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

[Redlambs]

Who said anything about success, it was you going on about ex players.



These people are ex players often or coaches.

Going on? Have a word with yourself there fella. And you obviously meant being successful with your ONE example.

If you think the future is fully around ex players getting first time roles, then fair enough. I agree with Neville that we need the best right now and to rebuild. Nothing against former players coming in learning their trade at all, but going after 4 different ones shows we don't really have a set man in mind.

 

[StrettyEnder07]

He cracked on with it? How? He made fewer squad changes in a longer period of time than LVG had. He was given squad autonomy as we've agreed, hired his head scout and just went for his usual profile of player for the most part, whilst pushing 2 young lads like Rashford & Martial into competing with each other, when it wasn't needed. Rashford was performing as a CF and Martial a LWF.

His first season he finished worse off than LVG in the league, but was saved by winning B standard cups to save his job.

The following year he again done the bare minimum in regards to squad rebuild and couldn't close the gap on City.

That's all Jose...not the board or Woodward.

Went into season 3 bemoaning the fact he needed a centre half, but sold Blind and his 2 CB's he got failed. Whilst retaining deadwood like Fellaini and Darmian and wouldn't work with the board / Woodward in offloading deadwood to raise funds for the players he wanted.

Again, Jose largely to blame. He could of told Woodward to sell players to raise funds, he didn't. He actually forced Woodward into giving Fellaini a new deal.

Ferguson was often refused players, Do you think Poch was delighted not spending a cent last summer? Where is he now? Above us and in a CL semi Final.

Jose reaction though was standard Jose and he engineered himself into a pay off cause he wasn't capable of building a new team.

He just wanted to spend with reckless abandon. We don't have a bottomless pit.

Your having a complete melt over a feckin rumor lad, chill out.

Members are pulling you up over it cause your being knee jerk.

He cracked on with it? How? He made fewer squad changes in a longer period of time than LVG had. He was given squad autonomy as we've agreed, hired his head scout and just went for his usual profile of player for the most part, whilst pushing 2 young lads like Rashford & Martial into competing with each other, when it wasn't needed. Rashford was performing as a CF and Martial a LWF.

His first season he finished worse off than LVG in the league, but was saved by winning B standard cups to save his job.

The following year he again done the bare minimum in regards to squad rebuild and couldn't close the gap on City.

That's all Jose...not the board or Woodward.

Went into season 3 bemoaning the fact he needed a centre half, but sold Blind and his 2 CB's he got failed. Whilst retaining deadwood like Fellaini and Darmian and wouldn't work with the board / Woodward in offloading deadwood to raise funds for the players he wanted.

Again, Jose largely to blame. He could of told Woodward to sell players to raise funds, he didn't. He actually forced Woodward into giving Fellaini a new deal.

Ferguson was often refused players, Do you think Poch was delighted not spending a cent last summer? Where is he now? Above us and in a CL semi Final.

Jose reaction though was standard Jose and he engineered himself into a pay off cause he wasn't capable of building a new team.

He just wanted to spend with reckless abandon. We don't have a bottomless pit.

Your having a complete melt over a feckin rumor lad, chill out.

Members are pulling you up over it cause your being knee jerk.

Hold on let me get this straight, you're saying he did not need to move Rashford from CF when he first came in or after Zlatan left? And I think as has been seen this year, Rashford is nowhere near a top number 9, and that is now no matter than when he first took over (if that is what your saying) or when Zlatan was injured and he brought in Lukaku, who first season done well, since has been bob (before you lose the head im saying he has been bob, I know he's not called bob before you go off on one).

When he had Rashford/Martial fighting for places on the left we arguably played some of our best football since Fergie left, often scoring 3/4 a game up until Burnley away when Martial was then replaced by Sanchez, so not sure your argument of (completely not needed) is correct. If you think we should have not have bought a CF and stuck with Rashford then completely disagree, out of interest do you think we should stick with Rashford now as our number 9 going forward or would you buy a CF? Has this season changed your tune?

Yeah we were not great that year in the league, his first year, anyone can see that, but he was brought in to bring us back in the Champions League and he done that, personally I would prefer to do that by winning a trophy than simply being the 4th best side in the country, B cup or not.

So the season after the Europa win, he done the "bare minimum regarding squad rebuild", ok let me just get this right:

Bought:
Lukaku 75m
Matic 40m
Lindelof 30m
Sanchez

Sold:
Mkhitaryan
Januzaj
Rooney
Zlatan

Think we can all agree that the above in one summer is not the bare minimum, Lukaku first year was a good buy, 28 goals or whatever it was, Lindelof I can see being a CB at us for years to come, good buy, Matic has served us well but legs are going now, has been a good buy and Sanchez when he was signed I think every United fan was buzzing, no one could have seen how poor that would have turned out to be.

Every man and their dog were screaming to get rid of Rooney he did, Henrik was deadwood, gone, Zlatan pity with his injury and Januzaj deadwood.

Yeah I agree he should have shipped out more, can be said about every manager since Fergie to be fair.

From memory re Darmian, Jose tried to get rid a few times but clubs in Italy would only agree to a loan or a ridiculously low fee, Blind I agree was a big mistake.

Bailly first season he was pretty awesome, injuries and rashness since then have derailed him, Lindelof took a year to settle, last 12 months maybe more he has been class, now our best CB.

So if it is Jose's fault that he could not sell the players he did not want, I am assuming it will be Ole's fault and not Woodward's if we struggle to ship out the deadwood this summer? So Ole does the negotiating, agrees the sale price, he does all the business side of things, is that what you're saying? If so, disagree, I personally think Ole/Jose tell Woodward the players who are not in his plans then it is Woodward's job to negotiate their sale?

To be fair to Fellani he scored some big goals and he put in a hell of a lot more effort than a lot of the current crop of shite we watch week in week out.

Not sure how we have gotten onto Jose but I agree he is a bell, acted like a spoilt brat and done his usual disappearing act in the 3rd season, not sure why you're acting like I'm this big Jose fan, far from it, wanted him gone in December.

I'm sure if we had the squad that Spurs have and we didn't spend a penny, Ole/Jose would be alright with that, the state of our squad (not Spurs), is in serious need of sorting out.

Having an opinion on a forum is now a complete meltdown haha wish I had the Jack Wilshire meme "Ok Mate".

Jose did want to spend fortunes, but he was not wrong when it comes to us needing a new dominating CB, or was he?

I think I have answered your insane amount of questions, rants, points, queries, whatever you want to call them.

Have to wait until tomorrow for my response, ran out of posts for today, such a pity, never had a meltdown make me laugh so much haha

Enjoy your night and mate, chill out its a forum. Also, think one maybe two have questioned my post, two have also agreed so not sure that counts as "members pulling me up on it" seems about even, nice try though buttercup, have a good one.

 

[Minimalist]

I can't stand Neville a lot of the time, more so in the past as he comes across a bit simplistic. But last night (and on Sunday) he was 100% on the money.

This dressing room is rotten and the club needs a strategy in place (a DoF or at least someone to replace the top boss/Woodward on the football side).

 

[ti vu]

Absolutely. The thing is though, United were already a big club when he came along, but were struggling with a team of unmotivated, unfit, aging has-beens, and he had his work cut out for him. However we've always been a club that gives full autonomy to the manager, and it's a good thing we've placed our trust in him. Unfortuantely there aren't many managers left in the world like SAF, and it seems like our plan is still stuck in the 80s.

Other English clubs at the time ran with same model. We won the lottery with getting the best one. It's not a tradition or anything. To make it as one in this age is dangerous especially when Woodward has more influence than manager when it comes to building culture in the dressing room.

 

[Steerpike]

He's right about so much and even admits he won't criticize the manager anyway. So that helps to set up the routine of dancing around Ole's qualifications.

But I still think he gets it slightly wrong at the end when he says the starting point is players who want to be there. The starting point is a footballing philosophy beyond grit, determination and workrate. You start with a clear modern philosophy and then you find players who fit that and will give maximum effort.

Having players who can be relied on to put in every effort to succeed while they are playing for the club is critical. Players who are unable to do that because they are distracted by other issues (e.g. thinking they might be better off elsewhere) just undermine the efforts of the manager and their team mates, and they need to be moved on asap. Gary Neville's point regarding cleansing the dressing room is about precisely that, and he's spot on.

The 'philosophy' is something that comes from the coaching staff, and should be the same at every level - U18, U23 and senior - so that players who come through the ranks are already familiar with the way first team plays. It's misleading to suggest that the United philosophy is just about grit, determination and workrate, but there's absolutely no chance of building a successful side if those things are absent. The two outstanding sides competing for the title have them in abundance, and we don't.

Ole has already made it clear that he needs his players to be fitter in order for them to be able to play the way he wants them to, and we saw glimpses of what the team could do shortly after his appointment. Being fit enough to put the work in on the pitch, and having the motivation to do so, should be prerequisites for being in the side.

 

[sp_107]

I know not like it worked for Ajax or Bayern

It works for them because every best player in their countries would like to join those 2 teams. So its easy to be in that role and also those 2 leagues are not as competent as EPL. so please stop comparing. We need a proven DOF who can work in tandem with the manager.

Its so sad to heat Deligt dismissed UTD even before the Huddersfield game on 250K per week wages(Highest wages in the world for a teenager)

Which shows how far we have fallen. Hope something change at this club and we will hear again players dying to play for UTD.

 

[manunited1919]

Neville is right about needing a restructure, but he needs to realise that the basics need to be achieved, by his mates in the coaching staff. Watching Martial strolling around like Andy Dufrasne, Rashford floundering on his own in a team sport, or Lukaku being totally gassed after 25 minutes because he had a sprint, are all things that are sorted on grass or in the gym, not in the boardroom.

Sorry about that long sentence.
We have the facilities and technology to have athletes performing at optimum levels. That they are so far from that, is on the coaching staff.

Well said.

 

[Kill 'em all]

To be honest, if the club offers him the DOF job tomorrow, he'll grab it with both hands with glee. So it's abit rich coming from him criticising about the club offering the role to our ex-players

Doesn't make what he's saying any less true. The club will keep declining unless we get proper people who know how to run the footballing side of a top club. Signings don't matter unless we fix this. We could sign the best players in the world and still continue losing.

 

[arnie_ni]

12ish months ago I had absolutely no problem with Woodward stopping Jose from buying yet more 30 year olds, even if we needed a CB. I had absolutely no faith in Jose when it came to the transfer market

But I also recall thinking that he should have been fired on the same day the club realised they didn't trust him. Dragging it out until Christmas just allowed wounds to fester even further

Thats neville's point. Back up until you dont trust him, the day you don't trust him you must fire him. Cant have it dragging on

 

[Sayros]

I want to swipe a credit card between his eyebrows.

 

[ForestRGoinUp]

Disagree. The starting point is rightly the players who want to be here. How to get the right players? Structure and culture to nurture the players (philosophy included).

The way you put, you can get Pep and the players can still protest.

So you disagree that a philosophy/identity is the starting point.

But also you agree that a philosophy is the starting point?

Good talk.

 

[ForestRGoinUp]

Having players who can be relied on to put in every effort to succeed while they are playing for the club is critical. Players who are unable to do that because they are distracted by other issues (e.g. thinking they might be better off elsewhere) just undermine the efforts of the manager and their team mates, and they need to be moved on asap. Gary Neville's point regarding cleansing the dressing room is about precisely that, and he's spot on.

The 'philosophy' is something that comes from the coaching staff, and should be the same at every level - U18, U23 and senior - so that players who come through the ranks are already familiar with the way first team plays. It's misleading to suggest that the United philosophy is just about grit, determination and workrate, but there's absolutely no chance of building a successful side if those things are absent. The two outstanding sides competing for the title have them in abundance, and we don't.

Ole has already made it clear that he needs his players to be fitter in order for them to be able to play the way he wants them to, and we saw glimpses of what the team could do shortly after his appointment. Being fit enough to put the work in on the pitch, and having the motivation to do so, should be prerequisites for being in the side.

I have to ask then, and I think quite a few have been asking the same question: what is our footballing identity?

 

[manunited1919]

Neville blows with the wind. What a windup merchant he is!

One of the things he is saying here is that there are 4-5 players that don’t really want to be in MUFC. Who are those 4-5 players?

The problem at the club is not due to having a Pogba and a DDG playing for us, the real problem is that they are sometimes not really motivated and, mire importantly, we have 4-5 players that are absolutely not good enough talent-wise (Young, Lingard, maybe even Rashford) or just too old (Matic, Mata, the Piano Player). These 5-6 players may still want to play for MUFC, but they are not good enough and the club needs to invest in those positions.

 

[Steerpike]

I have to ask then, and I think quite a few have been asking the same question: what is our footballing identity?

Right now, I don't think we have one which the players are capable of implementing.

I believe that Ole would like to set the side up to play with greater pace, press high up the pitch, have modern attacking full backs, and a fluid front line (usually with three players). I'm hoping it will become clearer next season after the residual issues with player fitness have been resolved.

In terms of style, this will look more like Liverpool than City.

 

[ti vu]

So you disagree that a philosophy/identity is the starting point.

But also you agree that a philosophy is the starting point?

Good talk.

Look. Philosophy is what? Like Moyes tries to pass more, or LVG tried to implement style and end up a laughing stock without the structure, plan to build and continuity.

The structure means that you can change over time in approach without a complete overhaul. Just like how our approach, style changed under SAF, yet we didn't need an overhaul overnight. SAF held everything together. Now without him, we need to ch age our model to share the responsibilities between capacble people.

Culture means that we get the players who push to do their best, regardless of different opinions with the head coaches. What that does is that even at our worst, transition with manager out of his depth. we're not getting dropped out of CL level team. The players can self motivate to perform to not let themselves down.

Then getting the right head coach and players that fit a certain philosophy.

 

[Janson]

Its a rant. I'm not saying none of it is right, but eventually it all comes back to him saying it wasnt Mourinho's fault and that he should have left if United didnt want to sign his players, as if Jose hadnt already signed 11 players for huge money and if there was still lots of work to do then clearly his signings were wastes of money.

He is saying that we have had more than one world class manager and they have failed. So then you have to look a bit at people in other positions at the club. That's what he's getting at. Just bringing in a new manager won't change anything unless other things change.

 

[Jackal]

After his Mourinho backing... I can’t take him serious. But I agree, I don’t like the players. Funny thing is though, this squad is Mr Mourinho’s.

You're right....

Last time I checked, Mourinho bought De Gea, Romero, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Shaw, Rojo, Darmian, Young, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Herrera, McTominay, Pereira and Rashford.

16 players out of a 25 man-squad. It's indeed Mr Mourinho's squad.

 

[wythyred]

He’s 100% right in everything he has said about us this season.

 

[Rory 7]

Only got a chance to watch this now. Nev's 100% correct. His point about there being no strategy from the top down is exactly what some of us were saying on here 7 years ago. 7.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

You're right....

Last time I checked, Mourinho bought De Gea, Romero, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Shaw, Rojo, Darmian, Young, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Herrera, McTominay, Pereira and Rashford.

16 players out of a 25 man-squad. It's indeed Mr Mourinho's squad.

So what you’re saying is that while he stuck with those players for the best part of 2.5 years, he can’t be held responsible for the majority being crap even though he didn’t buy a lot of them

Meanwhile others have got rid of players that weren’t performing

 

[predator]

Sounds completely plausible from neville. That's the best breakdown of what has gone wrong at the club since SAF retired by a single person. I've read loads of good stuff on here but nothing as incisive and insightful as what he has said in that clip.
I'm not always a fan of his antics as a pundit but he knows more about the ins and outs of the club than anyone who is in a position where they can divulge.

 

[Jackal]

So what you’re saying is that while he stuck with those players for the best part of 2.5 years, he can’t be held responsible for the majority being crap even though he didn’t buy a lot of them

Meanwhile others have got rid of players that weren’t performing

It's not Jose's job to get rid of players - that is entirely Woodward's responsibility. Besides, you cannot get rid of players when you haven't be promised replacements. Therefore, he was forced to use mediocre players he wouldn't have wanted if he had the board's full backing.

No manager that has worked with Terry, Gallas, Carvalho, Ramos, Lucio, Varane, etc can ever think Smalling, Jones and Rojo are the gold standard to win PL titles.

You cannot coach some players. Pep found that out in his debut season - the first time ever in his managerial career to finish 3rd and without a trophy. However, with the full backing of Txiki, he was able to get quality replacements and the rest is history.

 

[JPRouve]

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.

Bayern didn't revolutionized it, it's the standard setup in all of Europe since the beginning of professional football.

 

[Brophs]

The parts of the video that jumped out at me, aside from the obvious, were Neville referring to the players being linked with the role not having been "businessmen" and then later being asked (around 10:05) whether he'd been spoken to about the role, to which he seemed quite irritated at first and then sort of said no without really committing to it. I guess that irritation could be anything, but my two guesses would either be that the presenter already knew the answer to the question and Neville wasn't happy about him airing it and asking him a question he didn't want to answer, or he believed he was having a gentle dig along the lines of his frustration, or the timing of it, being influenced by the fact he wasn't spoken to.

 

[crossy1686]

Bayern didn't revolutionized it, it's the standard setup in all of Europe since the beginning of professional football.

Ajax started the DOF position in the 70's. European clubs have clamoured for it since then despite them making the role up so Cruyff could manage the team without his coaching badges.

 

[Champagne Football]

Love listening to Neville and he talks a lot of sense but.... Let's take Levy for example, a total hate figure at Spurs until Pochettino comes along and now Spurs fans adore Levy all of a sudden. Levy was crazy to land Van Gaal ahead of us and reluctantly settled for Poch as a plan B. That comes down to luck and destiny and not down to Levy being a football genius.

The only reason I feel we may not have announced a new DOF yet is, perhaps Paul Mitchell or Van der Sar want to finish the season at their clubs before the awkward moment where they tell their CEO that they are moving on. No one wants be in a company where there's bad vibes in the office every day, ever since you told your boss you got a better offer elsewhere.

I think Ed will get the structure right this summer. Nobody could have predicted how wasteful Jose would be. Mourinho is the ultimate panic spender. When he's at clubs who can cherry pick the world's best talent then he looks like a genius signing Modric, Di Maria and Varane. But you put him in a club where he has to spot unpolished gems to develop and he often struggles badly, and makes panic buys instead of trying to develop what's already there.

I think we're strangely on the right track despite being the titanic for a while. Let Ole bring in real quality - Idrissa Gueye, Maguire, Cancelo, Bale and a couple of kids.
Get rid of the mercenaries - Martial, Pogba, Herrera, Lukaku..
And if Ole doesn't get top 4 then break the bank for Pochettino in a year where at least Ole will leave him a squad who are proud to wear the Jersey.

 

[Raees]

Meh. I think that people on here, in general, are far too impatient about everything. Be that new signings, young footballers development, managers, whatever. So if Gary provides a counter-point to these sort of attitudes then that's all good by me. My personal preference would be that it's better to be too patient than not patient enough. In football, in life, in everything.

I would concur with that, but I would also argue in football being too patient (when it is flying in the face of logic) in the modern game, generally leads to even worse outcomes than other way round. Teams which are hesitant in taking tough decisions, turning over deadwood, persisting with the wrong fit in terms of both players/coaches/management structure... don't tend to do well.

I think Fergie was an outlier in terms of rewarding exceptional patience.

 

[sp_107]

Love listening to Neville and he talks a lot of sense but.... Let's take Levy for example, a total hate figure at Spurs until Pochettino comes along and now Spurs fans adore Levy all of a sudden. Levy was crazy to land Van Gaal ahead of us and reluctantly settled for Poch as a plan B. That comes down to luck and destiny and not down to Levy being a football genius.

The only reason I feel we may not have announced a new DOF yet is, perhaps Paul Mitchell or Van der Sar want to finish the season at their clubs before the awkward moment where they tell their CEO that they are moving on. No one wants be in a company where there's bad vibes in the office every day, ever since you told your boss you got a better offer elsewhere.

I think Ed will get the structure right this summer. Nobody could have predicted how wasteful Jose would be. Mourinho is the ultimate panic spender. When he's at clubs who can cherry pick the world's best talent then he looks like a genius signing Modric, Di Maria and Varane. But you put him in a club where he has to spot unpolished gems to develop and he often struggles badly, and makes panic buy instead of trying to develop what's already there.

I think we're strangely on the right track despite being the titanic for a while. Let Ole bring in real quality - Idrissa Gueye, Maguire, Cancelo, Bale and a couple of kids.
Get rid of the mercenaries - Martial, Pogba, Herrera, Lukaku..
And if Ole doesn't get top 4 then break the bank for Pochettino in a year where at least Ole will leave him a squad who are proud to wear the Jersey.

I really followed your post until I saw Bale name in that list.

 

[crossy1686]

Love listening to Neville and he talks a lot of sense but.... Let's take Levy for example, a total hate figure at Spurs until Pochettino comes along and now Spurs fans adore Levy all of a sudden. Levy was crazy to land Van Gaal ahead of us and reluctantly settled for Poch as a plan B. That comes down to luck and destiny and not down to Levy being a football genius.

The only reason I feel we may not have announced a new DOF yet is, perhaps Paul Mitchell or Van der Sar want to finish the season at their clubs before the awkward moment where they tell their CEO that they are moving on. No one wants be in a company where there's bad vibes in the office every day, ever since you told your boss you got a better offer elsewhere.

I think Ed will get the structure right this summer. Nobody could have predicted how wasteful Jose would be. Mourinho is the ultimate panic spender. When he's at clubs who can cherry pick the world's best talent then he looks like a genius signing Modric, Di Maria and Varane. But you put him in a club where he has to spot unpolished gems to develop and he often struggles badly, and makes panic buys instead of trying to develop what's already there.

I think we're strangely on the right track despite being the titanic for a while. Let Ole bring in real quality - Idrissa Gueye, Maguire, Cancelo, Bale and a couple of kids.
Get rid of the mercenaries - Martial, Pogba, Herrera, Lukaku..
And if Ole doesn't get top 4 then break the bank for Pochettino in a year where at least Ole will leave him a squad who are proud to wear the Jersey.

Get rid of mercenaries and bring in Bale? Are you taking the piss?

 

[Champagne Football]

I really followed your post until I saw Bale name in that list.

Firstly we're not getting Sancho or Hudson Odoi. I like Zaha but he can be well dodgy in front of goal. I wouldn't say no to Bale on a loan to buy. Not sure if we can take a risk on an unproven kid like Bergwijn. Bale has the potential to do at Utd what Robben did at Bayern when Real didn't want him. Anyways nobody can guarantee if he'll fail or thrive elsewhere. He still has enough pace not to be an Alexis style flop.

 

[Champagne Football]

Get rid of mercenaries and bring in Bale? Are you taking the piss?

Just throwing names about. I don't ever recall him being a dressing room virus at Wales or Spurs? Again he could thrive or fail elsewhere, you don't know his future. And there's not a lot of available right wingers out there when it seems Richarlison, Sancho, Hudson Odoi etc will not be on the market.

 

[USREDEVIL]

I sometimes have a hard time digesting some of Neville's comments but he's right on what he's said in this little rant. The structure at Man United is simply not working. 7 years it's been going on like this and the state of the team is getting worse. We need to modernize - get a DOF in there who is a specialist. Do you really think that an intelligent seasoned scout/DOF cannot understand what we're looking for in players to further the United attacking philosophy? On the other hand, hiring a "United man" who has no experience in scouting whatsoever...do you think he can just "pick it up"? It's a painstaking job of reviewing footage, reading assessments, traveling to games, speaking with people, etc etc. - real hands-dirty type of work.

 

[crossy1686]

Just throwing names about. I don't ever recall him being a dressing room virus at Wales or Spurs? Again he could thrive or fail elsewhere, you don't know his future. And there's not a lot of available right wingers out there when it seems Richarlison, Sancho, Hudson Odoi etc will not be on the market.

He seems an alright chap, quite aloof and apparently Sanchez is the same which hasn't gone down well with the rest of the squad. Madrid have done their best to paint Bale as someone who prefer's golf over football and won't go for meals with his teammates because he doesn't speak Spanish. I find it all distasteful personally as it's a clear smear campaign but do we also need someone that might not buy in to the fact we need him to return to peak Bale and be a leader in the dressing room?

 

[Rozay]

I agree with both of them. I feel Gary’s pain, but Carragher’s questions were valid.

For all the obsessing over City and Beguiristan for example, they won the league before any of the Spanish mob rolled into town. Pellegrini won the league by simply building and coaching a group of good footballers.

 

[Champagne Football]

He seems an alright chap, quite aloof and apparently Sanchez is the same which hasn't gone down well with the rest of the squad. Madrid have done their best to paint Bale as someone who prefer's golf over football and won't go for meals with his teammates because he doesn't speak Spanish. I find it all distasteful personally as it's a clear smear campaign but do we also need someone that might not buy in to the fact we need him to return to peak Bale and be a leader in the dressing room?

If he'll agree to a loan to but and a £300,000 a week salary then he'd be worth a risk. Just seems to be too proud a bloke to screw over a club the way Alexis/Rooney have. Anyways he just one of a few names I could have dropped - Nicolas Pepe, Fekir etc

 

[Denis79]

True.But he shouldn’t have been jumping around saying stupid things like there will be a “mutiny” if Solksjaer doesn’t get the job.He should have been more analytical,mature and thoughtful and said that the club should take a final call at the end of the season,after assessing Solksjaers performance comprehensively...,

You're right and I don't agree with half the shit he say, and he says a lot. But this I agree with and for the first time he genuinely looked like speaking from the heart.

 

[7even]

Don’t you see it?

Listen to Solskjaer. After five month his mantra is a blueprint of what Woodward wants to hear.

Yada yada yada...Not a massive overhaul. A pre season to improve fitness. Dampen expectations. Top four challenge instead of aspiring to win the league.

Compare his approach to Sir Alex. Already in his mindset he was oceans ahead of today’s shambles.

“My greatest challenge is not what's happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fecking perch. And you can print that."

Woodward’s ambitions is to present a positive Q2 and improve our profits. As long as we don’t have a leadership with cohones to be the best we will never challenge the elite clubs. Someone needs to take the first step.

 

[Mainoldo]

You're right....

Last time I checked, Mourinho bought De Gea, Romero, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Shaw, Rojo, Darmian, Young, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Herrera, McTominay, Pereira and Rashford.

16 players out of a 25 man-squad. It's indeed Mr Mourinho's squad.

Oh your one of those fans. So who's fault is it? Woodward .

In 3 years i've seen Liverpool and City perfect a rebuild meanwhile the chosen one buys Bailly, Lindelof, Mhkitaryan, Zlatan, Pogba, Sanchez, Matic, Lukaku, Dalot, Fred and yet only Pogba and Lindelof are worth keeping.

So yes it was bloody Mourinho's fault and after naming 10 outfield players... his bloody players.

 

[Mainoldo]

I agree with both of them. I feel Gary’s pain, but Carragher’s questions were valid.

For all the obsessing over City and Beguiristan for example, they won the league before any of the Spanish mob rolled into town. Pellegrini won the league by simply building and coaching a group of good footballers.

It really is that simple. It's the typical English football mentality to complement things when they are going well. However history always shows you the majority of the time it's just luck and there is no right way. City spent there way to the top over paying on world class/potential talent. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. They say it's because the players are overpaid and don't care. I'm not sure David Silva, Yaya Toure, Vicent Kompany and Aguero really cared. They was well paid. You want to be successful in England, get the best manager, it's that simple.

LVG - Past it
Jose Mourinho - Past it.

 

[Keefy18]

Hold on let me get this straight, you're saying he did not need to move Rashford from CF when he first came in or after Zlatan left? And I think as has been seen this year, Rashford is nowhere near a top number 9, and that is now no matter than when he first took over (if that is what your saying) or when Zlatan was injured and he brought in Lukaku, who first season done well, since has been bob (before you lose the head im saying he has been bob, I know he's not called bob before you go off on one).

He was one of Europes hottest properties when Jose took over. He then shoved him left wing, right wing and basically anywhere but up front. Went on a 30 game goalless streak under Jose.

He ran Zlatan into the ground to the point of what would be a career ending injury for most other athletes, then repeated this with Lukaku last season.

Basically ignoring both Rashford and Martial's development in the process. Not surprised both are suffering this season after 2 years of working with the worlds worst coach at developing youth.

When he had Rashford/Martial fighting for places on the left we arguably played some of our best football since Fergie left, often scoring 3/4 a game up until Burnley away when Martial was then replaced by Sanchez, so not sure your argument of (completely not needed) is correct.

Many of those results flattered us, perfect example being Swansea whom we beat 4-0 with 3 late goals if memory serves right. They hit the woodwork twice and had the ball cleared off the line.

Similarly, Everton at home. 3 goals in the final 8 or so mins.

I'll add as well, most of the sides we beat by 3 or 4 goals sacked their managers around that time as well. They were teams in a mess and it was more a case of them being woeful than us actually being brilliant.

If you think we should have not have bought a CF and stuck with Rashford then completely disagree, out of interest do you think we should stick with Rashford now as our number 9 going forward or would you buy a CF? Has this season changed your tune?

Honestly, I'm not sure how he'll turn out. Could turn into a very good forward yet still. Not sure he'll hit 20 plus every season, but could manage it a few times alright say over the next 8 years if he were to stay that long.

So the season after the Europa win, he done the "bare minimum regarding squad rebuild", ok let me just get this right:

Bought:
Lukaku 75m
Matic 40m
Lindelof 30m
Sanchez

Sold:
Mkhitaryan
Januzaj
Rooney
Zlatan

Think we can all agree that the above in one summer is not the bare minimum, Lukaku first year was a good buy, 28 goals or whatever it was, Lindelof I can see being a CB at us for years to come, good buy, Matic has served us well but legs are going now, has been a good buy and Sanchez when he was signed I think every United fan was buzzing, no one could have seen how poor that would have turned out to be.

Every man and their dog were screaming to get rid of Rooney he did, Henrik was deadwood, gone, Zlatan pity with his injury and Januzaj deadwood.

Yeah I agree he should have shipped out more, can be said about every manager since Fergie to be fair.

Lukaku was not a good buy, jesus come on! He has the worst touch in the league bar none! It's criminal, he should be arrested for molestation its that bad. Zlatan scored more goals than Lukaku in fewer games, at nearly a decade older! Lukaku for 75m has been a disaster, there is no other word for it.

Matic - a half decent season, vanished for winter like a hedgehog and came back out with a rocket against Palace. Since then he's died on his arse most games and turns slower than the titanic and now has to be replaced again already.

Sanchez - An absolute disaster! I really hoped it would work out but the worst signing in premier league history.

Leaving Lindelof as the only worth while purchase.

Mikha was his own investment and failed, not suited for the league. Zlatan done very well for us but he was only a pit stop signing, there was no upside to be had, it patched over things.

Adnan and Rooney, no issue with either going.

From memory re Darmian, Jose tried to get rid a few times but clubs in Italy would only agree to a loan or a ridiculously low fee, Blind I agree was a big mistake.

So if it is Jose's fault that he could not sell the players he did not want, I am assuming it will be Ole's fault and not Woodward's if we struggle to ship out the deadwood this summer? So Ole does the negotiating, agrees the sale price, he does all the business side of things, is that what you're saying? If so, disagree, I personally think Ole/Jose tell Woodward the players who are not in his plans then it is Woodward's job to negotiate their sale?

No, I'm saying there is a bit of giving and taking in these situations. As it has always been at United. Ferguson didn't every every player his heart desired, nor will Ole. No manager does.

Finances will be discussed, possible transfers and likelihood of them signing and addressing key areas as best as possible. It's a balancing act.

Jose fought to keep Darmian and Fellaini anyway, he was public with both. There are quotes from Darmian's agent saying he's wanted to return home now for 2 years. Woodward didn't stop Jose selling Blind, but then he goes and complains about lack of CB options? It's crazy like!

I don't believe Woodward stopped him selling anyone, I mean the very same Woodward took no issue with selling Nani (right after being given a 5 year deal from Moyes), RVP, Rafael, Hernandez, Di Maria a year after setting a transfer record etc etc...

Why suddenly did the narrative change from it being LVG being a clueless cnut and selling our best players....to it then being Jose is being blocked by Woody?

There's a very strong narrative within our fan base of people peddling their own agendas and folks jumping bandwagons.

In reality, all anyone has to do is look at the evidence before us. It tells a very different story. LVG cut heads no problem and folks lost their minds over it. Jose done sweet fa and suddenly Jose was being stopped by the big bad wolf Woody?! REALLY?

Jose did want to spend fortunes, but he was not wrong when it comes to us needing a new dominating CB, or was he?

I don't think the issue was wanting a CB, more so his choice of CB.

The strong rumors was Toby Alderwerield for approx £60m, when a year later (now) he's only £25M. Why bother paying £60m for a 29 year old? There's no longevity, no upside in reality.

Maguire, for me he is distinctly one side and marginally better defensively than what we got already and again for the prices being quoted after the WC? I wasn't over eager myself to be throwing money at the foxes.

I think I have answered your insane amount of questions, rants, points, queries, whatever you want to call them.

I'm very calm mate, enjoy the evening!

Forum is all about opinions as you say, I'm not going to lose sleep over it... I might though if Barca don't score here!!:O