Solskjær press conference vs Chelsea (H)

[Seven Seas Sardines]

I'm as #GlazersOut and annoyed by the window as the next fan, but can we just take a breather from all the negativity? Just support Ole and the players until after the Chelsea game, and then you can go at it again!

Let's focus on these positives this weekend:

• We've got a new exciting defence
• We press higher and play quicker
• Team morale much improved on last season
• McTominay, Fred and Pereira will get better
• Rashford and Martial striking duo will get the best out of both of them
• Greenwood, Gomes, Chong, Garner to break through during the season
• Chelsea is in a worse position than us, also without Rudiger, CHO, RLC and possibly Kante

 

[LeftyBlaster]

If this season goes south, I hope we all back Ole and boo the owners and Ed.

 

[Bestietom]

It's not Ole's fault it's Woodward.
If we had moved in straight away for Longstaff, we could have got him for 20million. We hung around too long and next year he will cost 70/80 million.
He knew the price that leicester were demanding for Maguire and it took 2 months messing around, before he eventually had to pay the price.
The 2 priority signings never came about ( midfielder and striker) and this could be the cause of us not getting top 4 place.
A DOF needs to take over the transfer dealings from Woodward and the 60+ scouts need to be sacked.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yeah you are right, this year he could score 6 goals. Considering that the previous "great" season he had, he scored something like 1 goal from January the 2nd till the end of that season, I'm not very optimistic.

Whatever. Ole just said he’d score more than 4 league goals this season. Which is a reasonable assumption that you - for some reason - find hilarious.

 

[Garethw]

Good conference from Solskjaer. Hopefully this stops the nonsense that he hasn't been backed when he clearly has.

I also liked him saying that Greenwood is going to play 'a lot'. And that he called Sanchez a striker.

But he hasn’t been backed. There are glaring holes in the squad that should have been filled.

Expecting Pereira (a winger by trade) and Fred (a flop) to replace Herrera when we were already short of quality before he left on a free is incompetency of the highest order.

If Ole honestly didn’t want a replacement and Ed and the board backed that decision then he will have no one but himself to blame when he’s sacked. But I don’t believe that for one minute. They’ve fecked him over.

 

[Kush]

What is so funny about that? He was absolute shit last season, like most of our squad as well. He was still better than anyone and as someone pointed out only Pogba scored one more goal while taking penalties.

Shit happens at Manchester United football club for the last 6 years pal, and that "good job" matchgoing fans you point out is part of the problem. There were also lots of them who booed and are unhappy with the way the club is being run. The club is horribly run from top to bottom, fans like you who always find a way to spin shit and tell how it could be better or worse are a much bigger problem than fans who actually are worried and are asking question of a management that is destroying a powerhouse like Manchester United/

Since you're in Macedonia and probably never set a foot in Manchester means you're not as good as a fan as top reds. His entire post history is full of sanctimonious bullshit, don't bother engaging.

 

[Kostov]

Since you're in Macedonia and probably never set a foot in Manchester means you're not as good as a fan as top reds. His entire post history is full of sanctimonious bullshit, don't bother engaging.

I will keep that in mind, thanks.

 

[rotherham_red]

What is so funny about that? He was absolute shit last season, like most of our squad as well. He was still better than anyone and as someone pointed out only Pogba scored one more goal while taking penalties.

Shit happens at Manchester United football club for the last 6 years pal, and that "good job" matchgoing fans you point out is part of the problem. There were also lots of them who booed and are unhappy with the way the club is being run. The club is horribly run from top to bottom, fans like you who always find a way to spin shit and tell how it could be better or worse are a much bigger problem than fans who actually are worried and are asking question of a management that is destroying a powerhouse like Manchester United/

Lukaku had the attack built around him, to the detriment of his teammates. If you can't see that a systemic change which emphasises the collective over the individual means that keeping a Lukaku who a) doesn't fit; and b) didn't want to be here, would have been counterproductive, then I don't know what else to say.

I'm not even going to get in to the second point, lest I say something which gets me banned.

 

[settembrini]

what makes you think he's been backed?

1. The £145m he has spent on players. All of whom were seemingly his first choice and decided upon very early.
2. Him saying he's delighted with our transfers and happy with the squad.

 

[Santoryo]

This place is quite something. Same place that incessantly moaned last year around this time about Mourinho throwing his players under the bus and taking his beef with the board public yet this very same place is now busy complaining about Ole's more diplomatic approach to things and calling him a useless yes man.

Some people need to get a grip.

 

[Tom Cato]

I was hoping he might at least admit that he was a bit disappointed that we didn't get any more of his targets and also didn't replace Lukaku - I think the fans would have felt a bit better about the situation had he been honest and not just pretended like everything went as planned when it clearly didn't. I can imagine a lot now feel worse, thinking that us being bullied in the market is something our manager and club is okay with.

Talking down on his players is not something any manager should do publicly, especially since our pre-season was actually very good.

Part of his job, especially during these press conferences is to excude positivity and ambition for the squad, especially on the cusp of a new season. Obviously no one here has any idea what happens when Ed and Ole speaks, but since they are both human beings (as far as we can tell), its probably a mix between friendly banter, serious discussion and arguments, like everyone else has.

We know that the club targeted Sean Longstaff and Paulo Dybala. Longstaff got priced too high by Newcastle, and Dybala was never happening due to the image rights I've mentioned in previous posts.

Other than that the club has a megatalent emerging in Mason Greenwood. The club is on a long-term restructure project. They are not going to buy megastar rentals that won't want to be here for the long haul. The want Jadon Sancho next year assuming we qualify for CL, and they will pay out big to get their man.

 

[JJ12]

Creative bunch.

One way of looking at it I guess

 

[Seven Seas Sardines]

They always are!

Bit confused re Sanchez. He says we signed no one to give Greenwood more chances, but is now saying Sanchez is seen as a striker?

Martial - Rashford
Sanchez - Greenwood
Lingard/Mata - James/Gomes

This is how I'm guessing Ole sees the partnership hierarchy whenever we play two up top. Greenwood will surely play as RW whenever we have three attackers.

If we play 4-2-3-1 and both Rashy and Martial are out, this would be decent:

Sanchez
James Gomes Greenwood​

 

[momo83]

No. We’ve won 5 major trophies under Sir Alex by that time.

Levels.

Exactly. This trying to put Solskjaer in the same breath as SAF is a joke.
1) (as you said) SAF had already won major trophies before selling off several key players of a league winning team to let “kids” replace them.
2) It was planned, probably for a few years in advance that those kids would be the future.
3) SAF didn’t just come in and play any random kids... class of 92 happened 5 years after he arrived. Let’s be honest, look at how many academy kids have been hyped in the past vs how many actually made it as essential first team starters.

I honestly feel like Solskjaer is using fans nostalgia and trying to get people to make the SAF comparison in order to compensate for his 10 year mediocre record as a manager and get support. Basically the man is living off of SAF reputation and what SAF did trying to make people think he’s SAF 2.0.

 

[settembrini]

But he hasn’t been backed. There are glaring holes in the squad that should have been filled.

Expecting Pereira (a winger by trade) and Fred (a flop) to replace Herrera when we were already short of quality before he left on a free is incompetency of the highest order.

If Ole honestly didn’t want a replacement and Ed and the board backed that decision then he will have no one but himself to blame when he’s sacked. But I don’t believe that for one minute. They’ve fecked him over.

Pereira isn't a winger by trade and Solskjaer has specifically talked about him (and McTominay) replacing Herrera.

If you think Solskjaer is wrong about this then fine and perhaps you are right but to think Solskjaer is unhappy with our transfers/current squad you have to a) ignore everything he is saying and b) believe he is an idiot who is willingly putting his job and reputation on the line just to protect Woodward and the board.

 

[Chris-Red]

This place!

Mourinho moaned about players and most people complained he was too negative. Now they want Solskjaer to do the same. His job is to motivate players. As others have pointed out, if he starts moaning now right before the season, things will not end well. We're playing a different style this season so lets give them a chance, not like we have a choice now! The new system may bring out the best in a number of players who have been poor in recent seasons.

With regards to signing a forward, there would always be some fans unhappy...

1) Rumours about our interest in a new forward who would be a starter : "But that will hinder Greenwoods development and he will leave", See point 2.

2) Rumours about our interest in a backup forward, like Mandzukic : "Too old, we need a younger more prolific forward", See point 1 (oops we're in a loop!!)

3) Start the season having no forward brought in : "We cannot go into the season relying on a 17 year old!!"

 

[FootyGirl88]

Martial - Rashford
Sanchez - Greenwood
Lingard/Mata - James/Gomes

This is how I'm guessing Ole sees the partnership hierarchy whenever we play two up top. Greenwood will surely play as RW whenever we have three attackers.

If we play 4-2-3-1 and both Rashy and Martial are out, this would be decent:

Sanchez
James Gomes Greenwood​

Could do this for cup games x

 

[buckooo1978]

1. The £145m he has spent on players. All of whom were seemingly his first choice and decided upon very early.
2. Him saying he's delighted with our transfers and happy with the squad.

did he say number 2 then?

He clearly hasn't been backed. Had we employed a technical director who helped identify targets further than London he would have been backed. Had we addressed long standing issues (no RW, No DCM) he would have been backed. Had we replaced Herrera/Fellaini he would have been backed.
75m net is disgraceful for a club like us in the situation we are in. Had we scouted properly I'm sure we could have identified players to improve us. Tierney would have improved us for example.

He clearly hasn't been backed

 

[Krits]

This place is quite something. Same place that incessantly moaned last year around this time about Mourinho throwing his players under the bus and taking his beef with the board public yet this very same place is now busy complaining about Ole's more diplomatic approach to things and calling him a useless yes man.

Some people need to get a grip.

I think it's time to accept that people here will never be happy. I've been a lurker here since 2008 and people were complaining back then too. Not as much, obviously but they were still just as insecure about Madrid/Barca. People love to moan. I think its unhealthy, but maybe others do not. Each to their own.

I'm looking forward to this season as I do every season cause if you don't start with hope, what's the point? Lets hope some of these players can make me love them over the season. I have a feeling I'll have great affection for Mctominay and AWB by the end of the season. Hopefully the rest also perform well.

 

[TrustInOle]

I believe this first interview was very telling, and hints towards Ole pushing the club towards the standards that should never have been lowered.

Too long have players seen United as a paycheck and a Jump to another club. When he mentions about not expecting the responses from players who wanted to come here, i truly believe it is a slight jab towards players asking for high wages, bonueses and agents fees.

I would much rather have a transfer policy that helps bring that strong winning mentality back, and Ole's was sounds more and more like he might do that. Along with his expectations being surpassed from the kids like Greenwood and Gomes, he seems happy.

Just a choice of phase from Ole's mouth 'signing a striker would have stunted Masons development'....... I think says alot about the confidence he will push onto the kids.

So instead of the doom and gloom, cant we all be appreciative towards the fact, we have one of, if not the best defense in the league, and the most promising frontline out there. I feel alot will be proved wrong this season.

 

[Cypriot]

Part of his job, especially during these press conferences is to excude positivity and ambition for the squad, especially on the cusp of a new season. Obviously no one here has any idea what happens when Ed and Ole speaks, but since they are both human beings (as far as we can tell), its probably a mix between friendly banter, serious discussion and arguments, like everyone else has.

We know that the club targeted Sean Longstaff and Paulo Dybala. Longstaff got priced too high by Newcastle, and Dybala was never happening due to the image rights I've mentioned in previous posts.

Other than that the club has a megatalent emerging in Mason Greenwood. The club is on a long-term restructure project. They are not going to buy megastar rentals that won't want to be here for the long haul. The want Jadon Sancho next year assuming we qualify for CL, and they will pay out big to get their man.

I am excited about our youngsters, especially Greenwood and Gomes, which in truth is why I'm not that bothered about Lukaku not being replaced. However the midfield needed bodies, and they didn't have to be world class, superstar signings either. Decent, technically good players will have given us more security this season. I think if Pogba gets injured again, we are in big trouble. As for the Sancho, I don't see him coming if we don't make top 4 this season. He will have his pick of all the elite clubs of Europe.

I do realize that Ole can't challenge the board so early into his tenure but perhaps not being insistent enough could end up costing him his job this season. Obviously I hope that I'm wrong and we over perform, but I am struggling to be very optimistic at this point. Maybe the lads will help me out with a win on Sunday!

 

[TRUERED89]

Jesus, what do you want him to do?

Stand on the desk, drop his trousers, whip off his green and gold underpants, revealing his cock, on which he's tattooed "GLAZERS OUT"

Get a fecking grip.

EXACTLY, FECK SAKE! Blame Ed not him!

 

[Kostov]

Lukaku had the attack built around him, to the detriment of his teammates. If you can't see that a systemic change which emphasises the collective over the individual means that keeping a Lukaku who a) doesn't fit; and b) didn't want to be here, would have been counterproductive, then I don't know what else to say.

I'm not even going to get in to the second point, lest I say something which gets me banned.

So Lukaku had the attack built around him so he benefited from that, to the detriment of his teammates. When Rashford played as the main attacker I guess the plays was centered around him? He scored 3 goals from February till the end of the season I guess that was still Lukaku's fault since the team was built around him?

EDIT: And feel free to get into that second point, we all might benefit from the outcome after all.

 

[Tomuś]

Chelsea is always a 50/50 game anyway. Losing to them is no disgrace.

As long as I can see cohesion and an actual playing style then I’ll be happy. Basically something that gives me hope that Ole knows what he’s doing.

If we continue where we left off at the end of last season, where we didn’t even look like we were being managed and just looked like 11 individuals rather than a team, then I will have a full on meltdown.

That would be the bare minimum, yes. No excuses, he's had enough time to implement his ideas now and the pitch on Sunday will have verified that. Drawing instead of winning here and there can be explained by not enough quality, style not so much.

 

[Ban]

One way of looking at it I guess

I'd use a different term if it didn't get me banned.

 

[Member 90887]

What the hell is happening to people in here? Can you just like, give him time.

Look at the positives instead of moaning!

What's with the stupidity of "he's a yes man, he should have revolted", what would have that achieved? We saw Jose last year. He has the squad that he has, there's no point moaning now.

Not getting a replacement for Lukaku, who was barely playing anyway during Ole's first six months, is a great opportunity for Mason, I for one would love to see him given an opportunity to shine. It looks like Ole is planning to do the same.

No replacement for Herrera? We already have one in Fred that didn't play much the second part of the season last year, there's talent there, Jose and Pep wanted him, let's see how he does.

We have an excellent Gk, an excellent defense, a very good midfield. And a young exciting attack.

Enjoy people and stop moaning.

 

[Red00012]

He's not going to say he's unhappy with the squad two days before our first match is he?

If he said he was unhappy , the same people would be on here saying he’s wrong to say that. You can’t win.

 

[TRUERED89]

How can Ole speak when his mouth is full of Woody’s sausage?

Tell us what he should do then? Mr Sausage

 

[settembrini]

did he say number 2 then?

He clearly hasn't been backed. Had we employed a technical director who helped identify targets further than London he would have been backed. Had we addressed long standing issues (no RW, No DCM) he would have been backed. Had we replaced Herrera/Fellaini he would have been backed.
75m net is disgraceful for a club like us in the situation we are in. Had we scouted properly I'm sure we could have identified players to improve us. Tierney would have improved us for example.

He clearly hasn't been backed

There are always going to be fans out there wanting to sign players that's part and parcel of being here, the players are here now and have been shown that trust and we believe in them.

I think when the transfer window closes it's a great feeling of relief now it's done now we know we're looking forward with and I'm delighted with the three we've signed.

He believes in our current players and is delighted with our signings.

Your complaints are things that you wanted to see United do. You are just assuming they are what Soslkjaer wanted as well when they clearly aren't.

 

[buckooo1978]

it was always going to be a poor/ok window when you dont have the structures in place to make it a good/great window. This was never going to be a quick fix but I find it really disappointing that all our purchases and interest it seems were players in the English league/English players

it's all well and good only looking for players with the right attitude, mentality and ability - I agree with this obviously

are we to believe that there were no players in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal or wherever who met the criteria - ridiculous

 

[Tomuś]

It would be nice to stop all the negativity on here, too. We are where we are, the window was poor but give the lads support and see how it goes. Can't change anything.

 

[fps]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Someone needs to point this out to Ole.

Think he addressed this - didn't he say it would be clear from his team selections who was *part of it* and who wasn't?

 

[Eckers99]

It's only a year since we saw how a negative presser can set the tone for a miserable season, yet here some of you are, criticising Ole for being positive.

Seriously, what do you all actually want?!

 

[Sultan]

Time for analysing transfers has passed its due date.

If you're a fan and can't enjoy watching United you're wasting time. Choose another pastime.

 

[Sultan]

Great posts @Big Andy

 

[Woodzy]

I hope we fecking get a result on Sunday. I’ve now convinced myself that there are some positives going into the season after yesterday’s meltdown, just hope we can prove it on the pitch.

It’s all about Greenwood really. Could be the big story of our season.

 

[podurban2]

Time for analysing transfers has passed its due date.

If you're a fan and can't enjoy watching United you're wasting time. Choose another pastime.

While I do agree that we have to look forward and stop moaning, people said ”wait until the transfer window is over then we can assess it”. So at what point in time are people allowed to vent their frustrations with the business side of the club and its board?

 

[buckooo1978]

He believes in our current players and is delighted with our signings.

Your complaints are things that you wanted to see United do. You are just assuming they are what Soslkjaer wanted as well when they clearly aren't.

so you think Solskjaer got exactly what he wanted? he's obviously being positive as theres nothing he can do now

I think Solskjaer has been hampered by the structures - see my previous post.

unless you believe going into the season with a useless Matic as our only DM is what he wanted? or at 17 Greenwood is ready to play 30 games plus if we get an injury in that frontline

 

[Red00012]

Was there any team news ?
I guess everyone is available except Bailly ? Sanchez mightn’t be 100% either but will have to be put on the bench.

 

[Infra-red]

It's not in Solskjaer's nature to moan and complain. It's just not who he is. He's also not an idiot and he'll therefore be well aware of what an enormous challenge getting this squad of players to have a successful season will be.