Exactly, people writing off the season in June. That must be a new record.This has started early.
I don't even know which players are leaving and which ones are staying
Expectations for the New Season
- Thread starter RedBanker
- Start date
a coherent and progressive style of play, with control, we can't have the large spaces in midfield because EtH wants high press and low defense, we must prevent teams from dominating us
better performances from the players as individuals and as a unit, players should be benched if they do not perform, no matter how important they are or how bad the replacement is, players must perform consistently, and I think EtH is the one who should make sure this happens and force it through selections
better results especially against weaker sides as we can't be losing or drawing against teams that are significantly lower in quality, also winning ratio at home against the top 10 teams must improve dramatically
if the above 3 are achieved, success will follow, probably a top 4 and maybe an EL win might be the outcomes, but the priorities should and must be the above 3, without them, the team will not go anywhere
better performances from the players as individuals and as a unit, players should be benched if they do not perform, no matter how important they are or how bad the replacement is, players must perform consistently, and I think EtH is the one who should make sure this happens and force it through selections
better results especially against weaker sides as we can't be losing or drawing against teams that are significantly lower in quality, also winning ratio at home against the top 10 teams must improve dramatically
if the above 3 are achieved, success will follow, probably a top 4 and maybe an EL win might be the outcomes, but the priorities should and must be the above 3, without them, the team will not go anywhere
I can't see that happening - I think they will be even stronger next year, especially if they buy a top striker and left back.
Look at Klopp's first few seasons at Liverpool: building a team then suffered disappointment, coming close to winning the title in 2019, then went a step further in 2020 and won it.
Arsenal is a still a young, improving team that just needs to add a couple of players here and there.
We need a LOT to happen in the transfer window for us to have a squad capable of competing for top 4 and the EL.
^^^^
THIS
Our tactics against City worked on that one occasion. Personally I think we could replay that game 10 time and City would win most of them. Those tactics are not sustainable week in week out. We have shown no ability whatsoever to play progressive football. We relinquish possession all the time, put ourselves under pressure, concede a record number of shots, and hope to hit on the counter. It's absolute chaos.
As mentioned earlier, if we recruit well and evolve our play style then we have a chance to move up the table. I hope we do this, but I don't expect it. ETH's pressers tell me he has no idea of the standards required at United.
Ten hag will be sacked before December
3rd or 4th in the league, good domestic cups runs, with at least 1 cup, final in the EL, and for me very important carrying on with the good work he has been doing with bringing in some youth players.
Hopefully Collyear, Gore, Lacy , Wheatley and Amass. Of couse they wont be regulars but could be given the eperince in cup games or league games if we are winning comfortably
Hopefully Collyear, Gore, Lacy , Wheatley and Amass. Of couse they wont be regulars but could be given the eperince in cup games or league games if we are winning comfortably
We were 5 points off 4th last season with about 10/11 games to go, despite all the injuries and issues. Things obviously slid from there the worse the injuries got. The Brentford and Chelsea games absolutely killed us, and I think we could have seen different outcomes with a stronger bench. Wins in both could have closed The gap to 3 points.
Look at the cup final, we were able to field a proper centre back pairing, with Evans coming off the bench. Hojlund ran his socks off when coming on instead of looking flogged after an hour. Despite Onana chucking one in, we were able to be far more solid.
I do think Ten Hag takes a lot of blame for being too stubborn tactically, but there’s a lot of scope for improvement without even talking about new signings.
The optimism of some is draining
He has to get top four and a cup to stick around any further, let's be honest. That is my expectation.
To enjoy watching this team play football, it's been horrid for too long now.
We finished 8th, kept the guy who steered us to that position, are likely going to even extend him and don't look like changing much on the pitch. I have zero expectations.
Liverpool are the best example of what I mean. They had two great seasons (18/19 and 19/20). The next season they finished 3rd. In fact they never really reached those heights again (if we look at 21/22 season it was less points in the league and a fairly easy road to the CL final which they lost).
They didn't really have the same level of disappointment as they won the Champions League in 2019.
Of course there are some differences, Arsenal squad is younger, etc. but the broader point is you can't improve on a straight line forever.
It's tough to know what expectations are realistic until we see what kind of a transfer window we've had.
However, aim wise, we should be looking to continue the trophy success - it won't be the league, so ideally the EL which would achieve CL qualification as well regardless of our league position.
Along with a trophy, we also need to improve our league form and position. ETH can't justify finishing as low as 8th (or even 7th) two seasons running. Minimum needs to be top 6. Top 4 ideally. But winning another trophy and finishing anywhere top 6 would be fine with me and something I'd take right now if offered.
Personnel / performance wise - I'd like to see evidence of us building a solid and more balanced squad in the transfer window, and playing a more recognisable style that doesn't have us so wide open defensively while scoring more goals than last season.
However, aim wise, we should be looking to continue the trophy success - it won't be the league, so ideally the EL which would achieve CL qualification as well regardless of our league position.
Along with a trophy, we also need to improve our league form and position. ETH can't justify finishing as low as 8th (or even 7th) two seasons running. Minimum needs to be top 6. Top 4 ideally. But winning another trophy and finishing anywhere top 6 would be fine with me and something I'd take right now if offered.
Personnel / performance wise - I'd like to see evidence of us building a solid and more balanced squad in the transfer window, and playing a more recognisable style that doesn't have us so wide open defensively while scoring more goals than last season.
Low
Champions.
The manager has had time and money to set things right. He has got the players he wanted. This season is the time for delivery and improvement. So why is it too early to discuss expectations?This has started early.
I don't even know which players are leaving and which ones are staying
CL qualification
Concede a lot less goals
Would be nice if we could make much lighter work of the 'lesser teams' at home - last season was such that I don't think I felt confident of a win against anyone - we shouldn't really be getting worried by the likes of Ipswich or Fulham or Leicester coming to OT ffs
If we're serious about being serious again we need to start getting our fear factor back
Concede a lot less goals
Would be nice if we could make much lighter work of the 'lesser teams' at home - last season was such that I don't think I felt confident of a win against anyone - we shouldn't really be getting worried by the likes of Ipswich or Fulham or Leicester coming to OT ffs
If we're serious about being serious again we need to start getting our fear factor back
Difficult at this stage, a lot depends on summer business and on the other teams.
I don't expect us to get anywhere near City or Arsenal. Hopefully Liverpool drop off under new management, but that's still a big gap to breach.
Chelsea are hard to predict. Looked like they might have been figuring things out toward the end of the season but have now made another change.
Villa weren't great second half of last season, and they look to be selling Douglas Luiz so they look catchable.
Who knows with Newcastle and Spurs, let alone us who can't exactly be relied upon.
Realisitically I think 4th would be good, but wouldn't be surprised to see us 6th or 7th in the league.
I can't expect anything from cups, too much of a lottery.
I don't expect us to get anywhere near City or Arsenal. Hopefully Liverpool drop off under new management, but that's still a big gap to breach.
Chelsea are hard to predict. Looked like they might have been figuring things out toward the end of the season but have now made another change.
Villa weren't great second half of last season, and they look to be selling Douglas Luiz so they look catchable.
Who knows with Newcastle and Spurs, let alone us who can't exactly be relied upon.
Realisitically I think 4th would be good, but wouldn't be surprised to see us 6th or 7th in the league.
I can't expect anything from cups, too much of a lottery.
Top 4 and good football is the minimum for me
Coherence is going to be a vital metric, definitely.
Looking at it logically then I have basically no expectations for anything positive out of next season. But of course hoping to be wrong.
The duality of man.
If Leicester could do it why not us? Come on! Anything can happen.
That’s the spirit!
ETH has it all to prove, he must show very quickly in the EPL that he can produce a wining team with high energy and he must start to use the bench properly. He had his full squad at the beginning of the season and had a poor start for the second season running. Make no mistake, ETH needs a fabulous start to next season.
He needs to decide asap who will make up his core squad of 20 players and then use them properly.
The club need to recruit at least 3 new defenders, 1 FB, 2 CB, a new DM, a new CM, A new right winger and a new CF , they also need to sell 8 or 9 players and get £100m from player sales to add to the probable £100m available.
If we have a good window, a good pre season and a definitive formation of 4231 or 4312 false 9 which suits the players, I think we can make top 4 and have a realistic chance of wining Carabo or Europa league.
He needs to decide asap who will make up his core squad of 20 players and then use them properly.
The club need to recruit at least 3 new defenders, 1 FB, 2 CB, a new DM, a new CM, A new right winger and a new CF , they also need to sell 8 or 9 players and get £100m from player sales to add to the probable £100m available.
If we have a good window, a good pre season and a definitive formation of 4231 or 4312 false 9 which suits the players, I think we can make top 4 and have a realistic chance of wining Carabo or Europa league.
- Loads of goals.
- Convincing performances that have some fans getting giddy about a possible title challenge.
- Top 4.
I can excuse a wobbly second season, especially with the injuries. But a poor third season and I think it would be obvious he's hit his ceiling and can't progress the team anymore.
I'm confident we've made the right choice and we'll have a good season.
Want to see a number of players shown the door and signs that we are working our way towards challenging in the next couple of seasons at the top of the table. If we could get another trophy that would be nice too.
Positive goal difference shouldn’t be too much to ask for.
A comfortable league title once Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw stay fit for 90% of the season.
A comfortable league title once Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw stay fit for 90% of the season.
CL finish. More goals. Cup runs.
Avoid the conference. A domestic cup. That's about it.
Top 4 and play football with a game plan . That is it
Minimum expectation is top 4 league finish and a much improved play style.
I'm terms of cups, europa league and fa cup semis is minimum expectation dependant on draws.
League cup don't really care.
In mourinhos and oles third full seasons people expected a title charge and a good CL campaign. ETH's greatest achievement so far has been erosion of standards it seems.
I'm terms of cups, europa league and fa cup semis is minimum expectation dependant on draws.
League cup don't really care.
In mourinhos and oles third full seasons people expected a title charge and a good CL campaign. ETH's greatest achievement so far has been erosion of standards it seems.
You cannot demand top 4 after the season we have just had. The expectation should be to challenge for top 4 and go far in the cups.
I expect Ten Hag to be sacked around December when we are in 10th place in the league.
And Southgate to replace him.
And Southgate to replace him.
Don't get relegated
At rock bottom, this is going to go just like Ole's final season whereby he got a new contract despite playing the most cowardly football to lose the Europa League Final. I don't see ten Hag lasting beyond November/December. So, we'll hire an interim again and rest of the season will be once again a "free hit" because "real progress would start in summer 2025". Footballing purgatory this club.
Never see the point in setting really specific targets. We could get 85 points & 100 goals but finish 5th in a bonkers season, or scrape 4th with 65 points by virtue of having the least awful meltdown. We could win the Europa League but never face a decent team along the way. There's so much context and chance involved with your final positions it seems pointless.
For me the main things I want to see major progress in are
- More goals and more consistent threat.
- Better game management.
- Lower xGA. While our actual goals conceded was fair, both the stats and the eye test tell a different story.
- Some standout wins against big teams. We did it in the cup, but our record in the league was woeful. We need to make teams worry about coming to Old Trafford.
- A sense of a new core of players emerging we can build around. There's too many players knocking around now that feel like they'll be gone in a season or two.
- A clear sense that our transfer strategy has changed. No more 28-30 years olds getting big contracts. A focus on getting 22-24 year olds so they can settle and have their prime years here.
Solid progress in all those areas and I'll be happy.
For me the main things I want to see major progress in are
- More goals and more consistent threat.
- Better game management.
- Lower xGA. While our actual goals conceded was fair, both the stats and the eye test tell a different story.
- Some standout wins against big teams. We did it in the cup, but our record in the league was woeful. We need to make teams worry about coming to Old Trafford.
- A sense of a new core of players emerging we can build around. There's too many players knocking around now that feel like they'll be gone in a season or two.
- A clear sense that our transfer strategy has changed. No more 28-30 years olds getting big contracts. A focus on getting 22-24 year olds so they can settle and have their prime years here.
Solid progress in all those areas and I'll be happy.
Kind of impossible to really say before I see what the squad looks up. But in theory, same as last season. Top 3, a trophy, and a style of play that works and is actually convincing. Don't be depressing to watch. Actually look like we're going towards something positive.