Would you take Conte at United?

[JPRouve]

This is my biggest worry tbh.
343 would solve some of that but it still leaves us with a problem on where to fit Bruno and Pogba.
I'm undecided on Conte but I know that Ole needs to go. We should have sacked him after the EL final and got a replacement in the summer but yeah...
Tough situation right now.

There is no easy answer to the Pogba-Bruno issue. But if you play in 3412 like France currently does then you can have Bruno playing the role that Griezmann plays which fits what Conte does. But then you have an issue with the plethora of wide forwards that we have. That issue has nothing to do with Conte though and applies to ten Hag or Zidane. The easiest solution is to let one of them go.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

Conte is really not that different than ten Hag. Yes, there are obvious differences, but people seem to ignore the fact that pressing and positioning are something both of them are really basing their football on. Conte's teams can defend in middle and low blocks, but they also press much, much more and much higher than what teams perceived as defensive do.

To put it this way, if ten Hag was to become United manager after Solskjaer or after Conte, he'd have a much more ready squad for what he wants to play after Conte. Positional awareness, pressing and playing out from back are all things that Conte successfuly incorporates into his teams.

And people, would you please stop with that 3-5-2 crap, he has played 3-4-3 incredibly successfuly.

You are of course right about him playing 343 as well as 352.

The problem is we don't have the players to play either of those formations just yet.

In a 352 we will be sacrificing Sancho, Rashford and co which the club won't want to do. And we also don't have the RWB needed.

In a 343 then wingers may well get a chance but Bruno won't work as he's just not a CM at all. Can't see him succeeding in that role.

 

[bond19821982]

One issue with Conte is I don't see how Sancho fits in as Conte doesn't play with wingers. But then Sancho probably shouldn't have been signed in the first place.

Sancho is going to fit more than Rashford . Such a silky player. He would take that left forward role in a 343, in no time.

 

[MrSingh2002]

Mourinho, Pogba, Mkhitaryan. It went downhill from there.

That's good enough though.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

No, but the DOF should dictate the type of players to buy / sell. We need consistency and not chop and change every time a new manager comes in. We need our Marina Granovskaia.

I know what you mean. The merry go round needs to stop. I wouldn't like a manager who just accepts the whims of a DoF either, though. Although I don't think many managers of the calibre we need would accept that stance too.

 

[Idxomer]

Tactically Conte is an excellent manager, he will get Utd organised within a few weeks to a month. People are saying they don't know how Sancho will fit in, but my bigger question would be over AWB and CR7. Cannot see AWB lasting long when asked to play so high up the field and CR7 isn't going to get away with zero pressing.

The bigger problem is he has no hold-up ability which is something Conte always likes in his strikers.

 

[Dancfc]

So as someone whose club he has managed which players do you think will really flourish under him, seeing as I have asked that will ask which players will be out the door in January (if he comes in that early of course)

Telles will have a new leash of life under him, he's a perfect wingback for Conte.

Lindelof, Varane and Shaw is a good back three, although I wonder if Conte will be told to persist with Maguire due to price tag and captain status?

Wan Bissaka is doomed, Conte was hesitant to play Azpi at wingback so there's not a snowball in hells chance he'll see AWB as a fit there.

Bruno could well end up being to Conte what Chelsea's Mata was to Jose, it's hard to see where he fits into Conte's 3-4-3 unless he adapts to centre midfield but even then I think Antonio would favour Pogba and possibly even Van De Beek ahead of him.

Given many of your attackers like to play closer to goal inside forward roles suit them down to the ground. Only issue is he's got many to keep happy. I've got a feeling it will be Ronaldo, Cavani plus one other when he has his preferred line up out (although due to the age of them two he'll have to rotate a lot more than he would if they were at their peak).

I think you have a much more suitable squad for him than people think, unfortunately.

 

[JuriM]

Hopefully the deal falls through.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Ronaldo Rashford Greenwood
Shaw Pogba Fred Dalot
Maguire Varane AWB
deGea
​

That's a viable formation for Conte. I think he'll make something out of Wan Bissaka as a right sided center back, kind of how Walker plays these days. There is enough raw material there with foot speed, tackling ability and tenaciousness for Conte to work with and he is excellent at improving older players who haven't found a role yet.

 

[el3mel]

Conte played 343 at Chelsea with Hazard & Pedro.

In the 343 Sancho's a perfect fit, as the wingers end up playing as inside forwards with full license to come inside, which he likes to do.

I don't know where this myth that Conte doesn't use wingers is coming from, but it's total nonsense.

A lot of people think that Conte plays a strict 3-5-2. Honestly, most of the things said about Conte here makes me believe people actually didn't watch a single game he managed.

Just a lot of myths that are repeated ton of times till people started to believe they're true.

 

[MrSingh2002]

Conte played 343 at Chelsea with Hazard & Pedro.

In the 343 Sancho's a perfect fit, as the wingers end up playing as inside forwards with full license to come inside, which he likes to do.

I don't know where this myth that Conte doesn't use wingers is coming from, but it's total nonsense.

Most don't actually look into it deep enough.

There is no reason why Conte wouldn't play with 3 up front or even agree to playing with a back 4.

I'm Conte in.

Klopp, Pep were big misses for us and when we didn't back Jose how he should have been were left with the best of the rest.

 

[VanDeBank]

No point going for Conte now if the plan is to replace him with someone like ten hag in 2 years time. They are polar opposites

Ten Hag will be long gone and City bound by then. (Maybe Bayern or Barca). He's so entrenched in that philosophy, it's hard to see a different scenario play out.

 

[Infestissumam]

Tactically Conte is an excellent manager, he will get Utd organised within a few weeks to a month. People are saying they don't know how Sancho will fit in, but my bigger question would be over AWB and CR7. Cannot see AWB lasting long when asked to play so high up the field and CR7 isn't going to get away with zero pressing.

good.

I think Dalot would do well for Conte. Then sign Trippier and we're fine.

 

[SecondFig]

Any manager that plays 5-3-2 (or 3-5-2, potatoe/potato) is a horrendous mismatch for our squad.

The only scenario in which you would remotely contemplate renewed squad upheaval is a long term project. But then, a Manchester United long term project should be expansive, so our squad should not be in for major surgery as far as Rashford, Greenwood and Sancho are concerned.

So basically Conte is the exact opposite of what we should be looking for.

100% agree, I'd take short term success before a Conte meltdown if our squad was a good fit for his tactical approach, but it's not.

Personally, I'd rather Ole stay than get Conte.

 

[Majima]

Tactically Conte is an excellent manager, he will get Utd organised within a few weeks to a month. People are saying they don't know how Sancho will fit in, but my bigger question would be over AWB and CR7. Cannot see AWB lasting long when asked to play so high up the field and CR7 isn't going to get away with zero pressing.

AWB would get binned instantly. Dalot would take his place.

Ronaldo would be fine. He would be protected in a 352, and he might be shifted to the left in a 343, as the wingbacks do the pressing and the forwards aren't required to press much.

 

[therealtboy]

Ronaldo Rashford Greenwood
Shaw Pogba Fred Dalot
Maguire Varane AWB
deGea
​

That's a viable formation for Conte. I think he'll make something out of Wan Bissaka as a right sided center back, kind of how Walker plays these days. There is enough raw material there with foot speed, tackling ability and tenaciousness for Conte to work with and he is excellent at improving older players who haven't found a role yet.

Drop Greenwood and put Bruno alongside Fred and Pogba. Shaw could also play LCB with Telles at LWB.Conte would love this squad and the potential to spend to get his perfect 11. Ronaldo and Rashford would be a nightmare up top.

 

[Ballache]

There is no easy answer to the Pogba-Bruno issue. But if you play in 3412 like France currently does then you can have Bruno playing the role that Griezmann plays which fits what Conte does. But then you have an issue with the plethora of wide forwards that we have. That issue has nothing to do with Conte though and applies to ten Hag or Zidane. The easiest solution is to let one of them go.

Ultimately the Team comes first. I don't think it would be a problem for Rashford and Mason in the Long run but Sancho would be in a difficult position IMO. He can play as a #10 but he would be behind Bruno.
Lingard and Martial are gone IMO (we should shift them in Jan and get a DM in).

 

[tjb]

Presumably because Inter fecked him over by selling players he wanted to keep.

United are perfect for him then. We may not buy every player, but we do coordinate top down. For me, as long as Murtough and Fletcher can manage the cultural aspect of the club...then it will be fine.
The biggest lesson we've had since Fergie left is how irresponsible coaches can be. There are very few actual managers left. LVG and Mourinho did not care about the finances or planning for the club. The only reason Ole has been relatively succesful is that him coming in allowed the club to reset and create some of the player and culture management aspects of the club. Woodward is leaving and Murtough and Fletch can provide the overseeing eye on football aspects that Moyes, LVG and Mourinho didn't have. For all the jokes about Woodward, he really should not have had to deal with the football aspects of the club. Hopefully Arnold learnt thay lesson and stays away from the football aspect.

 

[Fts 74]

Chelsea fans on here are concerned he might be coming to us.

I'll take that as a positive.

 

[Cassidy]

Have to say I’m intrigued by the thought having him might attract Barella to United.

This

 

[podurban2]

Yes please bring him.

 

[lsd]

Ten Hag will be long gone and City bound by then. (Maybe Bayern or Barca). He's so entrenched in that philosophy, it's hard to see a different scenario play out.

Oh I'm sure he will have ascended to heaven and have replaced God by this time next year going by the his fan boys on here

 

[antohan]

This is my biggest worry tbh.
343 would solve some of that but it still leaves us with a problem on where to fit Bruno and Pogba.
I'm undecided on Conte but I know that Ole needs to go. We should have sacked him after the EL final and got a replacement in the summer but yeah...
Tough situation right now.

Bruno could be an inside forward there. Not ideal with all the wide forwards competing to be inside forwards instead.

Pogba, no idea, don't care. Done with all the "only god knows" shit about 12 years ago actually. He has no commitment, who should we base ANY decision on him?

We actually don't have any of the midfield four, none. Fred/McT would leave us in the same mess we are in now as they aren't defensive enough nor creative. Not sure Shaw works LM/carrilero, but with his latest defensive performances probably want him as far up the pitch as possible.

 

[::sonny::]

Thinking about a lineup under Conte you can see how bad the team is built

Defensive midfielder:
Mcfred, Matic

Attacking midfielder, Strikers:
Pogba, Bruno, Lingard, Van de Beek, Mata, Sancho, Martial, Rashford, Cavani, Ronaldo, Greenwood

This is a pure madness

20th in league as tackles

What a surprise, James was often a starter because was the only one could give some quantity

 

[Revan]

Conte has won titles in the past and he might well win one again if he came here, but I wouldn't be rushing to put money on him overhauling all three of Guardiola, Klopp and Tuchel in the two or three years he'd last here before pissing off in a huff. Personally, I think I'd prefer to bring someone in who is more suited to the 'cultural reboot' we've banged on about and try to find a modern style of football, played with pace and intensity.

There was no such thing. Appointing Darren Fletcher and another guy no one ever heard about is not a cultural reboot.

With the lack of success in the pitch, the religious people had to find something to praise Ole. And that was 'the cultural reboot'.

 

[Revan]

No point going for Conte now if the plan is to replace him with someone like ten hag in 2 years time. They are polar opposites

Who said that the plan is to get ten Hag in two years? And if that is so, why in two instead of next summer? And if really that is the plan, whom can we get now (or do we just throw the season and the next one to get ten Hag in two years)?

 

[bond19821982]

Ronaldo Rashford Greenwood
Shaw Pogba Fred Dalot
Maguire Varane AWB
deGea
​

That's a viable formation for Conte. I think he'll make something out of Wan Bissaka as a right sided center back, kind of how Walker plays these days. There is enough raw material there with foot speed, tackling ability and tenaciousness for Conte to work with and he is excellent at improving older players who haven't found a role yet.

He won't play AWB as RCB.

He won't play Fred and Pogba. If Pogba is playing, it will be Matic,Fred and Pogba in the middle.

I dont know if he will play Ronaldo as Left forward either.

If it's 343

Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford
Matic - Fred.

If it's 352

Cavani,Rashford
Pogba,Matic,Fred.

Telles and Dalot will be wing backs. It will be 3 actual CBs.

 

[el3mel]

Thinking about a lineup under Conte you can see how bad the team is built

Defensive midfielder:
Mcfred, Matic

Attacking midfielder, Strikers:
Pogba, Bruno, Lingard, Van de Beek, Mata, Sancho, Martial, Rashford, Cavani, Ronaldo, Greenwood

This is a pure madness

De Gea
Varane - Lindelof - Maguire
Dalot - Pogba - Matic - Shaw
Sancho/Greenwood - Ronaldo - Rashford

That's how we'll line if he plays 3-4-3. He'll prefer Matic as DMF for stability, and his pace won't be a concern as we'll be playing with 3 defenders, including Lindelof who can push forward to provide support to midfield if we need to.

He'll want to sign a RWB and will probably want to replace Ronaldo next season as well. If Pogba leaves he'll want to sign another top class attacking midfielder. That's 3 signings. Otherwise we'll be fine. The rest is good.

Bruno I think will be the one to suffer. He can play in 3-5-2 if we decide to go for 2 strikers instead of 2 wing forwards and strikers but I prefer the above 3-4-3 imo and I think Bruno won't be as permanent figure in the lineup as he's now.

 

[JPRouve]

Thinking about a lineup under Conte you can see how bad the team is built

Defensive midfielder:
Mcfred, Matic

Attacking midfielder, Strikers:
Pogba, Bruno, Lingard, Van de Beek, Mata, Sancho, Martial, Rashford, Cavani, Ronaldo, Greenwood

This is a pure madness

20th in league as tackles

What a surprise

And that's true for all managers, whoever comes they need less attackers and more solid midfielders. In theory you can use an unbalanced 4231 and try to score 5 goals every games but outside of Zeman and Ole no one is crazy enough to willingly try it.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

People comparing Jose to Conte must be wumming.

Jose came off a season in which he had Chelsea near the relegation zone.

Conte's coming off a season in which he won Serie A comfortably with some of our rejects.

There is no comparison between the 2. One was finished and trending down when we appointed him.

Conte is still excellent.

 

[OrcaFat]

He wins.

I changed my vote to yes.

Plus I will take anyone now. I backed Ole with barely a wobble. I became an Ole-out sympathiser after the Leicester game but the 0-5 was the final straw. I’ll take anyone over Ole now; even my mum, although she is unproven in the prem. Conte will not feel right at all but I just want to stop Liverpool, Chelsea and City from humiliating us and I think he can do it for a year or two.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

I'd take him because he actually has a system, but I just don't know we have the personnel to suit his system - least said we have a lot of players that completely doesn't suit his system. Sancho for example doesn't fit anywhere.

 

[Zaphod2319]

I've always seen Chelsea fans speak glowingly of Conte, and their only regret being his fallout with Costa.

Do you think he would fit United?

I think he would make all your CB much better through his way of playing. He would sort out your midfield and keep what he likes and want to get rid of what he does not want. He would use your attacking players wonderfully, but I don’t know if he will want Renaldo, he will love Cavani. Cavani’s energy and his desire to press is natural. No player will be above Conte, he is the ultimate Alpha.

I think he would get the most out of your players, and would not be shy about losing players that don’t suit him. He would improve your performance in a week.

 

[redIndianDevil]

100% agree, I'd take short term success before a Conte meltdown if our squad was a good fit for his tactical approach, but it's not.

Personally, I'd rather Ole stay than get Conte.

Masochist

 

[WeePat]

I don't think Conte will pigeon hole players into a system they don't naturally fit into. Players obviously have to be amendable to what Conte wants them to do, but he won't alienate top class players for no reason.

I don't know what he would do with Bruno. On paper he could be biggest casualty, but Conte won't just throw out a bona-fide difference maker like Bruno without at least trying to find a system that incorporates his talent and still retain all the hallmarks of a Conte team.

Van der Beek and Telles could probably be the biggest winners.

 

[Dan_F]

I don't give a shit how long a manager stays at my club. I just want him to win big things while he's managing us. If he wins the league in his first season then gets sacked the next one, he would be a success in my eyes. I don't understand when will United fans move on from the long term nonsense. I know it's hard to understand that's how football work because for years we had Fergie and never thought of having another manager but get past it : that's how football works : manager wins he stays, he has a bad season and he's sacked and you hire another manager to continue the success cycle.

Too much focus on long term and how many years a manager will stay when he's hired. Nonsense. Our team is full of players at their peak. A lot of them are in their 30s or close to their 30s. It's actually time to start thinking about short term. We should start to think about fecking winning at present because regardless of who the next manager is, 3 or 4 years from now on we'll be looking forward to replace a lot of the current squad as they're approaching their 30s.

Finally Conte isn't a toxic person. He's just very demanding. He demands a lot from his club and his players. No matter how much pressure he puts on the board for transfers though, he doesn't let it affect his job on the pitch. He was moaning non stop about Inter transfer business but still dominated the league, and that's his most recent job.

Heh. No one is claiming we need to suffer three or four years of shite to build something longer term. And try not to sound to condescending, like people don’t understand how football works because they’re blinded by Fergie. Generally we’ve stuck by managers who have performed well in the league, Jose 2nd, Ole 2nd. Then sacked them when they performed shit. We even sacked LVG while he was collecting an FA Cup.

Whatever manager we hire next will be expected to challenge straight away. It doesn’t matter if it’s Ten Hag, Zidane, Conte, anyone. Pep and Klopp both had average finishes in their first seasons, would you take the one year of Conte’s success at Chelsea over what they’ve done at City and Liverpool?

Give an example of a smaller team over performing their stature and you’ll most likely see a club with a good set up behind the scenes and consistent plan. Managers change, players have to be sold, but success (relative to the size of their club) continues. This seems a far more obvious way to run a football club than let’s pick a top name out of hat and pin all our hopes on that.

 

[golden_blunder]

Who said that the plan is to get ten Hag in two years? And if that is so, why in two instead of next summer? And if really that is the plan, whom can we get now (or do we just throw the season and the next one to get ten Hag in two years)?

No I meant in response to those saying we get Conte now. there’s no point hiring Conte now if he will leave after 2 years and then we go in a different direction again

Obviously if we could get Ten Hag now that would be my preference

 

[Will Singh]

City laid the groundwork for Guardiola for the long term. I don't believe that term necessarily means 10-20 years, but he's been there for nearly seven and that's fecking long. Similar with Klopp.

Doesn’t really answer my question as I’m pretty sure if they didn’t work out they’d be sacked. My point is why do our fans only want a manager who has potential to be long term? We only can hope things work out and a manager stays long term but we shouldn’t not consider managers who don’t have a track record for one reason or another….

 

[FatTails]

So something I didn't see anyone bring up yet, but Inter were the second highest scorers in Serie A last year.

3rd across the top 5 leagues combined.

6th in xG across the top 5 leagues behind Lyon, PSG, Barcelona, Atalanta, Bayern.

It’s been brought up and the counter was that some of Mourinho’s teams pre-United were high scoring too. I don’t think it’s a good counterpoint myself for many reasons but I’m too lazy to argue most of the time.

 

[Sanchez7]