edgecutter
Full Member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2014
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If I were Woodward, I would look at the rest of this season as though Ole is still caretaker.
He's laid the groundwork excellently for a successful season next year and possibly for a few seasons afterwards. But I don't think he's the right person to take advantage of that fully.
He has thinned out a bloated and overpaid squad
He's reduced the average age of the squad dramatically
He's coaxed great football out of Fred
He's overseen the emergence of McT as a proper class footballer with bags of potential still
He's overseen Rashford's break out season
He's brought through some very talented youngsters and integrated them into the first team very well
His squad management has been good, unfortunately his game management has been very erratic, some very unfortunate injuries, with Pogba, Rashford and McT in the team I think you'd be a good 6 points better off, but injuries happen to everyone and this season United haven't been able to cope with them. I think people will look back at Ole's tenure and see that he laid the foundations for success, but wasn't able to take advantage of that.
That's why my vote is keep until the end of the season and then replace.
Fred was never in Ole's plans, if you look at last season he got benched numerous times and could never get games to get going. The only reason we have seen Fred become a decent player is due to necessity of having no one else. Fred was bought for 50 million, he isn't a Perriera, he was always a good midfielder that needed game time. Ole didn't make him.
McT emerged under Mourinho, I doubt he would have made it if Ole was in control (just look at Garner).
Finally, his squad management has been abysmal. Rashford carrying an injury and he plays him. Pogba rushed back. Playing full strength squads in competitions to ease pressure on himself rather than focusing on our league position. Ole is very lucky that Fred, Martial, Maguire and Lindolof haven't broken down yet.