They don't know which player we were watching, even though I agree we were likely scouting him.
BBC: United hold talks with Mourinho
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They don't know which player we were watching, even though I agree we were likely scouting him.
I'm not quite seeing it but maybe it's all the coke down the year Maradona? I never said we didn't scout Benfica 23 times, did I?
Technically speaking, we've scouted Benfica 23 times no?..maybe it's.......Gaitan lolLVG staying is simply a non-starter from every conceivable angle. He will be asked to leave. Mourinho will take over.
This is off, isn't it.
I don't believe the club will sack Van Gaal if he makes top 4 and wins the FA Cup. He'll see out his contract for one more year and then we will go after who is available, best case scenario is that Van Gaal doesn't do any worse and there are some quality managers available.
The point is that progress is different from expectations. Honestly I am not sure anyone on this forum knows what targets have been set for LVG.
From champions in SAF's last season, setting a minimum of top 4 for Moyes was reasonable. He failed and was fairly sacked.
From 7th place, who knows what progressive targets have been set for LVG? It is fair to think that with commercial revenue at stake, top 4 was required. This was achieved in the first season.
But no one really knows what is expected for the second season. To you and I, it is logical to set a progressively higher target. I am confident that is the case for the board too. Whereas fans might wish for a bigger leap in progress such as a title win/challenge and/or trophy, the board may have set something like "top 4 with a trophy" or "top 3 or a trophy".
You say that an FA cup is not really what we had in mind. Who is we? Is that what you had in mind or what the board had in mind? I ask this as a genuine question. It doesn't matter what we think or expect is logical. Such factors like "a club of our stature" or "Leicester won so the league is shit this year" are all subjective and vague. Who knows?
Whatever it is I have no doubt the targets are spelt out in clear terms. Think about the detailed clauses tied to Martial's bonuses or the rumoured conditions about a retainer clause for Mourinho. Despite popular opinions here about our board being inept and Woody being useless, I happen to think we are rather well-run and systematic.
Woody has been accused of not being a Football man. Whether he is or not I don't know, but you don't get to where he is without some smarts. It is only my opinion but I think with his background as an accountant and investment banker, the deals he negotiates will have good coverage and contingency planning for several eventualities.
It may seem like Ed or the board hasn't acted, but the reports, rumours and relative silence speaks volumes to me. If there is still a mathematical chance that LVG can still meet his set targets then it is fair and correct not to fire him. And the fact that he has not been fired leads me to think he is still within sight of his targets. I prefer our management to have a plan and stick to it, instead of behaving like reactive, emotional teenagers that fire the managers because of rumours, media gossip or subjective standards like what constitutes sexy Football.
If it is indeed true that our board has signed a pre-agreement with Mourinho with associated penalties and pay-offs it actually shows that our management are thinking ahead and preparing for contingencies. We probably know that LVG's hitting or missing of targets will be certain only late in the season so preparations to lock-in Mourinho were made just in case LVG failed. In the case LVG didn't Mourinho gets a nice pay-off or maybe gets a paid sabbatical till 2017.
In that way, no parties really lose except for fans who will feel that way because of emotions and frankly, very subjective standards. The club as a whole would have behaved appropriately by not short-changing LVG or Mourinho.
The history of the club is a long one and the Glazers didn't transact a 1 billion pound deal to look only at events that happen in 1-2 seasons. Every decision and experiment needs time to play out and I think the board does have a plan.
Fans make a lot of noise. They are important but seriously, if we listened to the fans' wishes the club will be in shambles. Fans do stuff like write insulting banners, disrespect silences, smash toilets etc etc, I'd be aghast if we had to make major decisions by listening to the whims of the crowd. Yes, the fans pay the money, without the fans there is no club, some will argue. If the fans feel so self-entitled, then it is simple is it not? Stop spending money on tickets or merchandise. But with all the complaints we see here, there is barely a whimper with real action taken.
But I digress. My points are simply that: what you and I expect as fans looking from mostly an entertainment and short term perspective is likely to be extremely different from the management. I am only an average fan, hence I suspect the board knows a lot more than us and is doing a lot more than we realise. Silence is not always inaction. Waiting is not always indecision. Choosing not to act is also a choice.
Whatever it is, every day that LVG stays is an indication he is meeting or on his way to meeting his targets. If that is true, then the decent thing is to just wait and see, while making contingency plans.
It's by no means a given that Sanches would choose United over Bayern on account of Mourinho. Reading anything into that transfer is absurd. Bayern's a more attractive club than us at the moment, plus they paid a king's ransom for the kid (making his agent a pretty penny in the process, no doubt).
Disappointed we didn't land him, as I think he's the sort of player we should go for – but you can't win them all, certainly not when Bayern is involved. Has nothing to do with the Mourinho situation, though, as far as I'm concerned.
Disappointed we didn't land him, as I think he's the sort of player we should go for – but you can't win them all, certainly not when Bayern is involved. Has nothing to do with the Mourinho situation, though, as far as I'm concerned.
Yeah, even I don't get the assumption that this means Jose isn't coming.
Thank goodness more people are finally getting it. I've been saying for ages that we're stuck with LVG. Perhaps now we can start accepting this fact and move on a bit.
Don't even think there's an 'unless' scenario. Van Gaal looks to be staying, regardless of results, until his contact ends. If we don't get Giggs after that, I'm pretty certain we'll never hire Mourinho, sadly.
Don't even think there's an 'unless' scenario. Van Gaal looks to be staying, regardless of results, until his contact ends. If we don't get Giggs after that, I'm pretty certain we'll never hire Mourinho, sadly.
You'd swear a Mendes client has never joined a non-Mourinho club they way some of you are banging on about Sanches
People are just shitting mars bars over any sign of LVG staying, understandably.
Fair point, Bayern are far ahead of us at the moment. They have stability and are well run, United are the opposite. The worrying thing is that we were scouting him for such a long period and couldn't secure the player.
But it isn't a fact no matter how many times you repeat this on here.
Is it possible that once Sanches found out that LVG is in charge next season...he signed for Bayern?
Not sure. I hope not.
Even if he knew Mourinho was going to be our next manager, Bayern is the far more attractive club for players.
People don't like to hear it but, LVG or Mourinho, Bayern are miles ahead of us right now.
Of course.
I don't think anybody would disagree, though the sales pitch to potential player purchases would be:
- we are hiring Jose, the most decorated manager in the last 12 odd years
- we are making available huge funds to bring in players of the highest quality
- we will win many trophies.
- we will pay you more money than any other club can
Bayern are miles ahead of us that is true, but playing for Mourinho is an attractive proposition for any top player.
I cannot think of a reason a top player would want to play for LVG tho.
It might be beneficial to us to announce Jose's signing then go about acquiring players.
Hilarious how even the somewhat more reputable media outlets seem to be stupid enough to suggest that Mourinho wanted Sanches, based on nothing whatsoever, but presumably because he's a Mendes client and Portuguese. Guess Mendes must double check with Mourinho before adding players to his books.
Isn't Jose supposed to be the guy who hates youth? Now he's suddenly desperate to sign an 18 year old with 22 apps in Portugal to play in central midfield for Manchester United in the Premier League. And for what would probably amount to at least a third of his transfer budget no less.
Isn't Jose supposed to be the guy who hates youth? Now he's suddenly desperate to sign an 18 year old with 22 apps in Portugal to play in central midfield for Manchester United in the Premier League. And for what would probably amount to at least a third of his transfer budget no less.
How are bayern miles ahead? Am I missing something here or are you just referring to the fact that their squad is more complete as it stands.
Better squad, winning trophies regularly UCL semi finalists at least. Always one of the favourites to win it, over the past few years has operated with total efficiency. They are ahead atm but I wouldnt say we couldnt close that gap with a manegerial change and a good season or 2.
Don't want to take the thread off topic, but I don't believe Renato deal to Bayern means Jose is not coming..
Maybe he chose them over us..
Maybe we didn't want to pay that price..
Maybe we found someone who fits better our needs..
But if Mendes did that to spite us for not giving Jose the job, then he too can go eff himself. I would rather see my team not win a thing going forward than bend to the whims and fancies of an effing agent and sign his players to win trophies.. No one is bigger than the club and that included Sir Matt, SAF and our Icons and Legends of this club. Surely if it was the case of Mendes dictating terms of Jose comes else Player X leaves or doesn't join, we will most definitely show him where the door is, irrespective of Woody being good at his job or not..
But I am going way off topic.. I still hope LvG leaves end of season and Jose joins us and I think he will. I also think we are waiting for our season to end and if by chance we finish Top 4 and win the FA Cup, and LvG exits with a mutual agreement, it is way better than him getting canned in December.
He might not be majority fans' favorite person right now, but LvG has done a lot of good things and he needs to be credited for it. He leaves a far younger squad and has helped along a few of our academy grads into the first team.. Yes, our style of play is a big problem and some transfers have not worked to our liking, but no manager has a perfect record with transfers.. Our injury situation didn't help either both seasons..
Assuming he leaves end of season, I really hope we can clinch 4th and the FA Cup and he bows out a winning a trophy.. If this is his last job, his overall work as a manager(not just at United, but all clubs and national team combined)deserves this one last chance at a trophy.
I am in no way a LvG apologist and not saying he should stay, but the club did the right thing to give him the opportunity to salvage the season to some semblance of respectability.. Yes, some will say the season didn't need salvaging had it not been for his tactics, decisions or the style of play and they won't be wrong, but it was better to keep him till end of season when Jose was not keen to take over mid season or couldn't due to contractual obligations with Chelsea than to sack LvG and give it to Giggs.
Apologies for a long winded post, couldn't stop typing once the thoughts about the topic started flowing..
Maybe he chose them over us..
Maybe we didn't want to pay that price..
Maybe we found someone who fits better our needs..
But if Mendes did that to spite us for not giving Jose the job, then he too can go eff himself. I would rather see my team not win a thing going forward than bend to the whims and fancies of an effing agent and sign his players to win trophies.. No one is bigger than the club and that included Sir Matt, SAF and our Icons and Legends of this club. Surely if it was the case of Mendes dictating terms of Jose comes else Player X leaves or doesn't join, we will most definitely show him where the door is, irrespective of Woody being good at his job or not..
But I am going way off topic.. I still hope LvG leaves end of season and Jose joins us and I think he will. I also think we are waiting for our season to end and if by chance we finish Top 4 and win the FA Cup, and LvG exits with a mutual agreement, it is way better than him getting canned in December.
He might not be majority fans' favorite person right now, but LvG has done a lot of good things and he needs to be credited for it. He leaves a far younger squad and has helped along a few of our academy grads into the first team.. Yes, our style of play is a big problem and some transfers have not worked to our liking, but no manager has a perfect record with transfers.. Our injury situation didn't help either both seasons..
Assuming he leaves end of season, I really hope we can clinch 4th and the FA Cup and he bows out a winning a trophy.. If this is his last job, his overall work as a manager(not just at United, but all clubs and national team combined)deserves this one last chance at a trophy.
I am in no way a LvG apologist and not saying he should stay, but the club did the right thing to give him the opportunity to salvage the season to some semblance of respectability.. Yes, some will say the season didn't need salvaging had it not been for his tactics, decisions or the style of play and they won't be wrong, but it was better to keep him till end of season when Jose was not keen to take over mid season or couldn't due to contractual obligations with Chelsea than to sack LvG and give it to Giggs.
Apologies for a long winded post, couldn't stop typing once the thoughts about the topic started flowing..
The only reason i am not convinced he is getting the job is Marcel van de Kraan was absolutely adamant LVG is staying. And he is pretty well connected with anything re.Dutch players and managers
Different angle: Maybe Renato knew Jose would be at United next season. Maybe he chose Ancelotti over Mourinho.
Not an unrealistic hypothesis.
Not an unrealistic hypothesis.
I'm a bit confused though - Bayern had a very good 4 years and we had a very good 5 years prior to that. The pendulum can swing much quicker than that, so I don't buy the whole "oh they're miles ahead of us" argument. Especially when the boy is 18 and not due to peak for another 7 years.
One could even argue he'l struggle for games with the competition at Bayern + the fact that Ancelotti is apparently known not to rotate his squad enough.
Sanches if anything has LVG signing all over him ala Martial
Jose would never target a €30m+ relative unknown
Jose would never target a €30m+ relative unknown
Of course Van Gaal is going to be telling everyone he is staying. He is arrogant in that way.
Yes, he's been peddling this line for months now, especially when the tabloids want a Dutch perspective.
I'd be a bit cautious, however, as his sources tend to come straight from the Van Gaal camp, but I reckon he knows better than most, given that everyone else has to rely of outright guesswork and internet rumour.
That assumes LVG knows whether he is staying ir not.
Was the one who was also adamant that we were going to sign Sneidjer? Look how that went. Im hoping he is wrong again.
i'm so exhausted. I just want the test results. tell me I have cancer, doc, so I can accept it. all this false hope is poison.
Pretty much. I've tried convincing myself that Jose will come i regardless, but the longer this goes on for, the hope I lose
Exactly and especially one that's 18. You pay that kinda money and they play.
Great post -- worded exactly how I feel. I just want to get it over with.
ATM our club is incredibally unstable, we don't even know who the manager will be next season or whether we will have UCL or not and there are question marks over the CEO. Not miles ahead agree but they are definately the more attractive club right now IMO
A decision on LVG's future should have been made a long time ago. We've had 2 years of his management which should be enough to let everyone know he isn't the man for the job, even if we scrape top 4 his body of work since he's been here is way below the required standard. That said nothing would surprise me with Woodward.
I'll be very pissed if we missed out on Sanches to Bayern because Woodward was slow on the ball to make a decision on a manager and that led to summer transfer plans stalling.
I'll be very pissed if we missed out on Sanches to Bayern because Woodward was slow on the ball to make a decision on a manager and that led to summer transfer plans stalling.
Tottenham fans look away: Pochettino spotted lunching with Man United legend Sir Alex in secret meeting
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...0160510-_-Football-_-463822517-_-Imageandlink
EDIT: That place in mayfair always has paparazzi around so I doubt it was a secret meeting
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...0160510-_-Football-_-463822517-_-Imageandlink
EDIT: That place in mayfair always has paparazzi around so I doubt it was a secret meeting
I'm glad they circled him in the third picture, very helpful.
I hate seeing "Sun" because I immediately assume it's fake. We all know how highly SAF rates him too, very interesting if it isn't proven to be bull shit.
Looks like a skinny Oliver Hardy holding the door for Fergie.
Unless they faked the picture..... tbh though Sir Alex meeting him doesn't mean anything to do with United. He meets a lot of managers and a lot of them seek advice from him. Also it could be that maybe we want one of their players..
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