22 Aug 2021 16:20:44
I'm a first time poster. because I had to rant somewhere!

OGS - and specifically what I perceive as being his negative attitude - has to take the brunt of the responsibility today for dropped points in a game we should, and must if we are serious about winning PL titles again, be taking all three.

I wasn't at all surprised by the starting XI, especially with McTominay not fit to play (why did he have to be on the bench tho and what does it say for DvdB? Questions for another post entirely! ) so can't complain too much about that, especially given we did have complete control of the first half, which is the reason we hear given for why Ole prefers the two holders in the first place. No problem.

However, to get back in the game at 1-1 and bring, by his own admission an at best 75% fit McTominay on as essentially a like-for-like replacement for Fred, rather than a more attack minded option like DvdB (or Lingard with Pogba moving into the two as he did later) was a complete waste of a sub that completely killed the momentum we had built since the equaliser. We were well on top, looking likely to score a winner plus more, so unless the change is a positive one to help with that then why bother?

This isn't an overreaction to one game either, I have felt for a while that he's too cautious in games like today and that was proven against similar level of opposition last season even at OT, nor am I suggesting sacking OGS because I actually think he's done a good - if not great - job overall.

I am concerned by this habit he has of not taking the game to the opposition enough though and for someone who was a big part of the squad under a manager who had that "throw everything at them" attitude in SAF, particularly in his case when he was often the one thrown on to get goals when chasing games and considering he talks a good game in that regard, OGS' decisions are often the complete opposite, which is surprising to me.

1.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 17:35:22
Nonsense. We'd more than enough chances to win. Games like this happen. But the attitude was excellent and there was lots of attacking creativity. We're 2 games into the season. I sincerely hope you're not as entitled as your post suggests.

{Ed014's Note - Southampton could have won the game too, so who else is being entitled

2.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 17:36:07
Of course it’s not an overreaction to one game mate. Many here like myself have been venting our obviously flawed manager for a long time. Others on here who like to think of themselves as better fans than us, think everything is fine and rosey and Ole deserves every penny of that new contract. Pathetic. Chelsea or Madrid would of had him out the door 6 months into his first full season. 4 years later nothings changed.

3.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 17:48:12
These are the games we need to win if we are to challenge at the top.
Excuses are back when we all know Ole bottled it.

4.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 18:03:37
DonRed,

I won’t go down the road of petty remarks towards or point scoring against fellow supporters.

I think I was pretty clear that I didn’t have too many problems with the starting system or XI - for a first away match of the season, without our two main summer signings ready to start, understandable and I agree it did work for the most part - so to suggest I’m “entitled” off the back of a fairly objective opinion in which I also praised the manager is wide of the mark.

I’m actually specifically talking about from the equaliser onwards, OGS’ negative or at best cautious sub (as I see it, your opinion obviously differs and you’re ENTITLED to that :) stifled us in our best spell. That is just yet another example of the managers in-game decision making being questionable and not what we need if we are to go to the next level, as I believe this squad is now capable of.

I’m simply stating my opinion that OGS needs to be a little more proactive and positive, in line with his words, when games like today are there for the taking for all to see.

5.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 18:18:06
Fair enough. I'd read quite a few posts here that seemed to ignore the reality of the game. We created far more chances than Southampton and OGS put on Sancho and Lingard to chase the win. It didn't work out but the approach was not negative and it was proactive. There is valid criticisms of Ole's tactical approach in certain games, and of poor starting choices but today we were just unlucky. If we continue like this we will do well this year.

6.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 19:14:23
DonRed, just out of curiosity how many genuine saves did their GK make and how many did DeGea make? Did you watch the replay of the last game today? We were actually lucky not to lose today.

7.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 19:44:00
I think Ole's move to bring on Lingard was absolutely the wrong move, and a negative one. Southampton were not playing a high line, and Lingard is not a one v one player. He did nothing out wide, and the change pushed Pogba back into central midfield, even though he had been very dynamic further forward. It should have been van de Beek on for Matic. VDB would have been less likely to give the ball away, unlike the rest of our defensive players today.

8.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 20:22:23
The glaring thing that stood out for me today was how much we need another central midfielder in before the end of the transfer window. Nemanja has been a great player for us and was obviously quality at Chelsea, but……. his legs are gone. He’s getting caught in possession and he can’t turn, he stood out as a real weak link today. So whether we get a defensive minded midfield player in or a box to box man, it makes no odds, we need another body in there. We’re also crying out for Eddy to come back as today we needed a plan B and didn’t get it. Mason is a great talent but in terms of a 9 and a player who you can rely on to make the ball stick…he isn’t that. A Kane or fit Cavani would have provided an outlet when hitting the channels was proving fruitless.

In terms of effort…. was disappointed we didn’t push on with any urgency later in the game and the substitutions were bizarre. Perhaps I’m wrong but the body language was pretty negative in terms of settling for a draw in the last 10. It was kind of like ‘we’ve run out of ideas to break you down so we’ll settle for an away point’ Not our finest 90 minutes and despite the noises coming from OT that our business is done, I think a concerted effort to get another midfielder is an absolute priority.

{Ed002's Note - His legs haven’t gone. They are just below his hips.}

9.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 20:36:51
Zidaniel it's fine to say Lingard on was the wrong choice. I don't see how it was negative though. OGS hardly brought on an extra defender. There are legitimate criticisms of Solksjaer that I agree with but some of the ones here are very much 20/ 20 vision. Lingard scored a lot of goals for West Ham last year don't forget. I am not OGSs biggest fan but I don't believe that performance warrants the inquest it seems several here are demanding.
United Addict, if you really believe that was a 50/ 50 game I think it's not much point arguing. Saves are only one metric. For sure I think we created more open play opportunities and missed chances (a couple of headers, breaks of the ball that didn't go our way) . Southampton scored with their first shot after 30 minutes and had another chance that De Gea saved, as well as a free kick. Had they won it would've been against the run of play for the majority of that match. I'm just looking for perspective, not to say we're the finished packaged, or that OGS is the second coming of Fergie.

10.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 20:46:50
Stand,

This site is all about opinions, calling people pathetic if they disagree with you is a little silly. Your opinion is just that and you’re very welcome to it.

There is no us v them either, we all support united, you seem to think we are 2 separate fan bases. I think the majority can see both sides of how Ole is performing and how the team performs, I’m not one for overreacting or getting too annoyed at one bad result, you don’t win them all and today was a bad one obviously and always a bit of a banana skin for me, I was worried about it all week.

We let the game get away from us after the equaliser for some reason and the subs didn’t work even though we took off the 2 players who the majority on here are blaming for the bad performance.

Looking at our fixtures I thought 16 points from the first 18 was realistic, we now need to win the next 4 to get that. With Varane, Sancho and cavani to add to that line up I’m fairly confident things will improve.

11.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 21:37:52
Who would you take out for sancho and cavani gds2?

12.) 22 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 22:34:55
GDS

I was referring to certain posters, one of which was calling me an armchair supporter last week. There is a selection of posters on here who think us Ole disbelievers are not as genuine and worthy fan as the believers.

Now my issue is, as I have posted many many times, that Ole is tactically clueless, and nowhere near good enough to take this club where us should be. In 4 years, he has done NOTHING to suggest any different. That’s not just my opinion, it’s fact. Since he’s arrived we’ve flunked any semi final or final he’s made, with his poor team selection and in game management. We’ve bombed out of the CL group stages, and he keeps making the same mistake over and over again in terms of set up and team selection. I mean his sheer reluctance to even give DVB any game time and persist with Fred, Matic and McTominay is astounding.

Yes it’s one game, but it’s one here and one there and by November your 12 points behind City and Liverpool and the leagues done again. Liverpool, Chelsea or City would have battered these today.

Yes the squad is better than under any previous manager since Ferguson, but we’re no closer to a title challenge that before; mark my words. Klopp could win the league with this squad, but he’s an elite manager.

13.) 23 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 23:00:21
I think cavani and Greenwood share 9, sancho plays wide right and if Greenwood is undroppable (I don't think so quite yet) he can also take some game time wide right with sancho left Pogba bench or sancho bench.

We have good options up top now. Too many, but that may change by the time the window closes.

14.) 23 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 23:29:01
Stand, the reality is that all teams lose points. I actually agree that Ole is not an astute tactical manager but we had a great tactician before him but our play was considerably worse under him. Not to mention his bullying and other antics. Ole has a squad capable of competing this year. Judge him on results plus performances over a period of time. Our performances have improved over the last year, and you can see that - if you wish - in the players demeanor. And, believe it or not, but the results are getting there too. What I'm taking exception to is the nonsense of blowing one result out of all proportion, of treating every decision made as evidence of ineptitude, of not acknowledging that football as a sport of few scores allows the better team in a game to lose or draw even if they were the better side.
I'm enjoying watching this team play because they are creative and their attitude is spot on. I want is to win as much as anyone here but the difference seems to be that that is all that counts for some.

15.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 00:42:05
I don’t think Ole is great tactically but to constantly call him clueless is just again a little silly, he’s had some very good results against top managers and teams, he’s not clueless, he does make a number of mistakes though and it’s difficult to defend some of them.

Again, it’s just your opinion and it’s fine but I find it’s better to see things objectively than the hyperbole, just me though. I don’t think Ole is a great manager, I also don’t think he’s clueless, a tactically clueless manager wouldn’t have not lost a league away game for as long as we have and if you’re going to blame all the bad things on him you have to give credit for the good things as well, you’ve made your mind up though, I’m allowed to disagree with your opinion.

Ken, tricky one as said above we have some really good options and you can have a large number of combinations including Greenwood, pogba, Sancho, cavani and even Rashford when he’s back. City don’t have a ‘first team’ they have a squad and it’s often difficult to say who will play, I think we should be doing similar, different options each week, but I think Cavani would have done a job there today like he did last season. I’m a huge fan of his though, his movement is something to behold and he changes our whole game when he’s up top.

16.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 07:51:52
As soon as I saw the team sheet I knew this game was heading for a draw. Matic and Fred together? Talk about negative.

If Martial plays he has to play left - sadly Pogba seems to taken that role. Having said that we give Martial pelters but he could have bagged a header and we’d all say nothing. In addition, gets nowhere near the starting 11 in a squad with a fit Rashford, Cavani and Sancho in it.

Be interesting to see who OGS plays in midfield when Varane starts as I think that signing negates any need for more than one DM. Is there ever a spot for DVB? Genuinely not sure what he can offer as not seen enough of him.

17.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 09:59:27
I haven’t seen United play that poorly in quite some time. No player was better than 4/ 10.
Couldn’t make a pass, moaning the whole time. Slow passing and movement. Fred will be Ole’s downfall. He is a terrible football player and yet he persists with him, which is just lunacy.

18.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 19:42:09
The last change should have been Bruno for DVB. Bruno's influence was beginning to wane in the match, it would have been a bold decision to make, can Ole make bold decisisons.