06 Oct 2021 21:38:29
Rashford played a closed door friendly and scored 2 goals. I think we've been missing rashford a bit. He's far more consistent out wide than the players we are playing with right now. There have been quite a few instances when he has come up with the most important goal of the game. He's finally fully fit, and even Henderson has said that he looks in really good shape. We have not seen a fully fit rashford for sometime and I'll be excited to see him again.

Fred won't be available for Leicester which is always a good news.


1.) 06 Oct 2021
06 Oct 2021 21:51:53
If Rashford is fully fit then he can be the difference maker.

While Pogba has had a couple of good games wide left he isn't the sort of constant threat that Rashford is. He also has a tendency to slow attacks down rather than speed them up.

Rashford on the left and at his best with Greenwood in his current form on the right and Ronaldo up front seems a mouthwatering prospect.

Let's hope we see it. Maybe Rashford coming back is the catalyst that gets the team playing well enough to keep Ole in his job at least until the end of the season. I wonder if anyone would be watching Rashford make the difference through gritted teeth.


2.) 06 Oct 2021
06 Oct 2021 22:26:16
Shappy

Rashford is good on fast breaks, given we are playing the top teams in the coming weeks, having him to hit on counter attacks may be useful. So you have Rashford, Ron and Greenwood as a front 3? What happens to Sancho, Pogba, DVB? We have what £200m worth sat on the bench, is that good use of what we have bought?

When we look at it, without thinking
Henderson was to be No1, changed our mind
AWB, £50m RB, we are now looking for another
Sancho, £73m, having spent £37m on Amad, £10m on Pellestri, having Shoretire, Elanga, plus Greenwood we still spent £73m
Cavani, Push boat out to get him to sign, sign Ronaldo and make him give up shirt.

Is this all joined up thinking and tactical nous?


3.) 06 Oct 2021
06 Oct 2021 22:36:41
Shappy I don't understand where you stand.
You have said today you think ole should not be the manager.
But in this thread you say hopefully rash coming back we will show enough form that ole keeps his job till the end of the year.
So where do you stand?
Do you think ole should be fired or not?
I don't want to know what you think the board will do. What would you like them to do?
I'm just curious because you are contradicting yourself.


4.) 06 Oct 2021
06 Oct 2021 22:57:31
Red man, you could put any 11 players in a team and play the same game adnausium. Surely you are happy to see a strong squad? We have countless games coming that will be mid week, then weekend against top teams. Not to speak of Christmas and injuries.

Would you like rash and Greenwood cast aside because they were cheap through the youth system?

Chelsea had an eye watering amount of loan talent out on loan that was getting no Chelsea game time. This past summer they sold them all for profit and funded first team purchases. Looked pretty smart in the end?

Youth development is a lottery, and all the big squads seem to buy control of as many good players as they can, then hopefully some work out. Others are sold for cash. Others decide to leave for free.


5.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 01:10:05
Red Man, so you think price tag should be an indication of who should play?

I assume you disagreed with Sir Alex benching Veron in place of Scholes who came through the academy and Keane who cost just under 4m. Surely the 28m man sitting on the bench means Sir Alex was picking the wrong team.

I find this stance confusing considering you as such an advocate for the academy and for the club bringing through young players. How do you expect our academy lads to prosper when it is the transfer fee paid that dictates the starting line up.

Greenwood and Rashford should be benched in place of the 80m Sancho and the 89m Pogba. What happened to allowing form and ability to decide who plays and who sits on the bench.

I've said I think the in-form players should be the ones starting. Surely that isn't a shocking statement and one that needs to be heavily scrutinised?

Ken, I might be playing devils advocate there. I think sadly it has come to the point where Ole is no longer able to get the best or at least par out of the players he has. As such it is time for him to go, and the sooner the better. The longer things get dragged out now the less chance we have of having a successful season this year.

I don't think the board will pull the trigger for many months yet. They have never shown themselves to be decisive. Having watched us over the past few years Ole often has tough periods and just when it looks like the net is closing in on him something happens, a couple of players find form, and the club goes on a winning streak and Ole is saved.

Rashford could be that player who enables the club to have a good run of results and ultimately starve off any chance of Ole getting sacked before the end of the season.

If that happens will people be happy that we are winning key games, or will they be so through gritted teeth as it means months more, probably the rest of the season with Ole.

Are people so desperate for Ole to go that they are willing to accept (never happy or wanting) that the club will likely have to lose 5 or 6 of the next 6 or 7 games to see the back of him before next summer.

I mean it puts fans in a difficult position. If you want the manager sacked then we need to play badly and get poor results. Yet if we play well and get good results where does that leave fans, happy or upset?


6.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 02:08:52
It’s possible to not think he’s the right manager but also want the team we love to win games, would be odd for any fan to be ok with us losing, surely everyone wants Rashford to come back fit and firing.


7.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 06:21:39
Its not any winning a few more games its about winning titles. Rash has played nearly all oles games for 2 1/ 2 years before this season. He can make a difference when back but not enough.
Shappy you play devils advocate on everything that's why you contradict yourself too much. Your like a lad who talks too much in a commercial meeting just to make noise and be heard but ultimately will start contradict himself.
If you think ole should be fired say it and stop playing devils advocate. Nobody wants us to lose games so get the chants going now get him out and we can still win something this year.


8.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 06:38:21
Or shappy maybe Sancho on the right, ya know where he was signed to play.


9.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 06:49:14
Looks to me Ken, like Shappy wants to court acceptance, be right with everyone, all things to all people.

Shappy/ Dodgy

You miss the point, you already know I am a big advocate of our youth and have expressed my frustration about Ole not giving them a chance, I was particularly critical on the West Ham game. My point is that we bought players for big money because Ole couldn’t get a tune out of what we had. Ole has over £100m bought for him in right wingers, yet suddenly discovers Greenwood has talent and is first choice. When Ole went with his shopping list to the board, he must have had priorities, known which way he wanted to play (or did he) . The board bought him 3 right side players, now it seems according to you, he didn’t actually need them. I questioned Sancho given we had Greenwood but now what happens?

Ole wanted a right back, AWB, now that’s no good, wanted a midfield player DVB gets treated terribly and is now no good. Romero, Cavani, Pellestri told he was wanted for the first team immediately (because we had a right wing problem) then shipped out.

How long before you both twig the issue is with Ole for not being able to manage and develop the players that are being bought. You both miss the mess the ex Cardiff manager is creating.


10.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 07:54:29
"Are people so desperate for Ole to go that they are willing to accept (never happy or wanting) that the club will likely have to lose 5 or 6 of the next 6 or 7 games to see the back of him before next summer? "

Yes but I'm afraid of what might follow. It will be hard to get someone who is already in a job midseason and thst could mean the only options are someone vho is
Isnt like Conte.

Unless they appoint Carrick as a caretaker but then they will probably appoint him permanently mid season and we are back to square one.

Hobsons choice really.


11.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 08:00:42
Red Man, have you read the replies to my posts. If I was trying to "court acceptance" then I've been doing it very poorly. I've never posted on here for popularity. I just enjoy expressing my opinion and having discussions with other fans of our club. I have actually said on many occasions that it would be very boring if everyone agreed with everything I said/ thought.

I'd imagine the signing of AWB was brought about not because he couldn't get a tune out of the existing RB's but because the only one we had on the books was a 19 year old Dalot.

He gave Williams a long run in the team. In fact the only reason Williams dropped out the side was because his level dropped off while other options found form. Surely there is nothing wrong with expecting players to earn their place in the side be that they came from the academy or where purchased.

I think it's well known Ole wanted Grealish, the club got Donny. Ole has given him a few chances (admittedly not many) and on the whole he has been fairly average it poor in most of those chances. People complain that he only got 5-10 minutes here and there, but that was all Greenwood got to start with.

Jose wanted a midfielder and a defender in his final window. He didn't get the defender and was offered Fred. He took him. Then hardly played him. Ultimately it's fair to say Fred wasn't the player Jose really wanted. It might also be fair to say that Donny wasn't the midfielder Ole really wanted.

Not all signings work out well, surely the billion pounds spent by our club over the past 8 years prove that.

The club wanted another RB this summer to replace Dalot, not AWB. Similar to them signing Telles last summer. A top class player to challenge the current option. I suppose it's called squad building. Not all signings are going to play immediately in the first team, and all first 11 spots are and should be decided on current form and nothing else.


12.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 08:03:02
RedWhiskey, forget the fees and the hype.

Based purely on what you have seen from them this season who would you pick as most in-form player for the RW spot, Greenwood or Sancho?

We signed Telles for LB, but Shaw upped his game and deserves to start ahead of him.

If Greenwood is the better and more effective option on the RW then why should Sancho start ahead of him?


13.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 08:16:22
Because sancho hasn't had the minutes or right set up to thrive yet. But the again is he ever going to get that set up with muggins as manager? Greenwood is in form but he still needs to be managed.


14.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 08:18:30
Shappy

The thing with the written word is that once written it’s there and we can see it. Ken nailed it, you wanted Ole gone yesterday but then today hope Rashford does well enough to keep ole in the job. You then write the latest post saying basically it’s not Oles fault because he didn’t get the players he wanted. Half a billion and Ole still can’t get a tune. Like Ken said, what is your position, your real position?


15.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 09:30:07
Shappy is Keir Starmer in disguise.


16.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 09:59:30
RedWhiskey, Do you believe a team should change for one player or should the new player adapt to the team? While you may not be a fan of the current set up, Sancho very much needs to adapt to it.

I've said before that I think Sancho will come good in the second half of the season, and I've given my reasons for that.


17.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 10:40:08
Shappy, neither.

If you are needing to change the team for one player then it clearly points that Ole doesn't have a system/ structure in place.

And it's the responsibility of the manager to integrate new or existing players into the team and do what's best to improve the team. He needs to guide players finding it difficult to adapt or if they can't given enough opportunities then let them go.

Right now, it all seems to be down to the players themselves to improve their game. The coaching isn't of much help anyway.

Ole is like "You got signed now impress me".


18.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 10:42:32
I wonder if Shappy and OGS have ever been seen in the same place at the same time……. just a thought!


19.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 11:04:28
Red Man, I've already said I was playing devils advocate with the "keeping Ole in his job" line.

Of course I want Rashford to do well, I'd be a pretty poor supporter if I didn't want our players and manager to do well.

I'm saying there are mitigating circumstances in everything. I'd have thought you'd jumped on my line about Jose not being to blame for Fred struggling under him.

I actually don't think AWB has done that badly, just that I expect more from a full back at our club. He hasn't flopped or been terrible. He's a steady 6 out of 10 every week, occasionally a 7. He's consistent and solid. But we want more than just solid.

Donny hasn't set the world alight when given a chance.

At some point the players who are paid hundred of thousands of pounds a week have to take some responsibility for their performances surely. Just adding some context, although I'm sure you like to be a little contrary and place all the blame on Ole, although you didn't seem to want to place all the blame on the previous manager, odd that.

My position is simple. I have backed Ole while I felt he was getting around about par for the squad he had. In his first full season he finished 3rd with probably the 3rd or 4th best squad in the league. In his second season he finished 2nd with probably the 2nd/ 3rd best squad in the league. Yes, maybe the football could have been better. But he was getting the squad to finish around about where it should. Although not winning the Europa League was a disappointment.

We have since added at least 2 potentially 3 world class players to our squad. But have yet to see any improvement from last season. To me that suggests that he has peaked, he has built a squad better than what he can achieve. As such it is time for him to leave. Ideally as soon as possible.

Unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world. For him to be sacked results will have to dictate that as football is a results driven industry. Which puts fans in a difficult position. Do we cheer the team on knowing that it will likely mean Ole stays for longer, or do we boo him in the hope of accelerating his exit. What would you do?


20.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 11:23:58
Guys Shappy has been pro Ole from inception, so to expect him to suddenly change his stance on him now is almost impossible. The dilly dallying is just a delay tactic from Shappy. Deep down we all know that he wants nothing more than for Ole to start winning trophies, so he could tell us non believers "I told you so" followed by menacing grin, then evil laugh.


21.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 12:13:17
Sorry I forgot what you say goes shappy.


22.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 12:24:14
Love United, would you seriously be unhappy if we won the league, UCL or FA cup or maybe even all of them this season with Ole in charge?

I've never actually said "I told you so", also if Ole turns it around now after I have lost faith then I would have no right to say it either.

I've supported Ole since he was appointed, as I supported Moyes, and LvG and Jose. Right up until I felt they were not the right person for the job. I have done the same with Ole.

I know feel like he cannot take us any further forward. So time for a change. Ideally as soon as possible as I don't like the idea of writing off a season.

I however have absolutely no faith in the club to do the right thing. So fully expect Ole to stay in his post until next summer much like Ed002 does. Obviously things can change but for them to do so you would assume things would need to go pretty badly wrong between now and then to force a change in stance from the club.

I've said I'm not a fan of Conte or ZZ, but if either are appointed I'll support them until I feel they can't take the club any further forward or have started to take us backwards.

I suppose as a supporter I feel my role is to support the club. I don't have to agree with every decision and I won't hold my support hostage unless I get my way. I just accept that I get to have opinions on the club and nothing more. I don't get to make decisions or make demands. I can choose to be happy with what I see/ get from the club or unhappy. Either way I don't kid myself into thinking the people who run the club give a damn what I think.


23.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 12:53:37
RedWhiskey, not at all my friend. I am waiting for you to give a good justification for why Sancho should start on the right ahead of an in form and performing Mason Greenwood?

Why does Sancho start in your ideal 11 ahead of Greenwood?


24.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 14:10:48
There is not mitigating circumstances for everything shappy. You know that but say the opposite its mad zone some of the stuff you write.


25.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 17:02:05
For the exact same reason everyone here is clamouring for DVB to play. How's he meant to get into the groove without gametime? There is going to be plenty of gametime for mason, trust me.


26.) 07 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 19:35:09
Red Whiskey/ Shappy it totally makes sense to let new players have a run and they do definitely need it to help bed in, at the same time you also need results and need to play your best/ inform team so for me the error is playing pogba on the left. granted he had those assists so far.

With his contract situation, his contribution on the field since arriving, the drama and his efforts on the pitch has shown us enough of what he thinks and has produce for everyone to see. There can't be a future for club and pogba to excel together, so I think both Mason and sancho should be playing both are interchangeable giving us more fluidity and pace in and around Ronaldo and Bruno, playing to Brunos strengths and giving us slightly more width. Yes both Mason and Sancho would cut in side but generally near the oppositions box where pogba does it far deeper.

So your both kinda right if you both go half way to seeing each others points boys.


27.) 08 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 19:36:10
Are people complaining about having a strong squad?


28.) 08 Oct 2021
07 Oct 2021 19:56:53
Ken you're right there aren't always "mitigating circumstances" but there is always context.

Far to many people either lack the intelligence or nuance to understand context and appreciate why it's important. Or they would rather reduce something to a simplistic black or white, yes or no, heads or tails in or out choice as it suits their argument.

Ole is failing, is that entirely his fault? Probably not, just like when Jose failed it wasn't 100% his fault. But ultimately the manager always pays the price regardless of how much or how little they are to blame.

Ole is in a position he isn't good enough for, he did a good job for a while and certainly played his part in rebuilding the club after the fractious marriage with Mourinho came to an acrimonious end.

When he took over we were a side that was fractured, unbalanced, disjointed and struggling to consistently challenge in the top four.

We now have a side that should be comfortable top four side, that has a far better balanced squad, that has some real top level talent. A side that should be playing better football and at least challenging for the title into April at the very least. While also having a couple of good cup runs, maybe even win something.

Ole deserves some credit for turning that around. Other more qualified managers have struggled to do so.

But his style and mentality are suited to the former and not the latter. His fighting spirit, against the odds turn things around mentality has got us to where we are.

But to truly become a top side again we need to act like a top side. We need to strike fear into our opponents. We used to win games in the tunnel before kick off. We need to refind our arrogance and our flair, we have the players to play good maybe even great football.

Until we do we will continue to be nearly men, with our noses pressed up against the glass looking in at the teams challenging for major honours but just falling short ourselves.

That is why we need to replace Ole, the sooner the better now. But we both know that won't happen.