Manchester United Banter Archive January 24 2020

24 Jan 2020 19:34:23
We need to give Ole some credit for what he has tried to do, change the lazy culture, blood youth and try to get that never say die attitude back.

He may not have the players or the skill to manage our club but he does want to do the right thing by the club.

{Ed047's Note - I guess one out of 3’s not bad. 👍🏼

24 Jan 2020 19:51:41
If he wanted to do the right thing he would resign.

He’s the one who agreed to let Fellaini, Lukaku, Herrera, and Sanchez go without replacements.
He’s the one who continually says he’s happy with our recruitment.
He’s the one who says he doesn’t want a DoF.

Ole remains in the job, as Ed001 says, because he won’t complain. He didn’t get the job on merit and knows he will never get a job at this level again. You say he doesn’t have the players, but he’s out in the press praising the club’s recruitment every second week. A cheerleader who is putting his own career ahead of the best interests of the club.

24 Jan 2020 20:18:23
Credit for what, has the football improved in the last 12 months?, is the squad better than 12 months ago?, is the intensity and pressing more evident in games?, do we see tactical awareness of how to win matches? . I could go on but its too depressing.

24 Jan 2020 20:21:00
Come on Danny. Even Fergie used to tell everyone what good owners the Glazers were, and how they'd always make money available for him if he needed it.

I don't get the 'why doesn't he speak out' issue. What manager, unless they want to commit professional suicide, or are looking to leave anyway, ever come out and criticise their board over lack of funds?

The manager never wins that one. Most recently, even Poch started with it, and look who won that one.

24 Jan 2020 20:56:44
Steve, I’m not sure SAF would be singing from that hymn sheet if his squad was this poor. He was, first and foremost, a winner and wouldn’t accept this.

With Ole it’s not that he doesn’t speak out, he actively parrots the club line. After he was hired the club put the breaks on the DoF position. When fans started complaining, Ole was out in front of the cameras saying he didn’t need one. Same with the Lukaku transfer, immediately out there saying he didn’t need to be replaced because we had Greenwood.

He’s either a mouthpiece for club Pr, or completely deluded. Neither is going to help the club get back to challenging.

24 Jan 2020 22:28:30
Well said noucamp. There's plenty to complain about, but too many are looking for a convenient narrative and will find a theory to fit it.

24 Jan 2020 22:30:34
I know what you're getting at, but I just don't know what he can say in public. LVG and Jose never came out and questioned the board openly. Jose did near the end, and he got the sack. Same with Poch. Who knows what the conversations are behind closed doors?

24 Jan 2020 22:48:49
this is the man who was very vocal about the glazers should not take over our great club. yet since a bit of abuse has started he wants us to treat them as family. funny how a big fat pay check changes his views.

25 Jan 2020 00:00:48
There’s a lot of mitigating circumstances but don’t believe for one minute Ole is looking anything like good enough.

25 Jan 2020 08:41:00
Ole's issue as a manager has always been inconsistency, a few good results followed by a few bad results, unfortunately you need consistency to win the league these days.

25 Jan 2020 10:13:14
Lads, I know there's plenty of other things wrong, but I just don't get slating a manager for doing what every other single manager does.

25 Jan 2020 11:26:14
It’s really hard to say one way or another with such incompetence surrounding him. it would be fair to say most would struggle with this situation.

Ole has got rid of the dead wood
He has improved a number of players.
He has started to change the culture.

His in game tactics and team selection are awful.
His Pressers are ridiculous.
Injuries from over playing

We know on the above he’s kind of standard moans for EPL fans but this not elite Utd level.

I do think it is hard to judge him with what he’s working with and what transfers or lack of have happened.

We are failing all over and need a clean sweep with a DoF coming in to sort the football side and pack Ed and the commercal guys down to London where they can work on noodle partners and official egg partners etc

I’m not particularly fussed if Ole stays or goes more concerned with the structure above.

{Ed047's Note - from the outside it’s impossible to know what goes on above the manager, they are all, the spokesperson for their respective clubs and none are going to disparage their bosses or the club because surely that causes more unrest.

The owners have poured a massive amount and I mean, massive amount of money, into the team. I could only dream of that happening at Arsenal.

Mistakes have been made with players and managers but it doesn’t appear to be for the want of trying on the owners part.

My opinion, but they seem to be stepping back from that what has been described as a “Scatter gun” approach and were more measured in the summer.

You have to give them time now, again my opinion, to see where it goes, frustration lies at OGS’s feet right now because of how the team perform. I’m not sure he’s right for you but players and I’ll include Pogba are woefully letting him down.

This measured approach could well lead to change in the summer but the owners must be looking at everything with a view to getting the whole thing back on track.

25 Jan 2020 11:56:58
Everyone all slags the glazers off but let's not forget why Fergie defends them as he was the reason they ended up here in the first place.

25 Jan 2020 12:00:19
Redcon if ole wants to do the right thing by the club then he should walk away now. Show up Woodward and owners for what they are and what life under them is really like.

25 Jan 2020 11:58:52
Ed047, most United fans don't feel the Glazers have spent much money because the money spent is made by the club.

However, as we can see with Arsenal, a club can make a large amount of money but that doesn't mean it HAS to be spent on the team. It could just go to line the pockets of the owners.

The Glazers bought the club to make money, they could have pocketed the 900m they have spent in the last 7 years, but they didn't they spent it on the squad.

The real questions shouldn't be why haven't we got MORE money to spend, but why has it been allowed to be spent so poorly for so long.

{Ed047's Note - yes I understand that money spent is generated by the club but either way it’s a huge amount that has been spent on the team.

I’m sure all owners also want to make money, why would they want to lose it.

They won trophies when the first arrived with Fergie and I can’t believe they don’t still want too, where as some are content with a fourth place trophy very very few were built into the global brand you are and to maintain that global brand fourth place can no way be enough.

Thus I believe they won’t be sitting on their hands but doing all they can to get you back to the top. Clearly nowhere near quickly enough for many.

25 Jan 2020 13:35:00
It's a tricky one. At no point in the last 30 years have Liverpool dropped out of the top ten most supported club world wide. So there is a precedent of a top club maintaining a global icon and attracting large sponsorship and merchandising without actually winning the league or challenging.

25 Jan 2020 14:33:30
Damo Glazers are he because of Sir Alex and his dealings with JP McManus etc


Fergie was an amazing manager but not the best human.

24 Jan 2020 17:14:13
quick question for Ed002 please.

Some talk on a number of forums about United discussing with Pochettino re: taking over in the summer. Do you know if these discussions have taken place or is it just the usual drivel.

Your work and insight is very very very appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - The club has not spoken directly with MP.}

24 Jan 2020 18:40:23
The club has spoken to his reps and he’s not interested unless the club get their act together.

He’s a clever bloke and will not want a repeat of Mou and LvG.

Until the amateurs leave which I guess is Judge more than woody it will just be a repeated failure.

Poch and Campos?

24 Jan 2020 23:32:23
I've heard his reps have been told he won't get a director of football and won't have control over transfers. If that is true I'd tell the club to sid rite off.

24 Jan 2020 14:36:43
So knowing this season is a complete car crash.
Who would accept this for the rest of the season.

Sign fernandes,
Drop players unlikely to be here next season and get the likes of Gomes, chong, williams and a few others that will play for the badge.

I'd take no European football to blood these kids, go again next year with the spine of the team playing for the right reasons and not just collecting the pay cheques.

I coukd handle losing if we played with courage and heart but the last few weeks just looks like we have started summer holidays already.

24 Jan 2020 14:48:56
And the latest rumour is getting Tevez on a short loan, which is an admission of failure. He's 35. Ronaldo, maybe, but why stop at 35? There are older players around we could go for: Giggs, Robson, Charlton?

24 Jan 2020 15:13:09
JayR64, why not just turn Ole into a Player-Manager? That would save some millions in the transfer market. A very good deal for Woodward with no chance of messing up as it needs no negotiation.

24 Jan 2020 15:46:17
Negotiations ciuld be tricky let's play.
Apparently ole's agent not convinced the manager has a look trek future.

24 Jan 2020 16:11:41
Pointless with chong he doesn't want to be here and is leaving. His agent has said he isn't happy with Solskjaer.

24 Jan 2020 16:18:03
Ken, you need to remember he is coming back from retirement so no agents involved, unless Woodward offers to be his agent - that would be something.

24 Jan 2020 16:21:41
Aren't both Gomes and Chong likely to be leaving on a free in the summer?

24 Jan 2020 16:32:32
No wait! Woodward is in negotiations and probably likely to make an improved offer on the final day of their contracts along with assured playing time.

24 Jan 2020 18:05:52
Very short term view from Chong and Gomes. It’s very clear that OGS won’t be at the club next season.

24 Jan 2020 14:08:54
tell you what this relegation battle we're in is tough to watch. let's hope we can make that 40 point threshold in order to stay up.

24 Jan 2020 14:59:06
If Martial gets injured, we may well end up in relegation scrap.

The problem is, the transfer windows shuts, no signings means were up the creek without a paddle.

Perhaps this needed to make the Glazers realise that Woodward and co aren't running the club properly.

24 Jan 2020 15:37:25
If Martial gets injured it might just be a blessing in disguise, he lacks everything you need to be a top player. he's amazing 1 game then mediocre the next 5.
I would much rather play Greenwood who actually knows where the back of the net is.

24 Jan 2020 16:40:04
Herbie- it won't be a blessing disguised or otherwise

united offer very little attacking threat as it is.

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes for players which is fair enough but I do feel when people judge martial they judge him against the wrong types of player.

Martial isn't a number 9 like a Vardy, a play on the shoulder, fox in the box style 9.

He is more a false 9 a bit more like a firminio, a link man, if we played 2 up top he would be comparable to a 10 compared to firminio martial is doing well and doing the role he is asked to do.

24 Jan 2020 12:13:28
Ole's gamble doesn't look like it will pay off.

His intentions to re-build the squad however well intended has left him looking very naive to put it politely.

To let Lukaku, Sanchez, Herrera and Fellaini all leave the Club without adequately replacing any of them will probably seal his fate.

The irony of our current situation is I don't think many fans were sad to see them leave. Whilst all were decent players we hoped for better. Many of us wrongly assumed the Club would replace them. When we examine our current injury crisis it is also safe to assume most of those players would still make and improve the current starting line up and that's a sad indictment of our current situation.

A crystal ball was not required to foresee our squad was light and lacking in quality. A few injuries to key players and a crisis was inevitable.

It is now obvious Ole had placed too much faith in the likes of Lingard and Pereria. Ole must feel very disappointed with Lingard in particular. He was given a real chance to establish himself as our genuine No10 but has found wanting. Pereria has also been thrust to the fore but not re-payed any of his managers faith. The form of De Gea and Lindelof has been disappointing and Ole must only despair at his decision to have put so much faith and trust in both the ability and integrity of Paul Pogba.

Had De Gea's form not suffered so severely, if Lindelof had managed to form a solid defensive partnership with Maguire, had Pogba not been injured and had Lingard offered more, then perhaps, with a bit of luck Ole might have just been able to navigate himself through a difficult first season and given himself the chance to spend more of the Clubs money in the summer.

As it stands Ole finds himself with a squad crippled by injury and without his best players. The Club finds itself at yet another crossroads, seemingly paralysed by indecision and unable to decide whether to back a lame duck. Talk is cheap but action speaks louder than words and if the squad is not significantly strengthened within the coming days perhaps that tells its own story.

A new manager beckons in the summer. Play, pause, repeat should be our new motto.

24 Jan 2020 13:05:56
Good post DLIB

You can also add Young to the list of the departed and not replaced players.

I have a theory on Pogba that goes like this. Once Jose was sacked the club announced Ole as interim manager whilst they searched for a new top manager, to bring in along with an DOF. The team spirit rose with performance levels as the club had a clear plan and were going to bring in a top manager.

However, once Ole was appointed the new top dog, did Pogba suddenly feel betrayed, as just after he comes out and says he wants a new challenge. Did other players feel betrayed, that the plan had shifted and the spirit and performances nose dive on the back of the news and we are where we are.

Just a theory:-)

24 Jan 2020 13:41:54
Fellaini? 😂😂😂.

24 Jan 2020 09:43:28
Joel Glazer has walked away from the Fernandes deal because he has refused to meet the asking price. In that case why did we bother in the first place?

As ed02 correctly points out we are a bunch of amateurs playing a game of running a football club.

If this player was wanted by OGS, as he claims he has the final say, then why on earth have we not recruited him, as his club are willing to sell.

We now have 1 week to bring someone in or we risk running the gauntlet of a threadbare squad picking up more injuries.

24 Jan 2020 09:53:43
The glazers don't make football decisions, normally its matt judge who deals with the transfers.

{Ed002's Note - In what respect?}

24 Jan 2020 09:58:57
You really believe Joel Glazer has done that?

24 Jan 2020 10:22:56
Well it is in the Mail, I normally treat their headlines as BS but every now and again they get one right!

24 Jan 2020 11:17:54
The financial aspect of the deal?

24 Jan 2020 12:58:11
Matt Judge deals with the player contracts and negotiations, who we go for is decided by Ole and the deputies after recommendations from the scouting department. Woodward and Glazers sign off the deal.

24 Jan 2020 05:54:35
A change of pace is my offering for y'all today!

No, we are not an unrecoverable mess. No, we are not a diminishing light. No, it will not take another 20 years to get success. No, this ain't the end of the world.

We lost games, bad ones. it happens!

24 Jan 2020 07:35:46
That's the way mate. Positive attitude!

The worse we are, the greater the opportunity to improve. It's a good position to be in really.

24 Jan 2020 08:55:10
Good attitude. I would just be cautious of it because I'm not sure those within the structure of United are aware at how bad it has gotten over the last 7 years.

If they are, then they can begin to correct it now, if they are not, well then the slide continues and who knows where that line is when we look back and realise that we are further away than ever.

I'm sure Liverpool said those exact same things back in the 90's. It's 2020 now and they will finally win a title.

The club have to manage this situation carefully before years turn into decades. On recent showing, I'm not sure the current crop of board management are capable of doing that.

24 Jan 2020 13:39:22
Not sure why Liverpool are always mentioned tbh. Before oil money Liverpool enjoyed a lot of success. Uefa, FA, League cup, Champions League. Liverpool are not a club to think about been down in the dumps for the past 30 years because its not true.