11 May 2016 08:13:47
Strange waking up this morning and been thinking about last nights game and where we are in the lay of the land. I for one see more wilderness than a plan to win things again if we continue on this path.
I think last night was always going to be difficult against a team who has one point less than us this season and have beaten many of the top sides. Add the fact that it was their last game of the season at their traditional home and hence the loss did not surprise me and i had us losing before the game anyway.
It is going to hurt not being involved with Europe's elite clubs in CL and a bit of foreign feeling for a united fan given where we have been.
I think our downfall was not last night but some of the other very poor performances against the likes of Norwich, Newcastle, Sunderland, Bournemouth etc etc earlier this year and that all adds up to having to win a game that was always maybe a bit of a stretch.
I guess we have to ask what is next in terms of manager, players in and out and this summer looks immense when you factor in that next year the league will be even more difficult and competitive and some of the top teams like chelsea and City who have been just as bad will be better, Liverpool on the rise and teams like West Ham and Southampton being genuine contenders for european places.
Big decisions to be made by people running the club and I for one hope they make some better ones than they have over the last 3 years.
All in all a very disappointing season no matter what happens on the 21st, I will be there and cheering on the team.
Finally, a part of me actually wants us to drop points in our next game subject to city having beaten/ drawn Swansea and not meaning much in terms of CL qualification.
TBH I don't care if we miss europa league all together and focus on the league next year as the current manager and team gives me very little confidence of being able to handle thursday/ sunday football next year. Sometimes it is good to take a break and regroup.
1.) 11 May 2016
11 May 2016 09:03:12
X,
You know if we win the FA Cup we get into Europa anyway? Would you rather we don't win that either? Where does it end?
Surely we want to finish as high as possible and win as much as possible this season then worry about next season when it comes around.
2.) 11 May 2016
11 May 2016 09:03:12
X,
You know if we win the FA Cup we get into Europa anyway? Would you rather we don't win that either? Where does it end?
Surely we want to finish as high as possible and win as much as possible this season then worry about next season when it comes around.
3.) 11 May 2016
11 May 2016 09:21:56
GDS2
I forgot about that and off course i want us to win the FA cup. I am going to the game and have had to organise a mad travel plan to get there. I guess it is thursday night football then, god help us.
4.) 11 May 2016
11 May 2016 09:30:40
Agree XF, you have to wonder what the board must be thinking this morning, what with CL looking increasingly unlikely:
Reasons for keeping LvG:
1. He's clearly trying to build something through clearing out players and bringing in young players. He will also surely sell more players like Janujaz and bring in players that fit his vision, such as a true box-to-box midfielder, a speedy winger and a CB.
2. Honour his contract and avoid payout/ maintain a reputation for giving managers a chance
3. He has a history of building successful foundations for other managers to then take on and succeed - give him another year to complete his project
4. Glazers selling up next year and giving scope for new owners to install their own manager when LvG contract is up
5. Possible -though no means certain - FA cup win
6. He's been unlucky with injuries
7. They could go back to Allegri/ similar end next year, as per original plan
However, reasons to sack LvG:
1. He has made negative progress from last season, crucially not qualifying for CL, with implications for sponsors etc
2. Several of his acquisitions haven't worked out, questioning his judgement (notably Rojo, Schweinsteiger; judgement will have to be reserved on Darmian and Depay) Also not bringing in CB when at least one clearly needed - or was Rojo his intended answer here?
3. His style of play: possession based but lacking any cutting edge, depending instead on making the most of the few chances that are created. Not Manchester United.
4. The fans are very disillusioned with his style of play and apparent lack of passion on the touch line
5. He seemed to have lost the dressing room at times, angering/ confusing players with his multi-positional philosophy. Do they really want to play for him? Complete lack of passion last night.
6. Jose is available and wants the job: a serial winner to compete with City and other sides that will be much stronger next year
On balance, given the impending sale next year and a commitment to a long term rebuilding plan - plus Sanches not signing for us yesterday, potentially exposing a displeased Mendes, angry at way his Jose has been treated - I reluctantly believe that LvG will stay. This would not be a bad thing if we could really believe that his plans/ rebuilding will finally succeed - it would be worth being patient with him - but, unfortunately he has given us little hope this season that this might happen.
5.) 11 May 2016
11 May 2016 09:46:17
When lvg first got here we were in need of certain players especially a cb and a rm and 2 years on we still need them why will this summer be any different the quality of player we need will not want to come to us with no cl football and lvg still in charge.
6.) 11 May 2016
11 May 2016 10:55:57
I will never understand anyone who has a mentality of wanting to drop points. It is ridiculous. As a lifelong fan and a real manchester lad, I want UTD to win every match. When did it become acceptable to drop points, and find that a game is going to be a stretch. Come on, get real. We are Man UTD. when did it become acceptable in pre match interviews to say that this is going to be a hard match?
7.) 11 May 2016
11 May 2016 12:33:07
Wallace
His game management is the biggest mystery of his united era as a manager who is suppose to be tactically very astute.
I have watched countless games where you know it is going to be a bad outcome given what we are witnessing with the players on the field and most managers make immediate substitutions/ change of formation to deal with it, but he does nothing.
Last night, It was plain for everyone to see we were tiring and committing fouls in bad areas and could not deal with their size and crosses into the box, why not put some fresh legs on instead of watching the inevitable happen.
He is the opposite of Fergie and Mourinho, who are very hands on during the game and made adjustments immediately if they see things they do not like.
That is one of the reasons i personally don't rate him no matter what his reputation because it seems like when his plan A is not working he has no plan b or c and as a fan it is just not good to watch.