[mitchmouse]

Not many words needed but I've said it before: there's a malaise at the heart of the club and I have to wonder what the board do to earn their salaries.

We are a very poor side, likely to finish 6th, 7th or 8th and the whole lot of them have sucked the joy out of watching United. This started the moment the club had the arrogance to tell us that Ole was the man to take us forward and left in charge at least 12 months too long.

Right back in August I said we wouldn't get enough goals from Martial and Rashford to give us hope of success and I have absolutely no idea how we are going to change things enough to make any sort of challenge next season.

Impossible to find a MoM but if there was one positive, it's that Maguire wasn't appalling as in recent weeks

 

[Escobar]

a squad with no functioning strikers available. Never thought Id see the day

Promote a youth player. Dont get why Ralf is not doing that. Im sure they would try harder

 

[crossy1686]

Can’t wait for the next international break!

 

[GaryLifo]

I'm tired, Gary.

Me too mate, me too.

 

[Xaviboy]

Alan Shearer summed us up in MOTD, were just not a very good football team.

I do wonder is any tactical work being done at all at the club.

Shambles all together.

Watching Wolves v Villa after it and Wolves play much better football then us.

 

[GaryLifo]

Here's my theory, during the final Ole months, Ralph saw us play and genuinely thought the issue was just one of coaching and tactics. At most clubs having issues this is probably true.

He came in, started working with the players while the existing coaches he thought he'd be working with all decided to feck off.

He then had to get new coaches in the players didn't know. He also saw that the players were not doing what he was asking them to do. He persisted with trying to change the system for about 6-8 games before admitting defeat and just going back to the system they played under Ole. He's clearly a very pragmatic guy. His time is limited as manager and he knew he was flogging a dead horse.

He knows exactly what is needed in the summer and he keeps hinting at this in press conferences. All of this interim job is him doing his research on the squad for the summer reboot IMO.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Promote a youth player. Dont get why Ralf is not doing that. Im sure they would try harder

Wasn't that how Rashford happened. I would be wary of promoting kids too early before they are not just physically developed enough for the PL, but emotionally developed as well. You have to be careful, not everybody is Messi or Rooney.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Here's my theory, during the final Ole months, Ralph saw us play and genuinely thought the issue was just one of coaching and tactics. At most clubs having issues this is probably true.

He came in, started working with the players while the existing coaches he thought he'd be working with all decided to feck off.

He then had to get new coaches in the players didn't know. He also saw that the players were not doing what he was asking them to do. He persisted with trying to change the system for about 6-8 games before admitting defeat and just going back to the system they played under Ole. He's clearly a very pragmatic guy. His time is limited as manager and he knew he was flogging a dead horse.

He knows exactly what is needed in the summer and he keeps hinting at this in press conferences. All of this interim job is him doing his research on the squad for the summer reboot IMO.

That actually makes sense. Much more than I usually do.

 

[Marcus]

Here's my theory, during the final Ole months, Ralph saw us play and genuinely thought the issue was just one of coaching and tactics. At most clubs having issues this is probably true.

He came in, started working with the players while the existing coaches he thought he'd be working with all decided to feck off.

He then had to get new coaches in the players didn't know. He also saw that the players were not doing what he was asking them to do. He persisted with trying to change the system for about 6-8 games before admitting defeat and just going back to the system they played under Ole. He's clearly a very pragmatic guy. His time is limited as manager and he knew he was flogging a dead horse.

He knows exactly what is needed in the summer and he keeps hinting at this in press conferences. All of this interim job is him doing his research on the squad for the summer reboot IMO.

I agree. The fact that we did not sign a DM in Jan also means that we had written off the season and want to give a clean slate for the next manager to do his work. I am fine with that. Let's get young and hungry first players in the next transfer window.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Promote a youth player. Dont get why Ralf is not doing that. Im sure they would try harder

I agree. Though He probably doesn't want them swimming in the current state of our "swimming pool".

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Here's my theory, during the final Ole months, Ralph saw us play and genuinely thought the issue was just one of coaching and tactics. At most clubs having issues this is probably true.

He came in, started working with the players while the existing coaches he thought he'd be working with all decided to feck off.

He then had to get new coaches in the players didn't know. He also saw that the players were not doing what he was asking them to do. He persisted with trying to change the system for about 6-8 games before admitting defeat and just going back to the system they played under Ole. He's clearly a very pragmatic guy. His time is limited as manager and he knew he was flogging a dead horse.

He knows exactly what is needed in the summer and he keeps hinting at this in press conferences. All of this interim job is him doing his research on the squad for the summer reboot IMO.

I believe this too

 

[Hughie77]

Here's my theory, during the final Ole months, Ralph saw us play and genuinely thought the issue was just one of coaching and tactics. At most clubs having issues this is probably true.

He came in, started working with the players while the existing coaches he thought he'd be working with all decided to feck off.

He then had to get new coaches in the players didn't know. He also saw that the players were not doing what he was asking them to do. He persisted with trying to change the system for about 6-8 games before admitting defeat and just going back to the system they played under Ole. He's clearly a very pragmatic guy. His time is limited as manager and he knew he was flogging a dead horse.

He knows exactly what is needed in the summer and he keeps hinting at this in press conferences. All of this interim job is him doing his research on the squad for the summer reboot IMO.

Agree, Imo he needed Carrick to stay at least, that didn't happen. Only plus with bringing him In is that he can see the issues the new guy is going to inheret Also we've had 2 old strikers one who's hardly been fit, Cavani, passenger this season. Ronny can't do it by himself. Just hope the new guy with Ralph get the right players in and out.

 

[Chairman Steve]

Here's my theory, during the final Ole months, Ralph saw us play and genuinely thought the issue was just one of coaching and tactics. At most clubs having issues this is probably true.

He came in, started working with the players while the existing coaches he thought he'd be working with all decided to feck off.

He then had to get new coaches in the players didn't know. He also saw that the players were not doing what he was asking them to do. He persisted with trying to change the system for about 6-8 games before admitting defeat and just going back to the system they played under Ole. He's clearly a very pragmatic guy. His time is limited as manager and he knew he was flogging a dead horse.

He knows exactly what is needed in the summer and he keeps hinting at this in press conferences. All of this interim job is him doing his research on the squad for the summer reboot IMO.

Agree with all of that and feel the same way.

It feels like getting Top 4 is just a bonus objective and Ralf’s main remit is evaluating this squad and advising the changes. It felt like that when he was appointed and the way it was briefed to the media. I’d like to think we’re learning from our mistakes when we opted to go for Ralf over Conte. I think if we just interested in Top 4 and nothing more then we’d have hired Conte and my worry was it would be a repeat of the Jose regime again (i.e. may win an FA Cup/League Cup/Europa League but never the big ones, ends with bitter falling out and we’re saddled with his players that wouldn’t work for anyone else)

I hope that the signs of not going for Conte and not buying anyone in January when we probably could have, means the club is serious about making significant changes and no longer just papering over the cracks.

 

[justsomebloke]

The player ratings on this site are becoming a bit of a joke. I know it's dark days and all that, but 3s and 4s are being thrown around for performances that hardly warrant it.

 

[Hammondo]

Agree, Imo he needed Carrick to stay at least, that didn't happen. Only plus with bringing him In is that he can see the issues the new guy is going to inheret Also we've had 2 old strikers one who's hardly been fit, Cavani, passenger this season. Ronny can't do it by himself. Just hope the new guy with Ralph get the right players in and out.

Carrick picked the most combative lineup I've seen in a long time during his short time. I liked it.

 

[AndyMUFC]

Honestly Can’t wait for the summer.

How awful have we been to watch this season honestly? It’s not even just the results. Yesterday was another in a long line of shit shows and we were lucky to get a point against a poor Leicester side.

 

[mancan92]

The player ratings on this site are becoming a bit of a joke. I know it's dark days and all that, but 3s and 4s are being thrown around for performances that hardly warrant it.

Who didn't deserve that? They were all terrible.

 

[Maticmaker]

There were some average performances, some below average performances and some, unbelievably bad performances.
The worst pick of a bad bunch, Sancho was terrible, not just the scuffed shot near the end, but he takes the ball and like Martial and Rashford before him, when out wide he now seems to want it always to feet. Fronts up to a defender, beats him, but then instead of laying it off, tries to beat the same player again going the other way the defender, who by now, has a mate alongside him and they win the ball. A few minutes later Sancho does it again... and again and nobody says anything to him!!!

Two bright spots only;
Matic's first five minutes on the pitch was worth the previous 70 odd minutes of half the team, first touch positive, first ball played forward, first pass switched attack, I know he's not fast and his energy levels do deplete, but surely he should be worth first 60-70 minutes, the only one who looked like he knew what he was doing!
Maguire, given plenty of support by the home crowd (booed of course by Leicester fans) and his confidence soared.

 

[smi11ie]

There were some average performances, some below average performances and some, unbelievably bad performances.
The worst pick of a bad bunch, Sancho was terrible, not just the scuffed shot near the end, but he takes the ball and like Martial and Rashford before him, when out wide he now seems to want it always to feet. Fronts up to a defender, beats him, but then instead of laying it off, tries to beat the same player again going the other way the defender, who by now, has a mate alongside him and they win the ball. A few minutes later Sancho does it again... and again and nobody says anything to him!!!

Two bright spots only;
Matic's first five minutes on the pitch was worth the previous 70 odd minutes of half the team, first touch positive, first ball played forward, first pass switched attack, I know he's not fast and his energy levels do deplete, but surely he should be worth first 60-70 minutes, the only one who looked like he knew what he was doing!
Maguire, given plenty of support by the home crowd (booed of course by Leicester fans) and his confidence soared.

Sancho's shot was bad but it was a difficult chance, Rashford should have been all over it but he stood there like a post.

 

[miked99]

Honestly Can’t wait for the summer.

How awful have we been to watch this season honestly? It’s not even just the results. Yesterday was another in a long line of shit shows and we were lucky to get a point against a poor Leicester side.

I've watched United since the 70s and I've seen far worse teams and far worse players than these, but it's been an utterly joyless season. The opening day was as good as it ever got.

When I was younger I always found close season to be torture, just couldn't wait for the first pre-season friendly. These days I actively enjoy being able to devote evenings to other things rather than watching football pretty much seven days a week.

 

[red woppit]

I still don't understand what this lot do in training. The amount of misplace passes from Sancho, McT, Bruno, Pogba and Fred were staggering. That's our entire midfield. Forget about the manager, the players should do the basic right first.

Elanga's purple patch is over and looking like Rashford, kick and run merchant.

Our defensive formation was a joke. The amount of space and time just outside the penalty box for the opponent to shoot or pick a pass was unbelievable.

Can't wait for the season to end to get a new capable manager and some hungry players in. This lot is done.

I've noticed that we only seem to have one corner routine, and no throw in routine at all.
I thought we brought in a guy to help with those type of situations.
I only played local football, and trained twice a week, but we players worked on all dead ball situations so we had three corner, three free kick (around the penalty area) and three throw in routines, and we would work on those religiously every week until we had them honed.
I said earlier that despite none of our players having nightmare games, and several having decent games, we look nothing like a team that train with each other every day of the week.

 

[georgieworst]

Another Ole dud. He is nowhere near the level needed even from a backup.

There must have been a hell of a highlights reel for Ole to have considered him for Utd... I'm thinking it was probably a heavily CGI'd reel...Telles isn't Championship standard never mind Premier League.

 

[gerdm07]

We are in dire straits at the moment make no mistake about it.
We are owned by a bunch of greedy cnuts who don’t care a bit about the club, our glorious club that has achieved so much and has such a storied history. It’s a crying shame that it has fallen into the hands of a bunch of bloodsucking leeches.
We have a squad of players who are being paid fortunes regardless of how they perform when the put the shirt on and cross the white line.Its clear that they don’t give a shit.
Down the years since I started supporting United in the late 60s we had great players, players who had tremendous amounts of skill and daring, flair players if you like. I have no doubt we still have that type of player.
But equally as revered amongst the United faithful was the player with fire in his belly. The scrapper. The likes of Crerand, Stiles, Law ( who had flair too) Buchan, Holton, Daly, Pearson, Robson , Moses. Whiteside , Moran , Keane. Ince, Hughes etc etc.
We have none of those “warrior type” now.
Signs on it.

I'm tired of this as an excuse. We've spent 1.2 billion pounds since SAF retired (only city have spent more) and we have 4 of the top 5 best paid players in the PL. Can we stop saying the owners are cheap and greedy and recognize they are just incompetent.

 

[Acole9]

Only managed to watch the last ten minutes but looks like I didn't miss much. We looked so pedestrian.

 

[Maticmaker]

we look nothing like a team that train with each other every day of the week.

I've said it before, they cannot possible train on the same pitch, the lack of misunderstanding at times, is unbelievable.

The best example is when someone is trying to take a quick free kick, the players around the spot either look 'non-plussed' or have that 'don't give to me look' or 'what the feck are you doing' look on their faces...or immediately turn their backs so it won't come to them! It is embarrassing at times. There is obviously no quick free kick plan, the only semblance of such a plan I can remember, is when Mata use to come short along the deadball line for a quick release at corners or throw-ins deep in the corners.

Sometimes I think the only team aspect about us is they are all wearing the same kit!

 

[Escobar]

I'm tired of this as an excuse. We've spent 1.2 billion pounds since SAF retired (only city have spent more) and we have 4 of the top 5 best paid players in the PL. Can we stop saying the owners are cheap and greedy and recognize they are just incompetent.

Fair point imo. But I would add that they never installed the right people, so yes, they are incompetent

 

[Buster15]

I still don't understand what this lot do in training. The amount of misplace passes from Sancho, McT, Bruno, Pogba and Fred were staggering. That's our entire midfield. Forget about the manager, the players should do the basic right first.

Elanga's purple patch is over and looking like Rashford, kick and run merchant.

Our defensive formation was a joke. The amount of space and time just outside the penalty box for the opponent to shoot or pick a pass was unbelievable.

Can't wait for the season to end to get a new capable manager and some hungry players in. This lot is done.

The thing is, if the players are not fully committed to what is being worked on during training, it is very much a waste of time.
Manager after manager has failed.
Not because they are failures but because the players think that they are above hard work or doing what they told to do.
Far too easy to not give 100% but still take their over inflated wages and blame the manager.

And until that culture is is eradicated, nothing is going to change. Better get used to absolute mediocrity.

 

[utdalltheway]

I got home late so watched it on the dvr and set it to watch the key plays only. Even that limited viewing was tough to watch.

 

[Steven-UK]

We left the game with 20 minutes to go, no way was I going to sit in traffic for an hour as a result of watching that utter garbage...

 

[Buster15]

Here's my theory, during the final Ole months, Ralph saw us play and genuinely thought the issue was just one of coaching and tactics. At most clubs having issues this is probably true.

He came in, started working with the players while the existing coaches he thought he'd be working with all decided to feck off.

He then had to get new coaches in the players didn't know. He also saw that the players were not doing what he was asking them to do. He persisted with trying to change the system for about 6-8 games before admitting defeat and just going back to the system they played under Ole. He's clearly a very pragmatic guy. His time is limited as manager and he knew he was flogging a dead horse.

He knows exactly what is needed in the summer and he keeps hinting at this in press conferences. All of this interim job is him doing his research on the squad for the summer reboot IMO.

Yes. Pretty much agree with this.
There is an olde saying.
You can take a horse to water.
But you can't make it drink....
I have been extremely critical of the standard of coaching in the past. Rightly so.
But whenever I watch Manchester United play, the same problems persist time after time.
Lack of effort.
Terrible passing.
Non existent team work.
Lack of initiative.
Poor quality.
And inability to do the most basic of football skills.

How is this possible with the resources available at this club.
The only conclusion I can come up with is that the players are simply not prepared to put in the hard yards and are far too comfortable operating at less than 80% and get away with it with impunity.

 

[Irwin99]

Here's my theory, during the final Ole months, Ralph saw us play and genuinely thought the issue was just one of coaching and tactics. At most clubs having issues this is probably true.

He came in, started working with the players while the existing coaches he thought he'd be working with all decided to feck off.

He then had to get new coaches in the players didn't know. He also saw that the players were not doing what he was asking them to do. He persisted with trying to change the system for about 6-8 games before admitting defeat and just going back to the system they played under Ole. He's clearly a very pragmatic guy. His time is limited as manager and he knew he was flogging a dead horse.

He knows exactly what is needed in the summer and he keeps hinting at this in press conferences. All of this interim job is him doing his research on the squad for the summer reboot IMO.

Well that whole 'pressing' thing was dropped very quickly too which would suggest either he admitted defeat or perhaps realized that the players wouldn't be on board with it (or quite simply couldn't do what he asked)

 

[Random Task]

Here's my theory, during the final Ole months, Ralph saw us play and genuinely thought the issue was just one of coaching and tactics. At most clubs having issues this is probably true.

He came in, started working with the players while the existing coaches he thought he'd be working with all decided to feck off.

He then had to get new coaches in the players didn't know. He also saw that the players were not doing what he was asking them to do. He persisted with trying to change the system for about 6-8 games before admitting defeat and just going back to the system they played under Ole. He's clearly a very pragmatic guy. His time is limited as manager and he knew he was flogging a dead horse.

He knows exactly what is needed in the summer and he keeps hinting at this in press conferences. All of this interim job is him doing his research on the squad for the summer reboot IMO.

Yeah, agree with pretty much all that.

 

[onemanarmy]

There must have been a hell of a highlights reel for Ole to have considered him for Utd... I'm thinking it was probably a heavily CGI'd reel...Telles isn't Championship standard never mind Premier League.

Yet he's a full Brazil international.

 

[RedDevil@84]

Most of the players hardly looked interested. Seems like everyone was in the "season has ended" mood and not bothered to even fight for top 4.
All contracts should have a 50% salary cut if we fail to make top 4. That may make these lot mildly interested.

 

[Hughie77]

Carrick picked the most combative lineup I've seen in a long time during his short time. I liked it.

I liked it to, the Villarreal away game where we won 0-2. I liked that. But I think it was a big error in leaving him go, I know he wanted to, I think the club should have made more effort to keep him. But saying that he new a new gut was coming and went before pushed I guess.

 

[Isotope]

Carrick picked the most combative lineup I've seen in a long time during his short time. I liked it.

He did very well. Everyone was fighting for the cause.

Anyway, it seems like RR use this season to give as many chance as possible to First Teamers, to build a case for the Summer clearout. Mou did it to Rooney, thus the board could see that Rooney was finished and willing to let him go.
That's why we see very few chance is given to youngsters.

At least, that's my positive thought.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

He did very well. Everyone was fighting for the cause.

Anyway, it seems like RR use this season to give as many chance as possible to First Teamers, to build a case for the Summer clearout. Mou did it to Rooney, thus the board could see that Rooney was finished and willing to let him go.
That's why we see very few chance is given to youngsters.

At least, that's my positive thought.

Don't think you are wrong. It will have opened a few peoples eyes. Except Gary Neville's of course. If it stops us signing players well past their sell by date it will be something.

 

[Rightnr]

The player ratings on this site are becoming a bit of a joke. I know it's dark days and all that, but 3s and 4s are being thrown around for performances that hardly warrant it.

We got outplayed at home by the team with the worst away record bar the relegation zone teams.

I'd recommend Specsavers but the problem goes way beyond that.

 

[Stig]

I disagree. The lower levels in Europe next year will be important to test the starting 11s strength in Europe and see who can perform abroad. Perfect mixture of fixtures for our manager to see who is right for the next year.

I agree.

But what is the Conference League ?

 

[Hughie77]

Maybe the World cup being in November, will benefit new guy, as he should get a pre season plus a better chance of transfers than the world cup being in the summer. And wishfully by the Autumn Utd and the new guy should have an identity. ?