The Oleball thread

[meamth]

That was refreshing wasn't it?

One thing that is so noticeable today is that faster and more direct interchange of passes between the players that was creating that triangle. it was clearly pass and move, pass and move, which gives us exciting thoughts.

It seems like a clear idea of how "Oleball" works, make that triangle, flick and fast interchange of delivery.

The amount of set up play was encouraging as well, as if Ole's tactics are focused on shoot on sight.

What was other characteristics of Ole's tactics today?

What do you think could be improved?

 

[Giant Midget]

• De Gea distributed the ball to his CBs a lot more
• The CBs split wide open, Matic dropped in between and the fullbacks pushed forward when we were building up.
• Much more aggressive pressing, we won the ball quite a few times in their half
• Lindelof was given license to push forward and break the midfield lines, even ended up in a #10 position to put Rashford through.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Makes me just question Mourinho so much, a week without him and they start playing like this?

What the hell was he instructing them? I’d still back Mourinho to beat Cardiff but not play like we did.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I'm not sure I could see all that much of a tactical/systemic imprint in that game to be honest. I'd have to see more of Ole's United to do so.

We played with a quick tempo. We were always positive and looking to attack/score. And we functioned as a cohesive unit.

But the specific tactical preferences - High/low defensive line, pressing etc I can't really tell in one game.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Makes me just question Mourinho so much, a week without him and they start playing like this?

What the hell was he instructing them? I’d still back Mourinho to beat Cardiff but not play like we did.

It would be an even game with our individual quality winning the game for us. That's the difference. We didn't just look like we had better individuals today. We used our better individuals to function as a team like Cardiff seemingly are incapable of.

 

[BAMSOLA]

So far so good:

Interchanging positions: Check
High FB positions: Check
Passing triangles: Check
Slick exchange of passes: Check

 

[Orange Tree]

Ole will need time to implement his system. Today was the team performing after having the shackles taken off with more positive approach and higher tempo.

 

[Tiber]

I knew we would tank them tonight, was really excited for the game even though I knew I was stuck in work and wouldn't see it

 

[meamth]

So far so good:

Interchanging positions: Check
High FB positions: Check
Passing triangles: Check
Slick exchange of passes: Check

Yes, that was slick as feck. At one time Martial was on the right, lingard on the left. That was United through and through.

Remember when we had Rooney and Ronaldo switching positions in 2007?

 

[OT1214]

I guess Ole just gave McKenna the freedom to implement his methods and gave the players confidence to play without fear. This was the kind of performance that we all wanted to see when McKenna was brought into the first team setup, right?

 

[Canagel]

It would be an even game with our individual quality winning the game for us. That's the difference. We didn't just look like we had better individuals today. We used our better individuals to function as a team like Cardiff seemingly are incapable of.

This is what I'm trying to say as well. We played like a team today. More than the sum of our parts. In the past we had one or two players scoring with a piece of individual brilliance in spite of a poor performance . You only have to go back to Southampton away - our goals came from nowhere and probably against the run of play

 

[worldinmotion66]

The biggest difference was that every player was given the license to make forward runs, and they were trusted to cover for each other when doing so. We also have players that are better at pressing than tactical discipline, which showed tonight.

It's not rocket science and most fans could see it. I just think mourinho was too stubborn to change his ways, he's been so successfu in the pastl that it's of no surprise really.

 

[worldinmotion66]

This is what I'm trying to say as well. We played like a team today. More than the sum of our parts. In the past we had one or two players scoring with a piece of individual brilliance in spite of a poor performance . You only have to go back to Southampton away - our goals came from nowhere and probably against the run of play

This was evident in the fact that it was surprisingly difficult to select a man of the match. Great team performance.

 

[meamth]

Makes me just question Mourinho so much, a week without him and they start playing like this?

What the hell was he instructing them? I’d still back Mourinho to beat Cardiff but not play like we did.

I think it's proven now that Mourinho's approach was cautious possession football.

Instead of playing with first touch pass he prefers the pass to be safe and secure.

It's clear now high quality players needs to put the foot on the gas instead of holding it back.

Mourinho is a dinosaur.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I'm not sure I could see all that much of a tactical/systemic imprint in that game to be honest. I'd have to see more of Ole's United to do so.

We played with a quick tempo. We were always positive and looking to attack/score. And we functioned as a cohesive unit.

But the specific tactical preferences - High/low defensive line, pressing etc I can't really tell in one game.

The most obvious difference was De Gea keeping the ball on the deck with at least every second time he touched the ball. That was a huge difference, right there.

 

[OttoH]

This is obviously not only Solskjær's way of playing, it's rather standard modern football I would say, but it was very much how he wants to play.

I follow Molde, so when I say this is recognisable, that is based on how he has been setting them up here in Norway (although Premier League look like playing on double speed in comparison)

More flowing attacking game, more risk and more pressing.

- He likes to have a Central defender who can start attacking by creative passes up the Pitch, and not just either hoofing if up or short pass to a holding midfielder og full backs. Lindelöfs performance today would make him happy. He has really made a statement that he should be considered a first Choice. (Jones struggled a fair bit in his positional play today, which was not very convincing if we are going to play With a higher line.

- Solskjærs like attacking full backs that he wants to keep width very high up the pitch (you would see them all the way up in line with the forwards at times). He also wants them to finish attacks, so when the wide attackers get out wide, than we saw examples of Shaw (in particular) underlapping with runs into the box.

- Matic can be a useful player for Solskjær. A anchor midfielder in a 433 is something Solskjær has been using also in Molde, giving the two other midfielders (and full backs) cover to attack more. As long as Matic doesn't slow things down too much, this can work well.

- Up front it is very much pass and move, trying to make things difficult by playing with a certain tempo and having lots of players overcrowding the defense. They will have to watch for runs by Young and Shaw, Herrera and Pogba, Lingard, Rashford or Martial - and even Lindelöf on one occasion.

- We press highe

This worked very well today, but…
- An early goal made it all easier as Cardiff could just try to kill the match.
- Better teams will exploit the space we leave behind.
- Unsure on how we manage to organize defensively when the high pressure doesn't work, then we need to fall back more. And we didn't look all that good on the few occasions Cardiff established themselves higher up the pitch.

 

[Canagel]

This was evident in the fact that it was surprisingly difficult to select a man of the match. Great team performance.

Exactly.

 

[Josep Dowling]

Makes me just question Mourinho so much, a week without him and they start playing like this?

What the hell was he instructing them? I’d still back Mourinho to beat Cardiff but not play like we did.

It wasnt even a week, Solskjaer had two days of training sessions with the players. It’s a crazy turn around in a such a short space of time.

 

[Rajma]

This is obviously not only Solskjær's way of playing, it's rather standard modern football I would say, but it was very much how he wants to play.
I follow Molde, so when I say this is recognisable, that is based on how he has been setting them up here in Norway (although Premier League look like playing on double speed in comparison)

More flowing attacking game, more risk and more pressing.

- He likes to have a Central defender who can start attacking by creative passes up the Pitch, and not just either hoofing if up or short pass to a holding midfielder og full backs. Lindelöfs performance today would make him happy. He has really made a statement that he should be considered a first Choice. (Jones struggled a fair bit in his positional play today, which was not very convincing if we are going to play With a higher line.

- Solskjærs like attacking full backs that he wants to keep width very high up the pitch (you would see them all the way up in line with the forwards at times). He also wants them to finish attacks, so when the wide attackers get out wide, than we saw examples of Shaw (in particular) underlapping with runs into the box.

- Matic can be a useful player for Solskjær. A anchor midfielder in a 433 is something Solskjær has been using also in Molde, giving the two other midfielders (and full backs) cover to attack more. As long as Matic doesn't slow things down too much, this can work well.

- Up front it is very much pass and move, trying to make things difficult by playing with a certain tempo and having lots of players overcrowding the defense. They will have to watch for runs by Young and Shaw, Herrera and Pogba, Lingard, Rashford or Martial - and even Lindelöf on one occasion.

- We press highe

This worked very well today, but…
- An early goal made it all easier as Cardiff could just try to kill the match.
- Better teams will exploit the space we leave behind.
- Unsure on how we manage to organize defensively when the high pressure doesn't work, then we need to fall back more. And we didn't look all that good on the few occasions Cardiff established themselves higher up the pitch.

It’s just one game mate, chill. Literally no one expects us to suddenly be world beaters, it took Klopp 3.5 years and millions and millions of pounds to make Liverpool consistent in their system. I will be happy if Ole can just instill the belief in players, fans, and board that by taking positive direction this club can achieve big things again.

 

[Eric's Seagull]

This is obviously not only Solskjær's way of playing, it's rather standard modern football I would say, but it was very much how he wants to play.
I follow Molde, so when I say this is recognisable, that is based on how he has been setting them up here in Norway (although Premier League look like playing on double speed in comparison)

More flowing attacking game, more risk and more pressing.

- He likes to have a Central defender who can start attacking by creative passes up the Pitch, and not just either hoofing if up or short pass to a holding midfielder og full backs. Lindelöfs performance today would make him happy. He has really made a statement that he should be considered a first Choice. (Jones struggled a fair bit in his positional play today, which was not very convincing if we are going to play With a higher line.

- Solskjærs like attacking full backs that he wants to keep width very high up the pitch (you would see them all the way up in line with the forwards at times). He also wants them to finish attacks, so when the wide attackers get out wide, than we saw examples of Shaw (in particular) underlapping with runs into the box.

- Matic can be a useful player for Solskjær. A anchor midfielder in a 433 is something Solskjær has been using also in Molde, giving the two other midfielders (and full backs) cover to attack more. As long as Matic doesn't slow things down too much, this can work well.

- Up front it is very much pass and move, trying to make things difficult by playing with a certain tempo and having lots of players overcrowding the defense. They will have to watch for runs by Young and Shaw, Herrera and Pogba, Lingard, Rashford or Martial - and even Lindelöf on one occasion.

- We press highe

This worked very well today, but…
- An early goal made it all easier as Cardiff could just try to kill the match.
- Better teams will exploit the space we leave behind.
- Unsure on how we manage to organize defensively when the high pressure doesn't work, then we need to fall back more. And we didn't look all that good on the few occasions Cardiff established themselves higher up the pitch.

Thanks for the insight hive to here something from some who follows Molde

 

[Nick7]

I thought, when in position our centre backs were fairly deep. They weren't holding a consistent high line which I thought was interesting. Young almost played as a winger and Shaw, while not as high was quite far up. But yeah I thought the positioning of our centre backs was interesting.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

It wasnt even a week, Solskjaer had two days of training sessions with the players. It’s a crazy turn around in a such a short space of time.

I meant time without Mourinho, not time with Solskjaer but I agree.

 

[deafepl]

It’s just one game mate, chill. Literally no one expects us to suddenly be world beaters, it took Klopp 3.5 years and millions and millions of pounds to make Liverpool consistent in their system. I will be happy if Ole can just instill the belief in players, fans, and board that by taking positive direction this club can achieve big things again.

Our squad is a lot better than the squad Klopp took over.

 

[Pexbo]

Just saw Ole’s post match press conference and one of the things that got me buzzing was his answer to the question about getting Top 4.

He said it’s only 8 points and we have overcome worse many times in the past and you know what? Manchester United always get better in the second half of the season.

I absolutely loved that reply from him. He doesn’t give a crap about the last few years. He sees the club the same way he has always seen it and has the same standards, expectations and confidence he has always had and that can only be infectious amongst the players. That and the way he is constantly repeating what an amazing group of talented players he has let’s you know that he recognises the biggest challenge he has is changing their mentality to a positive one and he’s making all the right noises for that.

I’m so looking forward to this second half of the season. If we can use the next three games to gain some momentum, Top 4 is a real possibility. Our goals conceded column is obviously an absolute joke but we have only scored 5 less than Liverpool, 1 less than Chelsea and 4 more than Tottenham. The safety switch is off now and we’re primed to go at teams.

Can’t fecking wait.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

So far so good:

Interchanging positions: Check
High FB positions: Check
Passing triangles: Check
Slick exchange of passes: Check

In addition,

High press: Check
Defense high line: Check
Box overload attacking: Check
Keeping Possession: Check
Forward passes: Check
Attack, Attack, Attack: Check
Quick Counter Attacks: Check
Off the ball Movements: Check
Fun Football: Check

Oh, and the one-twos football and players-combo-passes tear the freaking defenses wide open, so common in SAF's era is finally freaking back.

 

[Ashley R1+O]

Was there really that much difference? I've watched the game twice and I felt like we just tried a lot harder for a lot longer in both the attacking phase and the transitional phase of play. It felt like a more complete and applied performance which is definitely a mental shift. When we lost the ball and tried to win it back a lot more straight away, when individuals made off the ball movements that broke down we'd still reset it as quick as possible knowing we were trying to move the ball quickly so we'd be in line to get it back quickly. Under Mourinho you'd see a lot of guys make a run and it was almost like the end of the world they never got the ball after making the run and the player would strop and be upset like they'd be fined for making a stupid run or something.

Ole was right, this is a talented collection of players. Maybe need to get them playing as a team is first and foremost the biggest positive and the most gravitational. God I love Ole

 

[Sky1981]

Lets wait until we faced a proper team that can hurt us with counter.

We look great in attack but balance of this tactics isnt proven yet.

We're too open at the back teams with better players can also punish us. Let's give it a few more matches before all this bravadoes

 

[Kapardin]

Lets wait until we faced a proper team that can hurt us with counter.

We look great in attack but balance of this tactics isnt proven yet.

We're too open at the back teams with better players can also punish us. Let's give it a few more matches before all this bravadoes

Sure they will. We don't have top class CBs or even FBs, that's a truth.

But I assume we will adapt tactically. I'm sure Carrick, McKenna and Ole studied Cardiff's weaknesses and encouraged the team to play this way. Against better opposition, we can be a bit more cautious with our CBs not bombing forward so often, but shouldn't forego the pressing and winning balls high up the pitch.

 

[RedIke]

I thought it was awesome to see. Obviously felt great watching the product.

One thing I noticed though, and it might have been just me, is that the team as a whole seemed like they were trying to play out of a rut that they'd been stuck in. Some passes were mishit. Some spacing issues. But you can see them trying. I liked it.

 

[rpg]

If Ole has a fraction of Fergie motivational prowess i reckon we be in a joy ride. Nice to hear him stress about effort from players, in his interview.

 

[Ekeke]

It reminded me of how we played with Sir Alex. Our wingers had license to go all the way to the other wing and link up with the other winger. Its something Nani used to do back in those days when he was starting on the right. We tried a couple of quick tempo moves with the attacking players playing 1 and 2 touch football again something I can remember from Sir Alex times. And we attacked... With the intent of scoring goals... Something that had been lacking under Moyes, LVG and Mourinho.

Its just 1 match so far, but the style was like old United

 

[Josep Dowling]

Ole has come in and has told the players to express themselves, to play with their instinct. Whilst this is great against the smaller teams sometimes you do need a tactical approach to win games. It will be interesting to see how Solskjaer will approach say City or Liverpool.

 

[roonster09]

IiRC Solskjaer said they practiced pattern play for 1 session and there was some good changes in the game. Hopefully we see more of it.

 

[World Game]

Lindelof making runs into the penalty box... and that 3rd goal... two things that would've never happened under Mourinho.

 

[Judas]

To be honest all the people saying "wait till we play someone good" it would be a big improvement if we just easily beat the teams we're expected to win against for now anyway, it's been too long since thats been the case.

 

[ArmchairCritic]

United trying to score more goals even when the game is done and dusted, haven't seen that for ages. Even under SAF we used to shut up shot after 60 mins and coast if the game was decided.

 

[BAMSOLA]

In addition,

High press: Check
Defense high line: Check
Box overload attacking: Check
Keeping Possession: Check
Forward passes: Check
Attack, Attack, Attack: Check
Quick Counter Attacks: Check
Off the ball Movements: Check
Fun Football: Check

Oh, and the one-twos football and players-combo-passes tear the freaking defenses wide open, so common in SAF's era is finally freaking back.

Yep also the Team responding with attacking aggression after conceding a goal (as we did after the penalty): Check.

 

[worldinmotion66]

This system of football will also suit Alexis down to the ground. I also think Pereira will be able to play in any position in midfield and it suits Herrera and Fred to press as well.

It's all been said before but it's incomprehensible that mourinho didn't change his approach. I honestly think he was looking for a way out. He is milking the system with payout after payout while relying on his past successes to get further work. He's an intelligent guy.

 

[Trizy]

I think the real question is how will he set up vs the top 4 teams? We can't go full on attack and out score City or Pool.

High lines, advanced full backs and risky passes are all well and good vs teams that won't punish you.

For now I'll be delighted if we get beat all teams below the top 6.

 

[adexkola]

I'm not sure I could see all that much of a tactical/systemic imprint in that game to be honest. I'd have to see more of Ole's United to do so.

We played with a quick tempo. We were always positive and looking to attack/score. And we functioned as a cohesive unit.

But the specific tactical preferences - High/low defensive line, pressing etc I can't really tell in one game.

This. Trust me, I tried to find such changes. Apart from the tempo and proactive nature, a lot seemed the same and naturally so