@Rhyme Animal I want to see you keep the same energy for Mourinho, who celebrated finishing 6th with Spurs. He and his staff were acting as if they won a trophy or something.
Finishing 3rd, 33 points off PL winners, and no Trophy (yet) is utter rubbish and shouldn't be celebrated...
- Thread starter Rhyme Animal
- Start date
Pretty sure everyone here would have agreed at the start of the season that we're no where near competing with Liverpool and City at present, so realistically third was the best we possibly could have hoped to achieve, especially with how poorly we finished last season.
What this season's conclusion does give us is a fantastic spring board, with the boon of Champion's League football and the team unit looking better and playing better than we have since Fergie left. The challenge now is to see how close we can get to those two teams next season (hopefully with some decent investment, and a progression in our play) whilst also fending off Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal.
So, it's not all party poppers and champagne, but it's not all doom and gloom either. With where we're at as a young squad, this was a decent season, and I'm optimistic and excited for the next.
What this season's conclusion does give us is a fantastic spring board, with the boon of Champion's League football and the team unit looking better and playing better than we have since Fergie left. The challenge now is to see how close we can get to those two teams next season (hopefully with some decent investment, and a progression in our play) whilst also fending off Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal.
So, it's not all party poppers and champagne, but it's not all doom and gloom either. With where we're at as a young squad, this was a decent season, and I'm optimistic and excited for the next.
And 38 games away from disaster.
Pro Tip: Improve your user experience ten fold by listening to the Champions League music whilst you read this thread. Would highly recommend.
So poster who thought United would finish outside the top 4 has made a thread to bitch and moan about others celebrating a 3rd place finished.
This seems like something a very reasonable person would do.
This seems like something a very reasonable person would do.
Did I miss the open top bus parade?
On a serious note ,I think most supporters are breathing a sigh of relief than celebrating. Considering where we were in January it is a very good effort and I think the celebration part is more that we can see a direction , getting in CL will mean we can add further building blocks to the process where we are competitive and attractive again.
Compare that to the dross that was the last 7 years!!
On a serious note ,I think most supporters are breathing a sigh of relief than celebrating. Considering where we were in January it is a very good effort and I think the celebration part is more that we can see a direction , getting in CL will mean we can add further building blocks to the process where we are competitive and attractive again.
Compare that to the dross that was the last 7 years!!
I don’t think people actually think it’s that great of an achievement. I think it’s more a reflection of the Ole in/Ole out divide.
Both sides have been extreme in their views through the season and it has caused tension. Now we’ve finished 3rd the Ole in section are quite pleased and feel vindicated so the over hyping Of a 3rd place finish is a by product of that.
I mean the players and manager barely celebrated yesterday.
I actually really liked Oles interview, even though he mentioned a lot of people said we’d finish outside the top six he didn’t make finishing in the top three into a big thing or try and celebrate himself as someone like Mourinho would have done. He was very level headed about it.
This is perfectly put. Celebrating the journey and not the destination.
It would have been a very depressing summer on this forum had we not finished in the top four.
I am probably in the minority here but I find it a bit strange that we celebrate 3rd while a big portion of our fanbase wants us to play the kids in the EL. I would rather celebrate a trophy TBF.
That's absolutely pathetic. But to be expected of a club that never wins anything.
Again though - our players or manager weren't celebrating and I haven't criticized them
Delusional entitlement on our current situation is much more irritating than excitement over minimal achievements that in context seem grander.
Arsenal celebrating 4th place trophies has been mentioned, but what United fans mocked more than anything over the years has been Liverpool's "Next Year is our Each" spiel. The constant belief that they would win the title the next year, based on nothing other than entitlement that they deserved it because they were previously successful.
Obviously this year was actually their year, but it was 30 years in the making and has been built more upon year upon year of celebrating minor successes without losing sight of a bigger picture
Arsenal celebrating 4th place trophies has been mentioned, but what United fans mocked more than anything over the years has been Liverpool's "Next Year is our Each" spiel. The constant belief that they would win the title the next year, based on nothing other than entitlement that they deserved it because they were previously successful.
Obviously this year was actually their year, but it was 30 years in the making and has been built more upon year upon year of celebrating minor successes without losing sight of a bigger picture
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I know man. You would have thought that constant negativity would have gotten boring at some point.
I think it"s more about that we had a good period at the end of the season. If we switched this form with how we played before the lockdown and still ended on the same points and position there wouldn't be many happy fans.
I'm optimistic about how we finished the season and I enjoy our recent style of football. Now this needs to become the norm for us and not only show in stints during the season. The points we've accumulated are not impressive, we stumbled over the finish line but Ole has done just enough for me to want him to continue his project.
The majority of fans would have take 3rd place if offered before the start of the season. Top four was a minimum requirement for most. Others said, Ole has started to get rid of the deadwood and this will be a transitional season, aslong as we don't fall too far down the table. Let's give him credit, he let himself short of a proper squad by getting rid of deadwood that would benefit United in the long-term. He probably wanted more summer recruits but didn't get backed by the board or couldn't get the deals over the line. He lost our most creative player for the majority of the season through injury, his only striker till Ighalo came in was injured for a number of matches. He only managed to plug this gap by bringing in Bruno in January which if you believe reports, he wanted done in the summer. Since then, we have been able to create and give the likes of Martial and Rashford service. Since the lockdown ended, we have seen a different Greenwood. He has baulked up and can lock the ball in now and not get out strengthened. He had the goals before lockdown, but he has added more to his game afterwards and is a much better option than James. It would have been unwise of Ole to use him from the start of the season.
Rather than our season dying out and us trying to cling onto something, we have clawed our way back in to top 4 contention and credit has to go to Ole and the squad.
Rather than our season dying out and us trying to cling onto something, we have clawed our way back in to top 4 contention and credit has to go to Ole and the squad.
I don't think that CL is that important as many people think, you can go into it and have a miserable season or be on an upward trajectory without it.
But feck me, this place would explode if we didn't get the result yesterday and it is a big relief (as someone already mentioned) for the fans and especially Ole/team ahead of next season. It is a massive bonus to go into it without all the negativity.
But feck me, this place would explode if we didn't get the result yesterday and it is a big relief (as someone already mentioned) for the fans and especially Ole/team ahead of next season. It is a massive bonus to go into it without all the negativity.
I’d like to point out that the terrible football we played this season was mostly when we were in shambles, which was due injuries and lack of squad depth. Or due to tiredness/silly
towards the end of the season.
While your point about Mourinho having played Fellaini is fair (
), he wasn't really all that worried about his defensive record that season since it wasn’t as bad as his attacking, so from our new acquisitions he would’ve enjoyed Bruno’s acquisition the most. Hence your defence would again be subjective.To conclude, I agree we need to build on our recent form. But I was just clarifying the fact about some of us posters disregarding Mourinho which you objected to.
Just like you aren’t willing to look how at we progressed from mid season to finish, it’s also unfair to call out posters who weren’t satisfied with Mourinho’s finish that season and then conveniently compare the points total of the two seasons. You need to look at the situation from multiple perspectives. Point is we could’ve finished 6th with this points total but we didn’t. The league has become more competitive and the overall level of quality has improved over the past few years. Teams like Sheffield, Wolves, Leicester are now playing way above their paygrades while we still have teams like Everton who while destined to be right below the top 6, are now below Burnley & Southampton.
The squad we had the season we finished 2nd under Mourinho would’ve probably finished 6th this year. Or even lower since we wouldn’t be scoring as many goals we did this year.
You have to consider all the different aspects that shape a PL season. Squad depth, manager, your competition, fixture list, injuries, they all factor into the accumulation of a teams finish at the end of a season.
No celebrating from me. Just relief.
Offf.... my man. You're missing the point. By a whole universe.
Manchester United is, wether you want to or not, unlike most clubs in the sense that we have a enormous heritage after Sir Alex retired. 26 years as a manager in a football world where the average term for a Premier league boss is 1.8 years. Most fans under the age of 35~ of this club has really only known football with Sir Alex in charge, and the years following his retirement.
There are a few strong characteristics that defines Manchester United:
A) Continuity
B) The Academy
C) Stellar recruitment
D) Winning mentality
Now, you can disagree with all that and act a bit spoiled while you look to other clubs and admire what they are doing like a petulant toddler, or you can take a seat and reflect on what this club actually is. Because if you want your club to buy every world star imaginable, buy a Manchester City jersey and go enjoy the echo from the stands at the Etihad.
Since Sir Alex retired we've seen the gross dismantling of A) - Lack of focus on B) - Spectacular failures of C) and D) coming and going like the tide.
Instead of nurturing the heritage after Ferguson, the board overseen the decline into a mish-mash of marquee signings, expensive failures, the worst contract in football, lack of continuity and direction, lack of great youth development, abhorrent contracts and loss of the Premier Leauge throne.
We have spent the money and more than our counterparts, and we have exactly what to show for it? That's right, a 2nd in the league, a EL trophy and some forgettable silverware. The ENTIRE identity of this team has been gone and forgotten and attempted replaced by a buyers club mentality that has failed in spectacular fashion. So you don't think we have a lot to celebrate? I'd rather argue that we have a LOT to celebrate. But first of all let me just rephrase what the club has said several times:
We are in the middle of a rebuild. - A REBUILD. The manager has been VERY voical about this being a process that will take years to complete. Ed Himself has been vocal about this being a rebuild. They've identified that they are on the wrong path, and are commited to getting back to, as they say, 'The Untied Way'. I don't understand why people have such a massively hard time with this concept, so let me just use the most common phrase in the world: Rome wasn't build in a day. For the first time since Sir Alex retired, the club and manager are fully on a clear path with a common goal with the backing of the board. The goal is to reclaim the identity of this club, and that takes time. Now, I am sorry if that displeases you and fans with a similar disposition for the patience of a gant, but that is the reality we find ourselves in. The club isn't even focusing on mounting a title challenge next year. The spoken goal is the year following, that is when the club expects to be at a place where they can compete for the PL trophy and CL trophies again through the following key factors:
Youth deveopemnt coming to fruition
Player purchases who have contiued developing
Continuity in the squad
Continuity in the coaching staff
Continuity in the manager.
IF you lack patience, you're supporting the wrong club. If you think you've had enough patience, blame the former managers and player recruitment for finding ourselves where we are today. They are at fault for this process having to take place, not the 19/20 version of Manchester United.
So what is there to celebrate? Well, as it turns out.. a LOT.
1) The project is developoing as the club wants. There was a goal this season: Secure Champions league, and we did that. They wrere realistic about the capabilities of the squad and they made it over the finishing line. We've had some high peaks and deep valleys. It should be a surprise to no one because the bloody manager said that is what we should expect this season. It's almost, so very almost, like he had somewhat of an idea of how the season would pan out. Ole knew what he was talking about, who would have thought?
2) Player recruitment has been phenomenal. Across the board player recruitment of 19/20 gets a B+. Overall we recruited no dead weight, and promoted solid, solid players from the academy.
Daniel James has overall been the weakest player to come in, but even he has contributed a impressive 6 assists in the PL this season, which is enouh for joint third with Martial, and 1 behind Rashford and Bruno overall. He is only 22 and very much still developing. He's currently projecting to be a good rotational player and impact sub.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has fixed a enormous problem from last season: our right back. Whereas before it was a significant problem, now I feel quite relieved if they are attacking down the right flank. He is the best defensive rightback in the league by some margin, and has taken good strides going forward in the latter half of the season. Also 22 years old and still a developing player. A lot of posters use Trent Alexander-Arnold against him with regards to offensive production, but if your only argument is 1 guy in football, then you don't have an argument to begin with.
Marcus Rashford has nearly doubled is previous goal scoring total on a season from 18/19. At 22 he's one of the best prospects in football. Before his injury he was on a solid trajectory to compete for the golden boot. For us who enjoy stats, his xG stats indicated that he should have been the Premier Leauge top scorer this season before his injury. He's wasted a lot of chances, but also generated some enormous goals, like the Chelsea free kick.
Mason Greenwood - Age 18 - A superstar in the making. I predicted 10 goals on the season for him. He netted 10: In the Premier League. Enough for joint 21st overall. Not too bad for a player who'se primary contribution comes in 2020. 19 goals overall on the season for a 18year old is sensational and puts him in the same echelon as other greats at the same age.
Brandon Williams, Age 19 - Gave Luke Shaw real competiiton for the Left Back position, a couple Player of the Match appearances and overall an incredible breakout season. He's still so young that he is nowhere near the player he will develop into the next seasons yet.
Anthony Martial - Still only 24 years of age about to hit his prime years, record goal scoring season matching Rashford at 17 on the season. His first year being givent he number 9 role, and he's taken it with both hands. Remember the player that Ole yelled at during warmup for the Cardiff game last season? He's nowhere to be found, this version of Martial is willing to break his face to score a goal.
Harry Maguire - The new captain of Manchester United. The first outfield player to play all PL matches since Gary Pallister in 92/93 (I think thats the year). He's being given a lot of schtick for having a pricetag, like it's somehow his fault. A very solid 2/3's of the season for Harry, a bit so-so the last third some matches but overall you can't call this a bad signing.
Bruno Fernandes - The best signing in the Premier League 19/20. He gave this team a dimension we never had with the likes of Pereira on the pitch. We have a LOT of speed with Rashford, Martial and even James, but no on to thread the ball. With Fernandes we got that and it changed our dynamic immediately.
Fred - Became pivotal in a season where Pogba spent most of it injured. Fred is one of the players of the year and had his breakout season in the club this season. His only crime for being benched after the re-start is that his isnt Paul Pogba.
Luke Shaw - At 25 years of age he is entering his prime. If you need any evidence as to why Shaw is one of the most important players on the pitch, notice the difference when he's playing and when he's not. He is SO important to that left side. Without him Rashford is forced to play deeper than he should. Shaw at times is an absolute beast. Having him and Williams competing for that Left back is beyond incredible the next seasons.
3) The academy is recruiting some incredibly exciting talent that will see Premier League action the next 1-2 years. Hannibal Mejbri, James Garner, Axel Tuanzebe, Tahith Chong (potential), Dillon Hoogewerf, Ethan Laird will all see first team football before the 22/23 season is finished. Out of all of these, Hannibal is projected as the biggest talent and one of the 'next big thing' players. If that comes to fruition, we'll just have to wait and see.
4) The continuity and the staff are keeping players very happy. Team morale means everything when the results aren't coming in. We've gone through rough patches and yet the only thing we've hear come out from the squad is how they are all pulling in the right direction. Scott McTominay even went as far as going public and urging the board to back the manager. Unlike other managers, Ole has always had the support of this group of players, and now that we've gotten the results we came for this season their effort and camraderie will grow even stronger. It's essentially the hallmark of any cohesive unit that you don't throw blame around. I've not seen anyone throw any blame around at all. Even the most criticized player in this squad was embraced by the best player in this squad last night after his 2-0 goal. There is actual camraderie and a will to play for one another in this group and that is something that all the pounds in the world can't buy. You build that and the coaching staff has gone to enormous lengths to achieve just that. Ole has himself been vocal about a new player needs to have the right mentality to be a Mancheter United player. Being a good player isnt' enough, he needs to be one of the 'lads'. That is why we will never see a mercenary purchase like Angel Di Maria again as long as Ole is in charge.
5) Key players are signed on long contracts. Rashford just penned a new long term deal, Greenwood is about to sign a bumper deal, De Gea extended the rest of his career here. The only player we have on a soon outgoing contract is Paul Pogba, and having come from a place where he wants to move on, he's now in talks to sign a new contract. A player who is not happy where he is does not sign a new contract, he can run it out and be paid just as much in Madrid if he wants to. If Paul puts pent to paper and commits the rest of his prime years here, that is the last piece we need to confirm that absolutely everyone are aboard this new direction of the club.
6) Securing Champions League removes a potential financial and professional hurde of signing Jadon Sancho. A long term significant target, he's going to essentially complete what is the most dangerous forward group going forward along with Liverpool. This deal will get done eventually and Sancho will be a Manchester United player soon enough.
7) We can actually go into the playoffs of a major trophy and be inredibly chill about it. No doubt we are one of the favorites to take it home, and with some solid rest of a lot of the guys I think we will take it home, but right now we don't have to win it, but we very much can, and will.
This has been a very weird season that mirrors the 15/16 seasons with most top6 sides dropping points left and right. But that doesn't matter becuause at the end of the season we are in third and that is all that matters. You are not awarded rankings based on 'what ifs'.
In the opening game of the Premier League season we played the youngest squad in the Premier Leauge and beat Chelsea 4-0 at home. The key takeaway here is that this squad is very young and full of developing talent that will only get better.
There is a LOT to be extremely happy about this season, both with regards to overall rankings, individual player development, affirmation that the project is going as expected, the ovearll mood of the club that has not been this good since 2013, and the promise of a continued legacy of a football club that is different from everyone else.
Sir Alex said it as good as anyone could have in this exerpt from his farewell speech in front of 80,000 Manchester United fans at Old Trafford in 2013:
"I'd also like to remind you that when we had bad times at the club, all the staff stood by me, all the players stood by me. Your job now is to stand by your new manager.
I wish the players every success in the future You know how good you are, you know the jersey you're wearing and you know what it means to everyone here. Don't ever let yourselves down. The expectation is always there."
So maybe we the fans, should remember that we can have bad times, they come for any football club, and that we can afford ourselves the luxury of standing by the club, players and manager through thick and thin.
OK, whatever you say mate.
Define - Celebration. If you mean Fire work, book a bus to go round Manchester to celebrate we are 3rd, then yes, we should not celebrate.
If you mean a big hug and pat on the back among players, a few drinks after the game (allow in UK right now?), then what is wrong with that?
If you mean a big hug and pat on the back among players, a few drinks after the game (allow in UK right now?), then what is wrong with that?
I think it has more to do with the comeback to be honest. By matchday 25 we were 14 behinds Leicester and 7 behind Chelsea and in 7th place. 13 games later and we in 3rd place
Things you have to consider when comparing this season to others post Fergie
15/16 - won the FA Cup yes but LVG was gone since December, nothing he did would have saved his job. That season actually has some similarities with this one, with the renewed emphasis on young players (then it was a Rashford now it's Greenwood) but FA Cup or not the football was tragic unlike what we've played at times this season
16/17 - our most successful season on paper but awful in the league, second best in a cup final we won and shithoused our way to a EL win. The funny thing about this season was Zlatan was the best thing about it and yet his spurring of so many chances is also one of the reasons why we ended up finishing 6th
17/18 - highest points tally post Fergie, probably didn't get the respect it deserved but then the reason of which is how that points tally arrived. Ultimately so far off City and again shithoused our way to many of the results we got
I've taken a lot more enjoyment out of this season than any of the above and obviously less said about Moyes' first season and Jose's last the better. For the first time post Fergie we have a team to be excited about based on their potential rather than their efficiency
15/16 - won the FA Cup yes but LVG was gone since December, nothing he did would have saved his job. That season actually has some similarities with this one, with the renewed emphasis on young players (then it was a Rashford now it's Greenwood) but FA Cup or not the football was tragic unlike what we've played at times this season
16/17 - our most successful season on paper but awful in the league, second best in a cup final we won and shithoused our way to a EL win. The funny thing about this season was Zlatan was the best thing about it and yet his spurring of so many chances is also one of the reasons why we ended up finishing 6th
17/18 - highest points tally post Fergie, probably didn't get the respect it deserved but then the reason of which is how that points tally arrived. Ultimately so far off City and again shithoused our way to many of the results we got
I've taken a lot more enjoyment out of this season than any of the above and obviously less said about Moyes' first season and Jose's last the better. For the first time post Fergie we have a team to be excited about based on their potential rather than their efficiency
Same for us all, relief and excitement about what's to come. Some people don't have mates though and can't tell the difference between being satisfied within the context and 'celebrating'
Lay off the memes please.
Really? Here are our games since the Burnley loss. DWWDWDWWWWWDWDW. We didn't 'almost blow it' at the end, we won 7 and drew 3 of our final 10 games.
Still an ok season considering where we were early on. Absolutely nothing to celebrate of course, especially considering our pathetic exit in both cups. Win the Europa though and considering the obvious improvements we’ve made I’d call it a decent season and definitely our best since Fergie.
Plenty to celebrate, yeah we're not at the heights we once were and we have to accept that. How ever everyone is seeing progress getting back to the top and CL was important to carry on that progress. So plenty of celebrate.
For my money, I think the OP is right in principle, but you have to take into account how bleak things looked when the season started. I remember at that point thinking I almost didn't care where we finish as long as by the end of the season I felt excited about the future and some pride had been restored to the team. In that context, it's very churlish to say this isn't an acceptable season. But I don't feel it should be celebrated wildly either.
Quick everyone, get off the open top bus and put your party streamers away. The fun police are here
In the grand scheme of things going off our past then yeah it’s rubbish.
But progress is being made, you need 95+ points to win this league now we aren’t getting that anytime soon we need to be patient.
Buzzing we got a CL spot tbh.
But progress is being made, you need 95+ points to win this league now we aren’t getting that anytime soon we need to be patient.
Buzzing we got a CL spot tbh.
Who peed in your drink mate?
Kind of agree. But I don't see this team getting anywhere near 90 points even at their peak, let alone near 100 to win the league against this absurd Liverpool team. Theres things with this team to be hopeful about like Bruno and how good Rashford was before getting injured, but for some of the more established players this season was a bit of an embarrassment.
I'd agree to an extent though it's certainly not 'utter rubbish'. It's all about backing up this season with a good one. We've met the minimum expectations in qualifying for the CL, but it's about where we move from here. I'm not a big fan of Ole, but I feel a lot more optimistic moving into next season than I did after both seasons we qualified for the CL under Jose. I probably felt a similar level of optimism after the 14/15 season under LVG, however it became abject the following season.
You are right was, but we never should have went into the season with that squad. Whether it was on Ole or the club we don't know to be fair.
Bruno arguably was the turning point this season, and you agree that he would have enjoyed him the most, not sure what is subjective. Add the fact that he wanted Maguire that same summer after the 2nd place finish.While your point about Mourinho having played Fellaini is fair (
Not it's not really unfair calling some posters who gloat over this and dismiss that season under Mourinho. 2nd place was nothing to celebrate that year, as any other year should be for this club. But considering the shambles before that and how he improved on his previous year it was a stepping stone on which we could have built on, we failed to do so as a club, I hope we don't make the same mistake, while being in a similar position. I for one am satisfied that we ended 3rd but it will be for nothing if we fail to improve and continue rebuilding the team. The league has become more competitive? I am not that sure of that to be fair, more like other than Liverpool and City the others like us and Chelsea have been very mediocre. Let's not delude ourselves we are miles behind Liverpool and that's where we need to be.
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/celebrations.456448/
And Crossy, don't stoop to the personal insults mate - you're better than that, and besides, how can I have no mates when you're my pal?
Check our points from last season...
Check our points from Moyes' season...
There are plus points sure, as there were at previous times during this endless rebuild (@Tom Cato ), but real, objective, tangible progress? Not really.
I find it funny when people act as if the fans mentality matters, the players need a winning midset, the fans just need to enjoy it. Maybe if you're going to games you could argue that the fans can influence the team.
But how does sitting at home like a sofa bound Roy Keane make any difference. I've enjoyed the end of this season even if we haven't won anything.
But how does sitting at home like a sofa bound Roy Keane make any difference. I've enjoyed the end of this season even if we haven't won anything.
If it was black and white you'd be right.
It is an acknowledgement of the ground we made up after a season in which we suffered big time from injuries and having gotten rid of big players.
It isn't so much a celebration as a joy that our progress isn't going to be hampered by not getting CL football.
We did also get to the semis in two cups and still have a third to play for. We finished above all the teams that we were realistically ever battling with.
Most importantly we've seen the risks taken by Ole rewarded and progress of a lot young and inexperienced players which sets us up for a better future.
We beat the best teams in the league comfortably and often.
Our front free have clicked and put up incredible numbers, at a young age too.
Their is a lot of positives for the future that could have been ruined to some extent if we failed to get top 4.
It is an acknowledgement of the ground we made up after a season in which we suffered big time from injuries and having gotten rid of big players.
It isn't so much a celebration as a joy that our progress isn't going to be hampered by not getting CL football.
We did also get to the semis in two cups and still have a third to play for. We finished above all the teams that we were realistically ever battling with.
Most importantly we've seen the risks taken by Ole rewarded and progress of a lot young and inexperienced players which sets us up for a better future.
We beat the best teams in the league comfortably and often.
Our front free have clicked and put up incredible numbers, at a young age too.
Their is a lot of positives for the future that could have been ruined to some extent if we failed to get top 4.