Gary Neville gives passionate must-watch analysis of Man United's problems | MNF

[Jim Beam]

Every manager would at some point not been able to land the player he wants. Be it due to the financial aspect of it or otherwise. It doesn't mean the club don't believe in him and should sack him.

Absolutely, it happens in pretty much every club, but if you have a healty board/DoF - manager relationship it shouldn't be an issue. How healty Ed- Jose relationship was you can tell just by that briefing going out.

City wanted Sanchez, but pulled out of the deal as the club decided it was just too much money. And you could see Pep in press-conference being fine with it as, we like it or not, it is obvious they are all pulling in the same direction. Unlimited amount of money helps, but it is obvious they are also beating us in the way the club has been run.

 

[RE1999]

Honestly mate it feels like its not real in a way, you speak to 95% of fans and it is not even a hard issue to solve, it is just so blatantly obvious. The scary thing is, is that its obvious the Glazers and even Woodward for that matter don't overly care about what happens on the pitch as long as it makes money off it. Which is fine, you don't want to be involved or care, crack on and look after the commercial side of it, get people in who can sort it out and do a proper job, would end up saving them millions in the process.

It's got the stage where the only people I am bothered about staying at the club are:

De Dea, Lindelof, McTominay, Dalot, Herrera (if not to late), Rashford.

That is it, I have zero care about any of the others, you want to go and play somewhere else, do one then, bring a few of the kids in, want to see people care about the club and play for the shirt, fed up of mercenaries just taking us for a ride.

I'm with you on this. Door should be open for everyone to leave if they want. Only a few players appear to actually want to be at the club, if the rest leave, would it even be much worse than it is now? Seems unlikely.

 

[Tiber]

ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON GAZ, everything he says is spot on, club is riddled with clowns that need shipping out. Just look at the last few hours:

Sky: City close to Rodri/Felix/Bruno Fernandes - All in talks, all done under the carpet, could be 3 massive signings and the season not even finished.

United - Linked with a Norwich defender, Swansea RW, 2 Turkish lads from some random club, Bale & Kroos and 90m Maguire - Absolutely clueless no process no plan.

Seriously worrying times we could fall an absolute mile behind, 7 years Woodward has been doing this, how are there no protests against him on a weekly basis, club is an absolute state.

We need to get over this attitude. Chasing sexy names year after year has done feck all since Fergie left. If a Swansea RB could be a good fit who the feck cares?

Maybe instead of spending the summer pointlessly chasing Varane, it's time to go out and sign a cheap Serbian CB that we have scouted but nobody has ever heard of from a random mid table Russian club - worked ok last time. Or indeed a young player from somewhere like Norwich or Leicester.

Being too proud to sign from smaller English clubs seems absurd to me. I recall plenty (probably including me) turning up their nose when we were linked with Mane... Oops.

Signing unsexy names from unsexy clubs has done the likes of Liverpool and Spurs little harm. Perhaps we should learn from that

 

[VeevaVee]

I don't hate him, just bugs me that folks hang onto his every word like he's the lord reborn! As if he's gods gift to the beautiful game.

But when you actually listen and analyze what he is saying here its full of cliched, managerial nonsense with little substance and he's contradicting himself.

I don't think they do. Most people seem to agree with some stuff and don't agree with other stuff, which is fine. Strangely some seem to get angry at him when there's something they don't agree with though.

The fanbase can't just keep absolving itself of any blame. The boards at all clubs are heavily influenced by popular fan opinion.

Half the fanbase blames the board for being too business like, and then the other half is complaining about them being swayed by the fans.

Neville just said he wanted him hired as far as I know, like a lot of fans. Most people when pushed would have said to wait til the end of the season though. The board could surely have worked that out.

 

[lex talionis]

Neville defended Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho. It’s one thing to be passionate about the club, but if you couldn’t see at the moment he was appointed that Moyes was the wrong choice for the job it’s hard to take him seriously.

Love the passion, but his analysis is a bit thin on actual analysis.

 

[StrettyEnder07]

We'll get relegated if that's our recruitment strategy.

Probably, and if that happened I can guarantee I would feel a lot more connected to the club than I do right now, absolute shambles of a club, best thing I have done is give up my season ticket, refuse to pay them another penny, balls to them.

Supporting a business rather than a football club at the minute.

 

[Ekeke]

Not true.

25th Feb: he praised his influence in the team
10th April praised his knowledge etc

And there’s more. I know the point you’re trying to make but the agenda lies with you IMO

Oh so 2 times he deserved credit out of that great run, gotcha. Yep he's still bitter

 

[Keefy18]

I don't think they do. Most people seem to agree with some stuff and don't agree with other stuff, which is fine. Strangely some seem to get angry at him when there's something they don't agree with though.

Probably because he passes himself off as someone with insider knowledge then under the breath or in a quick line says, "I don't know what's going on" or something very similar.

Folks ignore that last part and run with the 10 min rant preceding it that is all heart and little logic.

He's saying the culture needs to change, that's the over riding sentiment of his rant, well...wouldn't a complete overhaul of the managerial hierarchy be that change?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Ah. Have to disagree with you there.

For example IMO Moyes's biggest mistake was letting Phelan and Muelensteen go.

For me the bigger problem is the fact that we have apparently (according to Neville, at least) added on footballing operators and recruiters instead of replacing one with another.

Think what would happen if Phelan, Phil Neville and Rui Faria were all part of Solskjaer's coaching squad.

There is a bit of a difference with SAF retiring, of course they should have been kept on as they were part of the success. I meant if a manager is sacked for failing his staff should go as well.

 

[The Irish Connection]

Why does it seem so difficult to sign Paul Mitchell up as sporting director. Manchester born, top experience with 3 clubs who have outstanding records for bringing talented young players through.
So much dithering goes on from the top with us.

 

[Skills]

Ah. Have to disagree with you there.

For example IMO Moyes's biggest mistake was letting Phelan and Muelensteen go.

For me the bigger problem is the fact that we have apparently (according to Neville, at least) added on footballing operators and recruiters instead of replacing one with another.

Think what would happen if Phelan, Phil Neville and Rui Faria were all part of Solskjaer's coaching squad.

Not the fact that he isn't a very good manager?

 

[GiddyUp]

We need to get over this attitude. Chasing sexy names year after year has done feck all since Fergie left. If a Swansea RB could be a good fit who the feck cares?

Maybe instead of spending the summer pointlessly chasing Varane, it's time to go out and sign a cheap Serbian CB that we have scouted but nobody has ever heard of from a random mid table Russian club - worked ok last time. Or indeed a young player from somewhere like Norwich or Leicester.

Being too proud to sign from smaller English clubs seems absurd to me. I recall plenty (probably including me) turning up their nose when we were linked with Mane... Oops.

Signing unsexy names from unsexy clubs has done the likes of Liverpool and Spurs little harm. Perhaps we should learn from that

Deli Ali handed us our arse in the league cup. Under Ferguson signing him would be a risk worth taking and a deal done, similar to Liam Miller or Cristiano Ronaldo. Under Woodward not so much.
I would be very happy with this club signing solid players that can do a job and have hunger to succeed rather than Varane who will use this club as a pit stop ATM before he goes to Juventus for half the price we pay Real. But we all know who the board will want.
The common denominator has been Edward Woodward and the long term players like Smalling/Valencia/young. They have failed to instill any of the traits in new recruits that made this club successful in the modern era. Until these failures are addressed nothing will get better.
10 out and 10 out should be the priority for Ole over the next three windows while concentrating on attainable goals like cup runs, which will build confidence and a winning mentality.
At some point in the near future though I feel the fans will need to get protesting to remove Ed from that position. He is exactly what Neville is talking about. When the camera turns to his mush when we are loosing it gets me fecking angry, the hubris of the man is galling. He should carry the brunt of the blame for where we find ourselves today.
It would be relatively easy for supporters to force the Glazers hands. Just dont spend money on the club, simple. Let it be known to them that the supporters (fans who actually have an active interest in the club) will not spend one penny on anything Manchester United and will do our best to boycott any company commercially affiliated with United.
Its obvious that Woodward is an asset to one aspect of the club but on the footballing side he has been a disgrace.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

He’s spot on. The club will no doubt see/hear his quotes. It’s painful how right he is. We’ll do feck all changes though. Throwing money at the problem to stabilise the ship will make it worse.

We need two/three years of slow rebuilding. Trying to rush it gets us nowhere.

Fed up of the way this club is run.

Is he still dead to that guy?

 

[Reddy Rederson]

I cant believe theres still backroom staff at the club that moyes brought in .

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Hard to listen to because it is all spot on.

Times like this I'm glad I'm a cold bugger or I'd be an emotional wreck.

The club is an absolute circus. Ed better get the fecking finger out and start sorting this. We know there is no quick fix, but we will accept a 2/3 year process as long as we see progress starting now.

 

[Hoof the ball]

If you emphasise players based on work-rate primarily, there's no guarantee they can perform in any given playing philosophy if they don't have the talent to do so.

If you emphasise players based on technical quality, however, that player can always improve their physical capacities to suit an energetic system. The latter is always easier than the former.

Having a philosophy of football prior to signing talent is an absolute necessity, because it then shapes your scouting emphasis on both technical capability and physical capacity.

 

[Keefy18]

He's absolutely spot on about the likes of fletch and Rio being offered the top jobs. It's a joke.

You mean like Overmars at Ajax, yeah look at the rubbish job he is doing...oh wait.

We need someone from a Bayern/Ajax/Barca background to come and provide structure to the club in a systematic way.

Seems to be we are trying to mimic a similar foundation.

How would it make sense for us to recruit ex Bayern or Ajax players to carry out United ideals?

We were quite close to having that in LVG, but folks had a hissy fit.

We are hiring ex United staff or at least attempting to, to build a similar structure.

ABSOLUTELY SPOT ON GAZ, everything he says is spot on, club is riddled with clowns that need shipping out. Just look at the last few hours:

Sky: City close to Rodri/Felix/Bruno Fernandes - All in talks, all done under the carpet, could be 3 massive signings and the season not even finished.

United - Linked with a Norwich defender, Swansea RW, 2 Turkish lads from some random club, Bale & Kroos and 90m Maguire - Absolutely clueless no process no plan.

Probably believe in the tooth fairy as well.

The former manager was supported financially, he failed. The former manager blocked a DoF coming in, he also blocked the sales of Darmian and Fellaini, but decided to sell Blind and then moan about not being able to have another new CB!

The former manager also refused to work with youth and put no plans in place for the youth set up or structure within the club. Hell, even LVG done that much.

Ugh, that was all discussed and clarified. An absolutely separate point to the one he’s making .

No it wasn't he just cherry picked where his rhetoric suited himself.

He states the club is best suited by involving ex players who "bleed for the club" - the coaches, then decides to slate ex players being linked with DoF roles.

Ajax and Bayern recruit ex players and they are hardly "best in class" going into the roles.

He's made an absolute prized t*t of himself as per usual.

 

[harms]

This is 100% correct. Is a director of football or technical Director just a glorified title for scout or talent spotter. Most companies who employ Directors do so with the best possible candidate. What qualifications does Rio have? i want the best for the club so in essence we should have the best possible candidate at the helm.

Bayern works like that and it's been a great success for them to be fair. Ajax as well.

 

[Camy89]

Totally agree with pretty much everything Neville says.

 

[ForestRGoinUp]

If you emphasise players based on work-rate primarily, there's no guarantee they can perform in any given playing philosophy if they don't have the talent to do so.

If you emphasise players based on technical quality, however, that player can always improve their physical capacities to suit an energetic system. The latter is always easier than the former.

Having a philosophy of football prior to signing talent is an absolute necessity, because it then shapes your scouting emphasis on both technical capability and physical capacity.

Exactly. Feels like some of us go blue in the face trying to state something so simple. This club needs to decide how it wants to play football. Period. And it needs to hire an entire footballing department to adhere to this. It needs to buy a manager who has a history of executing this. And it needs to buy players with the technical attributes to carry out the instructions.

Shocking how many are still on about finding players 'who want to be here'

 

[Jerome Holland]

Bayern works like that and it's been a great success for them to be fair. Ajax as well.

Exactly my point. Bayern revolutionized it. they the only club i know doing their business way before anybody even thinks of it. Ajax has Van Der Sar who studied which makes a big difference when dealing with certain issues. i dont think we can go for Rio as this is a massive task.

 

[RedorDead21]

The irony to his interview is I think he'd be a good appointment to set down the strategy and appoint the right candidates for the football side.

 

[ForestRGoinUp]

The irony to his interview is I think he'd be a good appointment to set down the strategy and appoint the right candidates for the football side.

Nah he still seems to think workrate and desire are a footballing identity.

 

[Prodigy24]

Say what you want about Neville but he's absolutely spot on. Hope more people pick on Woodward and the board in the coming weeks, maybe the heat will force them to do something right for once.

 

[StrettyEnder07]

You mean like Overmars at Ajax, yeah look at the rubbish job he is doing...oh wait.



Seems to be we are trying to mimic a similar foundation.

How would it make sense for us to recruit ex Bayern or Ajax players to carry out United ideals?

We were quite close to having that in LVG, but folks had a hissy fit.

We are hiring ex United staff or at least attempting to, to build a similar structure.



Probably believe in the tooth fairy as well.

The former manager was supported financially, he failed. The former manager blocked a DoF coming in, he also blocked the sales of Darmian and Fellaini, but decided to sell Blind and then moan about not being able to have another new CB!

The former manager also refused to work with youth and put no plans in place for the youth set up or structure within the club. Hell, even LVG done that much.



No it wasn't he just cherry picked where his rhetoric suited himself.

He states the club is best suited by involving ex players who "bleed for the club" - the coaches, then decides to slate ex players being linked with DoF roles.

Ajax and Bayern recruit ex players and they are hardly "best in class" going into the roles.

He's made an absolute prized t*t of himself as per usual.

Did he yeah, thats all wonderful thanks for the lesson in our history, does that have anything to do with the fact that my point was that City have a recruitment plan, they know what they want, what they need and go and get it done, a few out, replacements in and done probably before the season ends.

We get linked with a Swansea RW who has had a good 3 months, a Norwich defender who has had one decent season in the Championship, then Bale and Kroos because well they will sell a few shirts.

The difference in recruitment strategies is absolutely ridiculous.

But you sound like a wonderful little keyboard warrior who doesn't actually read the post and just wants to kick off, yawn

 

[Tarrou]

Neville defended Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho. It’s one thing to be passionate about the club, but if you couldn’t see at the moment he was appointed that Moyes was the wrong choice for the job it’s hard to take him seriously.

Love the passion, but his analysis is a bit thin on actual analysis.

he likely did but still supported Moyes, its what supporters do

 

[SteveJ]

Say what you want about Neville

Ok, I will: he's a miserable twit.

 

[StrettyEnder07]

We need to get over this attitude. Chasing sexy names year after year has done feck all since Fergie left. If a Swansea RB could be a good fit who the feck cares?

Maybe instead of spending the summer pointlessly chasing Varane, it's time to go out and sign a cheap Serbian CB that we have scouted but nobody has ever heard of from a random mid table Russian club - worked ok last time. Or indeed a young player from somewhere like Norwich or Leicester.

Being too proud to sign from smaller English clubs seems absurd to me. I recall plenty (probably including me) turning up their nose when we were linked with Mane... Oops.

Signing unsexy names from unsexy clubs has done the likes of Liverpool and Spurs little harm. Perhaps we should learn from that

All this kick off when my point is:

City have a plan of attack re recruitment, they know what players are leaving and have ready made young exciting replacements already pretty much agreed, brilliant strategy who fit with the style of play.

United are linked with two names that will sell shirts, a RW who has been good for about 3 months and a CB at Norwich who has had one good season, also linked with two random people from Turkey.

Our strategy just seems all over the place, which it has been for the last four or five years, hence why we have a squad put together by 3 different mangers, 3 different playing styles and we currently have zero identity with how we want to play.

I think Ole would want the 140m from a Pogba sale to buy young hungry exciting players, no two 29+ players who have superb commercial value, 400k a week each wages, Bale who will spend half his time on the treatment table.

Understand the point before you kick off and look a fool

 

[Fosu-Mens]

@Bastian
Looks like Neville is taking the torch. Must have read DoF thread.

 

[crossy1686]

Bayern works like that and it's been a great success for them to be fair. Ajax as well.

Apparently the job role Director of Football was invented by Ajax.

When Johan Cruyff was there working wonders with the youth side, Ajax wanted him to become the manager of the first team, however, he didn't have the necessary coaching badges to become the clubs manager. So Ajax made up a position and gave it to Cruyff which allowed him to run, coach and build the team while the 'manager' sat in the dugout on match days.

Since then clubs all over Europe have been clamouring for a DOF role at their clubs.

 

[Buster15]

How can anyone have a strong dislike for the man is a bit strange to me since you can see how much he loves the club.

Oh, and he absolutely nailed it here.

Absolutely. Not just Gary but you can see the same passion from Roy Keane, obviously, as well as Paul Ince and a very articulate Dion Dublin.
The common thread is that most of our former players hate what is happening to our club in exactly the same way as our supporters.
I would pay to hear what SAF makes of his once supreme club being treated as a pathetic soap opera and being robbed blind by greedy useless players who would be nowhere near United under him.
It is increasingly painful to watch.

 

[dogwithabone]

The irony to his interview is I think he'd be a good appointment to set down the strategy and appoint the right candidates for the football side.

Neville is probably too outspoken but truth is he’s just echoing the feeling of the majority of fans. He made valid point after valid point in that interview last night and seemed pretty informed as to who’s still there.

 

[Jinn]

Why does it seem so difficult to sign Paul Mitchell up as sporting director. Manchester born, top experience with 3 clubs who have outstanding records for bringing talented young players through.
So much dithering goes on from the top with us.

Maybe he doesn't want to be here.

 

[Bastian]

@Bastian
Looks like Neville is taking the torch. Must have read DoF thread.

I was just listening to that. What a refreshing thing to hear. Agreed with him 100%. Also ballsy of him to say it's a shambles that the club is interviewing his ex teammates who have zero experience in leading footballing operations for a club of this stature. Good on him.

 

[Keefy18]

Did he yeah, thats all wonderful thanks for the lesson in our history, does that have anything to do with the fact that my point was that City have a recruitment plan, they know what they want, what they need and go and get it done, a few out, replacements in and done probably before the season ends.

We get linked with a Swansea RW who has had a good 3 months, a Norwich defender who has had one decent season in the Championship, then Bale and Kroos because well they will sell a few shirts.

The difference in recruitment strategies is absolutely ridiculous.

But you sound like a wonderful little keyboard warrior who doesn't actually read the post and just wants to kick off, yawn

That's the point

Jose was hired to fix recruitment and he hired his own head of scouting, who left a year into the job for a DoF role elsewhere in Europe, memories a bit sketchy whom it was. But the point remains, the board gave squad autonomy to Jose and said build. He didn't or couldn't, take your pick.

The irony in your accusations about "kicking off". The key word you use in your post above is, "Linked".

That's all it is, for now. United are always linked to players, almost hundreds of them daily.

If you keep letting yourself get so vexed about every link you'll be in an early grave lad.

Any number of things could of happened with the Fernandes deal, here's a few for you.

Maybe we didn't get him cause Ole didn't want him?
Maybe it was Jose that wanted him?
Maybe Ole did want him but due to only being made manager recently City already had the deal all but boxed off?
Maybe the other rumor is true, you know the one where Ole & Mike want a strong foundation of home grown talents?
Maybe he doesn't wanted to join United? It could be for any number of reason like not wanting to play for Ole? Or a club not in the CL? Or maybe he'll be offered more cash across the City?

Or maybe its all just tabloid nonsense?

 

[crossy1686]

Maybe he doesn't want to be here.

Not that it matters but he's from Manchester and a United fan, I believe.

 

[The Irish Connection]

If you emphasise players based on work-rate primarily, there's no guarantee they can perform in any given playing philosophy if they don't have the talent to do so.

If you emphasise players based on technical quality, however, that player can always improve their physical capacities to suit an energetic system. The latter is always easier than the former.

Having a philosophy of football prior to signing talent is an absolute necessity, because it then shapes your scouting emphasis on both technical capability and physical capacity.

I kind of disagree.

Look at Arsenal of the last 12 years under wenger. He always emphasized technical ability over determination and they became a completely weak team. The problem is, when players are better technically than those around them, they can end up weaker mentally, thinking they don’t have to work as hard or that they deserve better.
To me the best players have a mix of mental toughness, work rate and technique.
Players with talent might not have it in them to push themselves to work hard enough (ravel Morrison)

Roy Keane wasn’t the most gifted footballer but he was one of the best ever mentally, one of the best premier league players ever, ahead of countless lads with more technical ability.
(Keane could play as well of course)

 

[Fosu-Mens]

I was just listening to that. What a refreshing thing to hear. Agreed with him 100%. Also ballsy of him to say it's a shambles that the club is interviewing his ex teammates who have zero experience in leading footballing operations for a club of this stature. Good on him.

How many days before there is a "briefing"?

Every newspaper running a story like "Woodward starting a major revamp in the structure at the club" ...

 

[Jinn]

Not that it matters but he's from Manchester and a United fan, I believe.

I think he knows the task at hand and probably all the politics which come with it at this club. If I was him, and in the position he is in, I would also seriously think twice about the move.
I've been there before. Went for interviews, they promise you the world, get the job and it's completely different.

 

[Raees]

Credit where it is due, he's finally got his head out of his ass and is back talking sense again. Long overdue.

 

[Bastian]

How many days before there is a "briefing"?

Every newspaper running a story like "Woodward starting a major revamp in the structure at the club" ...

Haha. I'd say less than 24 hours. I think the Dybala rumours are there to placate. Of course, no way a player of his level is joining a United in disarray, unless it's the Sanchez-model-recruitment (even then, it's highly unlikely).

My guess is we'll see Rio or some other old boy confirmed soon and Woodward will still believe he can expand on the feel good factor that lasted in spring but now seems a very distant memory.