[FootyGirl88]

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[chromepaxos]

I think humility is not only an attractive quality in a commentary; it is a wise one. ...
These things are never simple, never a simple black/white binary puzzle. I too was bored by negative play; but - a a supporter- I supported JM to the end. ...
But let’s not be too sure of ourselves, just yet. Understanding is a weighty word to be throwing around at this stage in the game.

i'm certainly not claiming to have complete understanding of every aspect of football - I don't think anyone does - but I think it is transparently obvious that 22 highly competitive professional sportsmen don't all run less than they have ever done in their careers unless they have been instructed to act that way by their manager.

This idea that players like Pogba "downed tools" and didn't put in "full effort" was stupid before Mou left and the evidence since has proven it. The entire team was running less than the opposition in most games, and that was pretty constant through the season. Is the argument that a genuinely world-class coach like Mou couldn't see that was happening? And couldn't think for the like of him how to change it? It's ridiculous on its face.

And ultimately that's why I take issue with your line that, "as a supporter- I supported JM to the end", which implies that those of us that lost faith in him are somehow not supporters, or at least lesser than you. Oh, and then you preach about the need for "humility"!

To which I say, as a supporter, I support the club, not someone who was clearly working against the club's interests.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Good fun today. Nice again to see how knackered and sweaty the players were at full time. Looked tired again, great stuff

 

[Tincanalley]

i'm certainly not claiming to have complete understanding of every aspect of football - I don't think anyone does - but I think it is transparently obvious that 22 highly competitive professional sportsmen don't all run less than they have ever done in their careers unless they have been instructed to act that way by their manager.

This idea that players like Pogba "downed tools" and didn't put in "full effort" was stupid before Mou left and the evidence since has proven it. The entire team was running less than the opposition in most games, and that was pretty constant through the season. Is the argument that a genuinely world-class coach like Mou couldn't see that was happening? And couldn't think for the like of him how to change it? It's ridiculous on its face.

And ultimately that's why I take issue with your line that, "as a supporter- I supported JM to the end", which implies that those of us that lost faith in him are somehow not supporters, or at least lesser than you. Oh, and then you preach about the need for "humility"!

To which I say, as a supporter, I support the club, not someone who was clearly working against the club's interests.

Your attempts at technical arguments are tiresome, fella. And your ‘understanding football’ line just clocked high enough on my cringe meter to get my attention. However, keep posting, keep your sense of humour and have a great 2019.

 

[pierrethesnack]

He doesn't offer a lot going forward, unfortunately. That might change with more confidence but it's far from guaranteed. Eventually we'll need full-backs who are very good in attack.

Agree, unfortunately. He makes really good runs and is always playable down that side, but the attack always stops with him passing it backwards unless he can pass it on quickly. Needs to become more of a threat himself if he is to be our regular LB.

Not slagging him off in any way, he seems to have a great attitude and I really want him to make it, but definitely needs to improve.

 

[sglowrider]

The guy in the bottom right, with the half n half dog toy, has got a right set of gnashers on him.

Kids today -- will do anything to get attention.

 

[Canagel]

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Second manager in a row mentioning freedom.

 

[RedRonaldo]

It’s funny that the compensation we’ve paid to sack Mourinho, is the best deal we’ve made this season.

 

[AltiUn]

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Was actually at the match and the atmosphere was excellent, fans were singing for most of the game, we were pulling out basically every song we could think of.

 

[Rightnr]

It’s funny that the compensation we’ve paid to sack Mourinho, is the best deal we’ve made this season.

I seriously did not understand the hesitation. Considering we had world-class players playing like championship dross, paying £20m to upgrade our whole squad essentially (because that's what a change from an atrocious to a decent manager does) is peanuts...

 

[Camy89]

If he is so intelligent how did he manage to get everybody against him at Chelsea,Madrid and now United and get ousted from 3 top jobs? I do not find it very smart when people think they are bigger than United and his behaviour since the summer is like a spoilt brat rather than a highly intelligent adult.

Tactically, Mourinho was one of the best for difficult teams, it's in this regard I see him as intelligent.

What hindered him was his ego, lack of flexibility and attitude. He doesn't strike me as particularly humble and he's lost the dressing room in 3 different clubs. Not good. In this regard, he's silly.

 

[sglowrider]

I know its only meant to be 'only a game' but it's amazing how three matches can lift your general sense of wellbeing.

 

[AltiUn]

I seriously did not understand the hesitation. Considering we had world-class players playing like championship dross, paying £20m to upgrade our whole squad essentially (because that's what a change from an atrocious to a decent manager does) is peanuts...

Woodward's rightly caught a lot of flak but choosing to pull the trigger, back the players and not wait until CL was unattainable looks the right decision so far.

 

[tentan]

Great attacking football once more. We finally can see what these players can do when they have freedom on the pitch.

 

[ExoduS]

First 17 matches - 1.7 goals per game. Last 3 matches - 4 goals per game. Next two games will tell a lot! Two tough away games.

 

[chromepaxos]

Your attempts at technical arguments are tiresome, fella. And your ‘understanding football’ line just clocked high enough on my cringe meter to get my attention. However, keep posting, keep your sense of humour and have a great 2019.

You know, if you'd read the thread instead of being pompous you'd have seen that my "understanding football" line was a direct crib from the bloke I was responding to, so your issue is with him.

But, if you think a simple point about why players as a group don't pass and move is a "technical argument" () then I guess your analytical skills aren't...erm...extensive, so it's to be expected that you'd miss the point.

Keep smilin', fella!

 

[RedSky]

We've no longer scored the least amount of goals in the top 6, and we've won 3 in a row for the first time this season. Pretty massive steps forward in just a week.

Last time we won 3 in a row was Feb 25, 2018 to Mar 10, 2018.

 

[Shiva87]

Perhaps it's unfair to scapegoat Pogba and name him specifically when it's clear that many players felt the same way. However, as the most influential player on the pitch, it's also safe to assume he had enormous influence in the dressing room as well.

When a team changes that quickly overnight... you can attribute some to the new manager, but of course most of it is that players being paid millions of pounds finally decided to earn their paychecks.

I can also agree that Jose was too inflexible, did destroy the morale of the team when they wouldn't do what he wanted... but he probably was right in terms of specific strategies he was implementing... But you are right in that if the players aren't motivated... then it doesn't matter if the strategy itself is intelligent.

I think you are doing Ole a disservice. He has been brilliant so far, and he has made some key tactical and positional changes as well. It's not all down to ''new manager bounce". I could agree that the Cardiff game was bounce, but we've progressed since.

The biggest difference I saw yesterday was the number of runs being made by the players. One clip last night showed United breaking from a corner which ended with Pogba almost getting to a header (before his second goal). It had 6 runners charging down the Bournemouth goal. You think Jose allows that? Not a chance.

 

[Green_Red]

brilliant today and the ground was rocking, bring on the spuds

 

[Shiva87]

I agree with all of you that his handling of the team from a motivational perspective was a failure.

I just hope we won't need his tactical nous come the Champions League and top 5 fixtures.

I've moved on and wish Jose well against any team but us.

The famed Jose tactical nous didn't ever work for us! If you think the Anfield nil-nil last season was tactical nous, I would much rather we lose the game trying to drive the agenda/being proactive on the ball.

 

[Chillosophy]

To cite good old Patrice, I love this game. Cant wait for the next game now, havent had this feeling in several years.

 

[Shiva87]

But Mourinho is a wily tactician... every game I watched I rarely thought... why did he do this?

I think his failure is what everyone is saying... he lost the team... so it no longer mattered how clever he was at football.

I think he was too inflexible... too unwilling to use the proverbial sugar instead of vinegar to get his way.

He was probably too intelligent for his own good... and it doesn't matter if you are right about the strategy if you can't inspire the players to implement it for you.

Really? Quite the opposite for me. This season, the only thing I was wondering is 'why did he do this?'.

Some of it felt like sabotage. Scott Mctomminay at CB! Pogba benched for Felliani. The constant Lukaku and Matic starting. Dropping Martial after he played out of his skin to keep Jose in the job? What more do you need to know?

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

Really? Quite the opposite for me. This season, the only thing I was wondering is 'why did he do this?'.

Some of it felt like sabotage. Scott Mctomminay at CB! Pogba benched for Felliani. The constant Lukaku and Matic starting. Dropping Martial after he played out of his skin to keep Jose in the job? What more do you need to know?

His team selections got weird because he was trying to work around players that had stopped performing for him.

Not saying he should not have been sacked but to say he was sabotaging is ridiculous. Professionals don't do that, he's worked his arse off for decades to get to the top - sometimes things don't work out, but it's retarded to say he sabotaged the team and thus his own reputation.

 

[hobbers]

McTominay and Herrera at CB definitely looked a lot more like purposeful self-sabotage than anything resembling a respectable strategy. Also served as more public FU's to Woodward from Mourinho.

He said it himself at various points - our defense is so shit so we have to do things differently [to last season] and be more attack-minded. Except it was the exact same defensive personnel as last season in the squad. And rather than do things differently he actually just doubled down with the restrictive anti-football set up.

 

[moodyred]

You know what? The attacking football is becoming more and more pleasing to the eye. The goals were amazing. The pressing for the ball was fantastic. I thought this team do not know how to play the pressing game (under Mourinho).

Pogba is showing what the fuss about him is all about. Rashford is just WOW! Maybe early days to compare him to Ronaldo but the signs are definitely there. Everyone is hungry for the ball and to move it forward.

I understand that our defence can be better, but I suspect that we may actually be better than City in that department at the moment.

I do not know if I am being sensitive here, but Martial does not seem happy when the players huddle to celebrate the goals. Hope its nothing.

 

[Shiva87]

His team selections got weird because he was trying to work around players that had stopped performing for him.

Not saying he should not have been sacked but to say he was sabotaging is ridiculous. Professionals don't do that, he's worked his arse off for decades to get to the top - sometimes things don't work out, but it's retarded to say he sabotaged the team and thus his own reputation.

I don't think he was intentionally trying to get fired. My point was that his decisions stopped making any sense.

I guess the context of the post was lost on you!

 

[The Brown Bull]

Enjoyed today, good result and some good football played.
Rashford’s skill in creating the first goal was fantastic and great to see.Also good to see Pogba playing well and the rest of the team also playing in a much more positive way .
It has to be said though that failing to keep a clean sheet again is a concern and that Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth are teams we should be thrashing.
The Spurs game will tell us more I think but keep up the good work Ole.

 

[moodyred]

OGS - 3 games 12 goals
If it was Mourinho, we would have needed 12 games to get that.

 

[Dante]

McTominay and Herrera at CB definitely looked a lot more like purposeful self-sabotage than anything resembling a respectable strategy. Also served as more public FU's to Woodward from Mourinho.

He said it himself at various points - our defense is so shit so we have to do things differently [to last season] and be more attack-minded. Except it was the exact same defensive personnel as last season in the squad. And rather than do things differently he actually just doubled down with the restrictive anti-football set up.

The only other fit defender at the time was Bailly. I'm not sure he'd have been much better!

 

[MikeKing]

I don't think he was intentionally trying to get fired. My point was that his decisions stopped making any sense.

I guess the context of the post was lost on you!

The club wanted McKenna in around the first team to help with the attacking tactics. Mourinho would never resign from the job himself, so he stuck around but I don't think he liked it. Probably why his assistant left. He knows Mourinho better than anyone and probably knew he was up to no good. No reason to stay around for that shit Mou wanted to do his thing, we wanted to go another way. The moment he stopped having the trust and full backing is the moment we should have fired him. But I don't think you can blame Mourinho for staying on as a manager. He did the wrong thing, since he didn't want to change but it was right for him and I doubt he didn't give his 100% for the club.

 

[RAVred]

fecking wonderful. Pogba was absolutely world class in every definition of the word today.

Oh and feck you Jose Mourinho.

Build the team around Pogba, Rashford, Martial, and Lingard. 3 youth players and someone signed as a teen.

Seriously?

 

[Shiva87]

The club wanted McKenna in around the first team to help with the attacking tactics. Mourinho would never resign from the job himself, so he stuck around but I don't think he liked it. Probably why his assistant left. He knows Mourinho better than anyone and probably knew he was up to no good. No reason to stay around for that shit Mou wanted to do his thing, we wanted to go another way. The moment he stopped having the trust and full backing is the moment we should have fired him. But I don't think you can blame Mourinho for staying on as a manager. He did the wrong thing, since he didn't want to change but it was right for him and I doubt he didn't give his 100% for the club.

McKenna was very much a Jose decision. Dont think the club interfered in Jose back room staff appointments. We've always given our managers too much of a free reign on that.

When Rui Faria left, Jose was only glad to promote Mckenna as he didn't need to go hunting for a new assistant.

 

[MikeKing]

McKenna was very much a Jose decision. Dont think the club interfered in Jose back room staff appointments. We've always given our managers too much of a free reign on that.

When Rui Faria left, Jose was only glad to promote Mckenna as he didn't need to go hunting for a new assistant.

Really? I find that hard to believe. I mean I don't know, maybe you do, but it seems weird.

 

[Shiva87]

Really? I find that hard to believe. I mean I don't know, maybe you do, but it seems weird.

Not that I know Jose either - but all the stuff he said after Faria left indicated this. He never once looked cross with his staff - and he could never hide what he was crossed about.

 

[Raees]

His team selections got weird because he was trying to work around players that had stopped performing for him.

Not saying he should not have been sacked but to say he was sabotaging is ridiculous. Professionals don't do that, he's worked his arse off for decades to get to the top - sometimes things don't work out, but it's retarded to say he sabotaged the team and thus his own reputation.

First of all don’t use the R word and second of all - you don’t know Mourinho if you think sabotage is not in his playbook.

 

[MikeKing]

Not that I know Jose either - but all the stuff he said after Faria left indicated this. He never once looked cross with his staff - and he could never hide what he was crossed about.

That is true I guess. I think he convinced himself it would be fine and with the payout why not, but I certainly don't think he gave McKenna a big voice or role. Which is what he should have done if he was going to have him around. So if he wasn't going to change, and let an unproven coach help him what was the point of staying. At this moment I realised: what am I even doing still talking about Mourinho. 12-3 goals last 3 games and still we are rambling on about the guy.

 

[Patrick08]

First of all don’t use the R word and second of all - you don’t know Mourinho if you think sabotage is not in his playbook.

Mourinho being dishonest and unprofessional at a club he dreamed of managing just for quick money? I'd like to think he was stubborn than dishonest.

 

[The United]

Mourinho being dishonest and unprofessional at a club he dreamed of managing just for quick money? I'd like to think he was stubborn than dishonest.

Uh, almost everything he said or did would say otherwise about his dream. Pretty weird stuff.

The guy does not care about anything but himself. People were naive enough to think he meant it.

 

[Patrick08]

Uh, almost everything he said or did would say otherwise about his dream. Pretty weird stuff.

The media mourinho can be very different to the actual mourinho though.

 

[Shiva87]

That is true I guess. I think he convinced himself it would be fine and with the payout why not, but I certainly don't think he gave McKenna a big voice or role. Which is what he should have done if he was going to have him around. So if he wasn't going to change, and let an unproven coach help him what was the point of staying. At this moment I realised: what am I even doing still talking about Mourinho. 12-3 goals last 3 games and still we are rambling on about the guy.

Amen to that. I'm loving what's happening now - and can't wipe the smile of my face.