Option 6: League Cup quarters
What is the absolute minimum that United should achieve next season?
- Thread starter fastwalker
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We'll be lallying around the 5th/6th/7th area for the next 3 or 4 years.
City, Liverpool and Spurs are far ahead of us in terms of their structure. Chelsea are still the most successful English club over the last decade - and as much as Sarri left with credibility, him leaving may actually help them given the transfer position after Hazard's departure.
We will be lucky to be competing with Arsenal, and I only give us that credit on the basis that we bring in another 3 players assuming Pogba and Lukaku leave. And yes, I understand Arsenal were not significantly better than us last season, and also have limited scope for improvement despite the loss of Ramsey.
Weeks, months and now years have gone by, and Manchester United as an organisation is clinging onto an operational structure which expired when the last of a literally dying breed departed his post. It's very frustrating - but now I understand how Liverpool fans felt in the 90s, and more recently how Gunners fans have felt since 2006.
City, Liverpool and Spurs are far ahead of us in terms of their structure. Chelsea are still the most successful English club over the last decade - and as much as Sarri left with credibility, him leaving may actually help them given the transfer position after Hazard's departure.
We will be lucky to be competing with Arsenal, and I only give us that credit on the basis that we bring in another 3 players assuming Pogba and Lukaku leave. And yes, I understand Arsenal were not significantly better than us last season, and also have limited scope for improvement despite the loss of Ramsey.
Weeks, months and now years have gone by, and Manchester United as an organisation is clinging onto an operational structure which expired when the last of a literally dying breed departed his post. It's very frustrating - but now I understand how Liverpool fans felt in the 90s, and more recently how Gunners fans have felt since 2006.
I think took 4 or if 5th or 6th obvious signs that we are improving on our goals
Avoiding relegation would be an achivement with Ed Woodward still in charge of transfers.
What a load of ballcox. It’s thinking like this that stops us hitting the reset button properly and keeps us floundering about.
Until owners, managers, players, tea ladies and supporters stop living in fairyland nothing will improve.
As far as I’m concerned at the end of next season I want to have been entertained and to feel I have my club back. If we can be heading on an upward trajectory Ole will have earned the chance to continue. Ideally we make top 4 and can begin to attract players that will build towards a challenge in the following 2/3 years.
We have an awful lot to catch up on and it ain’t happening in 2 years. If it does Ole can have a slightly smaller statue next to Fergie.
Maybe start trying to win a few more games...at home.
If we can't get top 4 next season with the situation at Chelsea & Arsenal's expected lack of investment, we might as well shut up as a football club.
Option 2: Champions League qualification and significantly improved performances
Essential imo. We absolutely need this to attract the right quality players in order to close the gap on the top 2. We’ve got to add some quality this window to achieve it, but it’s unrealistic to mount a title challenge from where we are now. ECL qualification brings in more money and makes us more attractive for the season after next.
Essential imo. We absolutely need this to attract the right quality players in order to close the gap on the top 2. We’ve got to add some quality this window to achieve it, but it’s unrealistic to mount a title challenge from where we are now. ECL qualification brings in more money and makes us more attractive for the season after next.
I would be absolutely amazed if we got top four....amazed.
You could appoint any manager in the world they would struggle badly, never mind an inexperienced bloke who's job is already potentially on the line after a poor finish to the season
You could appoint any manager in the world they would struggle badly, never mind an inexperienced bloke who's job is already potentially on the line after a poor finish to the season
We should be targeting 3rd given that Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs had horrible league form and were very catchable this year. However that would require some really astute acquisitions in the transfer market and very canny tactics to get the best out the rest of the squad and I have no faith in either of those things happening.
So reality is we’re more likely to be looking over our shoulder at the teams behind us rather than making ground on top 4.
So reality is we’re more likely to be looking over our shoulder at the teams behind us rather than making ground on top 4.
Our minimum shouldn’t be trophy related. Our minimum should be to get rid of anyone who is either...
A) stealing a living
B) doesn’t want to be here
C) isn’t fully focused on football
A) stealing a living
B) doesn’t want to be here
C) isn’t fully focused on football
Excellent point. Champions League is not just about the money it is about the leverage it gives you in the transfer market to attract top players. We are a rich club sat outside the Champions League and so far all that has bought is Daniel James, but it is likely to cost us Paul Pogba.
I don't think it really matters what we think here. The recruitment, club management and players we're happy to keep playing tell the story of where we will be next season. I'll be very surprised if we are in the top 6.
Show some steel in our midfield and play better football with an attacking mentality. Phase out the playing time of Young, Lingard, and Jones.
If we can achieve that, I won’t care if we achieve top 4 or not, as I won’t expect all the improvement at the beginning of the season.
If we can achieve that, I won’t care if we achieve top 4 or not, as I won’t expect all the improvement at the beginning of the season.
Top 4 minimum. Clear improvement in overall playing style, having a clear vision and identity. Semifinals of Europa League.
4th is the best we can hope for as it stands. We simply are not finishing above Scousers (who will win it imo), City and Spurs.
EL will wreak havoc on our squad, I think we will end up hoping to go all the way in Europe secure CL football again. In summary we are miles off where we want and need to be.
EL will wreak havoc on our squad, I think we will end up hoping to go all the way in Europe secure CL football again. In summary we are miles off where we want and need to be.
Ah the we’re building a team project. The wait till player x,y,z gets used to the league. Wait for the team to get used to the new system, wait till we get another transfer window, wait until the young players mature...so over it.
Prem league champions, Europa League winners, FA cup winners, League cup winners, best ground winners, best food winners, top goalscorer, best defense, best hair do...all of it. Thats our goal. Or should be. And that should start now with transfers. Yeah its against us but fk them is what our attitude should be. Sir Alex never said its a project, 5 years. You cant win anything with kids.
Sure the manager lying in his bed at night might indulge in a bit of doubt but when he walks into training that all should be gone.
And no manager or CEO or any staff member should utter the words....its a project
Prem league champions, Europa League winners, FA cup winners, League cup winners, best ground winners, best food winners, top goalscorer, best defense, best hair do...all of it. Thats our goal. Or should be. And that should start now with transfers. Yeah its against us but fk them is what our attitude should be. Sir Alex never said its a project, 5 years. You cant win anything with kids.
Sure the manager lying in his bed at night might indulge in a bit of doubt but when he walks into training that all should be gone.
And no manager or CEO or any staff member should utter the words....its a project
3rd or 4th depending on what we spend and if its comparable to the top teams like it normally is
My first thought was to scream ''champions league'' but we are so far apart from the top clubs in quality of football that I am willing to accept a top 6 finish again. If there is a clear tactical plan and players show creativity and flair on the pitch, it certainly will be much better than what our previous 3 managers have given us. Accept this season as one for structuring a good,entertaining pattern of play and aim for a top 4 spot in 2020-21.
The club should aim to entertain the fans and put a smile back on our faces.
Ffs win the league is the bare minimum we should be asking? We’re Man Utd fs
19/20:
Top3
FA semis
EL title
Top3
FA semis
EL title
Win the lot and brake some enemy bones while doing it...
Just want to see an identifiable style of football that is pretty entertaining. Even if we only achieve that it will be a step forward. Progress will come once we have a playing strategy in place.
I can't see 4th place to be honest. Assume that we retain De Gea, but Pogs and Lukaku go. We'll be relying on Martial and "Rashy" to score nearly all of our goals. Who is going to be providing them? They're not the kind of players that provide goals themselves, and as things stand we have no right side attack whatsoever. I imagine we'll be 6th or so.
Realistically with the squad as it stands 8th would be the minimum expected. I don't see what grounds we've got to expect better from what we have compared to others.
I predicted 6th last season which proved correct but think we've got a bigger threat from the likes of Everton and Leicester now. All depends what we do in the transfer market.
I predicted 6th last season which proved correct but think we've got a bigger threat from the likes of Everton and Leicester now. All depends what we do in the transfer market.
4th is absolutely up for grabs - if Ed pulls his finger out and starts to sign some players. We’ve lost more players than we’ve gained so far this window. We need to get a bloody move on and get 3/4 over the line. That won’t make us title contenders, but ECL qualification will help us close the gap the following season. Will take 5/6windows to make us really challenging imo. Re-build has to start now, and it ain’t looking good so far.
Third place finish in premier league and at least reach the Europa league finals
Should?
Top 4 minimum (since we’re rebuilding), and maybe a cup.
Reality, who knows, but I have a feeling it’ll be equally as bad if not worse than last season..
I just don’t get how teams like Chelsea, sack managers every other year, and seems like they’re rebuilding too yet still win the league, get in higher positions than us, and win some cups.. we on the other hand have been “rebuilding” since Fergie left.. we need to go our shit together.
Top 4 minimum (since we’re rebuilding), and maybe a cup.
Reality, who knows, but I have a feeling it’ll be equally as bad if not worse than last season..
I just don’t get how teams like Chelsea, sack managers every other year, and seems like they’re rebuilding too yet still win the league, get in higher positions than us, and win some cups.. we on the other hand have been “rebuilding” since Fergie left.. we need to go our shit together.
The absolute minimum wil be to get them all playing as one team, and preferably all with the same vision and target top 3. No fall outs or public slanging matches and try to get back to being " united ".
Top six. I just want to see something different from the team next season. Less stars and more of a team. Players that work hard all game to help the team. Some synergy would be nice to see.
Mourinho
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A top notch window.
Way I see it is that Ed has taken a bold, or reckless, step in appointing Ole - depending on which side of the argument you are on. But to not back him in this window would be an absolute dereliction of duty. We need to get the players in to achieve minimum of 4th place. Anything less and Ed has to give up his DOF role and get somebody in with a football brain. Otherwise Ole is being hung out to dry.
Another top six finish. A change in personnel, getting rid of deadwood. Getting back to being a hungry, competitive, team, with a confident, responsible, attacking mentality.
The structure of the footballing side of the club is well and truly sorted.
Ole gets hold of his role and starts acting with vision, imagination and authority.
I'm not really worried about trophies. CL would be great, but if it takes another Europa Cup year, we'll take it.
The structure of the footballing side of the club is well and truly sorted.
Ole gets hold of his role and starts acting with vision, imagination and authority.
I'm not really worried about trophies. CL would be great, but if it takes another Europa Cup year, we'll take it.
Totally depends on recruitment - and who we sell...
If we lose Pogba and de Gea and recruit lower league youngsters, coupled with the fact we have a manager who's realistically at Championship / League 1 level, then minimum should be a top 10 finish I guess.
Obviously with Utd's resources that's utterly ridiculous - but yeah...
If we lose Pogba and de Gea and recruit lower league youngsters, coupled with the fact we have a manager who's realistically at Championship / League 1 level, then minimum should be a top 10 finish I guess.
Obviously with Utd's resources that's utterly ridiculous - but yeah...
It is not that difficult. If we outspend most other teams, purchase the right players and have a competent manager that plays attractive football, we will be challenging for the title.
Chelsea and Arsenal will be in a worse situation than us, so even the most incompetent manager can finish on top of them with our resources. Which basically means top four unless leceister under Brendan Rogers make a strong push for top four.
Director of football hired.
Club structure fixed.
Sanchez, Mata, Rojo, Jones gone.
DDG, Pogba, Rashford resigned or sold.
Once we do that we can start thinking about results.
Club structure fixed.
Sanchez, Mata, Rojo, Jones gone.
DDG, Pogba, Rashford resigned or sold.
Once we do that we can start thinking about results.
Europa League title. Let's start a dynasty!