Solskjær press conference vs Everton (A)

[Minimalist]

Sorry but, whilst I 100% agree with him, why is it that when Mourinho said it, he got criticism on here? I genuinely can't understand that.

At least part of it, is because Mourinho is a tosser. That's not a fair objective way of judging comments but I imagine that's at least part of it.

We like Ole. Even Gary Neville talked about this - the players (the ones who are hiding behind the manager as he sees it) are fecked now. The fans won't turn on him like they could with Moyes, Mourinho or LvG.

 

[Paxi]

Sorry but, whilst I 100% agree with him, why is it that when Mourinho said it, he got criticism on here? I genuinely can't understand that.

It is what it is. Mourinho wasn’t necessarily incorrect — he was just a cnut to listen to.

 

[haram]

Sorry but, whilst I 100% agree with him, why is it that when Mourinho said it, he got criticism on here? I genuinely can't understand that.

Apparently Jose didn’t get enough out of the players and now that he’s gone people realise the players are just shite.

 

[breakout67]

Sounds like we're not getting more than 3 players, maybe 3 + a youth prospect. This place won't be a pretty sight after we end our business at 2 signings.

Why should anyone care about the number of signings? You look at weak areas and buy players/promote from the academy to reinforce them. The reality is that many simply aren't happy with the directon that has been taken when it comes team planning since last summer.

We needed a leader at the back and revamping of our right side last summer and addressed none of that. We then gave Jones, Smalling and Young new contracts. Now Ole has said that we aren't gonna go crazy in the market. These types of decisions are made by clubs that are already at the top and are looking to solidify their position not a club that has not challenged for a league title in 5 years.

I would have no problem with 3 signings if they addressed our weak areas, but we renewed our weak areas and even offered Mata a new contract to go even further in renewing the weak areas. It's not well planned at all.

 

[.Rossi]

At least part of it, is because Mourinho is a tosser. That's not a fair objective way of judging comments but I imagine that's at least part of it.

We like Ole. Even Gary Neville talked about this - the players (the ones who are hiding behind the manager as he sees it) are fecked now. The fans won't turn on him like they could with Moyes, Mourinho or LvG.

It is what it is. Mourinho wasn’t necessarily incorrect — he was just a cnut to listen to.

Perhaps but, he wasntw wrong. I just think it's very hypocritical of some.

I mean you can say he bought the players that contributed to this but, no manager or person in the world wouldn't have signed Pogba at the time... There were people moaning on here when Fred was rumoured to joining City

 

[Frank Grimes]

Another qoute from Solskjaer.

" I’ve been speaking to the club, we know that we have to be realistic and have a job to be done there’s no quick fix, it’s not like buy seven players and we’re in the right shape, we have to take step by step and there’ll be signings.”

Be surprised if we sign more than 3 players in the summer.

 

[Giggsyking]

I feel if we get the three points against Everton, we will keep a win run till the end of the league.

 

[redshaw]

Before Ole was given the job permanently we lost to Wolves, Arsenal, PSG, drew at home to Burnley 2-2 and had to struggle with Southampton at home, went 1-0 down and they leveled late to make it 2-2, only got out of jail with very late Lukaku goal. The loss of form happened before Ole got the job.

 

[DownRiver]

In the last press conference he mentioned "1 or 2 players", this is an expression. Don't take it literally. For example, if someone is going to drink beer they may say "can I have a couple of cans". This does not mean just two cans. It just another way of say we will get a "few players", which ofcourse does not mean 3 players. He also did not pause after saying 1 and then 2, it was very quick as if he is repeating a phrase. So we got that sorted.

Today's press conference he said that 7 players in the summer won't sort this out. "Step by step" is what he had said to explain how the recruitment will work.

People really think 7 players in one window will be better than 7 players over 2-3 windows? There will be more quality signings, not rushed and also it will be easier to integrate the team slowly. Even if you had 400m pounds for this summer. If I was Ole, I would choose to sign 3-4 players in key positions this summer and put a couple of youth players in there.

Most importantly, Ole said that he was most loolloo forward to pre-season. He wants to implement a style which he feels that he could not because of the lack of fitness levels. He said he wanted them fit and ready for pre-season. You all saw what happened in the Liverpool game, everyone fell like flies while Liverpool players still played with high intensity and hardly have injuries. When Klopp came in there was a similar injury crisis. Ole had taken advice to go more counter attacking that the way he would like to play with pressing because of the injuries.

Yes, Poch would be great. But that ship has sailed for now, and we just have to suport Ole. Yes, Young keeps on playing and our attack is inconsistent. However, Ole wants to rectify this; the first thing he said when explained what he wanted in recruitment of a player is not technical ability, but the right personality! I think this is not taken enough into account in terms of hunger and determination of players. In top level game, you need this characteristic. We just seem to have no one with personality than Herrera. You don't the whole team, but a few key members because they will influence everyone else.

 

[Keefy18]

Sorry but, whilst I 100% agree with him, why is it that when Mourinho said it, he got criticism on here? I genuinely can't understand that.

Tad different in that Ole isn't rounding out his quote by praising himself and belittling others.

He's asking players to step up performances which is fair enough.

 

[RedNed77]

By the sound of things, we’ve actually got a strategy going on behind the scenes.

The scattergun approach that happened under LVG and Jose didn’t help whatsoever.

I think Ole wants to bring in a few, sell the dross and promote the talented youth players.

It’s always going to be this way under the Glazers. We won’t go out and do a City or a Real Madrid in one summer. You’re supporting the wrong club if you demand that.

It won’t help that Madrid are apparently looking to complete a major rebuild this summer either and Pep has already said he needs quite a few players too. Them sloshing money around is only going to drive up prices.

I’d be fairly happy for us to keep it to around 2/3 very good players. But I can definitely see our RW position being neglected again though with the numbers he’s talking about and our needs in other areas.

 

[breakout67]

It won’t help that Madrid are apparently looking to complete a major rebuild this summer either and Pep has already said he needs quite a few players too. Them sloshing money around is only going to drive up prices.

I’d be fairly happy for us to keep it to around 2/3 very good players. But I can definitely see our RW position being neglected again though with the numbers he’s talking about and our needs in other areas.

I would not be surprised at all if we get Felix from Benfica who plays from the middle or left and leave Mata/Lingard on the right again. Dortmund are playing hard ball with Sancho so he will either cost a ridiculous amount or stay 1 more season. I would also not be surprised if replacing Herrera is factored into our signings when that should be a given.

 

[Leftback99]

How dare he question these magnificent players.

 

[sullydnl]

Perhaps but, he wasntw wrong. I just think it's very hypocritical of some.

I mean you can say he bought the players that contributed to this but, no manager or person in the world wouldn't have signed Pogba at the time... There were people moaning on here when Fred was rumoured to joining City

It's about context really. Mourinho was a manager with a track record of publicly criticising and falling out with players from his Madrid and Chelsea days. In fact the negativity he brings was probably the single biggest argument put forward by those who didn't want him here in the first place. So any criticism of United players from him will naturally be viewed differently than it would be coming from Solskjaer, someone whose his time here has been characterised by extreme positivity and modesty.

Mourinho was also doing it a few years into his reign, as opposed to at the start. If Solskjaer was saying this about players he had brought in then people would likely be less positive.

 

[deadrevelz]

Perhaps but, he wasntw wrong. I just think it's very hypocritical of some.

I mean you can say he bought the players that contributed to this but, no manager or person in the world wouldn't have signed Pogba at the time... There were people moaning on here when Fred was rumoured to joining City

He had over 2 years, 4 transfer windows and a lot of money to build the team he wanted. Then complained about players that he could have sold and players that he bought himself. He also caused some of the poor form and mentalities of the players by his behaviour.

Ole, like anyone would have, came in as interim manager with lots of positivity to motivate the players and told everyone they were great. Now the players have had carrot as well as stick, it gives a clearer idea of who should be at the club I suppose.

 

[Un4givableB]

and before that we spend a large amount of money on players every season. It's clear the board lost trust in Jose, currently Ole looks like he has the trust of the board, I think we'll spend in region 170-200m net.

Then why did they give him a new contract, l think Jose lost trust in the board, the board give him a fat new contract and expected him to be shut up and get on with it. And not to call them out about transfers.

 

[.Rossi]

He had over 2 years, 4 transfer windows and a lot of money to build the team he wanted. Then complained about players that he could have sold and players that he bought himself. He also caused some of the poor form and mentalities of the players by his behaviour.

Ole, like anyone would have, came in as interim manager with lots of positivity to motivate the players and told everyone they were great. Now the players have had carrot as well as stick, it gives a clearer idea of who should be at the club I suppose.

Devil's advocate here...

Mourinho apparently wanted shut of certain players, why were some of those players given contract extensions?

I genuinely don't believe Ole gave the thumbs up for Jones and Young to be given contracts.

Anyways, it's all hear say now. Best see what happens over the summer

 

[Kapardin]

Devil's advocate here...

Mourinho apparently wanted shut of certain players, why were some of those players given contract extensions?

I genuinely don't believe Ole gave the thumbs up for Jones and Young to be given contracts.

Anyways, it's all hear say now. Best see what happens over the summer

I think Jones being English and a squad player worked in his favor. Fine, I can even condone Jones since it is ok to keep him on the bench assuming we have Lindelof, Smalling and a new world class CB ahead of them. But giving Young a contract was criminal.

 

[.Rossi]

I think Jones being English and a squad player worked in his favor. Fine, I can even condone Jones since it is ok to keep him on the bench assuming we have Lindelof, Smalling and a new world class CB ahead of them. But giving Young a contract was criminal.

Some would say, a smooth criminal...

No?
No one?


Where did that tumbleweed come from?

 

[Greck]

Ole is questioning the team with diplomacy. The way a leader should. Far cry from Jose disowning them in preseason. You think we didn't know that makeshift lineup wasn't his team when he said it? Problem was saying it. Stop trying to draw parralels between the two. The difference is tact

 

[RedNed77]

I would not be surprised at all if we get Felix from Benfica who plays from the middle or left and leave Mata/Lingard on the right again. Dortmund are playing hard ball with Sancho so he will either cost a ridiculous amount or stay 1 more season. I would also not be surprised if replacing Herrera is factored into our signings when that should be a given.

Yep agreed. He doesn’t seem to fancy Dalot at RB so I’d guess one of those is on the cards. As you said we need a midfielder with Herrera and Mata going and I’d imagine he’ll plump for a CB too. At least CB is a cheap and fixed cost fix with Toby being available.

People getting pissy about how many we sign are missing the point. If he can get more out of the current players then that’ll do fine. He should be judged on performance and playing aesthetics rather than how much cash he blows in the transfer market.

 

[Canagel]

Sorry but, whilst I 100% agree with him, why is it that when Mourinho said it, he got criticism on here? I genuinely can't understand that.

Mourinho deflects blame. Ole pushes and motivates.

 

[Phil Osophy]

The best thing of having Solskjaer as our manager is that he knows exactly what's this club about, what we need to change and how to do it with class, without leaving the place in flames. In the last weeks I'm hearing more realistic comments from the man that distance himself a bit from the 'everything is rosie' standard stuff, and he does it without being miserable and throwing individuals under the bus. Refreshing to have a proper decent man representing us.

At this point he has for sure a well defined draw of what he's got in hands and I think it's a matter of time that he we identify United in our team again. It's not that he didn't make mistakes or strange decisions that I criticized too, and he will do more for sure as it's inevitable. But I feel he's the first manager since SAF who knows where he is and which button he needs to press.

With that message about the seven players this summer I don't think he's talking about numbers and saying we will get more or less, but mainly that bringing 7 guys doesn't mean everything is fixed automatically and we'll be flying from the start. There's a lot of work to do with the squad, certain concepts and values need to be instilled in the team and esentially everything takes time. It doesn't mean he shouldn't be evaluated or criticized during next season and we just have to wait without demanding anything, because that doesn't exist in football. He's just saying the obvious and setting realistic standards for the short immediate term.

 

[Canagel]

Ole is questioning the team with diplomacy. The way a leader should. Far cry from Jose disowning them in preseason. You think we didn't know that makeshift lineup wasn't his team when he said it? Problem was saying it. Stop trying to draw parralels between the two. The difference is tact

Of course. There's no comparison to be made.

 

[soapythecat]

We need to see this side from him more often. Too often he's seen as this super nice, optimistic guy.

Absolutely this. One of my biggest grinds with Ole since he started is his over-optimistic view that if you are a player for United you seem to have a certain quality and passion - I think he's realised it needs more than this.

 

[.Rossi]

Mourinho was deflecting blame. Ole is pushes and motivates.

Saying they need a reality check is not really motivating them. Its basically saying, you're not as good as you think you are...Mourinho from memory said the same thing.

So there is no difference. Only difference is that one guy is a club legend, the other is a guy you hated before he joined.

 

[breakout67]

Yep agreed. He doesn’t seem to fancy Dalot at RB so I’d guess one of those is on the cards. As you said we need a midfielder with Herrera and Mata going and I’d imagine he’ll plump for a CB too. At least CB is a cheap and fixed cost fix with Toby being available.

People getting pissy about how many we sign are missing the point. If he can get more out of the current players then that’ll do fine. He should be judged on performance and playing aesthetics rather than how much cash he blows in the transfer market.

Not to mention it is easy to ship out the deadwood and make up the numbers from the academy.

Tuanzebe was very promising on loan before his injury. No reason why he can't be a back up CB.
Greenwood and Gomez can definitely offer more than what Mata is offering (nothing), even Pereira can play there since he played from the right a lot on loan.
McTominay has already established himself as a squad player

If we got rid of 7 players, bought 3 from the market and promoted 3 from the academy that have potential I would be very happy as long as they were in the weak areas of the team.

 

[Denis79]

Another qoute from Solskjaer.

" I’ve been speaking to the club, we know that we have to be realistic and have a job to be done there’s no quick fix, it’s not like buy seven players and we’re in the right shape, we have to take step by step and there’ll be signings.”

Be surprised if we sign more than 3 players in the summer.

Net spend around 100-150M, in todays inflated market it's not alot.

 

[.Rossi]

Ole is questioning the team with diplomacy. The way a leader should. Far cry from Jose disowning them in preseason. You think we didn't know that makeshift lineup wasn't his team when he said it? Problem was saying it. Stop trying to draw parralels between the two. The difference is tact

Sorry pal, but I think I'll say and do whatever I want thanks all the same. I don't need your permission

 

[Ban]

Perhaps but, he wasntw wrong. I just think it's very hypocritical of some.

I mean you can say he bought the players that contributed to this but, no manager or person in the world wouldn't have signed Pogba at the time... There were people moaning on here when Fred was rumoured to joining City

Oh shut up Jose lover!

 

[Greck]

Sorry pal, but I think I'll say and do whatever I want thanks all the same. I don't need your permission

That's not good enough. You're going to need a permit to continue preaching this new Jose religion. See to it

 

[RedNed77]

Not to mention it is easy to ship out the deadwood and make up the numbers from the academy.

Tuanzebe was very promising on loan before his injury. No reason why he can't be a back up CB.
Greenwood and Gomez can definitely offer more than what Mata is offering (nothing), even Pereira can play there since he played from the right a lot on loan.
McTominay has already established himself as a squad player

If we got rid of 7 players, bought 3 from the market and promoted 3 from the academy that have potential I would be very happy as long as they were in the weak areas of the team.

AWB, Toby and a CM, with Greenwood, Garner, Chong and Tuanzebe promoted? It’s not spectacular like most on here seem to want, but I’d be happy with that. Too much noise around Fernandes at the moment for that one not to be happening. And I can see you being right with your suggestions as to what we do with the RW position.

 

[.Rossi]

That's not good enough. You're going to need a permit to continue preaching this new Jose religion. See to it

Read that as region

 

[.Rossi]

Oh shut up Jose lover!

Massive shlong for Jose does Rossi, massive!

 

[breakout67]

No wonder we are in the mess we are. Our players want to be friends with our manager and when they say mean things they down tools. It's your typical excuse for players that aren't good enough, 'they just need a bit of encouragement and they'll be world class'. Top players hold themselves to higher standards than anyone else, they don't need the manager to tell them to sort themselves out.

Pep Guardiola is the biggest cnut going, and he's also a bit of a weirdo. He's butted heads with both Aguero and Sane. Aguero met his challenge and is one of their best players, Sane has stagnated and City are buying wingers to replace him (first was Mahrez, they will probably try again).

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Which part? Reality check or positive attitude?

Reality check about his level, right?

 

[Indian Red]

I may be in the minority. But I wouldn't be that disappointed if United and Ole decides to take this rebuilding process slowly. So far with all the managers post SAF, we wanted to reach the perch (were we believed we belong) immediately. It didn't happen. So now, if we decide to move forward slowly and cautiously, with say 2-3 right additions per window, I would be happy. Right additions and moving forward being the key words. Since the manager is Ole those two things would give him time as fans wouldn't call for his head that easily. Spending big hasn't taken us anywhere anyways.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Sorry but, whilst I 100% agree with him, why is it that when Mourinho said it, he got criticism on here? I genuinely can't understand that.

I think because Mourinho has a track record of losing the dressing room. Most see Ole as a nice guy, however true it may be who knows, but people love narratives.

 

[Ban]

I remember when people talked about Martial needing a hug and a tap on the back.

 

[Matst1]

So the media all come out with nonsense about a revamping of the squad after a poor run of form, while Ole says that we aren't gonna go crazy in the market. Woodward has the fans on puppet strings. Loads of talk and little action.

This was very predictable and many of us predicted it. Renewals to several players this season meant there was next to no chance of a massive clear out and revamping.

Renewing players is protecting your assets, we don't want them to leave for free, mainly financial reasoning behind most of the renewals.