Appointing Solskjaer was a mistake

[FireballXL5]

Would 3 wins in 16 games be acceptable at Real, Barca or Bayern? He's dead man walking already unfortunately imo.
We are a prime example of how not to run a successful football club. How's the search for a DoF going?
fecking shambles.

 

[Sky1981]

The board picked and appointed 4 managers actually, with hardly anything in common, which suggests they have no idea what they want to achieve or how.

I said the board is running it (successfully) as a business. Too bad us fans don't get excited about revenue.

Woodward has repeatedly failed to bring in the players the manager wants or get rid of the players they didn't to make space for new signings. We are left with an unbalanced squad full of dross. That's on Woodward, not the managers.

Since 2013 managers and players have come and gone. Ed has been a constant, appointing the managers and overseeing our transfer business throughout this era of failure. Yet you think he is blameless?

So. Ole would have been top of the table if he manages city? Because the only thing stopping us is ed?

 

[Kostov]

I've seen some video of Ole speaking how Lingard is important part of this team and how we stick together. Christ I just hope he is diplomatic and in reality he doesn't mean that.

 

[FootyGirl88]

My biggest concern is that he's been here for months now and we haven't seen any individual improvement with any player. When Klopp and Pep took over their roles you saw the improvement very quickly.

 

[Enigma_87]

They didn't have 5 clear cut chances

So that's bollocks

Who said anything about 5 clear cut chances? Go 1-0 up get back in their half and play counter attacking with us fail to break them down. Sounds familiar?

 

[Enigma_87]

And if we'd converted ours yesterday and on Monday, it could be 6 out of 9.

We can look at in terms of points or team progress. I'd be happier if I saw us playing brilliantly and progressing.

I can see some progress but not enough to fill me with confidence for the season

Thats my point. At the end it’s 4 points out of 9. It is what it is. Could and would makes no sense.

As you also said we aren’t playing well and to me there is no progress.

On top of that we already have muscle injuries in game 3.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Thats my point. At the end it’s 4 points out of 9. It is what it is. Could and would makes no sense.

As you also said we aren’t playing well and to me there is no progress.

On top of that we already have muscle injuries in game 3.

He's already spinning it that they're not as bad as they seem. Should we be filled with confidence?

 

[Marcus]

Ole is the Glazer equivalent of a human shield. From the coming onslaught from fans.

 

[Enigma_87]

He's already spinning it that they're not as bad as they seem. Should we be filled with confidence?

Especially with a thin squad we should be over the moon with confidence.

We have no backup at LB, RB(or at least quality one), DM, CM, RW, CF and AM.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

So. Ole would have been top of the table if he manages city? Because the only thing stopping us is ed?

No. But neither would we if we had Pep. I'm not saying Ole is a great manager. I'm saying we have bigger problems that no manager can fix.

 

[izec]

Ole is working on something now that will kick in in 3 years jeez, i get that some defend an ex player legend, but wow, get real

What a load of bollocks. And Moyes too you know, he had a master plan that would kick in in his 5th year, because you need 4 years to lay down the foundations for it to prosper

If he had any sort of successful plan, we would see it already. You dont need 3 years for that. Fitness levels isnt everything

 

[Catt]

I kind of knew this would happen. Loved him as a player and fellow noggie, but didn't want him as interim or perm manager.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

Exactly, Woodward and Judge are the ones that offer this huge monies in contracts, which is why we can't get rid of them if they fail. But the blame is put on the manager and he is sacked to save their necks.

He needs to own up or be held accountable at some point. Ed is playing football manager in real life with Manchester United. He'll probably be allowed to do so as long as our bottom line isn't affected.

 

[Bestietom]

Not sacking or demoting Ed is the mistake

Until we rectify that I don't see us making much progress

Agree. We are now left paying half of Sanchez wages ( 250k a week) due to Woodward and Judge giving him this contract, Not the manager.

 

[Enigma_87]

Ole is working on something now that will kick in in 3 years jeez, i get that some defend an ex player legend, but wow, get real

What a load of bollocks. And Moyes too you know, he had a master plan that would kick in in his 5th year, because you need 4 years to lay down the foundations for it to prosper

If he had any sort of successful plan, we would see it already. You dont need 3 years for that. Fitness levels isnt everything

Is there any progress even in fitness levels?

I mean we don’t look more prepared compared to last year and we already started with cramps and muscle injuries.

 

[AneRu]

The board picked and appointed 4 managers actually, with hardly anything in common, which suggests they have no idea what they want to achieve or how.

I said the board is running it (successfully) as a business. Too bad us fans don't get excited about revenue.

Woodward has repeatedly failed to bring in the players the manager wants or get rid of the players they didn't to make space for new signings. We are left with an unbalanced squad full of dross. That's on Woodward, not the managers.

Since 2013 managers and players have come and gone. Ed has been a constant, appointing the managers and overseeing our transfer business throughout this era of failure. Yet you think he is blameless?

Do you accept that both the manager and the board could be to blame for all this? We are failing to finish fourth not win the title or the CL, that's a very low bar imo. I don't think you need to spend a billion pounds to finish 4th in the PL tough as it is if you are a good coach.

Granted the squad isn't balanced and has a lot of dross but who is denying youth players the chance to claim a first team spot in favour of the same dross? We know that our DM option isn't good enough, why not gamble on Tuanzebe for the role (for example) especially if you are looking to play Pogba deep? Fergie did it with Jones and O'shea, whilst it wasn't a great success he got results with that.

When it's all said and done the board tells the manager you have £70m + outgoings to spend then you go and break the world record for a CB and RB! That's poor decision making as the money should have been spread around to at least bring in three signings. We can say we needed a leader at the back but I think an unbalanced squad costs us more than a leaderless backline. Knowing what he been allocated it was bonkers to spend it all on AWB and Maguire leaving the midfield and attack so thin.

Imo the board are clueless and their intentions not centered on winning but the technical decisions have been poor and that falls on the manager and scouting team. The decision to restrict us to PL proven talent was naive and showed total lack of awareness of the market hence we got two players for double what they should normally go for leaving us short in critical areas.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

If we did, then we may as well support Apple or Microsoft instead.

If only ..

Seiously though, the lines are becoming blurred. Where do the results and entertainment end and the business begin? The club has mixed up it's priorities

 

[izec]

Is there any progress even in fitness levels?

I mean we don’t look more prepared compared to last year and we already started with cramps and muscle injuries.

The Chelsea game was good. But since then not really. Plus injuries

Maybe it takes 3 years for it to kick in?
Or just take some better substances

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I'll reiterate what I said at his appointment.

He wont take us to the top. But he'll sort out the squad and leave us in a good position.

We look in better shape than last year. Martial is looking like a top striker. All our signings have fit right into the first team.
If it wasn't for 2 missed penalties and some poor refereeing, we'd be 9 points in 3 games.


Very small margins considering the backlash

I agree with you that his job is weeding out the bad players and to build a young, ambitious side. He still has a lot of work to do on that count. Do I think he can then take us on? No. He is not tactically good enough and he does not have the elite coaching staff to do the job for him.

I also agree that everything that could go against us yesterday most definitely did. We unfortunately got the combination of an incompetent referee backed by an incompetent VAR operator.

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

Do you accept that both the manager and the board could be to blame for all this? We are failing to finish fourth not win the title or the CL, that's a very low bar imo. I don't think you need to spend a billion pounds to finish 4th in the PL tough as it is if you are a good coach.

Granted the squad isn't balanced and has a lot of dross but who is denying youth players the chance to claim a first team spot in favour of the same dross? We know that our DM option isn't good enough, why not gamble on Tuanzebe for the role (for example) especially if you are looking to play Pogba deep? Fergie did it with Jones and O'shea, whilst it wasn't a great success he got results with that.

When it's all said and done the board tells the manager you have £70m + outgoings to spend then you go and break the world record for a CB and RB! That's poor decision making as the money should have been spread around to at least bring in three signings. We can say we needed a leader at the back but I think an unbalanced squad costs us more than a leaderless backline. Knowing what he been allocated it was bonkers to spend it all on AWB and Maguire leaving the midfield and attack so thin.

Imo the board are clueless and their intentions not centered on winning but the technical decisions have been poor and that falls on the manager and scouting team. The decision to restrict us to PL proven talent was naive and showed total lack of awareness of the market hence we got two players for double what they should normally go for leaving us short in critical areas.

I generally agree with you, but I assign much more blame to Ed and the board because:

1. Ed and the board pick the manager. It's their job to get someone competent and outline what is expected of them. Hasn't felt like that was the case with any of the managerial appointments.
2. Ed is the one recruiting players. He's overpayed for average players, brought in 'galacticos' for big money that haven't worked out and vetoed managers on players they needed, while briefing that the money is there 'if a Varane became available'.

Not absolving the managers, but I believe that we have bigger issues at the club that make it hard for any manager to succeed, and also make the job unappealing to any top manager.
Edit: spelling

 

[fallengt]

So. Ole would have been top of the table if he manages city? Because the only thing stopping us is ed?

Wouldn't say that but if Ole was City manager, 80 points+/season would be an easy task.
Manchini won the league so yes good club's structure make mediocre manager looks good. Likewise, good manager makes bad owners look competent.

United have neither.

 

[Bestietom]

Wouldn't say that but if Ole was City manager, 80 points+/season would be an easy task.
Manchini won the league so yes good club's structure make mediocre manager looks good. Likewise, good manager makes bad owners look competent.

United have neither.

Agree.

 

[JK-27]

Ole was publicly announced as being appointed as an interim manager to be replaced by a well established new manger this summer.

The board back tracked on that plan and are now paying the price.

Does anyone really think Poch would join having been snubbed twice now by Utd for the job.

 

[Patience]

You need reality check mate. Ole won 2 titles 10 years ago in a tin pot league.

He was never able to win the title there again and has relegated Cardiff as a manager in the meantime. You can’t seriously compare Norway to Germany - it’s mental.

They are now top of the league without him with Erlin Moe as a manager. Have you heard of him?

Comparing Ole to Klopp and especially Fergie is really a blasphemy. Time doesn’t make you better if you lack what it takes.

I guess you wanted to give Moyes time as well?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Of course I wanted to give Moyes time.

As - because I support Man Utd, I am well aware that our two most prestigious and historic periods of dominance came about because we gave young managers time and patience to implement their strategies. Moyes was NEVER gonna follow Ferguson off the bat. His appointment was made by Fergie and Gill as a long-term strategy. Six year contract they gave him.

Big problem was; Gill and Fergie surrendered control of the club, leaving it in the hands of Ed Woodward who didn't - like you -have the patience afforded to Busby and Fergie - to wait 4/5 years for success. SO he sacked him; hired a manager with a great CV. Then sacked him and hired another manager with a great CV. And now our club is a mess. In a hundred times deeper than had we stuck with Moyes. If we had have stuck with Moyes, yes the first 2/3 seasons would have ben disjointed as he balanced the squad to his purpose, but by now he would have TOTAL control over that dressing-room. And the first team would be in his vision only. Right now; our first team is in the vision of Fergie/Moyes/LvG/Jose and Ole What a fecking mess. This is the type of mess you get when you don't give a manager the time and patience required for a club like United to get back to the top. The day our club lost its identity was the day they sacked Moyes.

Yet your bloody ridiculous opinion is that we should make a further mess, by appointing another manager. How does that make sense to anyone?

I know people at the club. I know how much effort the entirety of the club are putting behind Ole. They have restructured the academy to see fit to the first team (just as Fergie did back in 86).. the academies at all levels playing the same system as the first team.. a view to us promoting more from within.

The ground work is only at the beginning stages. Thinking the first team should be competing at the top of the Prem League is just plain stupid. Our first team is in way too much of a mess to do that. But Ole is slowly but surely turning that around. Getting rid of the disruptors in the dressing-room and turning to young, hungry players who would bleed for our club. This is a LONG-TERM project.

And you better get used to it. Because the club are investing in this. Ole is going nowhere. And me - and a lot of people inside the football club (as well as the mature match day fans) are delighted about it! Sense at the club at last.

 

[Wolff]

My biggest concern is that he's been here for months now and we haven't seen any individual improvement with any player. When Klopp and Pep took over their roles you saw the improvement very quickly.

You did? I remember them both struggling and people saying they weren’t cut out for premiership. ‍

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

We stopped paying David Moyes in 2019. Or did he just change his bank details?

 

[Patience]

Ole was publicly announced as being appointed as an interim manager to be replaced by a well established new manger this summer.

The board back tracked on that plan and are now paying the price.

Does anyone really think Poch would join having been snubbed twice now by Utd for the job.

But sure why appoint Poch when our fans wouldn't give him the time and patience he would require to turn things around?

Poch would take 4 seasons to get us competing again.. at least.

By the time he finished 5th with United this May, every idiot on here would be calling for his head.

The thing our fan base on here don't understand (but thankfully our match-going fan base do) is that not even Jose Mourinho or Louis van Gaal (CVs of success s long as my arm) could not get United competing again within two seasons. ANY manager that comes in NEEDS TIME.

We ain't gonna win a title until a manager has been here for the long-term. That is a given. There is no quick fix. We just need to do what we have done the past two times we have dominated English football. We give a manager years to OWN a dressing-room and implement a strategy he sees fit. Just like we did with Sir Matt. Just like we did with Sir Alex.

Its not fecking rocket science.

I can't understand how people can't get their head around that.

 

[Esquire]

Would 3 wins in 16 games be acceptable at Real, Barca or Bayern? He's dead man walking already unfortunately imo.
We are a prime example of how not to run a successful football club. How's the search for a DoF going?
fecking shambles.

WE haven’t been in the league of these teams for 6 years. Everything at this club at this time is not acceptable. Ole I feel is the least of our problems. The fact that Tampa Bay Bucs also owned by the Glazers have not been successful is not a coincidence. Getting a frachise in the NFL and owning United are printing money for them. Honestly they do not need to invest significantly to keep the interest/support going. The fact that the fans do not back up their discontent with their actions like boycotting games etc. reflect this reality.

 

[Esquire]

But sure why appoint Poch when our fans wouldn't give him the time and patience he would require to turn things around?

Poch would take 4 seasons to get us competing again.. at least.

By the time he finished 5th with United this May, every idiot on here would be calling for his head.

The thing our fan base on here don't understand (but thankfully our match-going fan base do) is that not even Jose Mourinho or Louis van Gaal (CVs of success s long as my arm) could not get United competing again within two seasons. ANY manager that comes in NEEDS TIME.

We ain't gonna win a title until a manager has been here for the long-term. That is a given. There is no quick fix. We just need to do what we have done the past two times we have dominated English football. We give a manager years to OWN a dressing-room and implement a strategy he sees fit. Just like we did with Sir Matt. Just like we did with Sir Alex.

Its not fecking rocket science.

I can't understand how people can't get their head around that.

Largely agree with you. Ole needs to be given time but honestly don’t feel we are going to turn this around even if he was given time. The level of investment, management and leadership for 6 years is a pretty good sample size I feel.

 

[Jig1234]

Teams are coming to Old Trafford using the low Block. Ole and Phelan have not got a clue how to deal with it. They think they can just steamroll every side with pace. Deluded. If you have four pacey attackers that are all the same. In that they all like to run in behind. You counter that but having a low block, sitting deep and picking off the opposition on the break. I like Ole but he should not have got this job it was too big for him.

His formation and tactics are bizarre.

- Gave Mata a new deal to be a supersub. - Mata has made no impact off the bench. He is not an impact player who will change the game off the bench. Mata should start no.10 over Lingard or we should use Gomes as a 10. Dan James should be the sub coming on off the bench. He can change the game with his pace, running at tired defenders. By starting with all four pacey attackers our team is one dimensional and easy to stop.

We need a technician in the there. Mata/Gomes at No.10 - Lingard is stealing a wage as our no.10 - no goals and assists in 2019. Not good enough.

- Pogba-McTominay - two man midfield is not working. Pogba is too deep. He is picking up the ball from Maguire and Lindelof. He is our best source for goals and assists. Get him higher up the pitch! - Switch to a 4-3-3. Get Get Fred, Pereira and Garner in the mix. We need more midfield passers.

McTominay-Fred pivot with Pogba further forward. Maybe. Ole needs to switch up his tactics and XI. Too predictable and easy to stop this Utd side. Pogba is our best player and Lingard is one of our worst. Insane to have Pogba so deep and Lingard as high as he is.

 

[AneRu]

I generally agree with you, but I assign much more blame to Ed and the board because:

1. Ed and the board pick the manager. It's their job to get someone competent and outline what is expected of them. Hasn't felt like that was the case with any of the managerial appointments.
2. Ed is the one recruiting players. He's overpaid for average players, brought in 'galacticos' for big money that haven't worked out and vetoed managers on players they needed, while briefing that the money is there 'if a Varane became available'.

Not absolving the managers, but I believe that we have bigger issues at the club that make it hard for any manager to succeed, and also make the job unappealing to any top manager.

Thanks for the response, whilst I agree that the players are woeful and that Ed has the bigger responsibility which translates to the Glazers for giving him the Carte Blanche to play real life FM with our club I do think that our managers are letting us and the team down with what they have got. Maybe it goes back to competence, your first point about the board picking the wrong manager applies.

However Mourinho and Van Gaal were two winners and they completely lost it. Then there is Ole with the experienced Phelan totally losing it in front of our eyes. You look at Ole's decision on Lingard/Mata/Gomes and allowing De Gea to single handedly cost us top 4 last season. The decision to continue with Lingard in the hole may have cost us five points already and if we miss the CL with that margin it's on

 

[Sky1981]

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Of course I wanted to give Moyes time.

As - because I support Man Utd, I am well aware that our two most prestigious and historic periods of dominance came about because we gave young managers time and patience to implement their strategies. Moyes was NEVER gonna follow Ferguson off the bat. His appointment was made by Fergie and Gill as a long-term strategy. Six year contract they gave him.

Big problem was; Gill and Fergie surrendered control of the club, leaving it in the hands of Ed Woodward who didn't - like you -have the patience afforded to Busby and Fergie - to wait 4/5 years for success. SO he sacked him; hired a manager with a great CV. Then sacked him and hired another manager with a great CV. And now our club is a mess. In a hundred times deeper than had we stuck with Moyes. If we had have stuck with Moyes, yes the first 2/3 seasons would have ben disjointed as he balanced the squad to his purpose, but by now he would have TOTAL control over that dressing-room. And the first team would be in his vision only. Right now; our first team is in the vision of Fergie/Moyes/LvG/Jose and Ole What a fecking mess. This is the type of mess you get when you don't give a manager the time and patience required for a club like United to get back to the top. The day our club lost its identity was the day they sacked Moyes.

Yet your bloody ridiculous opinion is that we should make a further mess, by appointing another manager. How does that make sense to anyone?

I know people at the club. I know how much effort the entirety of the club are putting behind Ole. They have restructured the academy to see fit to the first team (just as Fergie did back in 86).. the academies at all levels playing the same system as the first team.. a view to us promoting more from within.

The ground work is only at the beginning stages. Thinking the first team should be competing at the top of the Prem League is just plain stupid. Our first team is in way too much of a mess to do that. But Ole is slowly but surely turning that around. Getting rid of the disruptors in the dressing-room and turning to young, hungry players who would bleed for our club. This is a LONG-TERM project.

And you better get used to it. Because the club are investing in this. Ole is going nowhere. And me - and a lot of people inside the football club (as well as the mature match day fans) are delighted about it! Sense at the club at last.

That's a myth, we gave "SAF and Charlton" time, any young manager given time and patience won't magically turn into SAF

 

[Sky1981]

No. But neither would we if we had Pep. I'm not saying Ole is a great manager. I'm saying we have bigger problems that no manager can fix.

I think, our problem is hitting the reset button every 2 year.

As bad as LVG/Jose (not moyes sadly) give them 2-3 years and they'll start to build something.

 

[elnorte]

Largely agree with you. Ole needs to be given time but honestly don’t feel we are going to turn this around even if he was given time. The level of investment, management and leadership for 6 years is a pretty good sample size I feel.

I think you should realise it's very unlikely this person is for real.

 

[Gehrman]

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Of course I wanted to give Moyes time.

As - because I support Man Utd, I am well aware that our two most prestigious and historic periods of dominance came about because we gave young managers time and patience to implement their strategies. Moyes was NEVER gonna follow Ferguson off the bat. His appointment was made by Fergie and Gill as a long-term strategy. Six year contract they gave him.

Big problem was; Gill and Fergie surrendered control of the club, leaving it in the hands of Ed Woodward who didn't - like you -have the patience afforded to Busby and Fergie - to wait 4/5 years for success. SO he sacked him; hired a manager with a great CV. Then sacked him and hired another manager with a great CV. And now our club is a mess. In a hundred times deeper than had we stuck with Moyes. If we had have stuck with Moyes, yes the first 2/3 seasons would have ben disjointed as he balanced the squad to his purpose, but by now he would have TOTAL control over that dressing-room. And the first team would be in his vision only. Right now; our first team is in the vision of Fergie/Moyes/LvG/Jose and Ole What a fecking mess. This is the type of mess you get when you don't give a manager the time and patience required for a club like United to get back to the top. The day our club lost its identity was the day they sacked Moyes.

Yet your bloody ridiculous opinion is that we should make a further mess, by appointing another manager. How does that make sense to anyone?

I know people at the club. I know how much effort the entirety of the club are putting behind Ole. They have restructured the academy to see fit to the first team (just as Fergie did back in 86).. the academies at all levels playing the same system as the first team.. a view to us promoting more from within.

The ground work is only at the beginning stages. Thinking the first team should be competing at the top of the Prem League is just plain stupid. Our first team is in way too much of a mess to do that. But Ole is slowly but surely turning that around. Getting rid of the disruptors in the dressing-room and turning to young, hungry players who would bleed for our club. This is a LONG-TERM project.

And you better get used to it. Because the club are investing in this. Ole is going nowhere. And me - and a lot of people inside the football club (as well as the mature match day fans) are delighted about it! Sense at the club at last.

Moyes had lost the dressing room and the atmosphere was awful. It would have been even more a disaster to keep him. Neither the players or the fans wanted to keep him here. Even Fergie has backtracked and tried to wash his hands off Moyes. If your a manager is a disaster you don't keep him around. We can't expect anyone to turn into Fergie and that shouldn't be our plan.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Ole was publicly announced as being appointed as an interim manager to be replaced by a well established new manger this summer.

The board back tracked on that plan and are now paying the price.

Does anyone really think Poch would join having been snubbed twice now by Utd for the job.

It's delusionary to imagine that United snubbed Pochettino: you can't snub someone who has never shown the slightest interest in coming in the first place.

 

[kouroux]

The dude wanted to give Moyes more time, I don't know what to think about that

 

[Zen86]

It's delusionary to imagine that United snubbed Pochettino: you can't snub someone who has never shown the slightest interest in coming in the first place.

Don’t ruin the illusion for them that every top manager and player in the world is desperate to come here.

 

[adexkola]

If you view managers as miracle workers, then of course you'll say appointing OGS was a mistake.

 

[sunama]

He needs to own up or be held accountable at some point. Ed is playing football manager in real life with Manchester United. He'll probably be allowed to do so as long as our bottom line isn't affected.

Agreed about Woodward.
As long as he keeps increasing profits, year on year, his job is safe.
Now, in order to achieve the ever increasing profits, it may be a case that we spend less and less...which is what we are currently seeing.
What he really needs to do is reduce our wage bill. This will increase profits and also get rid of the deadwood players who are useless to us. Most fans will back Woodie on this.

Regarding Ole, I said in the Summer that he won't be the manager on Jan 1st 2020 and I still stand by that.
What this means is that we'll hit that damn reset button, again in a few months and we are back to square one.

IMO, the board should get feedback from Ole, Jose and LVG, on how the structure of the club can be improved, so that when the next manager arrives, he has a better chance of doing well.