Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 2021/22 Discussion

[Alabaster Codify7]

Maybe if you started following the club after Ole retired. He was always like that as a player, even in the interviews before he was always like that and now as a manager he is being himself who wants to be positive and praise the players at least infront of cameras.

Well, you'd hope so yeah. If he isn't giving them hell behind the scenes he should be shot out of a cannon.

Also, this is frankly quite misleading. Ole, when he was caretaker manager, was Billy Big Bollocks. "United should win every game" and all that. Acting as though he would accept nothing less than the best. It's only since he was made permanent that he's started being Mr Accepting of Mediocrity.

 

[roonster09]

Well, you'd hope so yeah. If he isn't giving them hell behind the scenes he should be shot out of a cannon.

Also, this is frankly quite misleading. Ole, when he was caretaker manager, was Billy Big Bollocks. "United should win every game" and all that. Acting as though he would accept nothing less than the best. It's only since he was made permanent that he's started being Mr Accepting of Mediocrity.

Of course, no manager will be same with and without camera, what happens in dressing room stays there at least with few managers. Many ex players have said Ole isn't nicest person as he looks.

Also not sure what's misleading, at least the one I'm talking about is how he always takes positive outlook and praise players infront of cameras, he did it all the time before he became manager, he did it when he was caretaker and he still does it now. We had Lukaku who acted like a twat missing preseason training, not a bad word was said about him, it was all praises and how professional he was. There were players like Sanchez who were not part of the plans and he wanted them to leave, still he praised everyone of them.

Few of the managers don't want to slag anyone in the media and Ole is one of them. There is nothing wrong with that.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

Of course, no manager will be same with and without camera, what happens in dressing room stays there at least with few managers. Many ex players have said Ole isn't nicest person as he looks.

Also not sure what's misleading, at least the one I'm talking about is how he always takes positive outlook and praise players infront of cameras, he did it all the time before he became manager, he did it when he was caretaker and he still does it now. We had Lukaku who acted like a twat missing preseason training, not a bad word was said about him, it was all praises and how professional he was. There were players like Sanchez who were not part of the plans and he wanted them to leave, still he praised everyone of them.

Few of the managers don't want to slag anyone in the media and Ole is one of them. There is nothing wrong with that.

No, there isn't.

The thing is, I'm getting serious David Moyes vibes with the guy whereas I don't think he holds any authority over the players. Remember the stories about ol' Moysey on the bus to Greece with his self-help manual, getting publicly laughed at by the players? I get the vibe that the players hold Ole in a similar lack of regard with one major difference being they actually like him a lot as a person. I don't think he'd ever be derided in that way BUT......if/when he's gone, I won't be surprised to see the stories coming out about 'we never really believed he was good enough'. Funnily enough, from players he probably feels the same about.

 

[royboy16]

Yep. Sets a big precedent and nowhere to hide for Ed now with Arsenal doing as well as us. Well, "well" is a term I'd use loosely. Spurs acting too.

Next three games are huge for Ole. I mean at the very least I'm expecting 4 points.

Ole is one of us,they wont sack him before xmas.

 

[TheRedDevil'sAdvocate]

United won 4 drawn 5 lost 4
Arsenal won 4 drawn 6 lost 3
spurs. won 4 drawn 5 lost 4

the latter 2 teams both now decided those stats are not good enough and sack the manager... surely the clocks ticking on Ole.

If we had Emery, we would have sacked him already. If we had the right people who could make correct assessments of our progress and who would also provide us with a plan that's a little bit more nuanced than "play the United way", "utilize academy players" and "buy British", maybe we would have the guts to sack someone like Pochettino after he had led us to a CL final.

That's what's keeping him in the job. The sentimentality of a disillusioned fanbase and the fact that Woodward can't make these assessments on his own, so he'll just wait until doing the only thing he knows (sack the manager) will be perceived with a sense of relief. For no other reason than to hide his mistakes under the rug in all the turmoil.

Until then, of course, Allegri may be at Arsenal, Napoli or Milan and Pochettino may be in Munich or Spain. Problems solved, another year with Solskjaer at the helm and with no big demands. Just spend the money from Pogba's transfer on Longstaff and Rice, overpay for a young PL talent (like Richarlison) and keep the fans biting their fingernails with yet another transfer saga that will not materialize (Sancho). A year from now the squad won't be good enough yet again but the signings will be promising. No matter the fact that we'll be a team full of midtable grafters and the usual suspects (Pereira, Lingard, Mata, Young, Jones etc.) will be on new shiny contracts, courtesy of the current manager. But that's OK. Just put on a happy face and talk about your vision of a bright future. Apparently, failure means nothing when you can claim that, at least, you're failing your way.

 

[roonster09]

No, there isn't.

The thing is, I'm getting serious David Moyes vibes with the guy whereas I don't think he holds any authority over the players. Remember the stories about ol' Moysey on the bus to Greece with his self-help manual, getting publicly laughed at by the players? I get the vibe that the players hold Ole in a similar lack of regard with one major difference being they actually like him a lot as a person. I don't think he'd ever be derided in that way BUT......if/when he's gone, I won't be surprised to see the stories coming out about 'we never really believed he was good enough'. Funnily enough, from players he probably feels the same about.

I don't know why you feel he doesn't hold any authority over players, like few others said I would rather have manager who praises the player than the one who throws them under the bus. Everything should be in dressing room and how the manager feels about players should show in his team selections.

At least going by this season, people thought Lingard is his pet and he lost his place. Now Pereira plays as we don't have any other option (which is Ole's mistake as he was the one who trimmed the squad and didn't add AM). There was a brief that Shaw won't walk straight into first 11 and have to fight for his place against Williams.

He is out of his depth as the results are not good enough and we struggle to breakdown teams but when it comes to management, he has done well. He keeps everything in the house, he drops players who are not playing well (unless he doesn't have option). Ultimately he won't be good enough for the results but that doesn't mean everything he does is wrong or should be criticized.

 

[Sterling Archer]

Its astonishing that we lost to some 5th rate team yesterday and we've somehow managed turn that into a positive because the youngsters played. Holy shit have we lost ALL standards. feck dropping them, theyre gone.

We had eight first team players start that match yesterday, mind you. So only three youth team started.

 

[croadyman]

We have settled for a manager Cardiff didn't deem good enough for them. Cardiff!!!! Take the ex player factor out of this and he'd not have even got a phone call back from Woodward for the job let alone an interview or offer.

That is the brutal truth of the matter,expect to see tougher games with Everton and Watford if they make the change too.

Make no mistake Jose will be proper fired up for the game next Weds and the trip to the emirates on NYD just got tougher.

 

[bondsname]

He thinks Lingard was top class against Astana. No wonder we're in our current position

To be fair, Lingard seem to.be heavily reliant on confidence to perform on a level that isn't garbage. Judging from Lingards recent comments about his clothing line etc, he seem to be not in the best shape mentally. I won't blame Ole for trying to get the best out ofd him, even if his recent praise for Lingard is a bit over the top.

Also explains him being captain.

The recent criticism Lingard has faced is totally justified, but even if it was tongue in cheek, we called him Lingod just a year ago. He can actually be incredibly useful when in a good mood.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

If we had Emery, we would have sacked him already. If we had the right people who could make correct assessments of our progress and who would also provide us with a plan that's a little bit more nuanced than "play the United way", "utilize academy players" and "buy British", maybe we would have the guts to sack someone like Pochettino after he had led us to a CL final.

That's what's keeping him in the job. The sentimentality of a disillusioned fanbase and the fact that Woodward can't make these assessments on his own, so he'll just wait until doing the only thing he knows (sack the manager) will be perceived with a sense of relief. For no other reason than to hide his mistakes under the rug in all the turmoil.

Until then, of course, Allegri may be at Arsenal, Napoli or Milan and Pochettino may be in Munich or Spain. Problems solved, another year with Solskjaer at the helm and with no big demands. Just spend the money from Pogba's transfer on Longstaff and Rice, overpay for a young PL talent (like Richarlison) and keep the fans biting their fingernails with yet another transfer saga that will not materialize (Sancho). A year from now the squad won't be good enough yet again but the signings will be promising. No matter the fact that we'll be a team full of midtable grafters and the usual suspects (Pereira, Lingard, Mata, Young, Jones etc.) will be on new shiny contracts, courtesy of the current manager. But that's OK. Just put on a happy face and talk about your vision of a bright future. Apparently, failure means nothing when you can claim that, at least, you're failing your way.

Excellent and scarily accurate post. Especially the haunting last line.

I don't know why you feel he doesn't hold any authority over players, like few others said I would rather have manager who praises the player than the one who throws them under the bus. Everything should be in dressing room and how the manager feels about players should show in his team selections.

At least going by this season, people thought Lingard is his pet and he lost his place. Now Pereira plays as we don't have any other option (which is Ole's mistake as he was the one who trimmed the squad and didn't add AM). There was a brief that Shaw won't walk straight into first 11 and have to fight for his place against Williams.

He is out of his depth as the results are not good enough and we struggle to breakdown teams but when it comes to management, he has done well. He keeps everything in the house, he drops players who are not playing well (unless he doesn't have option). Ultimately he won't be good enough for the results but that doesn't mean everything he does is wrong or should be criticized.

I wont argue with this post, its a well balanced argument.

 

[TrueRed79]

We had eight first team players start that match yesterday, mind you. So only three youth team started.

And he was mostly all smiles after it. It stinks. Just because he's blooding youth and leaving the first team at home that it means he gets a free pass etc. If his team was setting the world alight back home you could maybe say it's not so bad but we are 20 points behind Liverpool and in 9th. It's unbelievable what's happening at Utd. Unprecedented lowering of standards.

 

[croadyman]

Is it really? We could lose our next 5 games and still cannot see him being under pressure. We will still be told of how he has made 3 great signings and that is all that matters.

Yeah the three great signings and no one better is available line we keep hearing is getting very tiresome indeed.

Yes I will admit we need to get Woody (Toy Story) out before appointing another manager but resigned myself to accepting that is never happening. He is just making too much money for the yankee leeches.

Surprise surprise Neville is taking pot shots at Arsenal even laughing at Carragher talking about their defence. Wonder what he really thinks about the Utd situation away from the TV cameras.

 

[dove]

Astonishing really. We have just seen the 2nd manager getting sacked for being in even better form compared to us. We barely won any games in 6 months or so but our manager is perfectly fine having 50% of fans support. Spurs and Arsenal, fecking Arsenal!!! sacks their manager before us, is there anything else to say here really? We are a joke.

 

[mitchmouse]

just seen his post-match interview after the astana game. He has finally morphed totally in David Moyes. Excellent? wow

 

[Mainoldo]

Astonishing really. We have just seen the 2nd manager getting sacked for being in even better form compared to us. We barely won any games in 6 months or so but our manager is perfectly fine having 50% of fans support. Spurs and Arsenal, fecking Arsenal!!! sacks their manager before us, is there anything else to say here really? We are a joke.

Relax he will be found out by next week Sunday.

 

[dove]

Relax he will be found out by next week Sunday.

Every day I hope to see a notification on my phone saying Ole has been sacked but the longer it goes the more hope I lose...

 

[Kush]

Premier League win rates as permanent manager.

Unai Emery (AFC) 49%
Ole Gunnar Solskjær (MUFC) 28.6%

Maybe I am "doing football supprt wrong", but this is absolutly unacceptable and Ole should have been fired weeks ago.

Not a fan of Ole at all, but its unfair to just use statistics since he became permanent manager. His overall win% is 47.05 in the PL, which is below Emery. But, we've sacked better managers in last few years than Emery. Who, also had a better record.

Ole is not being judged on same parameters as the rest of them due to his past with us. And, that's not going to change anytime soon.

 

[Sterling Archer]

And he was mostly all smiles after it. It stinks. Just because he's blooding youth and leaving the first team at home that it means he gets a free pass etc. If his team was setting the world alight back home you could maybe say it's not so bad but we are 20 points behind Liverpool and in 9th. It's unbelievable what's happening at Utd. Unprecedented lowering of standards.

It is a bit concerning. I'm most thrown off by the flip flop in attitude from the interim period. Losing was not ok then. But now that he's permanent, sometimes you win sometimes you lose.

 

[Robaldo]

I like him - it's hard not to - and it's refreshing to see a United manager arguably putting the team before his ego, but he's far too happy to lose. Even watching the response from the Sheffield United game - in which we've drawn to a recently-promoted team - he leaves the pitch smiling, which isn't an exception to the trend.

He's still acting like the interim manager; he's not changed the squad as he said he would - whether that be his fault or the club's - and hearing that he'd wanted to keep Lukaku can only leave you concluding doesn't have the authority to make the changes that you'd need.

Despite that, and the substandard results that we've seen since March, it still seems like sacking him will only lead to Woodward making another error with different manager, which leaves you completely dismayed as a supporter.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

I like him - it's hard not to - and it's refreshing to see a United manager arguably putting the team before his ego, but he's far too happy to lose. Even watching the response from the Sheffield United game - in which we've drawn to a recently-promoted team - he leaves the pitch smiling, which isn't an exception to the trend.

He's still acting like the interim manager; he's not changed the squad as he said he would - whether that be his fault or the club's - and hearing that he'd wanted to keep Lukaku can only leave you concluding doesn't have the authority to make the changes that you'd need.

Despite that, and the substandard results that we've seen since March, it still seems like sacking him will only lead to Woodward making another error with different manager, which leaves you completely dismayed as a supporter.

I wouldn't say he's happy to lose but what I will say is I constantly get the impression with Ole that at 90mins, he genuinely feels he's "done his best". "Oh well, it didn't pan out, i'm still loving being here...."

After Sheff Utd, SAF would have quickly shook hands and stormed off furious at the fact he'd and the team ahd allowed them to get a point after that comeback. That's how a winner feels after snatching mild defeat from the jaws of unexpected victory. Ole doesn't radiate the body language of a winner, at all.

You don't have to be a bloody psychologist major to see it, either.

And no, Ole shouldn't be learning to behave like a winner at United. That sort of learning should be mastered elsewhere before handling a job of this magnitude.

 

[Treble]

Can't criticise Ole for playing the kids vs Astana. That was the right decision. The first team will play 3 PL games within 6 days, 2 of them against Spurs and City. That will be the ost difficult week physically wise since the start of the season. All senior players should be available, even the likes of Mata, Young, etc. Chances are they will start in at least one of those 3 games.

 

[KekiZeki]

Why did we need someone from the club?

We went the other way, didn't we? How well that turned out. Look, Moyes era was unavoidable, but if in the end of it we look inside our recent and glorious history and went with someone who can continue the legacy we'd be up and running by now. Instead we got managers who wanted to "make their mark", regardless what kind and it never worked. Our club is too big for someone to waltz in with their ego and their ideas that go against the nature of the club and for it to work. Solskjaer will get us back on track but it won't be rebuilt over night, it was never built over night either.

 

[The Bloody-Nine]

We went the other way, didn't we? How well that turned out. Look, Moyes era was unavoidable, but if in the end of it we look inside our recent and glorious history and went with someone who can continue the legacy we'd be up and running by now. Instead we got managers who wanted to "make their mark", regardless what kind and it never worked. Our club is too big for someone to waltz in with their ego and their ideas that go against the nature of the club and for it to work. Solskjaer will get us back on track but it won't be rebuilt over night, it was never built over night either.

The argument that we appointed managers with successful track records and it didn't work out (LvG and Mourinho both won trophies, btw), so let's appoint a complete novice is too stupid for words. Only in football.

Ole has done nothing in his career to demonstrate that he is up to this job. Nothing. If I asked you who you wanted to replace Mourinho during his last days, Ole wouldn't have made your top 50. But let's give him time because who knows, he MIGHT be good. And Ed appointed him. We all know Ed knows his football.

 

[Ancient Of Days]

I wouldn't say he's happy to lose but what I will say is I constantly get the impression with Ole that at 90mins, he genuinely feels he's "done his best". "Oh well, it didn't pan out, i'm still loving being here...."

After Sheff Utd, SAF would have quickly shook hands and stormed off furious at the fact he'd and the team ahd allowed them to get a point after that comeback. That's how a winner feels after snatching mild defeat from the jaws of unexpected victory. Ole doesn't radiate the body language of a winner, at all.

You don't have to be a bloody psychologist major to see it, either.

And no, Ole shouldn't be learning to behave like a winner at United. That sort of learning should be mastered elsewhere before handling a job of this magnitude.

Made the exact same points in another thread about Ole's reactions after losing, drawing games and his body language and was shot down to pieces by his supporters who say it doesn't matter how the manager conducts themselves on the touchline and in pressers.

Apparently Ole works all of his magic behind closed doors, and is really holding his anger in to maintain a positive image for the club in his interviews, while he drowns the club.

We're meant to believe that he's praising the players through the media in spite of them dropping points left right and centre and at the same time in the dressing, giving them a rollocking

 

[Tom Cato]

I wouldn't say he's happy to lose but what I will say is I constantly get the impression with Ole that at 90mins, he genuinely feels he's "done his best". "Oh well, it didn't pan out, i'm still loving being here...."

After Sheff Utd, SAF would have quickly shook hands and stormed off furious at the fact he'd and the team ahd allowed them to get a point after that comeback. That's how a winner feels after snatching mild defeat from the jaws of unexpected victory. Ole doesn't radiate the body language of a winner, at all.

You don't have to be a bloody psychologist major to see it, either.

And no, Ole shouldn't be learning to behave like a winner at United. That sort of learning should be mastered elsewhere before handling a job of this magnitude.

You are talking about the same person who threatened to sub every single player on the pitch during half-time, yeah?

But speaking about psychology majors. Did you know that "only focus on the positives" is a freshman lesson about a winners personality?

THAT BEING SAID. I'm pretty sure Ole has learned how to be a winner at Manchester United. You know, with all the trophies won with the club and whatnot.

 

[Tom Cato]

Made the exact same points in another thread about Ole's reactions after losing, drawing games and his body language and was shot down to pieces by his supporters who say it doesn't matter how the manager conducts themselves on the touchline and in pressers.

Apparently Ole works all of his magic behind closed doors, and is really holding his anger in to maintain a positive image for the club in his interviews, while he drowns the club.

We're meant to believe that he's praising the players through the media in spite of them dropping points left right and centre and at the same time in the dressing, giving them a rollocking

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON. THE MANAGER DOES NOT AIR HIS DIRTY LAUNDRY TO JOURNALISTS NOR DOES HE THROW HIS TEAM UNDER THE BUS.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

 

[Ancient Of Days]

You are talking about the same person who threatened to sub every single player on the pitch during half-time, yeah?

But speaking about psychology majors. Did you know that "only focus on the positives" is a freshman lesson about a winners personality?

THAT BEING SAID. I'm pretty sure Ole has learned how to be a winner at Manchester United. You know, with all the trophies won with the club and whatnot.

David May has a healthy trophy haul too after r his bit part contributions for Manchester United.

We should think about getting him on the job after Ole

 

[Tom Cato]

David May has a healthy trophy haul too after r his bit part contributions for Manchester United.

We should think about getting him on the job after Ole

i.....just... ugh I give up. Like what is even this comment and what does it have to do with my reply?

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

You are talking about the same person who threatened to sub every single player on the pitch during half-time, yeah?

But speaking about psychology majors. Did you know that "only focus on the positives" is a freshman lesson about a winners personality?

THAT BEING SAID. I'm pretty sure Ole has learned how to be a winner at Manchester United. You know, with all the trophies won with the club and whatnot.

He's really showing it mate. Fairplay. One day he'll emerge from his cocoon yeah.

Bollocks.

Gone by spring.

 

[Paxi]

You are talking about the same person who threatened to sub every single player on the pitch during half-time, yeah?

But speaking about psychology majors. Did you know that "only focus on the positives" is a freshman lesson about a winners personality?

THAT BEING SAID. I'm pretty sure Ole has learned how to be a winner at Manchester United. You know, with all the trophies won with the club and whatnot.

Yeah because it turned Neville, Bruce, Robson, Keane into top tier managers...

 

[AshRK]

He's really showing it mate. Fairplay. One day he'll emerge from his cocoon yeah.

Bollocks.

Gone by spring.

I cannot see the board sacking him this season. Sack him and they will look even more of an idiots and all the attention will be back to them. They would be praying Ole's magic start working again. If they were that ruthless Ole would not have been appointed in the first place.

 

[RedTiger]

Yeah because it turned Neville, Bruce, Robson, Keane into top tier managers...

Bruce is alright, he tends to do well with average players.

 

[AshRK]

December is very important for Ole. Both SPurs and Arsenal will do well with the new manager bounce so Ole needs to pick points. Won't be surprised if come start of 2020 we are nowhere near the top 4. I hope for the sake of the club we manage to win as many games as possible.

 

[In Rainbows]

Its astonishing that we lost to some 5th rate team yesterday and we've somehow managed turn that into a positive because the youngsters played. Holy shit have we lost ALL standards. feck dropping them, theyre gone.

Some even mentioned is was valuable game time for the youngsters. A 2-1 loss against a team from Kazakhstan. Very valuable indeed.

We had eight first team players start that match yesterday, mind you. So only three youth team started.

Get a grip. Stop trying to use that as evidence to beat Ole over with. There's mountains of other evidence to use to do that (which I use), not that one.

 

[Foxbatt]

The pressure is on him now for sure. Sacking Emery is a huge issue. Ole cannot hide anymore and I am sure Ed is also worried about it because if he was going to get Poch at the end of the season Arsenal could pinch him.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

I cannot see the board sacking him this season. Sack him and they will look even more of an idiots and all the attention will be back to them. They would be praying Ole's magic start working again. If they were that ruthless Ole would not have been appointed in the first place.

They function on chemical survival instinct like insects mate. They'll kneejerk him the second the sponsors deathgrip Ole which will be very soon. Survival.

 

[Samid]

With 'fans' like the ones in this thread who even needs rivals?

 

[Sterling Archer]

Get a grip. Stop trying to use that as evidence to beat Ole over with. There's mountains of other evidence to use to do that (which I use), not that one.

Actually looks like most of that is directed at the cafe for being so agreeable to a loss.

 

[elánius]

Not a fan of Ole at all, but its unfair to just use statistics since he became permanent manager. His overall win% is 47.05 in the PL, which is below Emery. But, we've sacked better managers in last few years than Emery. Who, also had a better record.

Ole is not being judged on same parameters as the rest of them due to his past with us. And, that's not going to change anytime soon.

Well this thread is called "permanent manager", but his overall win rate is still abysmal. With Olé we will never know how good our team actually is.

 

[Sterling Archer]

With 'fans' like the ones in this thread who even needs rivals?

indeed. We've got fans defending losing games with such fervor, losing to a rival or seeing them win trophies is rather moot. We're all about personal growth, having a United bleeding manager and doing things the right way. Losing is totally ok so long as it's in the right spirit.