Actually that's not true. Even in this mega-thread, there are a lot of people who've pointed out clearly what they felt were realistic expectations and what it will take for them to keep supporting this project. I've never had issues setting that bar either:
1) Just get some positivity back, and get our squad going again / implement some United-worthy standards. He did that, changed our entire culture to resemble what it once was. It was pretty much manager boost of the century once he got in, that was a historical run especially considering how we looked prior to his emergence. He didn't get this job by a fluke, he got it on merit, something nobody expected or would have even believed unless they saw it with their own two eyes. And when that incredible run dwindled away, as most of us predicted it would, lets be honest here we still had the same players who'd been prone to downing tools for years so we knew they wouldn't bother keeping that up, he weeded out those who were considered bad influences (well as many as can be realistically expected at least I mean wages and all considered they're hard to ship off) and brought in some quality signings.
Huge let-down though, a big disappointment to me at least, was only getting our defense up to standard, not even replacing Herrera and Lukaku (nobody missed Sanchez at that point) leaving our squad so thin we'd have to depend on Mata, Lingard, Pereira and James as our main contributors up front. If we'd brought in a proper box-to-box and a creative midfielder, also a decent striker, I'd have expected a solid top-four performance next season. However I knew we'd be vulnerable to injuries and struggle in general creating enough chances after that window, I believe most did, so I lowered my expectations to the following:
2) A decent run for top-four, meaning that even if we didn't make it at least we would end up within striking distance making a respectable go at it. Considering how weak our squad was, I actually expected another season with Europa League. I felt that was realistic, and it surprised me how many were calling for his head during that first part of that season even though it clearly wasn't his fault we were struggling he was just making the best of a miserable situation. Their expectations were, all things considered, unrealistically high.
I mean come on... Our offensive setup during most of those matches were Mata, Pereira, Lingard and James, with Rashford, Pogba (who's hit-and-miss anyways) and Martial taking turns getting injured. I dare anyone to name one manager, Sir Alex included, who could turn that lineup into top-four quality. Well we made third, which was more than I expected, due to less injuries throughout the second half of the season and also Bruno coming in making such a huge difference I'm still a bit awestruck. Now just imagine if we'd gotten him during the summer, and not had to wait until January? If we did I'd have raised my expectations then to what they are now:
3) Ending this season as a solidified top-four side. We have that quality now, there's been enough time to implement the necessary cohesion too, so that's where I expect us to be when this campaign finishes. If not though, if they can't keep their motivation up and become consistent (because that's what's plaguing us now and it's a fixable problem) I'd be sad to see Ole go. Unless we miss it by a mile I would even caution against it, but at least I'd understand why. And also, more importantly: I'd still compliment him on the work he's done.
Because I remember where we were before him, and I know what conditions he's had to work under, how far behind the United of the nineties and naughties we've fallen, and you'd have to be blind not to acknowledge his contribution. I'll even say he's done as well as could be expected from anyone, and I'm especially impressed with how he's handled all the pressure and uncertainty surrounding him with everyone writing him off as a nobody and wanting him to fail it seems, even our own supporters.
I'll even go further and add that our next manager, if Solskjær doesn't make it that is (I'm still hopeful he will), should thank him for laying down the groundwork. Because thanks to Ole, he'll sure have an easier job than his predecessor ever did.
