30 Sep 2024 14:44:32
DLIB has written an article entitled, What Do Ineos Do At Manchester United Now
30 Sep 2024 15:51:29
Ineos will be deliberative but, ultimately. ruthless. They took a gamble over the summer by keeping Ten Hag. They had some good reasons to do so, not least of which being that it would have been an unpopular decision amongst a large group of the fans. I feel confident that they took some time considering the possibility that we could be in this situation and what they would do about it. The season could hardly have gotten off to a worse start. Ten Hag has already worn out the good will two trophies in two seasons earned. I expect they will act sooner rather than later, and I'm putting my money on RVN as interim head coach.
30 Sep 2024 16:13:23
In Ineos’s defence, most of the key new staff weren’t in place until the season ended, and a transfer plan would have already been in place before then.
It seems obvious that they were unable to identify a clear choice to replace ETH, and gave him an additional year to make it appear like the club was fully behind him. I suspect that the new team is working on a longer term strategy, and part of that is looking at who should succeed ETH.
My only real issue with what they did during the summer is spending big money on 2 ETH players. Ugarte and Yoro are, on paper, well thought out signings. Giving Bruno a new contract makes sense because he has been the best player at the club since he arrived. If you’re looking to the long term, the next manager should be in place before he is sold. I can even understand the RB, as he was reasonably priced and is more versatile than AWB.
Zirkzee was a baffling signing. The club lacks a proven goal scorer who could take the pressure off Hojland. Instead, they got a young false 9 who isn’t prolific. He seems like a very ETH player, but not one that would fit in many other systems.
De Leigt was even more puzzling. The big issues we had in central defence was lack of pace and versatility. Aside from Varane, our cbs tend to get sucked high up the pitch trying to win the ball. Martinez has the speed to get back into position, but Maguire and Lindelof don’t. Yoro is potentially a top class sweeper, but will need years to develop. De Leigt is very similar to Maguire. Likes to push up high and is very slow. He’s a better passer, granted, but certainly not a good fit with Martinez. Again, the only explanation is that he is a player that ETH wanted.
For me that’s the big mistake. Not giving ETH a one year extension, spending close to £100m on players that he wanted. Take time to consider the type of coach you want to bring in. Just don’t buy players that only fit the very specific needs of a manager that is clearly not here long term.
30 Sep 2024 16:14:15
I have no idea why anyone would think appointing RVN as a caretaker manager is a good idea? What’s the rationale for such a decision?
I presume he was carefully selected in the summer because he is closely aligned with EtH and they make decisions cooperatively (I fully accept EtH will have the final say)!
It may well happen, I wouldn’t be surprised, but what do you do with RVN and Rene Hake at the end of the season?
My personal opinion is they’ll stick with EtH for as long as they can. We were never going to challenge for the title so keep your eye on 4th, which at the moment is 6 points. At this stage of the season things can change pretty quickly and we are still in the Europa League.
Obviously if we continue to lose and put in abject performances they will ultimately be forced into a decision.
For those that want EtH sacked, you might not have to wait too long, but let’s be honest getting rid of another manager is only scratching the surface!
30 Sep 2024 16:31:03
If ETH goes it's going to be Southgate.
30 Sep 2024 16:51:35
Well said DLIB.
30 Sep 2024 17:35:59
Ten Hag has long felt like it's merely a matter of time, he is going to be sacked at some point.
However, this group of players really disappointed me, its long been a thing that in adversity they wilt.
After the first goal yesterday someone on that pitch needed to grab the team and sort them out. We often see that when something goes against them we panic, we lose our heads, heads drop. No one takes the game or the team by the scruff of the neck and puts a marker down or demands more. Mentally we are incredibly fragile and that hasn't changed in a decade. It's as if players come in fall into the same ways.
I had hoped that Ugarte and De Ligt would bring this to the team and maybe they will, both are notbyet settled, but until we develop a stronger mentality and players are driven to fight we will be little more than flat track bullies.
You see this in every sport, players or team who can perform when on top, who can beat lower opposition but as soon as things go against them, get tough they fold, that's our squad and that needs sorting ASAP because until that happens we will always be found wanting.
30 Sep 2024 22:10:40
DLIB so you think we should continue with ten hag this is his 3rd season the issues have been the same throughout but we should give him more time?
When do we make the decision? At the moment like you say things can change quickly but we've already had 2/ 3 utterly disgraceful performances with liverpool Tottenham and Twente and we're 8 games in.
For me he should have been gone in the summer and he should now be gone in the international break if not before.
He's been given a chance the beginning of this season after finishing 8th and but getting the fa cup (being 8th far far outweighs winning the cup unbelievable to keep your job as united manager after finishing 8th) and things are arguably getting worse.
When do you change if things don't improve? It won't take long before it won't be quick to catch up.
01 Oct 2024 10:34:10
Good post DLIB.