Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 2021/22 Discussion

[villain]

3 losses in 2 weeks is it? Don't really care about the League Cup, but that form isn't good enough. It's clear there's no excuses other than coaching at this point.

Southampton out played us and were a better coached team, likewise with Villa & Wolves.

City, Chelsea & Liverpool are all well-drilled machines that don't look lost when creating chances - we are just floating around aimlessly and making mistakes everywhere because our players are so clueless & slow in possession.

 

[soapythecat]

He’s not going anywhere unless we don’t make top 4, which we will because our squad is too good not to and there is a considerable gap in quality between us and the other 16 teams (excluding City, Chelsea, and Liverpool)

How can you be so certain? Given how poorly we've played this season, there is every change we could not make a top 4 place. It's quite an arrogant statement given the qualities we've seen recently from West Ham and Villa.

 

[Roboc7]

At some point everyone is going to realise a guy who’d be managing Molde if he wasn’t here and who no other Premier League team would employ isn’t the second coming of SAF or any other pie on the sky dream they have.

As usual he looked totally out of his depth when things weren’t going his way, he’s out of ideas and has been for a while. Be interesting to see where the bar is set for failure, I’d still say top four keeps him his job and nothing else really matters.

 

[AjaxCunian]

Glad I messed up setting my alarm, missed every minute.


Consistent good football under Ole:

1. Caretaker spell (Jan-March 2019)

2. Lockdown games (June-July 2020)

3. Bits of winter and spring last season: Nov-Dec 2020 and March-April 2021

Each time they happen, it's possible to build a narrative.
With the first one it's obvious. He's taken the team out of the Jose doldrums and has a positive attacking style with flair players (Pogba, Rashford) happy and in-form. Next season when things gel and he can buy players, it will be great!
With the second one, Bruno was the key signing at 10 to replace Lingard/Pereira, Pogba, Martial and Rashford all shaken off injuries, the front 4 look world-class. Really looking forward to next season with this young quick attack!
With the third one, Martial became lazy overnight, Pogba had Covid, Greenwood has 2nd season syndrome, but now with Cavani fit, Pogba back and Greenwood in form, Ole has the players to really play. Fill in some squad gaps and next season will be amazing!

(Fwiw, I really believed the second one).

The thing is, these are 3 spells of a few months each, spread over about 30 months of coaching.
It's exactly like that within this season too. Great first game, struggle through the next few, great game with Ronaldo, struggle through the next few. Both at the level of months and individual games, there is just no trend. There are good and bad performances that seemingly happen at random. The squad keeps improving in mostly logical ways (unlike Moyes or LvG or Jose or even "value in the market" period SAF), but the football doesn't really follow.

I guess the hope is that the good spell this season goes on for longer than usual?

Nail on head and you got the dates perfect.

His first season was only good for a while but he massively messed up after March and it seems like everyone has forgotten.

 

[Ralph1386]

Do you know that SAF has already beaten the Old Firm when Scottish football was good? Do you know that SAF had already won a European Trophy beating Bayern Munich and Real Madrid before he was hired by United? The fact that under very difficult circumstances Fergie won all those trophies was the Main Reason why United hired him and backed him. What has Ole Gunnar done as a manager to get the job at United?

I think he was being sarcastic.

 

[red4ever 79]

Mcfred at home again.

 

[spiriticon]

If we don't make the top 4, it will be a calamitous disaster of the exceptional kind...

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

And, what?

So you disagree that we don't start well? Or I am not sure what you are on about quoting me there.

We don't start well, but we don't do any part of the game well. You made it sound like we are so bad solely because we start games bad.

I answered your question in regards to why we started so well against Leeds, which was because they were so open, an anomaly.

 

[bondsname]

I think Ole lost many of his supporters today. I think we should start entertaining the idea of appointing another manager.

 

[Sviken]

Zidane and Conte would probably dismantle the McFred CM first. They would need to partner Pogba with someone whose not championship level.

Perfect. I'd reckon both would go for Donny. He knows how to keep possession and recycle the game. I said it in another thread - Ole's ridiculous insistence on Fred is gonna cost him his job. Don't know if they are best buddies or something, but it literally doesn't make sense why you keep playing a footballer who can't pass 4 meters, under no pressure, without losing the ball. Ironically enough, the last West Ham game I thought it was the first time in a long time that we actually controlled a game and West Ham were of no threat. Unfortunately, due to Ole's baffling decision to rotate the entire squad (unlike Guardiola who left some key players in), we had no cutting edge upfront. But it was a nice showcase of what Donny can do in the midfield. Unfortunately, either Ole hates Donny with a burning passion or he is best buddies with Fred. I have no other explanation of why he keeps playing that headless chicken, but... this will eventually catch up to him. And unlike before, I don't think Ronaldo and Bruno would be so forgiving this time. Ronaldo is here to win trophies and Bruno has spoken time and time again how United needs to win again. If he loses those two, he is out of the job regardless of the morons running this club.

 

[markhughes]

I want Ole to succeed but our performances are so disjointed, our Mcfred formation will not take us where we want to be and we are looking lost out there.

Hopefully this is a blip and we can still have a great season this year but if Ole doesn't get it right this season then its time for a change.

 

[We need an rvn]

SAF became a success because club backed him and gave him time. Ole will become as good as SAF, we just needs to give him more time to learn coaching and buy 2-3 more world class players for him.

This is not the club to be hiring someone who needs to learn how to coach.

Granted, hiring Jose and Louis, managers with a proven track record, didn't work out. But the squads they had to work with and this squad is hugely different. We should be doing much better with this than what Ole's doing and I think Jose and Louis would have done.

 

[devilish]

Conte over Zindane. The Frenchman has only done it at his club. Conte is proven in the Prem and overseas

I don't like Conte at all. He's more self destructive then Mourinho is and that says something. Whoever comes must acknowledge that ball possession is important in modern football. We can't keep on bypassing the midfield and hope that someone bails us out with individual brilliance.

 

[Josh 76]

Every game we play, there is always a feeling the opposition can get something from the game. It’s fecking embarrassing!

 

[Jerry Garcia]

It’s time for Ole to go. Today summed up everything we’ve seen for the last three years from the poor tactics, in game management and player favoritism. Our players are good enough and he’s been backed by the club.

He’s been here long enough and the same issues remain as when he took over; lack of control and not being able to create chances being two of the main issues. We continue to struggle against teams we should be comfortably beating, especially at home.

I just want a manager who can put out a team that is exciting and attacking. Ole will always be a club legend, but it’s time to move on before it’s too late. We know what we’re going to get from here and it’s simply not good enough for the money he’s spent and the players he has at his disposal.

 

[Ranchero]

Do you know that SAF has already beaten the Old Firm when Scottish football was good? Do you know that SAF had already won a European Trophy beating Bayern Munich and Real Madrid before he was hired by United? The fact that under very difficult circumstances Fergie won all those trophies was the Main Reason why United hired him and backed him. What has Ole Gunnar done as a manager to get the job at United?

Exactly. Fergie's greatest single achievement was not at United. It was winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983 with Aberdeen beating none other than Real Madrid in the final. Aberdeen!!

 

[Tomuś]

What is it now, 3 blanks already this season and two games with just one goal? Having top 3 attacks in Europe.

It's not even like we look solid defensively.

But yeah, bla bla bla another Ole moaning bla unlucky bla bounce back next week.

 

[He'sRaldo]

If we waste this squad on him, he'll go down as our biggest mistake post SAF.

 

[The United]

We don't start well, but we don't do any part of the game well. You made it sound like we are so bad solely because we start games bad.

I answered your question in regards to why we started so well against Leeds, which was because they were so open, an anomaly.

I stated one thing that bothered me a lot. Didn't say it was the only reason.

Starting games good with high energy will probably solve most of other issues as well.

 

[thedvil]

I think Ole is a good manager but a terrible coach, if he brought in a world class coaching team he would do well, unfortunately he seems to be in control of the hiring of coaches and the ones he has brought in are very mediocre. So for that reason he needs to go as do all the coaches.

Our options are:

Available Managers:
Conte
Zidane

Buy out Managers:
Ralph Hasenhüttl
Graham Potter

Wildcard:
Marcelo Bielsa

We should have got Klopp and we should have got Pep but alas this is where we are now.

 

[Sylar]

Think he needs somebody in like a Quieroz who can bring a different aspect

Him, Carrick, McKenna and Phelan doesn't sound like a team of tactical nous.

I don’t get why he still has supporters, his limitations are obvious to anyone but the cult of Ole.

Because he isn't going to be sacked and people want him to succeed which means the club succeeds

Unless he goes full Lampard or Jose and has us looking like missing out on CL by december

 

[DomesticTadpole]

This is really worrying. Add to that his comments from before the WHU game where he disregarded tactics as a whole and I’m speechless

Adrian Durham on Talksport was very critical of his comment about the Villa goal. Said he has more things to be angry about than that goal.

 

[Ranchero]

3 defeats in our last 4 games. Very lucky not to get pumped by Wolves and even Southampton outplayed us. The guy is clueless and looking at our fixtures between now and end of November we are in big trouble.

Not at all helped by a transfer policy that consistently fails to see the massive weakness in midfield. More so than the back 4 and right wing. McT Fred and Matic just arent good enough. But Ole is part of that transfer direction. Not Mr Hindsight. Always said it

 

[VidaRed]

I think Ole lost many of his supporters today. I think we should start entertaining the idea of appointing another manager.

Its getting harder and harder to back ole.

Im sure everyone would like him to succeed but its getting harder.

 

[Sylar]

3 losses in 2 weeks is it? Don't really care about the League Cup, but that form isn't good enough. It's clear there's no excuses other than coaching at this point.

Southampton out played us and were a better coached team, likewise with Villa & Wolves.

City, Chelsea & Liverpool are all well-drilled machines that don't look lost when creating chances - we are just floating around aimlessly and making mistakes everywhere because our players are so clueless & slow in possession.

Our form at the end of last season had us winning 2 or our last 7

 

[Jackal981]

Stop bashing him. He needs more world class players to enact his tactics. Maybe another 200 million is enough.

 

[Ranchero]

Ole: Trophies are for egos. Watch and weep. Sadly this will be his epitaph.

 

[Hisha]

This is not the club to be hiring someone who needs to learn how to coach.

Granted, hiring Jose and Louis, managers with a proven track record, didn't work out. * But the squads they had to work with and this squad is hugely different. We should be doing much better with this than what Ole's doing and I think Jose and Louis would have done. *

TRUE. Sadly, most of us won’t agree this fact because they hate Jose and Louis.

And I was being sarcastic with my initial post. I am Ole Out from his first full season onwards.

 

[zenith]

This was our best team today, the best on form and ability at least and very very bad. Not asking for ole to be replaced but serious introspection must happen

 

[DutchCruijff]

This season should be his last chance, I dont give a shit about his contract extension. If he does not come close of winning the league. Then show him the door. If we are by Christmas too far from the top, then sack him before the second part of the season start.

SEASON?!?!?

Are you guys sadists or something?

We were dreadful vs Southampton, Wolves, Villa and Young Boys. Average vs West Ham x2.

6 out of the 8 games we've played this season have been far below the standard we should be at.

And we haven't play a single top side yet.

 

[UnitedSofa]

We lose - new manager needed!

Utter joke this fanbase.

2nd place and gradual improvement, multiple semi finals and a final

Squad in a much better place than ever before and some reason because of 1 loss we’re in free fall.

Jesus wept.

If Bruno had scored and if Villa’s goal been ruled out for offside, it’ll be a different story. Ole was fuming after the goal, but of course no one pays attention to that.

 

[Ranchero]

I don't like Conte at all. He's more self destructive then Mourinho is and that says something. Whoever comes must acknowledge that ball possession is important in modern football. We can't keep on bypassing the midfield and hope that someone bails us out with individual brilliance.

Totally different footballing philosophy. We need a top coach with passion.

 

[villain]

Our form at the end of last season had us winning 2 or our last 7

Yeah I think he was good when we were an underdog not expected to win as often as we are now - he clearly isn't good enough to be a manager at a title-contending team however. The lack of coaching and style of play is evident for everyone to see now.

 

[dove]

We lose - new manager needed!

Utter joke this fanbase.

2nd place and gradual improvement, multiple semi finals and a final

Squad in a much better place than ever before and some reason because of 1 loss we’re in free fall.

Jesus wept.

If Bruno had scored and if Villa’s goal been ruled out for offside, it’ll be a different story. Ole was fuming after the goal, but of course no one pays attention to that.

Been waiting for your amazing input. Ole is 100% the right man, anyone questioning him has no clue about how football works. Clearly the best manager in the world for me.

 

[2 man midfield]

Even when we’ve won this season it’s not been pretty. Apart from the Leeds game I guess, but that’s our problem in a way. Everything is rosy when we know we’ve won the game, we can easily go and score a 4th and 5th. It’s when the pressure is on that we struggle, and that’s a coaching issue. We haven’t really played particularly well all season, and papering over the cracks with late Lingard winners is eventually going to catch up with you.

The next couple of months are make or break for Ole I feel. Some very hard games coming, and we could be out of the title race and out of the champions league before Christmas, or we could fight back and keep ourselves up there. If it’s the former then I think that could be it for him. The board won’t like their big investments being squandered, and everyone saw how Chelsea turned their last campaign around.

 

[weizxx]

When is the right time to change the title to "sack watch"?

 

[We need an rvn]

TRUE. Sadly, most of us won’t agree this fact because they hate Jose and Louis.

And I was being sarcastic with my initial post. I am Ole Out from his first full season onwards.

I think there's a definitely blind side from a number of posters here because the guy is a legend and everyone loves him. I completely get that and would love him to win something for the club.

I think tactically there are much better managers out there who would do better with this squad. I can't fault Ole's man management but he does seem to be feeling the pressure a bit lately.

 

[Hisha]

Stop bashing him. He needs more world class players to enact his tactics. Maybe another 200 million is enough.

Yes, how can anyone blame him? It’s not Ole’s fault. We still don’t have world class players in 3 positions. How can any manager win anything with Ronaldo, Bruno, Pogba, Cavani, Sancho, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, De Gea, Greenwood, Rashford, Martial, etc.? There is not enough world class players in our team.

 

[UnitedSofa]

Its all Ole’s Fault!!

 

[Jerry Garcia]

We lose - new manager needed!

Utter joke this fanbase.

2nd place and gradual improvement, multiple semi finals and a final

Squad in a much better place than ever before and some reason because of 1 loss we’re in free fall.

Jesus wept.

If Bruno had scored and if Villa’s goal been ruled out for offside, it’ll be a different story. Ole was fuming after the goal, but of course no one pays attention to that.

We shouldn’t need a penalty or VAR to intervene at home against Villa. That’s the problem.