Man Utd Thread:

[gallsman]

I'm sure that Ole together with Phelan, Carrick and McKenna are capable of doing the job required. Big summer ahead and one transfer window won't fix everything.

Is Phelan really up to it or is he too focused on his burgeoning social media career? Never seems to be off Twitter these days, posting mindless pseudo-inspirational shite.

[TabClear]

Hard to believe that 3 of the back 4 last night have lasted as long at the club under 4 different managers and whilst that is not the only problem it is the biggest problem. Defensively not good enough.

I didn't expect them to beat Barca over 2 legs and maybe a glorious failure against PSG would have suited better but the deficiencies have been there to see for a considerable period of time against lesser sides than Barcelona. Wouldn't be overly confident about getting top 4 either so I think it will be a big task to attract the right sort of players in the summer and get the club back onto an upward trajectory. Massively over inflated salaries in the dressing room have created a big problem in that respect dating back to Falcao and Ibrahimovic and now Sanchez. It has created a situation whereby De Gea can walk in and demand £500k per week.

The "free transfer" of players out of contract has created a real problem in this area. Decent players like Ramsey/Emre Can etc who can move on a free can demand massive wages (probably higher than their market value) at buying clubs because the club "saves" on transfer fees. That's fine for that player in isolation but then the other stars at the club look at the new guys wages and decide they deserve more and it creates an ever increasing inflationary loop.

[Keyser soze]

It is clear that despite the 'dead cat bounce' after Ole took over which generated a run of great results there has not been any consistent improvement in the performance of the team and that fundamentally sacking Mourinho has not made any difference to the way things are going. The same players are giving the same shit perfomances, it is obvious that Pogba needs dropped, just like Mourinho sidelined him, he is a like a Dementor sucking the spirit out of the  team and the club with his shit attitude.

Anyone who thought that Ole could resolve issues which defeated the likes of Van Gaal and Mourinho needs their head examined. 

[magpie seanie]

Sure is an overeaction as usual, United started well and looked dangerous but needed to score first to have any chance. As soon as they scored it was game over, United looked tired at the weekend and had to go full pelt until the last minute whilst Barca rested neaerly the whole team but as usual thats totally ignored.

Tactically I don't have much issues with what I saw over the 2 legs, he'd learned from the 1st leg against PSG and got a lot right but doesn't have the players good enough to carry out instructions, defensively we're a shambles and have continued soft goals all season. Young has had 3 appalling games in a row but looks like we're going to have to continue with him until the end of the season. Smalling is and always has been the first player I'd get rid of, he's appalling in possession and has never shown any signs of improvement. He is the main reason we give the ball away so needlessly, Jones is a lot better on the ball and gets far too much stick. Dalot, Lindelof & Shaw plus another centre half has the makings of a very good back 4. United's squad is no way near as bad as many are making out, a top class centre half, centre mid and right winger plus a good pre season would have United looking like a totally different team. I suspect Lukaku won't be happy with his role and will look for a move away and with the likes of Mata & Herrera leaving on a free there may be a few more coming in than 3.

Ole needs time to get his ideas across, tactically he's not done a lot wrong in the last month but has been let down by his players who just continue to gift soft goals to the opposition. Its a big next 10 days for United, can't say I'm too hopeful but a win on Sunday will make a huge difference to my outlook for the rest of the season.

An excellent summation as per usual and it's pretty much what you were saying recently and before last night's match. Simply cannot afford to give away cheap goals at any level against anyone but most especially in the Nou Camp in a quarter final of the Champions League. And it's not an isolated incident.

Next 10 days as you say crucial. I struggle to see United getting the points required for top 4 but one big performance could change that round. It is amazing to be in with a shot of it after where United were when Ole took over.

[BennyCake]

1999 - your main back 3 was  Schmeichel Stam and Johnsen
2008 - Van Der Sar Rio Vidic
2019 - De Gea Smalling Jones

You're a long way from winning anything when that's where you're starting from.

[magpie seanie]

Read somewhere today that 4 of the back 5 for United last night started when United were eliminated by Basle from the group stages in 2011. Jones and Young were in midfield mind you.....

[seafoid]

Read somewhere today that 4 of the back 5 for United last night started when United were eliminated by Basle from the group stages in 2011. Jones and Young were in midfield mind you.....

It was in the Daily Telegraph initially

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/17/end-ole-gunnar-solskjaers-honeymoon-gone-awry-manchester-united/

The end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's honeymoon: What's gone awry for Manchester United and what must happen this summer?
Manchester United's form has taken a nosedive - can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turn things around again?
•   Alistair Tweedale

17 April 2019 • 11:13am


Okay, let's not panic just yet. Yes, Manchester United are not quite the force they had threatened to be in the early days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign, and yes, after a resounding 4-0 aggregate defeat to Barcelona, they are now out of the running in every competition, meaning the success of their season rests on securing qualification for the 2019/20 Champions League.
However, given the position they were in when Jose Mourinho was sacked in December - 11 points off fourth after 17 games, if you needed reminding - the chance to make this season's top four certainly shouldn't be sniffed at.
That said, after a run of five defeats in seven games (plus two unconvincing wins) in which dreams of a cup run were dashed both domestically and in Europe, it certainly feels like Solskjaer's honeymoon period has been brought to a resounding end.
So what's happened to United, and what next for the man at the wheel?
What has happened since the high of PSG?
In the second leg of the last-16 tie against Paris St-Germain last month, United produced one of the all-time great European comebacks with a youthful team that just shouldn't have been able to overturn a 2-0 home deficit.
Since then, it's been pretty much downhill. There was a league defeat at Arsenal, followed by the end of their FA Cup run at Wolves. Solskjaer said the dressing room "felt like a funeral" so dour was the performance in the win over Watford, before another loss at Wolves, this time in the league. Then, sandwiched in between two defeats to Barcelona (into which not too much should be read, such was the gulf in quality) was an extremely fortunate 2-1 win over West Ham last weekend, which came thanks to two Paul Pogba penalties.

The results in recent weeks have been woeful, but there had been warning signs already.
What has changed?
There have been a number of factors at play, and the combination of Solskjaer's inexperience as a manager, players losing form and a series of injuries to key men have been behind United's recent slump.
Teams are setting up with compact and narrow defences against them, and with United not currently boasting any wingers and Pogba out of sorts, they have found opponents more difficult to break down.
There has been an attempt in recent weeks to give themselves as much chance as possible to attack on the counter - they have had 51 per cent, 50 per cent and just 42 per cent possession against Watford, Wolves and West Ham, respectively, after having 64 per cent against Southampton, and have had four shots on the break in their last three league games after failing to have any in their previous four. However, this attempt at playing  the 'United Way' has left them far too vulnerable at the back.
A shoddy defence given little protection
Jose Mourinho was criticised for demanding yet more money to spend on a world class centre-back rather than attempting to improve the players he already had, but the need for new personnel at the back has never been more apparent.

Four of United's back five that lost at the Nou Camp on Tuesday were also in the starting lineup when they crashed out of the group stage of the 2011/12 Champions League at Basel. Since, Ashley Young has been converted into a frankly average full-back, while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones somehow remain in front of David De Gea.
It is expected that Solskjaer will make a similar request to his predecessor this summer, and the United defence will be given a refresh.

There has also been an issue further forwards. United's winter revival was centred around a consistent midfield three, with Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic providing protection to a back four that needed it, and Pogba given the freedom to get forwards. Solskjaer has been unable to call on Herrera and Matic at various points in recent weeks, and Fred and Scott McTominay simply haven't provided the same level of screening to a poor defence.
Teams are now scything straight through the heart of the team all too readily, and De Gea, who has made big errors against both Arsenal and Barcelona, could do with a little more help at the moment.

Injury problems

United did well to hold Liverpool to a goalless draw at Old Trafford back in Feburary but the team was decimated by injuries that day, with Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata going off, and Marcus Rashford playing a significant portion of the match with a limp.
Those injuries picked apart the core of the team upon which Solskjaer had been relying during United's incredible run of form after he took over. That quartet have missed 12 Premier League games between them since that day, while Matic, Alexis Sanchez and Eric Bailly have all been absent at various points, too.
For all the money spent at Old Trafford in recent years, their squad still isn't deep enough to deal with this number of injuries, and it has shown in recent weeks.

Where have the goals gone?

United had been fortunate to come back to beat Southampton the weekend before the PSG win, but were bailed out in both games by two Romelu Lukaku goals. That signalled the end of the streaky Belgian's latest run of form: after a run of nine games without a goal he hit six in three, but has not found the net in five appearances since.
Anthony Martial, initially reinvigorated under Solskjaer, has gone missing in recent weeks, while Lingard looks half-fit. Marcus Rashford can be brilliant as a lone centre-forward, but he still seems like he isn't quite ready to do so for a big side week in, week out, and the last few games have seen a bit of a slump. Sanchez has had no impact whatsoever.
It all adds up to significantly fewer goals being scored and results taking a nosedive.

Solskjaer's inadequacies

Fans love to see a manager who changes his lineup depending on the opposition, mainly because it provides a sense that the man in charge has an actual idea of what he is doing.
Solskjaer has changed his tactics weekly, further endearing himself to supporters that already loved him, but he has got a few calls wrong in big games in recent weeks, perhaps highlighting his lack of managerial experience at the top level.
The decision to play Young on the right side of a back three at Wolves was catastrophic, while a two-man midfield was overrun at the Emirates.
He has done incredibly to ensure the players are enjoying themselves and playing with freedom once again, but he is still learning on the job, and there may be a few more harsh lessons as he continues his education.

Is it time to panic?

There is something to be said for the fact United's recent defeats haven't actually been that catastrophic. This season, Spurs too were thrashed by Barcelona, beaten (at home) by Wolves and lost at Arsenal, while they also struggled past Watford, but their matches were just spread out over a longer period than United's tough recent run.
Their confidence has taken a hit but perhaps they should be looking at the Watford and West Ham results as positives in that they got the wins despite playing badly. After a run of 17 games in which the home PSG game was the only loss, a poorer run is not the end of the world.
The problem is that they now face a difficult run-in. They are still to play:
•   Everton (a) - 21 April
•   Man City (h) - 24 April
•   Chelsea (h) - 28 April
•   Huddersfield (a) - 5 May
•   Cardiff (h) - 12 May

Those next three games will be pivotal, and it will be a huge test to rediscover form against an Everton side who have just beaten Chelsea and Arsenal at home, and then against Manchester City and Chelsea. It looks unlikely but their rivals for the top four face tricky fixtures, too, so Champions League qualification is not quite out of sight.
What needs to happen this summer?

The futures of De Gea and Mata need resolving as they are out of contract this summer, while a replacement for the seemingly soon-to-depart Herrera is another priority. A ball-playing midfielder who provides a significant degree of protection for the defence has been missing of late and United should use this chance to upgrade with somebody who can help get the most out of Pogba, which means settling on a formation that uses a midfield three and Pogba as the most advanced of those players.
In defence, it is likely a centre-back will be targeted, while United could do with a better first-choice right-back than Ashley Young.
Yet again, significant investment is needed at Old Trafford.

Finally, were United were right to appoint Solskjaer?

It had seemed like a masterstroke when Solskjaer came in and turned things around so dramatically, but recent results have seen doubts creep in.
Some feel it would have been wise to wait until the end of the season rather than appoint him on a permanent basis when they did, while others still believe a manager with a proven track record of long-term thinking - such as Mauricio Pochettino - would have been a better choice, even if it was the more expensive option.
It is too early to write Solskjaer off, and many United fans will be grateful for that mid-season run of form after  Mourinho's toxic tenure finally came to an end.
But it does feel as though United did themselves no favours by choosing not to wait until the summer, when his long-term impact and the future of De Gea and Herrera had become a little more clear.
Now they have invested in Solskjaer, they need to stick with him through this rough patch.

[Geoff Tipps]

From F365:

I'll be the first to admit I didn't think Daley Blind was good enough to make the step up from Manchester United to Ajax, but he really proved me wrong.   

[Cunny Funt]

Read somewhere today that 4 of the back 5 for United last night started when United were eliminated by Basle from the group stages in 2011. Jones and Young were in midfield mind you.....

Would have to wonder why Young continues to get starts when performing so poorly? last night Lindelof United's best and most consistent defender was moved to full back to accommodate Jones at centre back. Worst part is Jones,Smalling aren't going anywhere as both were given long term contracts this season and Young was given a one year extension to his contract. Bailly has fell out of favour and will likely be sold this summer and i wouldn't be surprised if he goes on to excel elsewhere like Blind has done with Ajax.

Pogba was playing well for the first few months under Ole but it seems his head is turned with transfer news since then, he's not leader or a player you build your team around and needs a team to be performing well to get the best out of him. I think the board allowing DeGea's contract run down has played a big part in his poor form this season and he can go for free at end of next season so the board of business men could well cash in this summer.

As you said earlier it's going to take more than one transfer window to sort out the problems and still no sign of a badly needed director of football.

[BennyCake]

Read somewhere today that 4 of the back 5 for United last night started when United were eliminated by Basle from the group stages in 2011. Jones and Young were in midfield mind you.....

Would have to wonder why Young continues to get starts when performing so poorly? last night Lindelof United's best and most consistent defender was moved to full back to accommodate Jones at centre back. Worst part is Jones,Smalling aren't going anywhere as both were given long term contracts this season and Young was given a one year extension to his contract. Bailly has fell out of favour and will likely be sold this summer and i wouldn't be surprised if he goes on to excel elsewhere like Blind has done with Ajax.

Pogba was playing well for the first few months under Ole but it seems his head is turned with transfer news since then, he's not leader or a player you build your team around and needs a team to be performing well to get the best out of him. I think the board allowing DeGea's contract run down has played a big part in his poor form this season and he can go for free at end of next season so the board of business men could well cash in this summer.

As you said earlier it's going to take more than one transfer window to sort out the problems and still no sign of a badly needed director of football.

I've been hoping that was the case since 2012.

Agree with Pogba. Although there's few options of player you could build a team around. All prima donnas and Instagram attention seekers these days.

[bigarsedkeeper]

Read somewhere today that 4 of the back 5 for United last night started when United were eliminated by Basle from the group stages in 2011. Jones and Young were in midfield mind you.....

Would have to wonder why Young continues to get starts when performing so poorly? last night Lindelof United's best and most consistent defender was moved to full back to accommodate Jones at centre back. Worst part is Jones,Smalling aren't going anywhere as both were given long term contracts this season and Young was given a one year extension to his contract. Bailly has fell out of favour and will likely be sold this summer and i wouldn't be surprised if he goes on to excel elsewhere like Blind has done with Ajax.

Pogba was playing well for the first few months under Ole but it seems his head is turned with transfer news since then, he's not leader or a player you build your team around and needs a team to be performing well to get the best out of him. I think the board allowing DeGea's contract run down has played a big part in his poor form this season and he can go for free at end of next season so the board of business men could well cash in this summer.

As you said earlier it's going to take more than one transfer window to sort out the problems and still no sign of a badly needed director of football.

I see this as the one issue I have with Ole at the minute. If Young steps out as captain next season he'll be ridiculed, and rightly so. I thought when he give Feilini the boot he had the number of the tubes in the squad but he seems to be turning a blind eye to Young.

It could take more than 2 seasons to catch up to where United should be, even assuming Ole is successful. Some utd supporters have a unrealistic way of looking at things. It took Klopp a few seasons to get Liverpool where they are, even Pep had a bad season to start with. Even with the right signings in the summer it could take a while to catch up with Liverpool and City. Your only hope is Pep gets fed up with City and fecks off. Liverpool could still struggle to hold on to Mane and Salah but I think they're up there to stay.

People saying they should get rid of De Gea and Pogba don't seem to understand the rebuilding that already needs to be done without losing them. I saw a list of keepers on here earlier that people think are better than De Gea and only Obalak would be realistically available out of them and he could cost up on £100M on his own. Both players need to up their performances but I'd still rather keep them. DDG really should have some credit in the bank with fans.

They need to get rid of a lot of players but that'll not happen over one summer either. They're all being over paid so clubs at their level don't want anything to do with them.

[GetOverTheBar]

On the Ajax theme.

Do Utd not have any decent young talent anymore? How do they do in the youth leagues?

Mason Greenwood has been talked about for a lifetime but surely they must have a couple of athletic young full backs or wing converts that could give Young a run for his money.

[Cunny Funt]

On the Ajax theme.

Do Utd not have any decent young talent anymore? How do they do in the youth leagues?

Mason Greenwood has been talked about for a lifetime but surely they must have a couple of athletic young full backs or wing converts that could give Young a run for his money.

Greenwood is still only 17. A young full back that might get a look in next season is Ethan Laird. 

[Helix.]

On the Ajax theme.

Do Utd not have any decent young talent anymore? How do they do in the youth leagues?

Mason Greenwood has been talked about for a lifetime but surely they must have a couple of athletic young full backs or wing converts that could give Young a run for his money.

Greenwood is still only 17. A young full back that might get a look in next season is Ethan Laird.

Tahith Chong doing well in academy but would be as well getting a loan in premier league or Championship. Fosu Mensah on loan at Fulham however never got going. Pereira needs games has the talent but as outlined before too many passengers at United.
Dalot looks decent and Shaw will hopefully only get better.

[Cunny Funt]

On the Ajax theme.

Do Utd not have any decent young talent anymore? How do they do in the youth leagues?

Mason Greenwood has been talked about for a lifetime but surely they must have a couple of athletic young full backs or wing converts that could give Young a run for his money.

Greenwood is still only 17. A young full back that might get a look in next season is Ethan Laird.

Tahith Chong doing well in academy but would be as well getting a loan in premier league or Championship. Fosu Mensah on loan at Fulham however never got going. Pereira needs games has the talent but as outlined before too many passengers at United.
Dalot looks decent and Shaw will hopefully only get better.

Chong a little older and certainly needs more PL game time to show what he can do.  There is also others such as Angel Gomes,James Garner. Pereira will probably go on loan to some Spanish team next season.

Shaw probably Uniteds player of the season and Dalot looks like a good signing.