Manchester United banter 81748

 

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25 Feb 2019 07:49:33
Hi Ed001, hope you’re good.

What did you make of the game/ result yesterday? Surprised you didn’t go for the kill.

Also this glut of muscular injuries affecting us, do you think this is related to fatigue? Wasn’t it said that we ran less and sprinted less when Jose was in charge? Poor preseason conditioning?

{Ed001's Note - the game was terrible and I am surprised by how Ole is being treated on here. The last 4 games or so you could have had Pulis managing and you would have struggled to tell the difference. Jose would have been crucified for setting up the team the way it has been playing, but Ole gets plaudits, I don't understand it. This is the same way of playing that Phelan brought in when he was setting up the team under Fergie, in a period that the vast majority of United fans complained about the football. It is not an answer to injuries, it is the way he thinks about football, defensive mindset, lots of long balls into the corner and massed bodies behind the ball the moment it is lost.

As for Liverpool, I think mentally the team looked like a team who had gone in thinking a draw at Old Trafford was a good result and so never got out of first gear in an attacking sense.

As for the injuries, all 4 players were known to be in that 'red zone', in Lingard's case the medical staff wanted him left out altogether. Ole took a chance because it was a big game and it could end up costing him in the smaller ones to follow. They were all soft tissue injuries, which is at least more likely to occur when fatigued, so it probably is down to covering more ground and a lack of rotation. To get the players up to fitness, you are going to have to go through injury problems, it takes a few months, but it should be worth it long term. Though that does depend on who gets the job in the summer.}

Agree0 Disagree0

25 Feb 2019 10:43:33
I have to disagree with you ed. I never saw players putting their body on the line for mourinho. Nor i think they will do for Pulis. Ole has brought much needed confidence in this team and moreover the players are enjoying the freedom as well as are disciplined.

Have to agree that we haven't been very attacking last few games but there is no any lack of fight from players (which was clearly visible before) . Players believe in this manager and that is the reason why we have been getting results even without being on our top.

Ole has shown that he has that man management skills required to control the ego in dressing room. Furthe his down to earth personality is very hard to dislike.

I have been enjoying our games since Ole took charge. We have improved massively in every aspect and i believe we will become better in days to come. Hence, i have no idea how anyone could debate on the level of positivity and progress ole has brought to this club.

{Ed001's Note - how is that a disagreement? You clearly know nothing about Pulis's style of play if you think players would not put their body on the line for him. That is what his game is about. So you are agreeing with me. And it is what Mourinho's team were about when they were successful, the fact your current players were not doing it for the club says more about the attitude of entitled babies the club has on its books than it does argue against what I said.

I am sorry but what man management skills has he shown? All he has done is come in and be the opposite to Mourinho. Instead of being confrontational, he has been friendly and put an arm round players shoulders. He has not yet shown man management skills. And I emphasise the yet.

You have been enjoying games? The last 4 have been dreadful to watch. It has been just like the Jose era when I have given up watching out of sheer unadulterated boredom to do work instead in most of them. Not yesterday for obvious reasons. You are just being swept along because it is a former player you all love. So long as the results continue, that will be fine, but how long are draws against Liverpool going to be the aim, rather than the minimum? Your team cost more to assemble, you have a higher wage budget, but you have had expectations lowered by previous failings and that only lasts so long.}

25 Feb 2019 10:53:49
I still say Ole's the best man for job but if he were to get it full time I'd prefer a different assistant to Phelan. And a sporting director in. I won't hold my breath on that last one.

We do need an overhaul. We have about 9 of the starting 11 but they can't and won't play every game of a 50-60 game season. We do lack strength in depth and yesterday showed it. I'd have liked to have seen Chong or Gomes on the bench instead of Lingard but given the hype around the game I guess he didn't want to risk that. Hopefully they get an opportunity over these next games. He's talked enough about playing young players now us the time to do it.

I was surprised at Liverpool. Looked like they came for the draw, saw the injuries and just settled for the point. I thought they'd have gone for it though. The 3 points and the confidence boosting result probably would've tipped the balance.

{Ed001's Note - have you not seen Liverpool's recent record, and Klopp's, at Old Trafford? I am sure he was delighted with the result.}

25 Feb 2019 11:18:21
Thanks for the reply Ed, I agree with you regarding the Phelan issue, we suddenly have the best defensive record since Ole took charge. No coincidence? And I think Queiroz and Meulensteen were more expansive No. 2’s.

Don’t think Ole should get a free pass if he risked Jesse, I was surprised he was even on the bench considering most hamstring injuries are a minimum few weeks out. Would liked to have seen Sanchez in that central, roving, role.

Do you think you’ll win the title? (I know you’re very superstitious! ) .

{Ed001's Note - Ole will get a free ride for now, for the same reason Emery is getting an easy ride at Arsenal, because he is not the previous manager and the majority of people were just desperate for a change. That is not necessarily a bad thing, as it gives them time to prove themselves on their own merits, rather than having something to live up to.

I can't answer that. I am too superstitious to say yes or no, sorry.}

25 Feb 2019 11:30:42
Yes your recent form hasn't been great. A win yesterday would've reenergised your team. I'm sure he's happy.

The last few games haven't been great but a point I'd like to make is people questioned Ole's tactical ability. Especially after the PSG game. Chelsea and yesterday showed that he does have some grasp and I thought the team in both games did a good job. Not every game is going to be free flowing full on attack and I accept that. If Jose had been in charge and did the same in both games I wouldn't complain. The complaints against Jose were when he was doing it in games where we should have been attacking.

As I say I can accept it in certain tight games. It is a results business. As long as we see attacking football in the majority of other games. We all recognise the limitation in the squad, not making excuses, but their is a lot of work to be done between now and August to get this side to where we want it to be. Next season I expect a challenge. I expect attacking football in 90% of the games and would accept well drilled tactical shutouts in the difficult games. I expect 5-6 departures of those no longer good enough. I expect 3-4 good signings, 2 starters 2 squadmen and 2-3 youngsters promoted.

{Ed001's Note - so how does that explain Burnley? You played the same way there, even though it is just playing into their hands. This is not a one-off, this a manager who has gone from being there for fun and having no chance of the job long term to being in with a genuine chance of getting the job.

You have gone from being about performance to being about results.}

25 Feb 2019 11:33:20
Haha Ed, keep wearing your lucky pants!

For me, yeah I’m loving the optimism that Ole has brought in, however without meaning to sound too negative, there’s still a chance that we will miss out on Top 4 and not win the FA cup (Champions League is pretty much a write off) . Then where does that leave us and Ole?

{Ed001's Note - and that is the problem, he should have been purely about performances, but now he is showing what happens when results are more important.}

25 Feb 2019 11:53:19
Okay Ed. Let me ask you one question. How many other managers would have done what ole has done till now? I know it is hypothetical but even you would not have guessed that ole would have won 8 league games and drew 2, forget about the win against arsenal and chelsea. It is not just about hugging players and being friendly with them. That is not enough to get 26 points out of 10 games.

It is clear disagreement. You are not willing to credit ole whereas i am. We are on same side that we have not been very exciting to watch past few games but we did have some similar phases during SAF era. We played poorly yet won games. Under Ole, we have won by playing amazingly well and won by playing average. How can i complain about that. The win against Chelsea was disciplined and we were not very defensive as you claim. I have every bit of idea about Pulis's style and i am not saying that players won't be putting bodies in line for him. What i am trying to suggest is Pulis may not have been able to get same effect as Ole. And to talk about Mourinho, i would not have crucified him if he had adopted similar style and won 1-3 against arsenal, 0-2 against chelsea and drew 0-0 against liverpool (considering our injuries) .

He has been here for two months and improved almost everyone. Hererra, Matic, Pogba, Rashford, Lindelof, Lingard, etc almost everyone has improved. He certainly has been going to each one individually and showing his care towards the players. I do think that being friendly with players, putting arms around them falls under man management category. All players are individuals and as all human beings do want personal time of the manager.

I certainly have been enjoying games because in last couple of years, this is the first time i feel we can beat anyone. We can play poor but still i feel we have the chance to beat any team. I do think there is an emotional part of me respecting our ex player but it has nothing to do with what he has done for our club so far. It was nearly destroyed under Jose this season but Ole has rejuvenated the team. That is the reason why i am supporting Ole. We certainly are not sad with a point against liverpool but it is all because of the abundance of unwanted scenario we had in the game. With Matic, Herrera out, martial, lingard out, and rashford playing with just one leg, i think it is fairly positive result.

Yes our team cost a lot to assemble and our players are on extremely high wages but that has nothing to do with Ole. I agree we have been investing very poorly and i hope that we will be investing carefully in the future. If ole spends three hundred million and still can't challenge for the title then will be the time to judge him. Not now when he has not spent a penny on transfer market.

I am not getting carried away but at the same time i will not discredit Ole for what he has done.

{Ed001's Note - any manager should have got those results actually. I am sorry but you are just a blinkered fan and this is pointless. I am really not going to waste my time sorry.}

25 Feb 2019 12:05:21
Cant argue with that but as soon as people started talking about him getting the job full time then the pressure came in to get the results. Burnley is the worst result he had in the league. And that's something he has to learn from. I'm not saying he's the perfect man for the job. But for me there's a lack of contenders.

{Ed001's Note - and I would agree. Firstly though you have to get rid of Phelan if he does stay or performances will end up like that far too often.}

25 Feb 2019 12:06:02
What are you on ed? Pulis type football

We've made more chances conceded less and attacked more since ole has come in we've beaten spurs arsenal and Chelsea all away and we have done it attacking.

Your not telling me it was a simple case of giving the players a hug to get them attacking and winning

I know sometimes we have our own bias opinion on our own club as supporters but to say the last 4 games have been boring I don't agree with that we've lost 1 of the games against a PSG side that's are a much better side given it was even until the second half we've also kept 3 clean sheets in those 4 games Fulham away you should be doing but still.

Go back 10 games ago we were conceding on average nearly 2 a game

Use didn't get a sniff yesterday and that wasn't because liverpool were dreadful we didn't allow the space for use to get in behind and use the pace of your forwards to get in now if that's not a tactical play.

Ole deserves his credit he's taking us from a shambles and i think everyone on here is enjoying the football again.

{Ed001's Note - whatever. You stick to your purple pills and think the world is wonderful because you have your Solksjaer back. I will live in the real world where you were defensive hence not conceding any space, unlike your nonsense talk of it being great tactics, it was Pulis like. It was exactly the way Pulis set his teams out to play against Liverpool. Nothing great, just good organisation, just the way both Pulis and Mourinho see the game.

You are just like those anti-Wenger Arsenal fans who refuse to see any fault in Emery and blame it all on Wenger.}

25 Feb 2019 12:25:44
Yes I said I'd not like to see Phelan involved but I believe he's off at the end of the season anyway. Hopefully they don't try and make him permanent.

25 Feb 2019 13:08:55
atm the world is wonderful compared to 10 games ago we 10 games unbeaten in the league and have been playing our best football in years.

the stats don't lie,

we needed a miracle 10 games ago to get into the top 4 we were 11 points off and were an embarrassment

we are in the QF of the fa cup and we have played some good football along the way

even with purple pills we set up the best way we could with our depleted team, no martial no matic then mata, Herrera and jessie got injured and rashford was playing with 1 foot for 80 minutes.

ole will get his fair share of criticism like any other manager but as of yet he has done nothing to get it.

so may the hugs and smiles continue.

{Ed001's Note - stats are misinterpreted though, just as you are doing. Context is king in analysis, sadly you have none through your rose tinted Ole is wonderful glasses.}

25 Feb 2019 13:13:11
and the burnley game wouldn't even have been a draw if it wasn't for there keeper. how many saves did he pull off.

25 Feb 2019 13:19:00
This is the first time since 1986 that we have beaten Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea away in the same season, I disagree any manager could have got them results.

I said when Ole got the job we just needed to enjoy the ride, see what the season brings and then worry about the next manager at the end of the season. It hasn't been perfect but it has been a hell of a lot better, you can't play great attacking football every game and I think once we don't have our first 11 / 12 we don't actually have the quality to play how he would like us to.

I do think people forget the years under Fergie when he was with Phelan, the football wasn't great but we got the results.

I don't think you can suggest people can't be happy and optimistic how things are going though Ed, we are the only English team unbeaten domestically in 2019 despite struggling with a few injuries recently, I remember you saying a few weeks back you can't judge him until after we lose a game and see how he reacts, and we reacted with a 2-0 win at Chelsea and a draw with the 2nd best team in the league, fairly decent if you ask me.

{Ed001's Note - did I say you couldn't be? I don't understand where you read that? What I said was the style of football is no longer the stuff you all wanted but you are still acting like it is.}

25 Feb 2019 13:54:14
I agree with Ed on this. The style has gone down in the last few games and is a lot similar to the way Fergie used to play with Phelan.

As soon as results stop then fans will turn against him and will look at the likes of Poch and co. I just think Ole really wants the job and and should be given if i am honest as i don't think Poch will be any better.

25 Feb 2019 13:59:36
Jeez Ed, harsh but true. I made the same mistake of saying the exact same thing and was heckled off the site for saying anything that some didn't agree to. But you are safe as you own this place.

The first 3 games and then first half vs Spurs were good entertainment. Will leave the cup games out of the discussion as those are usually adrenaline more than football.
We have been woeful for quite a few games but people do not want to face facts. They will throw in your face things like shots on goal even when most have been from 200 yards out by Pogba or over eager Rashford. Someone pointed out the Burnley GK made many saves but when you tell them that De Gea saved us against Spurs, they will tell you that that is the GK's job. Tinted glasses.
The fact is that any manager would have had the same impact after Jose and all the negativity around him. But because its an old trafford legend at the helm, everyone is expected to tow the line and say positive things. Yes, the results have been flattering but the performances have been lethargic. Going by yesterday's performance, the game could have been played at Anfield. If Jose were incharge people would have said that liverpool were there for the taking but we didn't go for it. If he had brought on Lingard, he would have been roasted. But its Ole, so we need to say it was a tactical masterstroke but it didn't work because we were unlucky. Where is Scholes now or Giggs. No negative comments? Nothing on performance because its a mate incharge.

The injuries have had a toll on us and the boys have stood tall and made it count but why didn't they do the same in the first half, because they were scolded. If the lads defended like they did yesterday earlier, we would have been in a much better situation.

{Ed001's Note - the question is whether Ole can keep it up long term now, as he has the backing from the crowd, but I can't see it happening with Phelan in charge.}

25 Feb 2019 14:11:52
Now now ed001 did you get out of the wrong side of the bed or did you think Jurgen almighty was going to roll us over. I thought Liverpool were abysmal, we were there for the taking. God I’m praying the blue half turn your shower over. Your fans are the most delusional fans on the planet. You slate is for buying crap and overpaying for players yet every Utd fan knows this where as we haven’t won the league for 6 years but how long is it for your lot.

{Ed001's Note - you just sound like a bitter little boy. I agree Liverpool were abysmal. I never slated United for buying crap etc. Just keep out of the convo as it is clearly over your head and all you want to do is whine out your bitter little rant which has nothing to do with the thread.}

25 Feb 2019 14:16:29
You sound very bitter Ed tbh.

The football is better than under Jose no doubt. The ball is moving forward quicker which was an obvious start for Ole. Using the players strengths and keeping them happy and motivated.
What is he supposed to do in the games he has had? Come in with a revolutionary style within a dozen games and have the players wondering what they are supposed to be doing again like the last 3 managers? Why would he when he's not guaranteed the job anyway?
Ole is doing the simple things. Players in the right positions and playing a style that contrasts what we saw under Jose. The players are enjoying playing again which is clear to see and the results are better.
Ole has not earned the job but has certainly earned an interview. None of us know what his long term plans are for the team if he got given the gig full time. that's a convo between him and the club.
None of us are saying the football is perfect but we are a lot happier than 3 months ago. Liverpool have had some pish teams in the last 20 years and now we have to listen to how great they are but at the moment their trophy cabinet tell a completely different story. A lot of Liverpool fans are very bitter about Uniteds resurgance and are quick to spoil the good feeling around the club but I compare you to the Leeds team back in the early 00's at the moment. All the plaudits, all the potential but nothing in the bank to back it up and will be remembered for not winning a thing. If Liverpool don't win it this year then the wait will go on for awhile. Spurs and City will strengthen no doubt. As will United depending on who the manager is. I don't think Liverpool have the legs left to fight for this league now and I can't wait for Klopp to be analysed like Ole and found out for the over rated manager he really is.

{Ed001's Note - me bitter? Why would I be bitter? Grow up. What is there to be bitter about? Why do people have to be so childish and personal?

Oh and I agree the long ball forward is much more Pulis-like than Mourinho-like - it is thrown forward very quickly, which is Pulis's tactics, that was my point.}

25 Feb 2019 14:21:35
I do agree with you to an extent ED001, the football in seasons 10-13 really wasn't that great, Mourinho like 2005-10 and before that it was all about the width, getting it forward quickly, purely attacking.

However, we've witnessed dreadfully boring football under Moyes, LVG and Mou regardless of the teams we were playing, whether it was top 4 or the bottom three.

The fans, myself included, are maybe blinkered with Ole due to the way he's turned our season around, 12 points (i think) of the top 4, now we're fully in the battle for CL football. The football was very good in his first few games, more defensive in the last few games, Liverpool Chelsea PSG and Burnley (where resting Herrera was a mistake) .

If he was to get the job and played open 'attacking' football against the 'lesser' teams and more compact, organised and defensive against the top sides i personally wouldn't have a problem with that. He says the right things (which might not relate/ matter much), not we aspire to be like City, or should lower expectations, or we should be more like City, L'pool etc.

Also hopeful that he'll target 'United' players in the transfer windows, players like Rashford, Martial, Pogba, young players with bags of potential and ability, not those like Lukaku/ Fred, who he doesn''t seem to be fans off, if he stays i feel as if he'll want Lukaku gone. Instead of targeting the likes of Perisic/ Willian/ Boateng/ Maguire, he'll go for the likes of Brandt/ Lozano/ Sancho/ N'Dombele etc.

Maybe with the right players, certainly a solid defence, the football will constantly be attacking rather than conservative in certain games, he maybe doesn't trust some of the players in the current squad, who are either not good enough or past it (Sanchez Valencia) .

We've tried the risky appointment in Moyes, the experience in LVG, the winner in Mourinho, so why not Ole? A risk, yes, but one that i hope the club will take, he's got Pogba, Rashford playing some of the best football of their careers, Matic and Herrera have been fabulous recently, he's seemed to have revitalised the defence, some of whom aren't that good, especially after having their confidence annihilated by Jose, even De Gea's gone back to his usual scintillating best after his poor start to the season. Yes he has his flaws but he's young in management, inexperienced to an extent, but right now, i really couldn't be happier with Ole.

Ultimately, the football might not be exactly the way some of our fans think it is, but it's a lot better than recent years, also would take him over the overrated Pochettino who seems to be the only other target.

{Ed001's Note - and I understand that, my point is not that I am anti-Ole or think he is doing a bad job, my point is that, if people really want to see his initial style of football that it won't happen if Phelan is around as his number two.}

25 Feb 2019 14:25:44
The devil is always in the detail.

Under Ole we play countering attacking football. We press higher and try to hurt teams in the transitions. We are direct. We move the ball forwards rather than sideways. Utd have never really been a possession based team. We have always been more direct and attempted to create chances. In recent games against the better teams we have been pushed back where we have had to be organised and disciplined.

Even when we have been pushed back the players have defended more positively. There is a desire to put pressure on the ball, to stop crosses and track runners which wasn't evident previously hence the abysmal defensive record.

Our forwards are now positioned higher and play with much more pace, movement and fluidity. Before they were static and immobile. We were predictable and one dimensional.

Ole has to work with the players in the squad. Not everyone is suited to this kind of game hence the likes of Lukaku, Sanchez and Mata have struggled and the team has looked less dynamic when they have played.

The next step is to build depth in the squad with the correct type of players.

If we want to become one of the best teams in Europe then we will need to keep better possession of the football. We need to invest in a deep plying play maker that can control the tempo of the game so we don't get pushed so deep and become less predictable.

To suggest that Ole is employing tactics similar to Mourinho only suggests to me that you haven't watched Utd on a regular basis. Like I said the devil is in the detail.

As it pains me to say Liverpool are better than Utd at the moment. We were ravaged by injury and disruption yesterday and in the end a hard working, organised, disciplined performance almost won us the game. We lost our ability to press from the front without the likes of Herrera, Lingard, Rashford (injured) and Martial missing and we lost our pace and fluidity in attack. Don't underestimate just how much that effected our style and game plan. However The application and work rate was commendable which we didn't see under Mourinho.

We have deficiencies, we are a work in progress, but for the first time since Fergi retired we have an identify. If you want to call that Mourinho or Pulis-esk that's your prerogative but dare I say it doesn't really represent the reality.

Anyway football is all about opinions. We all see the game differently. From a Utd perspective I expect to find the next few fixtures tough with injuries to key players which will undoubtedly impact on our ability to press from the front and counter attack effectively.

{Ed001's Note - Mourinho and Pulis are totally different and I never said it was Mourinho like at all. I said Pulis like. The constant instructions to Lukaku to throw his weight around more, very Pulis. The long balls into the corner, rather than down the middle to a big man, very Pulis-like. The trying to keep a couple up to offer the opportunity to play it down the line is also very Pulis-like. Also the packed deep defence consisting of the rest of the team is also Pulis-like and the organisation of the defence is Pulis-like. The devil is in the details, you are right and the details say you are playing a very Pulis-like way. The fans will put up with it because it is Ole, at least for now, but it does show how things change the moment he suddenly felt it mattered what results he got as he got within reach of his dream job.}

25 Feb 2019 14:27:22
I don't think anybody is calling for a Keegan at Newcastle where we just attack in every game, some games you have to be more tactical or you'll get beat. The problem with Jose was that we played that way in every game and in the end it wasn't even getting results.

The Burnley game is somewhat of an anomaly in the games against the lower teams, he made a few changes and the players he put in were not as good as the first team, I think it mainly shows us that we don't have the squad capable of playing the fast flowing football that the first 11 can play which isn't really new to anybody who has watched us play this season.

I am not sure the best attacking manager in the world could get the fast flowing football out of a team containing Young, Smalling, McTominay, Pereira, Mata and Lukaku, but Ole has shown that he can get that football out of our better players.

I am still yet to give an opinion on whether he should get the job but he is certainly doing himself no harm and the players are playing for him.

{Ed001's Note - if the decision was in your hands would you give him the job? If so, would you keep Phelan as well?}

25 Feb 2019 14:51:50
I think your being the childish one ed. can't take a bit of banter. Are you Souness in disguise.

{Ed001's Note - if that is your idea of banter then I will stick to ignoring you thanks. You make Mort's jokes seem intelligent and witty.}

25 Feb 2019 14:59:37
We'll have to agree to disagree Ed.

Lukaku's not normally in the team. When we have the likes of Herrera, Lingard, Martial and Rashford available we press from the front and our football is more dynamic.

Let's not kid ourselves football is a results business. I remember having this debate about Mourinho. The tide changed when he stopped getting the results. Like I said at the time I can appreciate a truly world class defensive team as much as an attacking one. There is more than one way to play the game and beauty is often in the eye of the beholder. Once results suffer it doesn't matter what type of football you play.

Like I said we all see the game differently. I've enjoyed the football recently I didn't see much of Pulis's teams but he sounds like a football genius to me 😉

Enjoy the rest of your week Ed keep up the good work you've certainly provoked fierce debate which is what football is all about! 👍.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate you too.}

25 Feb 2019 16:07:35
I don't read to much into liverpool and united games they are always crap .
We had a lot of injuries so ole had dig and get a result, but you don't see a great deal of decent footy in united liverpool games imo .
Got to say tho i thought we where excellent to week before against chelsea . Phelan can stay if we continue to play like that .

25 Feb 2019 16:08:25
Ed001, eat your Snickers, mate 😁.

25 Feb 2019 16:27:03
Is ed001 sourness?

25 Feb 2019 16:28:32
Opened up a nice debate Ed! I agree that perhaps his mindset has changed now that the results are positive and Micky Phelan is influencing that. Would hope Carrick and McKenna would try and exert a more attacking game.

I think something else to notice is we’re far better suited to away games, counter attacking ala Fergie’s best teams. It’s fair to say our worst performances under Ole have been at home. So would love him to play high press at home.

25 Feb 2019 17:01:06
The results are not very pulis like. Fouls conceded not pulis like, goals scored from set pieces not pulis like. Poo passes completed not pulis like distance coveted not pulis like. In fact i'm not sure what is pulis like.
I can't remember pulis winning 10 drawing 2 games in a stretch.
I don't know if ole will get the job. If he gets top 4 i reckon he deserves it. My guess is he will have just as many points as Liverpool from when he started and both teams will have played everybody at least once in that time.
Ole is doing ok with a very average squad inherited and at a very low ebb.

{Ed001's Note - what has all that nonsense you quoted got to do with it? Pulis has never managed a team with the quality of player Ole has in his hands. If he had, I am sure he would get much better results.}

25 Feb 2019 17:15:45
I think a tad harsh on OGS, Ed001. I was against OLE getting the interim job in the first instance. I thought it was a PR stunt by Woodward to get fans back onside (still do) Woodward hasn't a Scooby doo.

But what I've seen since Oles take over is better results and better football (stats can be misleading, but the uptake in chances/ goals/ conceding less is quite incredible) You might not be surprised by the games he has won/ points tally, but I certainly am.

I agree that the last few games have been pulisesque, snatch and grab in a way. But I think those tactics have been adapted due to the fact that we have a lost a number of key players, key due to the way OGS sets up and wants us to play. No getting away from the fact that lukaku and mata do not offer the same as martial and lingard.

It's going to be interesting over the next few weeks to see how he can adapt due to the loss of key players. I think it does highlight our lack of depth in certain areas.

Overall I get what you are saying ed, but I do think it is a tad harsh as he has, the majority of his time in charge, tried to play decent football.

25 Feb 2019 17:16:39
Interesting discussion guys, some good points to take amongst the differing opinions but let's dial it back on the sniping at the Ed. There's no need for it. Keep it civil.

25 Feb 2019 17:15:45
I think a tad harsh on OGS, Ed001. I was against OLE getting the interim job in the first instance. I thought it was a PR stunt by Woodward to get fans back onside (still do) Woodward hasn't a Scooby doo.

But what I've seen since Oles take over is better results and better football (stats can be misleading, but the uptake in chances/ goals/ conceding less is quite incredible) You might not be surprised by the games he has won/ points tally, but I certainly am.

I agree that the last few games have been pulisesque, snatch and grab in a way. But I think those tactics have been adapted due to the fact that we have a lost a number of key players, key due to the way OGS sets up and wants us to play. No getting away from the fact that lukaku and mata do not offer the same as martial and lingard.

It's going to be interesting over the next few weeks to see how he can adapt due to the loss of key players. I think it does highlight our lack of depth in certain areas.

Overall I get what you are saying ed, but I do think it is a tad harsh as he has, the majority of his time in charge, tried to play decent football.

25 Feb 2019 18:21:41
I was not sniping at all. I know better than that. Always respect 001's view and opinion but we often disagree which is fine there is a healthy respect shown and earned on both sides.
Our football and players do not and is not pulis style imo.
Pulis teams intimidate foul and hack people all over the pitch that's a main trait of any pulis team and that is not reflected in our play at all. No more so than liverpool chelsea or city.
Using the channels the way we have done is not by 50 yard diagonals trying to isolate a big man against a small full back a pulis team trait. Its been balls behind into space vacated by attacking full backs for rash lukaku or martial to run their cb out there in an uncomfortable position.
Its not pulis like at all in that way.
These tactics have been under doubt when lukaku plays central because that is not his preferred run or when mata plays wide that movement is not his strength.
So he has played lukaku wide and mata more as a 10 with rash and jesiie or martial making the runs off the ball.
Now he has to change again as he only has 2 fit attackers he may use young as a 3rd or change the whole formation. It will be interesting to see what he does. Really is down to the bare bones.
Where i agree with ed is that our football style has not been great under ole i think the 1st thing any suppers wants to see is endeavour a desire to win succeed and to be the best you can be. In the main we are seeing that from most players most of the time.
So in that respect i'm delighted.
Id rather play a more possession based faster style of play but that's not possible with our personnel just now.
Im happy with the results very happy. i'm happy that all the players are giving their best. They all appear to be pooling in the 1 direction.
Whats not to like just now?
We have a squad put together by 4 managers in 6 years.
So whoever the next coach is needs to prune it and then add to it so at least 90% of the squad is fit to play in his preferred style.
In an ideal world ole would like to have 6 quick mobile forwards only 3 of his 6 are.

25 Feb 2019 18:50:50
Great assessment there Ken in fairness. I think that's very fair.

25 Feb 2019 19:14:00
Ed001 has some points which deserve acknowledgment. If we look at the bench when OGS arrived we started to see Gomes, Chong and Greenwood flirting with the team and a sense of a chance for youth. Since the building rumours of a permanent appointment Ole has been selecting experience over them. I actually noted this in recent games. You could take it as a sign that he has tightened up, isn’t as relaxed, feels he has a chance of the job and that results are the best way to get it. On the other side his tactics have been more direct but in fairness he has a set of players who are not a coordinated unit and there is more than one way to play.
I said on here that Ole made a mistake with the introduction of Lingard but most only want to see the goodness of one of our legends.
Personally there is inexperience and nativity in Ole, it’s to be expected but it is one reason why we need to be careful with the permanent appointment. He would need a more forward looking No2, perhaps a Muelensteen or someone inspired and external to the club. We had 27 years of SAF methods, which worked in its day but will it work in the next 10 years?

Ole has steadied the ship but right now I still lean towards Pochettino personally.

25 Feb 2019 19:47:21
When we have had our first 11 fit we have often looked really good in attack . Rash martial and Jesse between them have movement speed and skill and look likely to catch teams on the break . In midfield when we have pog Herrera and matic we can look solid and pogba can maraud
The problem comes when we have to take any 2 of those 6 out there is a pretty big drop off in how dangerous we look . Mctom and perrera can be solid but let's face it we wouldn't challenge city with them, a couple of midfielders with good ability who can take it to the opposition as well as defend would give us a 3 from 5 option in midfield and allow a bit more rotation and rest .
In attack I can see the attraction of Costa, you may not think he's a particularly nice guy but he's fast and maybe Sanchez and Lukaku give the ball away too much .
Maybe we have slightly over hyped how good our football has been under ole but his results are great and we have looked good on lots of occasions but there is a drop off in performance when our first choice side isn't available .
Credit to him to as CB has looked much better imo since he took over .

25 Feb 2019 21:06:45
Good post redman I agree with you as in if I had to select our next manager now it would be poch. He has a team that was well behind us last season, we moan at only buying Fred for fifty million but he has spent nothing in two windows and duznt even have a home ground and yet spurs are well ahead of us and look like breezing through in the champions League . I'm not anti ole but spurs rarely go down with a backs to the wall effort they go down swinging, hopefully we have money available and a clean slate to what type of football we want, at the moment it would still be poch for me .

25 Feb 2019 21:51:05
Probably missed it in all that drivel. Did you say that the last four games had been bad? I really enjoyed the Chelsea game, what was ao bad about United that day?

25 Feb 2019 23:38:57
Klopp will have been pleased with result. A loss at OT could have had a big psychological affect on Liverpool players.

The first half did feel like a Mourinho performance.

The second half was better. As the game went on United looked the better team and more likely to score.

That said it won't go down in history as a great game between the two rival clubs.

A draw was a good result for both teams.

Who ever becomes our next manager, we do need another top winger.
Sanchez is luxury we can't afford, who flatters to deceive. Yesterday he did play better.
The PSG game showed that once Martial and Lingard were gone, we lacked pace.

With the Crystal Palace game on Wednesday, I wouldn't be surprised to see Chong and/ or Greenwood on the bench. Much depends on whether Martial and Rashford are fit to play.

26 Feb 2019 00:01:46
Football has been poor. Ole is benefitting from his history with the club as well as a to be expected bounce effect. I have no doubt he can become an excellent manager, however he shouldn't be learning his trade at United. United is a massive job not too dissimilar in many ways to what Poch took over at Spurs. Poch has exceeded expectations at every club he has been at. Take a moment to consider what that might mean at United!

Breaks my heart to say it, however I can't help but feel that Ole is simply trying to 'be Fergie' - but that strategy won't last. Ole has brought back discipline, emphasised club values and brought a smile to the club. But that's not enough, and with the greatest respect could have been done by many people. Paul Ince was actually correct - he just looked too smug saying it.

Even if 'we' get top 4 and an FA Cup - which I don't believe we will anyway - I'm not totally convinced. However, I still expect him to get the job!

26 Feb 2019 23:03:35
Phelan, was (under SAF) and is an able, by the book coach who won't reinvent the wheel anytime soon. I do recall yearning for Rene in the last couple of SAF years.

But on the evidence of the first few games under Ole, do u reckon that phelan may have grown as well or perhaps having that Carrick/ McKenna influence in the dressing room may somewhat nullify phelan's antiquated ways?

I'm leaning towards "no, he is still the same" as much as I don't want it to be the case.







 

 

 
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