barcelona or madrid, i am pretty sure that 3-4 match winning run will get majority fans off van gaal's back, however much people want to try and pretend that they are not but truth is that most fans are fickle, lose against chelsea and most fan forums and other social media thnigs will have a meltdown, but win 3-4 games along with the chelsea win and most will go back to every thing is going well mode.

26.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 13:00:47
ed002 i am not saying that, pundit's opinion should not even be considered when manager's future is in question, just that most fans like it or not are fickle, it is not just utd but same with chelsea, liverpool, Barcelona or madrid, i am pretty sure that 3-4 match winning run will get majority fans off van gaal's back, however much people want to try and pretend that they are not but truth is that most fans are fickle, lose against chelsea and most fan forums and other social media thnigs will have a meltdown, but win 3-4 games along with the chelsea win and most will go back to every thing is going well mode.

{Ed002's Note - It is not the same with other clubs - with the possible exception of Liverpool fans who constantly abuse the owners, management, past, present and potential future players.}

27.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 13:30:19
HI Ed, Would you consider Paul Scholes an instigator of the attitudes expressed by these plastic fans? Or just a pundit going with the flow, and Is there any bitterness from the board at United toward him?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

28.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 13:15:40
To be fair, I think the majority of proper fans are embarrassed by the likes of banners over OT. Those sort of stunts make me cringe.

Yes, there's a bit of booing after a couple of bad results, but in general I think those who go to the games, and those like myself, who've followed them before the glory days and who try to get over as often as we can, are fairly supportive of our bosses.

As for the folks on social media, that's another thing.

29.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 13:22:13
'possible' exception ed? please! You without doubt called Liverpool fans the worst of the lot. That's more than just 'possible'!

All fans are bad in their own different ways. Chelsea fans are bad in the way that if Jose Mourinho told them to jump off a cliff, 100% probably would.

{Ed002's Note - The standard Liverpool fans trick of trying to divert everything away and then blame Chelsea is really, truly embarrassing. You may wish to stick to the Liverpool page rather than making the Liverpool fans a laughing stock on a page where the Manchester United fans seem to be doing a good job of making themselves a laughing stock.}

30.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 13:52:59
Your insight has been a brilliant read Ed, very grateful thanks.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome Andy.}

31.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 13:53:22
Blaming Chelsea for what?

Diverting, or just defending? I'm not denying that Liverpool have she*p fans, but saying that we are inherently just worse than everyone else is a stretch. A football fan-base's behaviour is a product of their club's circumstance.

And no thanks, I don't mind it here sometimes!

{Ed002's Note - It is the standard trick - embarrass yourselves, then bring Chelsea in to it. As to your comment that a "football fan-base's behaviour is a product of their club's circumstance" is simply palpable nonsense. You have done enough to embarrass the Liverpool fans for the day.}

32.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 14:02:24
i disagree ed, all fans without exceptions are the same, only difference is tolerance levels vary on basis of the manager's past records especially with the given club, best example of that is arsenal, they oscillate between sack wenger and wenger is useless when arsenal lose 2-3 games to wenger is god when arsenal wins 4-5 games on trot, chelsea fans were mostly supportive of mourinho due to his past performances with chelsea, had that been any other manager and they would be behaving the way utd fans are doing right now, same goes for madrid fans who aren't exactly happy with rafa right now, and he is in a lot better position than lvg is.

{Ed002's Note - You are getting like the Liverpool fans - you are trying to make it about someone else and coming up with these ridiculous statements such as "all fans without exception are the same".}

33.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 14:13:42
🎄FESTIVE GREETINGS ALL🎄

Some really epic replies there Ed! They had my frown upside down at times😂.
Is anyone in for Butland? He is a very talented young keeper. And unlike De Gea, he has no problem with rollicking his defenders into shape etc.
I know people ain't going to like this, but I think we have to stick with Van Gaal. We have injuries, and really need a striker. We are in transition (Liverpool fav) and the team chemistry (I actually don't play FIFA much) will take a while to build. I could spend a month disecting what the problems are. But like most, my opinion counts for zilch!

Either Lukaku or Kane in January would be perfect for me!

Keep up the good work guys! 👍💪.

{Ed002's Note - Stoke would like Butland to stay.}

34.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 14:14:08
A great read ed and more solid information than the entire so called press have given us in months thanks for your time.

35.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 14:18:52
I don't understand why you can't comprehend what I'm saying. Did you not consider that maybe Liverpool fans bring up Chelsea fans when you attack us. because you're a Chelsea fan? Can't you see the relevance?

To paraphrase what you said, 'Unlike United fans, Liverpool fans will also attack past management'. Maybe because United fans do not have any reason to attack the past management that won them 40-odd trophies in the last 30 years? So of course it's a product of circumstance. Just like how Chelsea fans deify Mourinho to the point of sheer delusion because he is their 'special one' that elevated Chelsea to relevance.

If you as a Chelsea fan, attack Liverpool fans, then I don't see why you take umbrage with Liverpool fans like returning serve about Chelsea fans. You also have a very warped idea about what embarrassing oneself is.

Still, I love your work on here.

{Ed002's Note - I am not a Chelsea "fan" - I support Chelsea but don't care at all what your opinion is of them. Liverpool fans bring up Chelsea as they are seemingly obsessed with the club. Why paraphrase anything I said, people are able to understand it - it was plain English. You are tedious and an embarrassment to the decent Liverpool fans - you have done a fantastic job of making the Manchester United fans understand that they are not the only laughing stock in English football. Don't post on this page anymore.}

36.) 27 Dec 2015
27 Dec 2015 18:41:17
Lukaku to replace Rooney
Butland to replace De Gea
Inigo Martinez to be brought in and Rojo sold!

Cresswell in Jan to cover Shaw?