30 Apr 2026 23:12:05
Against Brentford, in the second half we switched to 343. It was an interesting tactic and got me thinking.
Pre Amorim, the talk was of a cohesive structure, to get the club back to playing the way they have in the past. We appointed Amorim because there was talk of City sniffing around if Pep departed. That decision was premature. Amorim was not ready. We all saw that play out, and in part due to his stubbornness to not pivot from the 343, but also because we don't have the cattle for it.
There was no surprise that we let Brentford back into the game.
Back to the point of the post. I still believe we are heading towards this type of system, as we purchased players to suit it and I suspect we will continue that path.
As such, and I am liking this approach, I think having Carrick in place is okay, as we transition via transfer windows to a squad that is capable of playing this system. He proves some stability.
To that point, I don't mind who the manager is, providing we continue our ruthless streak in removing the deadwood, bringing in the necessary players and promoting the necessary youth.
Having a system in ace that allows players and managers to be replaced at ease is exactly where we should be at.
That is what gives me hope in the historical decisions, whether I agree with them or not.
01 May 2026 06:50:30
So what you are saying is, let's waste a season or two to allow Carrick to watch a transition, then dump him for someone who knows how to play it. Stump up your season ticket money for that.
I said years ago on here, before SAF retired, we should consider moving to a head coach rather than an all-powerful manager, but we bumble on.
One thing is certain, leaving Carrick as a long-term temp is not a good option.
01 May 2026 07:35:23
Ermmmm, no. I am saying it doesn't matter who the coach/manager is, if the club are finally sorting their act out.
01 May 2026 09:24:21
Of course it matters who the coach is.
01 May 2026 10:05:12
The coach makes less difference than many give credence for, but that's only within a good structure. An identity needs to be set, and a coach that will implement that vision is vital. But this assumes the coach at the top level needs to be top level themselves - at that level, the percentage point difference between those coaches isn't as important as the several percentage point difference from having a stable structure, approach to the game, recruitment team, etc.
I've posted multiple times about the fear of us returning to short term thinking, and that's what I think I'm seeing right now. And then I question if Carrick is in the top pool of coaches.
I have my doubts. Is the Steve Holland approach in line with the style of football we want? I have my doubts. I believed strongly we were on the right path, and our recruitment strategy has improved greatly. We have improved immeasurably from where we were at the end of the Ten Hag regime (I'm not blaming ETH for it all. He had a disastrous set up around him. No one could have succeeded), but we cannot revert to the mentality that we only look at the results of the last ten games and ignore actual performances. And that means sticking to the right principles and aiming high. That includes at the coach level.
01 May 2026 16:33:56
Irrespective of whether you wanted him to stay or go, not sure RA's style fits with the United approach either.
01 May 2026 17:22:54
Absolute folly to suggest a coach doesn't make much difference.
01 May 2026 17:43:19
Did I say that, Salford, did I?
01 May 2026 17:46:24
AJH, it isn't necessarily RA's style. People are fixated on this. It is more a style that United want to play, and they thought they had a manager who could deliver it, but, as is usual, they didn't do their homework.
To that point, they will continue to make mistakes.
01 May 2026 23:50:52
Everybody and every team makes mistakes. The key is making fewer of them. Let's see how Carrick closes out the season. One thing that's in his favour is that, quite apparently, the players like and respect him. And, as I've said before, as with Amorim, I think the club will be looking more at a head coach situation, with the hierarchy making the transfer decisions.
We've seen how disastrous it is to let the managers make the decisions. Managers and coaches come and go. Our first priority is to build a squad capable of succeeding under any good coach/manager.
01 May 2026 23:58:10
Exactly the point, newname. ?
Structure first, with a defined style.
Build squad capable of playing to that style.
Install a head coach capable of herding the cattle.