Something isn't right with Ole, his recent comments(see op), and not getting up on stage as every Manager before him has at the Awards just isn't like him, if missing out on T4 this season has got to him, and so soon maybe he isn't the right man for the job.
Has Ole given up on next season already?
- Thread starter Ranchero
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Is top four a minimum requirement?
Probably embarrassed that there was even an awards ceremony.
Probably should've said it will be difficult. The media have ran with a miraculous headline.
Then there's this looking behind us thing. Anyone in the top 4 race this season could be really honest and say we have to be worried about those behind us but you wouldn't want to set your stall out as defending yourself from them and would say something about doing better than the season just gone which in United's case would be top 4. I don't think what Ole said is good for players mindset already at the club and players coming in. While we've missed out and are quite upset, we only just missed out and previously missed out on goal difference to Pep's first season at City. We're close, we have a squad to get in and around there so we shouldn't be talking ourselves into a race with the clubs below us.
Then there's this looking behind us thing. Anyone in the top 4 race this season could be really honest and say we have to be worried about those behind us but you wouldn't want to set your stall out as defending yourself from them and would say something about doing better than the season just gone which in United's case would be top 4. I don't think what Ole said is good for players mindset already at the club and players coming in. While we've missed out and are quite upset, we only just missed out and previously missed out on goal difference to Pep's first season at City. We're close, we have a squad to get in and around there so we shouldn't be talking ourselves into a race with the clubs below us.
I think he's being really honest and I'm sure most realistic United fans who have watched us a lot would have to agree. The likes of Leicester and Wolves will be our main competition for a place in the top 6 next season unless we do something drastic in the transfer window - those who think otherwise are deluded IMO.
That said, when Moyes and Jose criticised the club they were hung out to dry on here and social media - maybe Ole hasn't reached the point where many believe he is out of his depth so can get away with these comments due to his status at the club.
I'd be more concerned if he came out and said we could challenge or he thinks we can finish in the Top 4 unless there is major investment - we have to appreciate his honesty and hope that the board will back him. If he's still saying this come August then we are up shit creek!
That said, when Moyes and Jose criticised the club they were hung out to dry on here and social media - maybe Ole hasn't reached the point where many believe he is out of his depth so can get away with these comments due to his status at the club.
I'd be more concerned if he came out and said we could challenge or he thinks we can finish in the Top 4 unless there is major investment - we have to appreciate his honesty and hope that the board will back him. If he's still saying this come August then we are up shit creek!
We are not going to be challenging for the title in 2 years. This is ridiculous.
The only way that this would happen if we brought in ready made Galactico class players in every position, to go straight into the first team, this Summer. DDG and Pogba, excepted.
That team of Galacticos would need 1 season to get used to playing as a team and to understand how to play in the EPL, with the league title challenge the next season.
Fans have seen us fail time and time again for 6-7 years, We brought in a serial winner who had won the league with CFC a few months earlier and was fully capable of beating Guardiola, but failed to do this for MUFC. Yet, some fans still believe that "we are very close to a title winning team". Why do some fans not want to accept reality?
For a title challenge, we'll need the right players, the right manager and for Woodward to be relieved of his role as DoF. All these things need to happen before we see a title challenge.
Not expecting a title challenge but surely our aim is to finish in the top 4?
We went from title winning form to relegation form.
Perhaps he is just depressed about what has happened, which is completely understandable. He'll have to raise himself again, for next season, though.
Ole is just preparing the fan base to be realistic. If he came out and set unreal targets of challenging everyone's hopes would be built back up an when/if we finish sixth it would be seen as a failure.
The coming windows and season is all about breaking the mould which we have sat in for the last 4-5 years. Reduce the average age of the squad, bring in hungry players with abit between their teeth to get united back to where they should be. This group of players have become used to life after Sir Alex and it all needs a shake up.
If the fans saw an improvement in football and hunger, seeing players racing around for the best part of 90 mins putting the effort in they will be satisfied even if we finish sixth. The hunger and passion has to return. Playing for united is a privelege that any player who plays for us should relish and take advantage of.
Frankly if I saw progression for the next 2-3 years an were challenging in four years with a few decent cup runs on route I'd be happy. United aren't granted success because of the past, we were gifted with a once in a lifetime academy graduate team and the best manager that will ever live. It's time to grind out success and that's going to take time.
Time to show why we have the best fan base in the world.
I don't see why it wouldn't be.
Top 4 is the minimum expectation for next season.
If Ole can't secure that, he's gone.
No we don’t. We need to sign about three good players.
Two years ago Liverpool seemed this far off. We sign three players who have an impact like Mane, Van Dijk and Salah and we challenge.
We have pretty much the pick of the signings in the world. Let’s get four good ones and go.
Christ. Being positive is one thing but he is being realistic. We aren’t going to challenge for the title next season. Too much work needs to be done.
I think what's even more important than signings is having a manager. We will see.
I’ll leave judgment until the end of the transfer window but I’m just feeding off the signs.
I'd like to think that as an Ambassador for UNICEF in Norway he wouldn't be embarrassed to be at an annual event the club holds that raises thousands and thousands of pounds for the Manchester Foundation, UNICEF and numerous other Charities in the Manchester/North West area, but you could be right.
Not giving up - being realistic.
If anybody thinks we will be challenging for major honours in the next 1-2 seasons - they are seriously deluded.
If anybody thinks we will be challenging for major honours in the next 1-2 seasons - they are seriously deluded.
He’s trying to take the pressure off.
It’s obvious this squad suffers with pressure as when it doesn’t matter we cruise to victory.
As soon as we got close to the top 4 it all fell apart.
Less expectation so we can quietly go about our business.
It’s obvious this squad suffers with pressure as when it doesn’t matter we cruise to victory.
As soon as we got close to the top 4 it all fell apart.
Less expectation so we can quietly go about our business.
Stark to contrast to December when we were 11 points behind at the top 4 and he stated that we would still be challening for it. Now all of sudden hes being "realistic".
Yes. And so should you
Come on, this is obvious. Liverpool and City are well tuned teams and deserve where they are. Spurs is also a well tuned team but is a bit thin and hopefully someone will pick Eriksen from them and may be even Poch. Chelsea will be weakened by loss of Hazard and Arsenal is undergoing re-grouping. If Utd had continued with the winning form after PSG we will be at comfortably 3rd, then you can possibly say that with addition of 3-4 good players, we can challenge for the top spot.
Our form in the last 2 months tell me that even Everton and Wolves are better than us.
Even if we manage to recruit a few good players, even if all of them hit the road on day 1, even if all the new recruits fill in all the blanks, even if the entire squad play as a team instead of looking after themselves, even if Ole does have clue and have the right tactics in place, we will still need time to tune in order to challenge City and Liverpool. What is our odds do you think?
Our form in the last 2 months tell me that even Everton and Wolves are better than us.
Even if we manage to recruit a few good players, even if all of them hit the road on day 1, even if all the new recruits fill in all the blanks, even if the entire squad play as a team instead of looking after themselves, even if Ole does have clue and have the right tactics in place, we will still need time to tune in order to challenge City and Liverpool. What is our odds do you think?
I wish the internet was around when Docherty took us into the old 2nd Div. Some people on here would have been threatening to hang the poor bloke. It would have given us a few laughs though.
Klopp was working with a CL finalist squad where he just ironed out the remaining weaknesses so he could do well in more than one competition.
Not exactly a good comparison to the current United squad.
He should be aiming for 4th next season period. Chelsea cannot strengthen their side and are not far from us already. Arsenal will not spend. Who knows if Spurs will. If United invest heavily then their should be an expectation and I would expect 4th. Only the top 2 are out of reach
He probably is, but he's got to hide it, that's what Management at the top level is all about, and if you're a potential transfer target in the Summer you don't want to hear him say it either.
He only said this back in Feb that we would be challenging in two years.I wonder have his thoughts changed?
Solskjaer believes United can challenge for Premier League title in two years
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/solskjaer-believes-united-can-challenge-for-premier-league-title-in-two-years-903316.html
Solskjaer believes United can challenge for Premier League title in two years
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/solskjaer-believes-united-can-challenge-for-premier-league-title-in-two-years-903316.html
We live in strange times, whatever a manager says he can never be right. If Ole is holding his cards to his chest it is unfortunately adding to the general malaise. No one knows, least of all the press, and all the while the rumours/speculations are spiralling.
The strangeness has extended to the squad with fans calling them a disgrace and not worthy of the shirt or the money. Yet it feels to me that United/Ole have allowed this squad to fail and isolating them as a group of almost hate figures. Whether we see Sanchez and others gone is one thing but their collapse and the fans disgust is not something I’ve seen before to such a degree. If we play youth/future tomorrow, besides the leavers, it could be quite an afternoon - it would also technically fulfil Ole’s promise of playing them when he first arrived.
There are consequences, if the crap flows into next season then Ole is done. However, if Ole has made the decision to break this lot up, but has decided not to inform the press or fans then good on him. It does feel that we’re in for big changes and long term buys now might be part of Ole’s plan (aka James). There is a parallel with how Tommy Doc rebuilt the team within the squad and how he removed the ‘problem’ players and created a new dynamism. Fergie did something similar.
Strange then, although it’s like treading water and staggering over the finishing line, it also feels like a slow/quiet planned rebuild in progress.
The strangeness has extended to the squad with fans calling them a disgrace and not worthy of the shirt or the money. Yet it feels to me that United/Ole have allowed this squad to fail and isolating them as a group of almost hate figures. Whether we see Sanchez and others gone is one thing but their collapse and the fans disgust is not something I’ve seen before to such a degree. If we play youth/future tomorrow, besides the leavers, it could be quite an afternoon - it would also technically fulfil Ole’s promise of playing them when he first arrived.
There are consequences, if the crap flows into next season then Ole is done. However, if Ole has made the decision to break this lot up, but has decided not to inform the press or fans then good on him. It does feel that we’re in for big changes and long term buys now might be part of Ole’s plan (aka James). There is a parallel with how Tommy Doc rebuilt the team within the squad and how he removed the ‘problem’ players and created a new dynamism. Fergie did something similar.
Strange then, although it’s like treading water and staggering over the finishing line, it also feels like a slow/quiet planned rebuild in progress.
Given up 
What sort of bollocks is that?
I hate to break it to you all but we aren't going to win the league next season, regardless of what the manager says or who the manger is. Just because the manager says we're not going to doesn't mean we're 'lowering expectations'.
What sort of bollocks is that?
I hate to break it to you all but we aren't going to win the league next season, regardless of what the manager says or who the manger is. Just because the manager says we're not going to doesn't mean we're 'lowering expectations'.
I also wish the internet had been around when “Fergie out” was booming around Old Trafford, along with the Fergie out banners...
Fergie took over in 1986 and it took until the 91-92 season to win the league. 5 full seasons of work transforming a bunch of unfit boozers by smart transfers and disciplined training.
If Red cafe had been around then the vast majority would have been spitting bile and calling for fergie to be sacked in 1989.
We are currently miles behind Liverpool and city, we are a top 6 side. Better placed than the relegation fodder we were when fergie took over but still 2 or 3 seasons away with smart transfers from being contenders again. Accept it, give Ole time and respect and think back to Fergie,s early years and then the total dominance of English football he established for the next 21 years.
Support the team and club and stop being one of the idiots screaming FERGIE OUT IN 1989.
Fergie took over in 1986 and it took until the 91-92 season to win the league. 5 full seasons of work transforming a bunch of unfit boozers by smart transfers and disciplined training.
If Red cafe had been around then the vast majority would have been spitting bile and calling for fergie to be sacked in 1989.
We are currently miles behind Liverpool and city, we are a top 6 side. Better placed than the relegation fodder we were when fergie took over but still 2 or 3 seasons away with smart transfers from being contenders again. Accept it, give Ole time and respect and think back to Fergie,s early years and then the total dominance of English football he established for the next 21 years.
Support the team and club and stop being one of the idiots screaming FERGIE OUT IN 1989.
Transitionseason where top 4 would be a bonus, but nothing more.
Goal is to create a younger and more hungry squad, with the right mentality and suited to(most likely) a high press and intensity approach.
Similar to how Klopp played during his first 1.5 season at Liverpool. Personally i think OGS will more or less try to imitate what Klopp has done with Liverpool and their squad.
We need a rebuild and there is no instant fix. All i want to see is a clear style of play, and steady improvement.
It's funny I was thinking along those lines a few days ago, was going through some of my old programmes and read Martin Edwards comments in the Ajax one from 1976 saying tonight is our first match in a UEFA competition since 1969
Think the Interweb would crash if we got relegated 5 years after winning the European Cup, or went 7 years without European football, scary stuff.
Anyone that thinks we be anywhere near challenging for the title next season after the display we've just had versus the effort of our rivals is completely deluded. We have major issues and one transfer window isn't going to solve them.
He realised Woodward has no intention of fecking off and getting in a DOF.
I think Solskjær is 100% right to be realistic and give delusional players/fans/owners/chairmen a wake-up call with his recent comments. We are far away from being title contenders, and the sooner we realize this the sooner we can start to solve it by long-term improving. We have tried to force our way into the top by bringing in overpaid players that doesn't really want to be here, and this has to stop. We should aim for a top 4 position for the next 2 seasons, bring in young players both from our academy and from other clubs, and transform into a title contender in 3-4 years.
Really?
Ole has seen things we fans have not seen. He has looked behind the veil. He has spoken with Ed and felt the vibes of the board and owners. He has assessed the players closely and has an idea of the budget that will be released to replace some of them.
I can bet reality has hit him hard.
I can bet reality has hit him hard.
What a waste of text.
No he hasn’t given up on anything. He’s stating the obvious.
Moyes was making excuses about a team that just won the fecking league. Just a slight difference there.
No he hasn’t given up on anything. He’s stating the obvious.
Moyes was making excuses about a team that just won the fecking league. Just a slight difference there.
They were in a completely different place than us though. They had spent numerous seasons building solid foundations and a style of play. We've done the exact opposite of that and spent numerous seasons creating a shambles. The rebuild we need isn't to take us from where they were last season to where they are this season, it's to get us from the current mess to something like they had last season.
I know aspiring to reach the levels of Liverpool/City is like sacrilege on here but I think that's the reality of where we are.
Actually I think Ole is hedging and I am not sure that it is a very wise tactic. Miraculous is not even Leicester winning the title again (because they have done it before) or Wolves, Everton or West Ham. Miraculous is Crystal Palace, Brighton, Norwich or Sheffield United. Miraculous is not United. That statement by Ole is utterly nonsensical.
Back in 2004/05 and 2005/06 when Jose Mourinho won back to back titles, with Chelsea funded by Roman Abramovitch's cash, I do not recall Alex Ferguson ever saying that it would take a 'miracle' if United were to win the title in 2006/07. Look at our once great rivals, Liverpool, every season they seem to think that they are going to win the Premier League title, but it is that unrelenting expectation and optimism that has brought them to the very brink of doing just that.
Ole needs to start talking like a United manager. I recall David Moyes made similarly unguarded and frankly stupid comments as Manchester United manager. Ahead of the home game with Liverpool in the 2013/14 season, he announced to the waiting press that Liverpool were the favourites, only for Brendan Rogers to say that, he would never see an opposing team as favourites when Liverpool play at home.
If Ole is trying a bit of amateur psychology on both fans and opponents it is ill-judged and he should stop. United can out-spend most of their rivals and it is not unreasonable to expect that United should be competing on and at their level. Furthermore, we have seen what the current squad is capable of when they put their collective minds to it. If the players delivered that same level of commitment over the course of a 38 game season, we would absolutely be in with a shout of winning the title. Is it that Ole doesn't think he is capable of getting that level of performance from the players?
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He's not given up on anything, he's being a realist.
We're a few years behind and it's a rebuilding process if he convinces us and the board this is the case it will allow him more time.
We're a few years behind and it's a rebuilding process if he convinces us and the board this is the case it will allow him more time.