Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 2021/22 Discussion

[El Zoido]

Haha, good one.

So the next time our midfield is getting overrun because we never bought anyone in for that position, you’re going to stick the boot in on Ole?

Who am I kidding, this is exactly what’ll happen. We’ll cycle through another 10 managers and nothing will change, it’ll always be the manager that gets it in the neck.

 

[Tom Van Persie]

Yes, this is what good managers tend to do. There is a real naivety in terms of believing things need to be carried out in the press, or indeed that the press is telling the truth or that clubs will be open and honest with the press. Very odd.

SAF told the press for years that there was no value in the market because he never wanted to bad mouth the club in public. Now people want Ole who learned just about everything from SAF to resign and walk away because we missed out on a few players.

 

[NinjaFletch]

So the next time our midfield is getting overrun because we never bought anyone in for that position, you’re going to stick the boot in on Ole?

Who am I kidding, this is exactly what’ll happen. We’ll cycle through another 10 managers and nothing will change, it’ll always be the manager that gets it in the neck.

I won't, but plenty will. You only have to look at the number of people trying to delude themselves that everything is fine. We've got a fanbase of goldfish, they'll call for the managers head and be happy when they get it.

 

[SAFMUTD]

I used to think he’ll be gone by december, but he is Mr. Yes to Woodward and the Glazzers, he has just adapted to all the shit this summer that is now hard to remember all the recklessness he showed/said at first. “I will succeed here and not all the players will be a part of that” “the survival of the fittest” etc.

I think he will complete the season, he is loved by the fans so that eases the pressure for the board even though we have a shitty season again.

I think top 4 is highly unlikely and we will lose 25% of the adidas deal and Pogba for sure next summer, there’s no way he will stand for another season after missing two UCL in a row.

So we’ll be in an ever tougher situation and will be harder to get top players and coaches.

Sadly I think we are signing the final debacle of this club right now.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

There has been an outright failure to improve the squad by the chief executive which clearly limits the manager's ability to deliver success.

Therefore what is the minimum we can now expect of Solskjaer as manager before we could consider him to be underachieving regardless of Woodward's own ineptitude?

I'm pretty sure this transfer window has sealed Ole's fate: gone this time next year

Ole's in a win win situation, he get's us to top 4 and in CL, maybe win a trophy and he's excelled, finish outside top 4 or even top 6 and then you can blame the backing. Let's be honest he's walked in to a crock of sh*t, average players on extortionate wages, Sanchez contract smashes our wage structure, no DoF, we've offered Rashford £300k per week, a player who only scored 10 league goals last year

By Christmas possibly. This team simply will not compete on any level.

Hang on there - this is still a very good team if coached right...

--------------------DDG--------------------
AWB------Smalling----Maguire-------Shaw
---------McTom--------------Matic---------
--------------------Pogba--------------------
-----Rashford------------------James-------
-------------------Martial--------------------

If those 11 players are mainly fit - a good coach is getting some very good football out of that team, and some solid results.

Ole still has a great, great opportunity, and is very fortunate to be here as a manager!

 

[LVGWay]

If he had anything about him he’d resign, keep his United legacy intact. The thing is he’s greedy, he knows he’ll never get wages like at United anywhere else, so he’s willing to be a yes man for his own personal wealth

 

[rotherham_red]

Can we please ban newbies from this thread? Some utter fecking drivel being spewed at the moment...

 

[Dve]

Can we please ban newbies from this thread? Some utter fecking drivel being spewed at the moment...

Then please first have me promoted

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

I feel for Ole. He's obviously Manchester United through and through, got his dream job and was probably fed the usual tripe about how we'll get all these new players and we've weakened two areas without adding and haven't even touched 100m net. Realistically if we come 4th it will be a HUGE achievement as we could very easily come 8th or 9th with how poor our last two summers have been.

 

[el3mel]

First 2 matches will determine the mood of the season. Less than 4 points and I'm not looking forward to the rest of it.

 

[fps]

First 2 matches will determine the mood of the season. Less than 4 points and I'm not looking forward to the rest of it.

Yes I'm unusually nervous about the first 2 matches, they really could set a tone of a recovery season or utter despondency.

 

[R'hllor]

Ole's not going throw his toys out of the pram and walk away from his dream job just because he didn't get as many players as he was promised. He watched SAF get the best out of his players for years and that's exactly what he's going to try to do this season.

Well its more than just throwing toys out of pram but i wouldnt expect him to walk away regardless even if he really would like to.

 

[Steven-UK]

Can we please ban newbies from this thread? Some utter fecking drivel being spewed at the moment...

The may think that about your comments, and 'newbie' on this forum does not always mean new as a fan. I have read some about nonsense from 'established' members with thousands of posts on Redcafe.

 

[wolvored]

It would bother our sponsors coupled with the fact that we’re already in the mess they may just decide to cash in and put all of our shares on the stock exchange.

Let's hope your right

 

[mav_9me]

Hang on there - this is still a very good team if coached right...

--------------------DDG--------------------
AWB------Smalling----Maguire-------Shaw
---------McTom--------------Matic---------
--------------------Pogba--------------------
-----Rashford------------------James-------
-------------------Martial--------------------

If those 11 players are mainly fit - a good coach is getting some very good football out of that team, and some solid results.

Ole still has a great, great opportunity, and is very fortunate to be here as a manager!

Yes that might be a good first eleven, with exception of Matic but that's fine. What do you think about the rest of the squad? Do you think the squad is good enough to get top 4? How much creativity is really there? Othe than Pogba/ Rashford and Martial who are both inconsistent at best who can we expect goals and assists from?

 

[owlo]

To me, the majority of blame lies with OGS for this transfer window. I think he's done worse than Moyes did.

Ushering out Fellaini, letting Herrera go, Getting rid of Lukaku, renewing Mata and Jones [and possibly Martial], these are all 100% on him. He's let useful players go without replacing them, and resigned useless ones.

As are his transfer priorities.

One by one:

Fellaini whilst not a world beater was a useful player, and certainly gave more for the shirt than others. Yet OGS unceremoniously dumped him to lay down the law and show he was his own man. He's not a world beater, but as an AM/2nd Striker, he'd have done far better than Mata or Lingard, as well as providing midfield cover.

Herrera, if you don't intend to replace, give him the wage you've asked for. Especially after getting rid of Fellaini and question marks over Pogba's future. He's left our midfield so threadbare that it's nothing short of criminal.

Mata and Jones: Useless players. Renew them and they take up a squad spot. Also tells the board that we have players for those positions, and they aren't a priority to replace.

Lukaku: I think he needed to go, but not having a replacement is again criminal. Putting pressure on kids like Greenwood to perform is Mourinho level cnutishness, and suddenly expecting Martial and Rashford to be consistently good is like playing the lottery with our season.

Signing a right back: Good, we needed one.

Signing a centre back: ???? We have about 5. Perhaps they aren't good enough, but no centre back ever will be given the gaping hole in our midfield. If you expose the defence, they will concede.

Daniel James: ??? I guess a cheap punt, but should be nowhere near the first team or counted on for the season.

Overall, he's weakened our squad. Badly. He's lucky that we have McTominay, Greenwood, and Gomes breaking through, but is being cruel and mismanaging them by relying on them.

 

[wolvored]

Where do people draw the line when it comes to Solskjaer's and Woodward's respective level of accountability?

There has been an outright failure to improve the squad by the chief executive which clearly limits the manager's ability to deliver success.

Therefore what is the minimum we can now expect of Solskjaer as manager before we could consider him to be underachieving regardless of Woodward's own ineptitude?

He will get a bye this season if we finish outside top 4 but with an identity and playing style. Think next season will be the one where we will be expected to make a go of winning it. If we finish top 4 we will be after the Sancho's and probably get them. All the young players will have either come up to scratch or fall by the wayside. I'm feeling hopeful of a decent season. With some good games and a top 4 finish, maybe a cup as well.

 

[MadMike]

To me, the majority of blame lies with OGS for this transfer window. I think he's done worse than Moyes did.

Ushering out Fellaini, letting Herrera go, Getting rid of Lukaku, renewing Mata and Jones [and possibly Martial], these are all 100% on him. He's let useful players go without replacing them, and resigned useless ones.

As are his transfer priorities.

One by one:

Fellaini whilst not a world beater was a useful player, and certainly gave more for the shirt than others. Yet OGS unceremoniously dumped him to lay down the law and show he was his own man. He's not a world beater, but as an AM/2nd Striker, he'd have done far better than Mata or Lingard, as well as providing midfield cover.

Herrera, if you don't intend to replace, give him the wage you've asked for. Especially after getting rid of Fellaini and question marks over Pogba's future. He's left our midfield so threadbare that it's nothing short of criminal.

Mata and Jones: Useless players. Renew them and they take up a squad spot. Also tells the board that we have players for those positions, and they aren't a priority to replace.

Lukaku: I think he needed to go, but not having a replacement is again criminal. Putting pressure on kids like Greenwood to perform is Mourinho level cnutishness, and suddenly expecting Martial and Rashford to be consistently good is like playing the lottery with our season.

Signing a right back: Good, we needed one.

Signing a centre back: ???? We have about 5. Perhaps they aren't good enough, but no centre back ever will be given the gaping hole in our midfield. If you expose the defence, they will concede.

Daniel James: ??? I guess a cheap punt, but should be nowhere near the first team or counted on for the season.

Overall, he's weakened our squad. Badly. He's lucky that we have McTominay, Greenwood, and Gomes breaking through, but is being cruel and mismanaging them by relying on them.

To me, you don't know what you're talking about. Even Mourinho couldn't get his way over Ed on the transfers. What, other than complete delusion, makes you think that the current squad is down to Ole?

 

[Irwin99]

First 2 matches will determine the mood of the season. Less than 4 points and I'm not looking forward to the rest of it.

Been saying this for awhile too. He's got two excellent defenders that will improve us no doubt but he's gonna have to work hard with this squad's attacking and midfield options.

 

[owlo]

To me, you don't know what you're talking about. Even Mourinho couldn't get his way over Ed on the transfers. What, other than complete delusion, makes you think that the current squad is down to Ole?

You think the manager doesn't control outgoings, and those are dictated by the board? Woodward ordered Fellaini, Herrera, and Lukaku out of the club to make some $$ ? Woodward demanded we extend jones and mata?

 

[MrSingh2002]

Ole just killed Pogba off. Pogba now has a genuine reason to leave.

 

[elnorte]

Ole just killed Pogba off. Pogba now has a genuine reason to leave.

Huh?

 

[Rhyme Animal]

Yes that might be a good first eleven, with exception of Matic but that's fine. What do you think about the rest of the squad? Do you think the squad is good enough to get top 4? How much creativity is really there? Othe than Pogba/ Rashford and Martial who are both inconsistent at best who can we expect goals and assists from?

Ole gave Rashford a new (massive) contract, he also gave Mata an extension... Rom has left on his watch also...

Goals are up to Ole to get from the players he's backed and given contracts to.

Coached well and with correct tactics, Rashford, Pogba, Martial, Greenwood, Lingard, James, Mata is enough goal options to create something coherent.

 

[MrSingh2002]

Huh?

Who would want to play in this midfield?

Who would want to play in Uniteds midfield of last season minus Herrera and Fellaini?

 

[MadMike]

You think the manager doesn't control outgoings, and those are dictated by the board? Woodward ordered Fellaini, Herrera, and Lukaku out of the club to make some $$ ? Woodward demanded we extend jones and mata?

I don't think the manager doesn't control outgoings. I know the manager doesn't control outgoings. It requires an offer from a team that meets the board's valuation. It's been clear that Darmian has been marked by football management as surplus to requirements couple of years ago, only to remain here because noone made an offer that satisfies the board.

Have you been living in a cave?

 

[owlo]

I don't think the manager doesn't control outgoings. I know the manager doesn't control outgoings. It requires an offer from a team that meets the board's valuation. It's been clear that Darmian has been marked by football management as surplus to requirements couple of years ago, only to remain here because noone made an offer that satisfies the board.

Have you been living in a cave?

Not only are you being intentionally pedantic and irrelevant, you're being patronising along the way.

Good day to you.

 

[MadMike]

Not only are you being intentionally pedantic and irrelevant, you're being patronising along the way.

Good day to you.

Take care pal

 

[Amarsdd]

Who would want to play in this midfield?

Who would want to play in Uniteds midfield of last season minus Herrera and Fellaini?

what the feck are you on about?! seriously some of you lot are like cry babies when there isn't a shiny new toy every other day

 

[Kush]

First 2 matches will determine the mood of the season. Less than 4 points and I'm not looking forward to the rest of it.

Those expectations are not realistic, we are playing against two strong teams early on with either bunch of past it geriatrics in the XI or kids making their PL debut.

To me, you don't know what you're talking about. Even Mourinho couldn't get his way over Ed on the transfers. What, other than complete delusion, makes you think that the current squad is down to Ole?

No manager will ever fully get what they desire, even Pep or Jose. But Ole has been putting his stamp on what kind of team he wants to build.

Fellaini was binned immediately even though he's miles better than Matic, Fred and Pereira. Lukaku was marginalised straight away as Rashford was the designated CF during his regime. We've been linked with one solitary midfielder all summer i.e. Longstaff and he's a DM. He wouldn't solve creative issues in the side. We've been linked with absolutely no goalscorers all summer long save for some obscure links to Ben Yedder (potential Lukaku replacement) in early July. Jones, Young, Mata and Pereira have all been handed extensions in last few months under his reign. The midfield and attack was never a big priority for Ole this summer given the recruitment, contract extension and links.

He's placing too much faith in the kids, who knows how it'll pan out? Few of us have a good idea where this is all heading but plenty on here would jump straight at our throats if it was all laid out bare.

 

[Irwin99]

To me, you don't know what you're talking about. Even Mourinho couldn't get his way over Ed on the transfers. What, other than complete delusion, makes you think that the current squad is down to Ole?

I second this. EVERY manager since Fergie has complained about Ed and not being able to get the players they want but we've dismissed it as sour grapes from failed managers. It is time to admit there is some truth in accusations from LVG, Jose and even Moyes. I mean for fecks sake, the guy bid for 20 million double deal for Fellaini and Baines in his first season and then bought Fellaini AFTER his release clause had expired for five million more. If that's not a sign of incompetence I don't know what is.

 

[podurban2]

Huh?

He will want to leave when he realises (or already has realised) that the club’s ambition is void.

 

[John Johnson]

Starting to look like a spineless yes-man. He can't be happy with this window. If he is, he's completely clueless and we're fecked anyway
I don't expect him to be in charge in January

 

[mav_9me]

Ole gave Rashford a new (massive) contract, he also gave Mata an extension... Rom has left on his watch also...

Goals are up to Ole to get from the players he's backed and given contracts to.

Coached well and with correct tactics, Rashford, Pogba, Martial, Greenwood, Lingard, James, Mata is enough goal options to create something coherent.

That's a big if obviously.

But even then I am more concerned about the service from midfield. Other than Pogba who can provide anything?

 

[Andycoleno9]

He talks so much about Fergie and Fergie's way. Shame that he didn't adopt one thing from Fergie; you must have goal maschine in attack! Fergie tolerated also dross on some positions but striker was his no1 priority

 

[RonaldoVII]

Woodward has basically hung him out to dry like he did with Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho. They can't all be wrong. The difference this time is that the real fans won't turn on Ole, and most inside OT hadn't even turned on Jose.

Are half the people in here seriously thinking Ole's happy with the deals that Woodward has made this summer, or that Ole is the one who has been making them? Regardless of what he says publically, he can't be happy. He won't come out and slate Ed as that's what Jose did and everyone complained about his negativity.

 

[NinjaFletch]

Ole gave Rashford a new (massive) contract, he also gave Mata an extension... Rom has left on his watch also...

Goals are up to Ole to get from the players he's backed and given contracts to.

Coached well and with correct tactics, Rashford, Pogba, Martial, Greenwood, Lingard, James, Mata is enough goal options to create something coherent.

And if it's not?

Because this is my worry. We've gambled massively, and we've put a huge amount of pressure on a forward line (including Sanchez and Mata) with an average age of 23. Let's say that gamble doesn't pay off and the kids aren't ready for the massive amount of expectations the club has now created for them, what then? We'll have a bad season, obviously, but in the long term I imagine the vitriol that will be directed their way by some of our resident goldfishes we'll do them more harm than good.

There's only one player in that list you could realistically say is entering their prime, and that's Jesse Lingard. Anyone that actually has expectations (rather than, say, hope) that they're ready risks being let down badly.

 

[arthurka]

Ole just killed Pogba off. Pogba now has a genuine reason to leave.

What? How is this mess on him?

 

[Tincanalley]

Great player, great smile. Swansea, Molde. Better than Mou? Moo. But deserves a chance, deserves better support than Ed and Glazerscum will give.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

The excuses will start at the press conference tomorrow

 

[Robboadam31]

Feels like the 2010 transfer window.

Can’t remember where we were in May 2011 though?