Ole Gunnar Solskjær press conference: Everton (H)

[noodlehair]

Um, a fit Matic is the one player, no one struggles playing with. He's our only DM. The problem is his legs. But Pogba has done great with Matic as has Donny. Matic is class but we can only play him so often. That's our main problem. I think Donny can be converted into a 6 if needed. He's great against the press, and is quick at passing. Can easily take the ball off defence and progress it forwards. He just needs to have his natural forward instincts curbed a bit. He's also bulked up a bit and has been pretty good in the tackle. WIth both Fred and McTominay playing shit, he deserves his chance. Which he's never getting. He could easily have come on to replace Pogba the other night when Matic was brought on. But instead Ole moves McTominay who was playing shite. Ole is not being fair to the lad, let's call a spade a spade. And he's presently throwing his career down the toilet.

The problem is indeed his legs and it means he is ineffective in midfield as he cannot cover ground quickly enough. It doesn't really matter how often he's used as playing 1 game a week instead of 2 does not make you faster.

The last time Pogba and Matic looked great together was immediately after the lockdown restart, and it lasted 3 games until other teams got their fitness levels back up. The time before was all the way back in Jose's second season and again for about 3 games before Pogba got injured. Matic has never looked great alongside VDB as they have only played next to each other once and we lost.

Matic has had this problem since before we even signed him (ask any Chelsea fan). He takes too long on the ball and positions himself far too deep to compensate for the fact players can just run past him. If we want to press teams then we can't play him in a two man midfield, at least not from the start, and if we want to sit off teams and just defend the edge of our box all game we might as well have kept Mourinho.

VDB had a good game in cm last season alongside Fred against Istanbul. He was then promptly almost never used there again until this season when he had a decent half against Young Boys before being subbed off and then got paired with Matic against West Ham. I wouldn't mind him being given more of a chance with Fred and Mctominay playing poorly based on mostly agreeing with your assessment of him, but we both know with Ole this isn't what will happen. He doesn't seem to fancy him and I'm still trying to work out why we signed him.

 

[acnumber9]

What would that be? From what I've watched of VDB he releases the ball to our forwards much more quickly than either of McFred. Something Ronaldo is currently literally crying out for. Ole recently said he loves Mctomminay and Fred because they break up play which is downright depressing to hear from him because he's obviously not concerned with actually improving our football.

I imagine he wants him to play forward significantly more than he does. We’ve watched different games apparently. When I watch him he passes to the nearest player to him as soon as he can, quite often backwards to the player that just played it to him and then he runs away.

I can’t disagree with the rest of what you say. I’m not in favour of the ultra defensive midfield we play. However, if we dispense with one of them VDB still needs to get ahead of Pogba to start regularly. And he just isn’t as good as Pogba.

 

[acnumber9]

VDB had a good game in cm last season alongside Fred against Istanbul.

That was the game at Old Trafford where they ran through our midfield with the ease that you say players run past Matic. And they were a dreadful team.

 

[HailtotheKing]

The problem is indeed his legs and it means he is ineffective in midfield as he cannot cover ground quickly enough. It doesn't really matter how often he's used as playing 1 game a week instead of 2 does not make you faster.

The last time Pogba and Matic looked great together was immediately after the lockdown restart, and it lasted 3 games until other teams got their fitness levels back up. The time before was all the way back in Jose's second season and again for about 3 games before Pogba got injured. Matic has never looked great alongside VDB as they have only played next to each other once and we lost.

Matic has had this problem since before we even signed him (ask any Chelsea fan). He takes too long on the ball and positions himself far too deep to compensate for the fact players can just run past him. If we want to press teams then we can't play him in a two man midfield, at least not from the start, and if we want to sit off teams and just defend the edge of our box all game we might as well have kept Mourinho.

VDB had a good game in cm last season alongside Fred against Istanbul. He was then promptly almost never used there again until this season when he had a decent half against Young Boys before being subbed off and then got paired with Matic against West Ham. I wouldn't mind him being given more of a chance with Fred and Mctominay playing poorly based on mostly agreeing with your assessment of him, but we both know with Ole this isn't what will happen. He doesn't seem to fancy him and I'm still trying to work out why we signed him.

Agree and I’m still trying to work out why we kept him instead of at least sending him on loan where we could have actually seen what he could do before we get rid of him. It’s not even based on whether he’s better than McTominay or Fred, it’s about whether he’s better than them right now. I don’t even get the message this sends to his squad. Play shit and you’ll still play. But if I play well I still won’t get picked. Brilliant.

 

[HailtotheKing]

I imagine he wants him to play forward significantly more than he does. We’ve watched different games apparently. When I watch him he passes to the nearest player to him as soon as he can, quite often backwards to the player that just played it to him and then he runs away.

I can’t disagree with the rest of what you say. I’m not in favour of the ultra defensive midfield we play. However, if we dispense with one of them VDB still needs to get ahead of Pogba to start regularly. And he just isn’t as good as Pogba.

That was the game at Old Trafford where they ran through our midfield with the ease that you say players run past Matic. And they were a dreadful team.

Right, so similar to the way Villarreal ran through 5 times in the first half. We got caught out but nowhere near the number on Wednesday where we basically got ripped apart.

 

[acnumber9]

Right, so similar to the way Villarreal ran through 5 times in the first half. We got caught out but nowhere near the number on Wednesday where we basically got ripped apart.

We were playing against a significantly worse team than Villarreal. They finished 12th in Turkey last season and currently sit 15th. We know teams find it easy to run past Pogba. We also know he’s much more likely to create something going the other way than VDB is. So if you’re faced with the choice of two midfielders who leave us exposed it’s not a huge surprise that we pick the player more likely to create something.

He was signed to fill the role that Lingard and Pereira filled and also cover for Pogba given we’d come off a season where he was injured for most of it and there was a chance he would leave. The only time Pogba was injured last season VDB was also injured. It shouldn’t be a surprise that his role is reduced when Pogba isn’t injured and Bruno plays constantly. Why we paid £40m for an upgrade on Pereira is a bigger issue when it could’ve been done for £2.50.

 

[Ixion]

The big difference being that when he played he did much better than VDB. Earn your minutes.

The difference being Ole played in a much better side and could get on most games because we were usually in a comfortable position whereas now we're likely to throw any given game away and dare not make changes.

 

[Ali Dia]

At the end of the day Oles just not very good at rotation. I think it’s a continuation of the same kind of thinking that had him selecting Rashford in every single game even when he was clearly unfit. I figure he wants his main group of players to know that even if they play bad, if they try their hardest and follow his instructions he’s not going to buckle under any outside pressure. He’s fully going to back them to get back into form. He should have tinkered around to find a way to play Donny a lot more by now. It’s negligent and pretty embarrassing to sign someone for that kind of cash and then just basically ignore them. If he can’t even get a game or get on as sub for decent minutes when McT was injured it’s looking increasingly like his time here is going to be a bust.

 

[acnumber9]

The difference being Ole played in a much better side and could get on most games because we were usually in a comfortable position whereas now we're likely to throw any given game away and dare not make changes.

If playing VDB leads to us throwing games away then that probably tells you why he doesn’t play.

Anyway, this isn’t a VDB so I’ll not derail any further. There’s enough threads for that.

 

[Beans]

Um, a fit Matic is the one player, no one struggles playing with. He's our only DM. The problem is his legs. But Pogba has done great with Matic as has Donny. Matic is class but we can only play him so often. That's our main problem. I think Donny can be converted into a 6 if needed. He's great against the press, and is quick at passing. Can easily take the ball off defence and progress it forwards. He just needs to have his natural forward instincts curbed a bit. He's also bulked up a bit and has been pretty good in the tackle. WIth both Fred and McTominay playing shit, he deserves his chance. Which he's never getting. He could easily have come on to replace Pogba the other night when Matic was brought on. But instead Ole moves McTominay who was playing shite. Ole is not being fair to the lad, let's call a spade a spade. And he's presently throwing his career down the toilet.

Fred can't play with Matic, at least it's been terrible every time.

 

[HailtotheKing]

What other way can you compare? Go on.

The big difference being that Ole was a sub because we had amazing strikers like Yorke and Cole that he didn't deserve to be in the team ahead of.
Whereas Donny has Fred and McTominay who are extremely limited players but even within those limits are playing absolutely shit.
Plus McTominay is back from an injury and has played something 3 full games in 10 days. Ridiculous.

 

[UnitedSofa]

Let's see if his luck runs out soon. Bailed out by a free mishit during the week.

So you’re actively hoping we lose a lot of games in the hope we may or may not sack Ole?

 

[acnumber9]

The big difference being that Ole was a sub because we had amazing strikers like Yorke and Cole that he didn't deserve to be in the team ahead of.
Whereas Donny has Fred and McTominay who are extremely limited players but even within those limits are playing absolutely shit.
Plus McTominay is back from an injury and has played something 3 full games in 10 days. Ridiculous.

He’s competing with Pogba and Bruno.

 

[FatTails]

The problem is indeed his legs and it means he is ineffective in midfield as he cannot cover ground quickly enough. It doesn't really matter how often he's used as playing 1 game a week instead of 2 does not make you faster.

The last time Pogba and Matic looked great together was immediately after the lockdown restart, and it lasted 3 games until other teams got their fitness levels back up. The time before was all the way back in Jose's second season and again for about 3 games before Pogba got injured. Matic has never looked great alongside VDB as they have only played next to each other once and we lost.

Matic has had this problem since before we even signed him (ask any Chelsea fan). He takes too long on the ball and positions himself far too deep to compensate for the fact players can just run past him. If we want to press teams then we can't play him in a two man midfield, at least not from the start, and if we want to sit off teams and just defend the edge of our box all game we might as well have kept Mourinho.

VDB had a good game in cm last season alongside Fred against Istanbul. He was then promptly almost never used there again until this season when he had a decent half against Young Boys before being subbed off and then got paired with Matic against West Ham. I wouldn't mind him being given more of a chance with Fred and Mctominay playing poorly based on mostly agreeing with your assessment of him, but we both know with Ole this isn't what will happen. He doesn't seem to fancy him and I'm still trying to work out why we signed him.

I agree with most of your post but I think this is a bit overplayed. The likes of Busquets and Carrick have always been slow. Rodri at City moves like a tank. Matic, even at his best at Chelsea, was slow too.

This particular position is much more about positioning, anticipation, and passing than covering a lot of ground quickly, especially in a well organized team.

 

[HailtotheKing]

He’s competing with Pogba and Bruno.

Yeah, if like Ole you assume he can only play in those positions. Personally I think he's competing with McTominay or Fred and right now could do a much better job.

 

[Flytan]

So you’re actively hoping we lose a lot of games in the hope we may or may not sack Ole?

Where on earth did you infer that from? Thinking ole is a bad manager has nothing to do with hoping we lose. But sure keep being one of those fans who thinks that for some unknown reason

 

[acnumber9]

Yeah, if like Ole you assume he can only play in those positions. Personally I think he's competing with McTominay or Fred and right now could do a much better job.

He isn’t though. If we want a more attacking option we play Pogba. With good reason.

 

[AltiUn]

1st chance, Pogba dispossessed, counter down left.
2nd chance, played through the pitch centrally, not a counter.
3rd chance is a long ball wide, not a counter but direct and terrible from Dalot
4th chance, ball lost high, long ball centrally and Varane feck up, counter.
5th chance, played though the pitch and worked into shooting position on their RW, not a counter
Goal - not a counter, Varane rushes out and they exploit. I can't remember if they won the ball back just before the highlights start but I don't think they did.
6th chance, not a counter, worked down left again and goal mouth bundle

I agree they exploited the shit out of Dalot but it wasn't just them lumping it long and sitting in. FYI the above isn't including additional times they broke through when it wasn't as clear cut like that toe poke finish from their LW. Basically thank the old gods and the new for DDG in that game. Even if you take out all the counters they created more than us - we had Cavani's header, Lingard's shot from Ronnie's shot and the goal as 'good' chances. That's really it.

What matters is we learn from that and we don't see the same again tomorrow.

I did have a watch back myself after looking at your examples and looks like you were right, to be honest.

 

[UnitedSofa]

Where on earth did you infer that from? Thinking ole is a bad manager has nothing to do with hoping we lose. But sure keep being one of those fans who thinks that for some unknown reason

You said “Let’s see if his luck runs out soon” & “bailed out by a mishit mid week” (assuming you meant miss hit)

How is that not hoping we lose?

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

The big difference being that Ole was a sub because we had amazing strikers like Yorke and Cole that he didn't deserve to be in the team ahead of.
Whereas Donny has Fred and McTominay who are extremely limited players but even within those limits are playing absolutely shit.
Plus McTominay is back from an injury and has played something 3 full games in 10 days. Ridiculous.

You want to play him as a defensive/holding midfielder? Why? Watch his Ajax games, he’s and 8/10. He’s not as good as Pogba or Bruno.

Yes, he hasn’t had many chances and personally, I hope we sell him in Jan for all concerned. But as @acnumber9 said, in his limited chances, he’s look scared… mainly quick simple passes and the thought of him playing centrally (the physical side) makes me shiver. His situation here might well have affected his confidence which is/would be a shame but plenty of players for United and other clubs have waited and grabbed a 15 minute cameo by the balls.

Is he better than he’s looked (in his rare chances here)? Probably. Are we in a position to take that risk (especially with the fixtures coming up)? No. Will posters use every thread to have a go at Ole? absolutely.

 

[noodlehair]

That was the game at Old Trafford where they ran through our midfield with the ease that you say players run past Matic. And they were a dreadful team.

Well it did end 4-1 to us...and could have been more, but yeah the problem here is that it doesn't really solve the problem because you still need to play him with someone.

 

[noodlehair]

Agree and I’m still trying to work out why we kept him instead of at least sending him on loan where we could have actually seen what he could do before we get rid of him. It’s not even based on whether he’s better than McTominay or Fred, it’s about whether he’s better than them right now. I don’t even get the message this sends to his squad. Play shit and you’ll still play. But if I play well I still won’t get picked. Brilliant.

That's the recurring theme and problem with Ole's game management. He doesn't seem to differentiate between bad performances and good ones.

Also Fred and Mctominay I think are players who's level means they are pretty effective when on form, but not good enough to coast through games or make an impact when they aren't. Ideally you want a classier midfielder next to one of them and we just don't have that. VDB I think at best just goes into a similar category as it's not a natural role for him. Better than nothing as its another player to hope is in form but not the answer.

 

[noodlehair]

I agree with most of your post but I think this is a bit overplayed. The likes of Busquets and Carrick have always been slow. Rodri at City moves like a tank. Matic, even at his best at Chelsea, was slow too.

This particular position is much more about positioning, anticipation, and passing than covering a lot of ground quickly, especially in a well organized team.

I'd agree with you but I don't think Matic quite has the quality of those players to allow the team to play effectively with him. Carrick was very similar positionally but better at being in the right place and an awful lot better at playing a quick ball out to the attack. He'd do in 1 second what Matic does after he's turned around in a circle 4 times and wrestled 2 opposition players off him.

We also press from the front which is a big problem whenever Matic plays as our midfield ends up stretched out over 50 yards at times.

My dad is a Chelsea fan and used to get infuriated with Matic for the same things I only noticed when he started playing for us...and at the end of the day they noticed it and sold him.

 

[acnumber9]

My dad is a Chelsea fan and used to get infuriated with Matic for the same things I only noticed when he started playing for us...and at the end of the day they noticed it and sold him.

They sold him as champions and haven’t finished above third since. They probably had more need for him than they thought.

 

[HailtotheKing]

You want to play him as a defensive/holding midfielder? Why? Watch his Ajax games, he’s and 8/10. He’s not as good as Pogba or Bruno.

Yes, he hasn’t had many chances and personally, I hope we sell him in Jan for all concerned. But as @acnumber9 said, in his limited chances, he’s look scared… mainly quick simple passes and the thought of him playing centrally (the physical side) makes me shiver. His situation here might well have affected his confidence which is/would be a shame but plenty of players for United and other clubs have waited and grabbed a 15 minute cameo by the balls.

Is he better than he’s looked (in his rare chances here)? Probably. Are we in a position to take that risk (especially with the fixtures coming up)? No. Will posters use every thread to have a go at Ole? absolutely.

No, but I'll use this one to have a go at Ole because he clearly hasn't been given the chance. I agree that his best position is maybe Pogba or Bruno's but he's not going to get in there, so I think he could play deeper. He has all the tools and he's smart enough to adapt to that position, take it from the back and progress it forwards. He's far more resistant to the press and he can pass move the ball quicker than a McTominay foot roll. He's also bulked up a bit. So, yes, I think he more than deserves his chance instead of the shower of shit that Fred and McTominay have been producing. Note, I'm not talking about them in the past, I'm talking about their form now. And why the hell Ole would make Scott play 3 games in about 10 days when he just came back from injury is beyond me. As is the reason why we didn't loan him out to Everton in the window so we could actually see what he could do before we decide to get rid of him.

 

[noodlehair]

They sold him as champions and haven’t finished above third since. They probably had more need for him than they thought.

I think you know full well that's a massively skewed argument to be honest. They've certainly done a lot better than United since they sold Matic to us. Their midfield is pretty good while we basically play without one and are without a trophy at all since signing him (not putting that on him but if you're going to go there you can't only have the argument one way).

I mean I also feel like this whole argument is a bit redundant because watching the games its actually very obvious the problems we have when Matic plays. He is visibly positioned far too deep and it puts enormous pressure on his midfield partner.

 

[acnumber9]

I think you know full well that's a massively skewed argument to be honest. They've certainly done a lot better than United since they sold Matic to us. Their midfield is pretty good while we basically play without one and are without a trophy at all since signing him (not putting that on him but if you're going to go there you can't only have the argument one way).

I mean I also feel like this whole argument is a bit redundant because watching the games its actually very obvious the problems we have when Matic plays. He is visibly positioned far too deep and it puts enormous pressure on his midfield partner.

I mean, I wouldn’t argue it’s the sole reason for that. Selling him didn’t improve their lot though despite these supposedly obvious flaws. United have finished above Chelsea in the three of the four seasons since. They’ve certainly been a better cup team though.

I think you exaggerate the issues with Matic. He’s the only midfielder we have that’s actually capable of both defending and passing the ball. He’s obviously not without fault, but those faults are exaggerated.

 

[alexthelion]

Let's see if his luck runs out soon. Bailed out by a free mishit during the week.

What?

 

[Flytan]

You said “Let’s see if his luck runs out soon” & “bailed out by a mishit mid week” (assuming you meant miss hit)

How is that not hoping we lose?

Because the two are mutually exclusive? What are you seriously that oblivious?


mishit
verb
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mis·hit | \ ˌmis-ˈhit \
mishit; mishitting
Definition of mishit

transitive verb
: to hit in a faulty manner

 

[Olecurls99]

I think the point is, he has come on and shown his ability. What more can he do except excel in the games he's given.

Spot on. I'm looking at these highlights and I'm just getting angrier and angrier that Ole won't give this guy a go in midfield.
None of our midfielders do what Donny has displayed here. None of them.
Ole needs to cop on and give the guy a start tomorrow. Ffs

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

I think the point is, he has come on and shown his ability. What more can he do except excel in the games he's given.

That ball up to Greenwood was a beauty. I don't understand Ole's reluctance to play VDB. I trust him with and without the ball a lot more than I trust Fred.

 

[wolvored]

Bruno and Pogba.
DVB should be apoplectic with rage that they get in ahead of him

True but when Fred who hs been shit all season and McTom has been out injured and straight back in there is obviously more going on than getting a chance. Cant see why Ole bought him and if he didnt Ole is a liar for saying he has the final say.

 

[tomaldinho1]

I did have a watch back myself after looking at your examples and looks like you were right, to be honest.

I think it was just the regularity with which they would isolate Dalot made it seem like everything came down that flank and it was all direct. I guess those are the more exciting or memorable chances (didn’t that winger used to play B’mouth as an aside?), I’d completely forgotten the one where they built play and worked the angle on the RW for DDG to save low to his right until i rewatched as well for example.

 

[Denis79]

I'm really starting to dislike Ole the manager.

What was the crap about we dominated the game in midweek and the caught us on the counter. Completely inaccurate statement.

His comments on Donny are a joke. If the midfield was functioning well nobody would have a problem with Donny on the bench. But the fact is we are terrible in midfield and this guy should be given a run of games so prove what he can or can't do. I'd rather see him given a chance in the starting 11 than any of Fred, Mctominay or Pogba at this point as all three of those have had ample opportunity and can't get anything going consistantly.

Honestly, Ole is so far out of his depth it's a joke.

Statements like that annoy me as well, just admit we were the lesser team on the night and move on.

 

[HailtotheKing]

Statements like that annoy me as well, just admit we were the lesser team on the night and move on.

Exactly, just say we gave up a lot of chances in the first half but we were much better second half. Tell it like it is instead of trying to cover people's eyes as though they're idiots.

 

[MrBest]

Ole is doing a great job in digging a hole, i think he's a man now under pressure. Ive given up witj Donny playing, I hope he moves on in Jan. I really rate him as a player, typical Ajax academy player, plays the ball quick, is aggressive and looks for the forward pass. Its a shame Ole is the inverse to what he is. People on here claiming he has not deserved the minutes, well watch that West Ham game again if I were you. He was not perfect but he was very very good especially given the lack of match fitness he has and all round minutes with the rest of the team. I am really curious to what Donny has been working on in the last 14 months, its always the same reasoning from Ole. He's clearly growing a new leg or something, i guess that sort of thing takes time.

 

[MichaelRed]

So Donny needs to impress when used as a sub but has only been given 5 minutes as a sub all season. Also glad to have Ole reveal to us that we actually dominated Villarreal because my simpleton normie brain thought we were the team getting slapped.

 

[The_Midfielder]

Ole is doing a great job in digging a hole, i think he's a man now under pressure. Ive given up witj Donny playing, I hope he moves on in Jan. I really rate him as a player, typical Ajax academy player, plays the ball quick, is aggressive and looks for the forward pass. Its a shame Ole is the inverse to what he is. People on here claiming he has not deserved the minutes, well watch that West Ham game again if I were you. He was not perfect but he was very very good especially given the lack of match fitness he has and all round minutes with the rest of the team. I am really curious to what Donny has been working on in the last 14 months, its always the same reasoning from Ole. He's clearly growing a new leg or something, i guess that sort of thing takes time.

Is he really that good? Where do you think he should play

 

[lilcurt]

Is he really that good? Where do you think he should play

I always answer questions like this with even if Donny was only a 5/10. Fred, Mctominay and Pogba average less than a 5 most weeks when playing in the middle of the park, so Donny deserves his chance.

It isn't always about how good the player coming is in. But more trying alternatives to what 100% doesn't work.

The truth is we have know idea how or what Donny is because he doesn't get consistent game time.

 

[glazed]

End of the day we didn't actually need Sancho or Ronaldo. We did need a DM. So whoever did that fekked out season. The rest is noise.