22 Feb 2016 05:00:04
@Ed001

I remember that a while ago you said that you knew SAF remained very influential behind the scenes and in the media too. There are reports coming out today that he is opppsed to the appointment of Mourinho and trying to prevent it and appoint Giggs.

I know you are a bit cautious and double check before giving info about United since you are a Liverpool fan, but have you heard anything similar?

One thing I found curious was that just as LVG was under pressure and Jose rumors became rife that Sir Alex came out conveniently with the "Pochetino is the best manager in the EPL" statement. Also I have found it very curious that the Class of 92 were very supportive of Moyes (clearly a Sir Alex appointee) until the very end but have not held back one bit when criticizing LVG and have been very outspoken.

It may be just coincidence but I find it hard to believe that it is. There seems more to this and behind the scenes boardroom struggles that has kept a clearly inept manager in LVG in the job still even though his position has been untenable for long.

Please do let us know if and when you hear of something.

P. s. sorry about the earlier incomplete post, pressed send by mistake on the cellphone.

{Ed001's Note - Fergie was against LVG from a very early stage, numerous people connected to the club have said he believe LVG is destroying what he left. I am also told that Jose's confidence that the job is his comes from having Ferguson's backing for the job.

The reason LVG has stayed so long is because of Ferguson, not because he backs him, but because Woodward is constantly having the 'Fergie was about to be sacked before he turned it around' line shoved down his throat. With LVG only ever going to be there for the duration of his contract anyway, he was trying to use him to clean house before a fresh start for the club under a new man. By staying faithful he avoids the club becoming known as not giving managers a chance.}

1.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 06:11:09
Thanks Ed1 for your input. I also heard the same regarding SAF's backing of Jose, and correct me if I am wrong here, but didn't he recommend Jose to be appointed after him, only catch being that Jose had already committed himself to Chelsea.

{Ed001's Note - yes he did. The two are good friends.}

2.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 08:02:37
Thanks Ed001. Very reassuring to say the least! A boardroom tussle at this time would be a total disaster.

Seems to me Moyes got the job back then by virtue of elimination then rather than being first choice. What a mess!

So you see Jose as shoed in now to take over? Van Gaal is making it likelier by the day though is almost pleading for the axe now. I think if we don't win the cup game tonight he will be gone and Woodward will be seen as having given him as much of a chance as he possibly could have!

{Ed001's Note - I don't know, Fergie is not the man making the decision, I have no idea what Woodward or the Glazers want to do. I think it would surprise everyone if Jose was not appointed eventually though.}

3.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 08:16:49
Well Ed001, Ed002 said on the european pages that something else was going on behind the scenes and wasnt sure if it would become public knowledge. We also know that Wpodward wanted to appoint Allegri on a 5 year contract of LVG completed his 3 year contract. Could that be brought forward now, with Chelsea also looking at Allegri?

Very interesting times, Van Gaal is a lame duck right now while decisions are made. I am surprised he hasn't walked yet because he seems like a proud man with a very large ego to me. Probably because of his loyalty to Woodward who gave him a huge budget and every chance to succeed. I think Van Gaal knows he is going to be gone latest by the end of this season.

{Ed001's Note - would Allegri want the job? Large budget, but not compared to the money the club makes. I would say that moving for him early is the most sensible option though.}

4.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 08:39:11
I don't know if he would want the job right now. With everyone expecting Mourinho, if we appoint Allegri he may be seriously undermined. Also he isn't a big name in the English media so he will have to hit the ground running to be treated fairly and make a name for himself.

Although I like him as a manager. He is calm and calculated and has built on the progress made by Conte, even with some of his star players leaving last summer.

I personally think right now it must be given to Mourinho though. Any new manager will have to hit the ground running next season and expectations will be high. Mourinho knows the league and the media very well and has managed huge budgets and influx of players before. I trust him to set the horrible defense we have right and the Mendes connections will certainly help in the market.

He could also attract the likes of Varane and Stones. He really got under Guardiola's skin in Spain and I think he will do that here too.

5.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 09:10:07
Allegri is no doubt a very good man and highly respected in the Footbal fraternity I trust. However, the tough times we are going through right now, I don't think he would suit us at this point in time. He was planned to take over after 3 years by which the club hierarchy were expectant that we would be stable and moving in the right direction. But, that is not what is happening now, is it. As of now, we need a personality more than a manager. We need an ego that matches the size of the job and more importantly the size of the Club. Please guide me if there is anyone who has a bigger ego/ personality than Jose. Well there's only one that I can think of, but unfortunately, he is already at the helm of Manchester United.

I think and hope the board bring Jose Mourinho on board NOW.

6.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 10:02:36
It appears to me that with all the noise from the media and the majority of the fans that if Mourinho isn't appointed then Woodward would absolutely have to make the right choice otherwise his head would be on the chopping board as well as any new coach. I also think it will cause a lot of ill feeling in the board room which will also have a detrimental effect on the club if this is not already the case.

7.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 10:07:48
Jose seems more and more likely day by day, the longer the club hold out the more support he gets. It's a logical fit, a manager who's a proven winner who's motivated to prove he's still got it and a giant club on the slide who need to get back to winning ways.

I personally prefer Conte, the guy rebuilt Juve and made them champions of Italy and contenders in Europe. He also isn't scared to throw in a young player. With Italy he's brought in loads of youngsters and changed his formation showing flexibility.

8.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 10:52:57
Can't see anyone but Mourinho getting the job now, pointless speculating anyone else.

9.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 10:57:50
Isnt Conte in court again or have the charges been dropped?

10.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 14:09:03
Conte is a good shut if he can speak English. Contre, Hughes or Jose. I'd be happy with any of those three. Ole Gunnar would be better in charge right now over LVG or Giggs!

11.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 15:17:05
Has to be Mourinho surely. I think it would be a straight fight between him and Guardiola to see who's best in Manchester, who's best in England for the next 3 seasons. Given their track records one of them won't make it to Season 4 I'd wager.

Allegri and I think Conte inparticular have great footballing qualities but we need someone who can come in and hit the ground running in the Prem. That coupled with Prem and Champs League winning experience. There are only 2 people in the world we could go for that qualify and Ancelotti is already signed to Bayern.

I know it's red tinted spectacles time but I'll back United seriously to win the league if we get Jose in. He will have to be given the necessary budget to attract big names but attract them he will. Varane and Stones as CB anyone? The speed of Bale adding to the attacking threat?

I know we have a lot of surgery required on the first team but Mourinho has shown time and time again he will win silverware. Whilst it may not last forever whatever his formula is it works.

12.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 18:57:17
I wish people would stop pushing Giggs for the managers job. Yes he was a fantastic player for us, but could he really attract big names to the club . he lost 2 of the 4 games he was in charge. He was number 2 to Moyes and van gaal , coincidence do you think, not blaming Giggs, but if he wants to manage a club, let him go to the championship for twelve month, see how tough it is.
Ex players steve Bruce and mark Hughes went into their managerial life at lower clubs, so why can't Giggs, don't the two players I mentioned have the credentials, both ex players, both young managers. If people are championing Giggs then why not Bruce or Hughes for those sentimental fans out there.
Jose were ever he goes he wins, he can handle big clubs, big budgets and big players. yes he can be a pain at times and put his foot in his mouth. but he shows passion for which ever club he manages. how many on here as actually seen van gal get of his Arse to bollock the players or even Giggs for that matter.
Give Jose a 3 yr contract with clauses ( keep ya gob shut after matches ) kinda thing.
We need Jose and he needs us . come on woody bite the bullet and get it done. van gaal out. the special one in.

13.) 23 Feb 2016
23 Feb 2016 19:29:41
Halesini

Varane will never come. Starts for Real pretty much every game now and Zidane is the reason he ended going thee to start with. When was the last time we had a key player from Real or Madrid join us unless they wanted them gone?

Marquinos would be a better shout I would think.