Your yearly expectations under Ole?

passing-wind

Full Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2013
Messages
3,041
I feel Poch would have been a much better candidate for the position of taking our club forward. Ole has achieved much in 3 or so months but Poch has overachieved for 3 seasons with a spurs side with extremely limited resources.

I don't see what Solskjaer has implemented in our football to indicate him giving us long term success, I think the perception of why he's done so well is because of how bad we had fallen as a club under Jose's reign. We haven't played good attacking football since the cardiff result, we look more of a threat out of possession and on the counter attack.

Pep and Klopp aside the talented players, have a clear philosophy and you can see it exemplified in how their respective teams play, you can see the emphasis on how they have been coached, how the players are being nurtured in their positions, just look at what's happened with Sterling's development.

I don't see this with us, I don't see where we are being coached in terms of movement off the ball, what we are drilling our wide players to do in attacking positions, how we move the ball through the midfield without having to constantly rely on Pogba, why our fullbacks are seldom overlapping the play. The only justification I can give Ole for these clear issues is if we simply don't have the players to utilise a more imposing system and approach so time will tell.

But nevertheless irrespective I'm behind Ole, pressure is on now however we need massive improvement.
 

Skills

Snitch
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
42,284
A thing to keep in mind is that Real Madrid have won 2 titles in the last 10 years. We need to also be realistic. Realistic is saying we have arguably the 3rd best squad in the league so should finish 3rd, while we're also much further behind in our cycle than either of City or Liverpool. Needs signings and time to gel. Hence why top 4 with progression is the expectation next season.
So? But they've never started a season aiming for 2nd. They're the most successful club in the world, and the biggest reason for that is the club always expects to win big.

They fail most of the time (after all they've only won 13 out of 50 odd European cups and 30 out of 100 odd league titles), but they don't lower their ceiling from the beginning. That attitude is all wrong.
 

BurtSpangle

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jan 23, 2019
Messages
57
Great, another three year wait for a title challenge under a manager who has never actually proven he's capable of winning a title. Brilliant.
 

Paxi

Dagestani MMA Boiled Egg Expert
Joined
Mar 4, 2017
Messages
27,678
Challenge for the league in the next 3 seasons. Win a couple of trophies ie FA Cup, League cup.
 

Member 115509

Guest
I think at the moment that question is a bit like how long is a piece of string, a lot will depend on how the rest of the season turns out - Champions League football or not next season will have a bearing - and then what OGS does in the summer transfer window.
I think top 4 is a realistic prospect this season, if United can beat Barcelona in the CL then anything is possible there. You would have to say United are a real long shot to win the competition, anything positive that happens from here on in is a bonus.
The one stand out factor is probably that there are real signs for optimism going forward, Solskjaer has made a fantastic start, he now needs to build on that and take United forward.
 

Denis79

Full Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2014
Messages
7,830
This next transfer window will be crucial for our ambitions. The squad has shown that they have the quality to compete at the highest level, now it's up to the ones holding the reigns to aquire the players we need to take that next step. Easier said than done considering our ttansfer dealings the last couple of years.
 

ForestRGoinUp

New Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2018
Messages
1,370
The expectation now is something very similar to what Klopp has done at Liverpool, and on a similar timeline to be fair to Ole. The only issue I have with it is that there's no evidence with Ole like there was with Klopp.
 

Damien

Self-Aware RedCafe Database (and Admin)
Staff
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
97,486
Location
Also won Best Gif/Photoshop 2021
Posted this back in December and nothing has changed for this season. Finishing Top 4 is an unrealistic expectation given where we started from.



19/20 we should be aiming for a comfortable Top 4 finish and winning a cup.
20/21 should be a title run.

Set realistic milestones and hope he can surprise us but expecting miracles is unfair.
Agree with all of this.
 

Paul_Scholes18

Full Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2014
Messages
13,891
I think we should be able to challenge for the league, but we really need to boost our attack. A top quality right winger would be great for us. Also need to bring in another central midfielder. Get two world class players in those areas and I think we should be able to challenge.
 

The Cat

Will drink milk from your hands
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
12,740
Location
Feet up at home.
Great, another three year wait for a title challenge under a manager who has never actually proven he's capable of winning a title. Brilliant.
Bugger off with your pessimism.

I remember the long wait before 1993. I am far more encouraged by Ole's start than I have been for the last 6 or so years.
 

scoi

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Mar 3, 2016
Messages
161
With the Ole league table the way its looking at the moment then i see no reason that a title challenge isn't on the cards next year.

I would imagine that there will be 1 or 2 quality signings in the summer to balance the squad out and with some new contracts signed there is the potential for a good season.

Minimum expectation is that in March next year i'm not creating a spreadsheet to see what the chance of a top 4 finish is.
 

Steven-UK

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jan 30, 2019
Messages
521
Location
Manchester
Great, another three year wait for a title challenge under a manager who has never actually proven he's capable of winning a title. Brilliant.
And using that same logic, we should be giving the job back to Mourinho? Get behind the new manager, man!
 

bosnian_red

Worst scout to ever exist
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
58,412
Location
Canada
So? But they've never started a season aiming for 2nd. They're the most successful club in the world, and the biggest reason for that is the club always expects to win big.

They fail most of the time (after all they've only won 13 out of 50 odd European cups and 30 out of 100 odd league titles), but they don't lower their ceiling from the beginning. That attitude is all wrong.
Yes but its also different having that attitude when your previous seasons have been successful, compared to the last 5 seasons being 7th, 4th, 5th, 6th, 2nd, 4-6th (wherever we finish). You don't just jump up to winning the title and anything else being a failure in one season, Ole's first full season as United manager. That's ridiculous. All well and good trying to talk big but it doesnt actually serve any purpose other then getting pissed off at having to back track later on.

We are being realistic. Expecting to win the title next season is dumb. City are arguably the best side in world football, with Liverpool top 5 for sure. Pep and Klopp are probably the 2 most sought after coaches in world football. They've been at their jobs now and developed their sides over the past 3 seasons for Pep, 4 for Klopp. Ole has been here for 3 months. Expecting a very young squad in Ole's first big managerial job to jump up and win the title right away is dumb as feck and completely unrealistic.
 

Smores

Full Member
Joined
May 18, 2011
Messages
25,721
Can people justify their downgraded expectations? I don't get it.

This place has been moaning we should be challenging for the title for years yet now people only want top 4. If the question is what does he need to do in order not to be sacked then yeah top 4 but isn't it what we realistically should be aiming for?

Within 10pts of 1st is where i usually set my aim and i think that should still be the case.
 

JohnnyKills

Full Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
7,100
Top 3 and CL quarters with good football would be a good return next year.

After that we can think about a title push.
 

Inigo Montoya

Leave Wayne Rooney alone!!
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
38,543
Yearly?

Can we just start with the short term.
1. Get the players in that fit in with the system you want to play
2.. Get off to a good start next season.
 

Devils11

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jul 31, 2018
Messages
169
Summer 2019:
Buy : Sancho (100m) , De Ligt (80m), Hudson-Odoi (70m), Wan-Bissaka (50m).
Sell : Pogba (150m) ,De Gea ( 40m) ,Sanchez (free), Herrara (free) ,Mata (free) , Rojo (10m) , Matteo (10m)

2019 - 4th place P38 W24 D7 L7 Pts 79. First team call up for Henderson, Greenwood, Chong, Mitchell , Gomes , Garner , Gribbin , O'Connor etc.

2020 - 1st place P38 W28 D6 L4 Pts 90. Class of 2020 win the Title !
And England win EURO 2020 with 8 United players : Sancho, Hudson-Odoi , Rashford, Shaw , Greenwood, Garner, Wan-Bissaka, Gribbin, Henderson.

2021 - 1st place P38 W33 D5 L0 Pts 104. + CL Cup, FA Cup, League Cup winners.
The Front 4 of Greenwood, Rashford , Sancho and Odoi scored 100 goals with Gribbin and Garner contributing 20 goals from midfield. The unbeaten United team is voted the best team ever with an average age of 23.
 

Maestro14

OHKO'd a shiny Electrike
Joined
Dec 30, 2011
Messages
4,442
Location
No worries
If the last 6 years are anything to go by, it's probably a bit optimistic to think about what will happen in Ole's 3rd season or after. These days anything after 2 years is considered long-term, especially regarding managers.
 

CM

Full Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2014
Messages
7,492
I don't think Solskjaer himself would be content with anything less than a title challenge next season. There's a long way to go between now and next season though, and the club should be doing everything they can to make the summer window as painless as possible for Solskjaer.
 

sullydnl

Ross Kemp's caf ID
Joined
Sep 13, 2012
Messages
34,063
I have no expectations for this season, whatever happens happens.

Next year really depends on our summer transfer window. There's not much point in saying we expect a title challenge (or whatever) if we have a botched transfer window like last summer's which sees Solskjaer hamstrung before the season starts.

Generally though top four and good football is a permanent expectation.
 

kouroux

45k posts to finally achieve this tagline
Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
96,804
Location
Djibouti (La terre des braves)
Can people justify their downgraded expectations? I don't get it.

This place has been moaning we should be challenging for the title for years yet now people only want top 4. If the question is what does he need to do in order not to be sacked then yeah top 4 but isn't it what we realistically should be aiming for?

Within 10pts of 1st is where i usually set my aim and i think that should still be the case.
Of course we can, we haven't looked like coming close to compete for the PL since SAF retired. Personally I'm excited but I really understand those who are still cautious.
 

GodShaveTheQueen

We mean it man, we love our queen!
Joined
Oct 11, 2018
Messages
6,435
This season: Get signed as permanent manager

2022 season: Get 3 year contract extension signed

2025 season: Get 3 year contract extension signed

2028 season: Get 3 year contract extension signed

2031 season: Get 3 year contract extension signed

2034 season: Get 3 year contract extension signed

2037 season: Get 3 year contract extension signed

2040 season: Retire
 

Raw

Full Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2013
Messages
25,476
Location
Manchester, UK
Can people justify their downgraded expectations? I don't get it.

This place has been moaning we should be challenging for the title for years yet now people only want top 4. If the question is what does he need to do in order not to be sacked then yeah top 4 but isn't it what we realistically should be aiming for?

Within 10pts of 1st is where i usually set my aim and i think that should still be the case.
No one is saying they want top 4 at all, just that it's realistic that we won't be one of the title favourites next season. Again I think people might be confusing expectations with what they want.

If Ole performs better than expected, great, we can increase our expectations (which he so far has done). If he performs lower than expected then questions will have to be asked. It's simply a personal metric to how Ole is performing. It's a bit more than what to do in order to not get sacked, it's more of a mix between that and what we personally think is a realistic objective for next season.

10 points off 1st is a realistic expectation though, one that would likely put us comfortably in the top 4.
 

Jim Beam

Gets aroused by men in low socks
Joined
Feb 10, 2017
Messages
13,176
Location
All over the place
Pep finished 3rd in his first year and wasn't close to title getting trashed by Everton in EPL and thrown out by young Monaco side in the round of 16. And he had a much better team. Klopp is now in his 4th year and it is his first serious title challenge.

People expecting us fighting for a title next season are deluded imo. And it has nothing to do with lowering expectations but being realistic. Saying Barcelona or Madrid fans would never do that is also bollocks as I don't remember them being in this state for 6 years.

Comfortable top 4 finish, see the team and players improving. Build on that.
 

ExecutionerWasp001

Full Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2019
Messages
439
With a couple of signings i think we will win the league next year if we are not in the CL. As long as we prioritized the League & played the youth in the Cups & Europa.
 

ErranMorad

New Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2018
Messages
1,575
Location
Here, there, everywhere...
I don't believe in these yearly targets. My expectation is the same as it was under Louie or Jose, we are historically one of the greatest clubs in world football. We have a history of attacking football and winning trophies. We are one of the biggest spenders on transfers and wages. So, our performance on the pitch should reflect all those things. I hope and expect Ole to bring us back to our level in due time.
 

amolbhatia50k

Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
96,062
Location
india
I'll have to think about the yearly but the gyst of it is
  • Improve the team and individuals
  • Get us playing fluid cohesive attacking football
  • Buy well
  • Promote youth
And eventually
  • Challenge for the league
  • Challenge for the CL
 

soapythecat

Full Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2006
Messages
3,841
Location
Glasgow resident these days.
Not sure I understand making the appointment now, as apposed to the end of the season. Yes, it may help recruiting players with a manager in place, but as I stated in another thread a few months back (and got slated) is that how do we know if or how Ole will react to a couple of defeats? We've appointed him on the back of a run of poor results and we don't know if he's got the managerial clout to pull it around.
Given the performances many of these players put in before Ole arrived, what happens if we finish the season outside of the top 4 and revert back to our pre-Ole form between now and May?
I'm glad he's in the hot seat because he certainly got players back to performing well again, but I personally wanted him to finish this season before making him a permanent position. I stated we wouldn't see his full managerial position tested until we had a run of defeats, and now we've had them, lets see how he fares. Fingers crossed eh?
 

Rozay

Master of Hindsight
Joined
Oct 22, 2012
Messages
27,529
Location
...
Depends on what he has to work with. Since he’s been here, we’ve been one of the best teams in the country. We should not accept/expect to just regress back down to fighting for the top 4 next season. We should fight for the title.
 

ForestRGoinUp

New Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2018
Messages
1,370
Expect him to be protected by the fans more than just about any manager in world football. Woodward, in essence, has put all the pressure on himself to be nearly perfect in the next few windows. And even if he makes the obvious signings everyone wants, and they don't develop under Ole, it will be Ed blamed for making the wrong signings.

From this point onward, we should be on the same trajectory as Liverpool under Klopp. If Ole can't achieve that (nevermind if he wins a League Cup), then his tenure should be judged accordingly. Not Ed's.
 

RedCurry

Full Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2016
Messages
4,687
Win rest of our premier league games with an exception of City maybe.

In the summer I want us to make astute signings that address our problem areas.

Next season, we have to challenge for PL even if we don't win it. The style of play has to improve further. We still look disjointed as a team and that needs to be addressed.
 

marktan

Full Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2017
Messages
7,039
Nothing. We've become the Liverpool of the 90s and 00s. Solsjkaers more likely to be Souness than he is to be Fergie.