Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 2021/22 Discussion

[In Rainbows]

Okay so back to Solskjaer. What is our philosophy? It’s a long term project. What are we building exactly. You told me LVG played the Barcelona way.. so why did he get sacked? They replaced him with Rijkaard who plays completely different to LVG than to Pep. They had a board meeting thinking signing Ballack was a great idea. The point on Beckham wasn’t what I was making but to bring it to your point he’s not a Barcelona player of today.. Pedro is nowhere near the same player as Becks.

You have me confused with someone else I think. I only corrected you in regards to Barca clearly having parameters in regards to their managerial hirings. United don't. LVG was hired because he fit their parameters, and then sacked because he wasn't getting the results. Which is what we should be doing. However, we don't have anything beyond playing the youth which is why we have hired LVG and then Mourinho. A lot of our fans want us to just give a certain number of years to any manager we hire, regardless of whether they fit the club or not.

I'm pretty much in agreement with you apart from that minor correction. We can't just stick to Ole based on some loony idea that he'll have a chance of coming good. We stick to a manager that fits us and proves that on the pitch. If that manager then fails, we sack him, but our managerial hiring process should look for the same qualities that fit us.

Barca's board is crap as well, they're only slightly more competent than ours because they at least have parameters that shouldn't be compromised.

 

[Castia]

He is over the top of course, but a lot of what he said was right.

Makes a few good points but can’t take him serious when he wants Darmian, Smalling, Fellaini and Lukaku in the team whilst praising Mata he’s the ultimate hipster just going against the grain.

 

[passing-wind]

Either the team doesn't want to play for him or he cannot actually coach a team. Or both. I can't see another explanation.

It's that simple.

 

[Beachryan]

I still have no idea what our 'style' is, or what the attacking philosophy is.

Neither do the players.

That has to be down to coaching.

 

[shahzy]

I dont believe in this coaching crap..

So you dont see how Guardiola implements his style on every team he has been on so far? Is that not coaching? He makes players look better than they are individually which is what the coach is paid to do. Creating a system that makes the players better than their sum. You think klopp has fantastic individual players in his midfield or has he devised a way to play that makes them look a lot better than they are individually? That's coaching.

That's not to disregard your point about better players play better football. But a good coach makes those players play even better than that, or makes lesser players play up to a higher standard.

 

[Castia]

The worry I have now is even if Ole got a squad together with 4-5 more signings can he get us playing? The tactics are non-existent. I’d love to know what they do in training because we constantly look like a team of strangers.

It’s gone tits up hasn’t it. They gave him the contract too early, he wouldn’t be in the job if they waited until the summer.

 

[He'sRaldo]

Ole may or may not be good enough, but it's clear right now the major problem is our players, especially our attackers, aren't good enough to play against teams which park the bus.


Our attackers can't dribble or hold off defenders, hence Dan James being our best attacker thus far (although I'm guessing teams will soon put 2 on him and nullify him). They have poor touch and thus don't operate well in tight spaces, and they also have poor movement and thus don't react to potential chances.


Our midfielders can't tackle and aren't very mobile, so are often reluctant to play incisive dangerous passes with numbers forward, for fear of losing the ball. Compounding the issue is the aforementioned poor touch of our attackers.


Lastly, our defenders find it hard to defend counterattacks, with the possible exception of Tuanzebe, and all the players know this and thus play with fear.


I think the tactics, while lackluster, have provided a decent enough platform to score more than 1 goal per game. Even if we get rid of the manager, I think we'll still need at least half a team in order to consistently break down buses. Unfortunately, the players are not good enough to break down buses with their skill, and are tasked to do so week in, week out.

 

[bleedred]

Can people stop with this “players are not good enough” non sense. It was a team from league 1 who got thrashed 6-0 the other week.

This is not just a one off, we struggle against every single team to score goals. I agree when people say players are not good enough for title/top 4, but to say that we are not good enough to play better against likes of Astana,Rochdale, palace etc., week in week out is preposterous.

It is an absolutely weak defense of the coach, to say that. Jose got sacked exactly for the same reason. That he could get the players to perform even against the likes of Brighton, palace and derby.

 

[He'sRaldo]

Can people stop with this “players are not good enough” non sense. It was a team from league 1 who got thrashed 6-0 the other week.

In that game, did Rochdale play open or park the bus?

This is not just a one off, we struggle against every single team to score goals. I agree when people say players are not good enough for title/top 4, but to say that we are not good enough to play better against likes of Astana,Rochdale, palace etc., week in week out is preposterous.

The problem is our players don't have the quality to play against parked buses, because things like dribbling, accurate deliveries, first touch, etc are all important and quite a few of our players lack those qualities.

It is an absolutely weak defense of the coach, to say that. Jose got sacked exactly for the same reason. That he could get the players to perform even against the likes of Brighton, palace and derby

I would say it's a reality rather than a defence of the coach. I've complained about the tactics for a while now, but watching the match today, it was so stark how our wingers especially simply couldn't beat their man even 1v1. Our attacking midfielder couldn't recieve the ball and turn with his first touch. It was pure lack of ability I was watching, even though the tactics may have been lacking.

That's why I'm convinced even if we get a good tactical manager, the first thing he'll request is a squad overhaul. We're just not good enough to face parked buses week in, week out.

 

[croadyman]

Still believe Pochettino could be refreshed by the challenge of managing Utd. Have seen enough Football to know that managers generally don't arrest the slide once it starts.

Just cannot see him having the tactical nous to change things when they aren't going well. Have certainly seen no evidence of him being able to do that during his time in charge.

Games against teams with packed defences also feel like a write off because we offer virtually no creativity. Doesn't help that our players don't move off the ball which makes us so easy to defend against.

 

[Hawks2008]

We had an awesome chance after Jose was sacked to properly plan our season. Ole as the interim was fine, and we had 6 months to decide on our transfer target and find the right coach to rebuild us. Then PSG happened and Woody thought he struck oil with Ole.

Such a shame we have wasted yet another season before it's even really gotten going.

 

[Bastian]

The worry I have now is even if Ole got a squad together with 4-5 more signings can he get us playing? The tactics are non-existent. I’d love to know what they do in training because we constantly look like a team of strangers.

It’s gone tits up hasn’t it. They gave him the contract too early, he wouldn’t be in the job if they waited until the summer.

Imagine if there was a behind-the-scenes documentary about United. It would be more tragic than the Sunderland till I die.

 

[croadyman]

He should resign and remain a legend of a player.

Don't see him doing that because think he would see that as just giving up on his dream job.

He should never have been appointed on a permanent basis but it came down to sentiment and the low compensation involved too.

 

[Kopral Jono]

He's off his head, but I agree with him on the Lukaku > Rashford point one hundred and fifty million percent. I've been saying it all along.

 

[bleedred]

In that game, did Rochdale play open or park the bus?

The problem is our players don't have the quality to play against parked buses, because things like dribbling, accurate deliveries, first touch, etc are all important and quite a few of our players lack those qualities.

I would say it's a reality rather than a defence of the coach. I've complained about the tactics for a while now, but watching the match today, it was so stark how our wingers especially simply couldn't beat their man even 1v1. Our attacking midfielder couldn't recieve the ball and turn with his first touch. It was pure lack of ability I was watching, even though the tactics may have been lacking.

That's why I'm convinced even if we get a good tactical manager, the first thing he'll request is a squad overhaul. We're just not good enough to face parked buses week in, week out.

why should it matter how the opponents play?

It’s not like we are good against teams who play otherwise as well. Like the time when we thrashed Barcelona off the park because of our counterattacking speed???

I am sorry, if you think we would have won 3/4-0 had Rochdale been open, is too delusional.

Honestly, if you are tactically good enough, you can overcome the player deficiencies and atleast have a semblance of play against any opposition.

And conversely, if you are tactically not good enough you could manage prime Barca or Milan and play like we do every week.

 

[ayushreddevil9]

He did resign whilst at Cardiff I don't know how he can not see that he is only taking the club backwards

 

[croadyman]

eventually he's getting the sack p45 letter. But who comes in next to sort out this mess. The club is in a crisis. Would pochettino come and manage man utd, knowing spurs is a better team right now and is in champions league? For him it would be somewhat of a downgrade and he could possibly be holding out for the real madrid job down the line. if not him like i said we are left with allegri and blanc as the only two left to appoint.

Wouldn't you like to appoint someone like a Tuchel or a Nagelsmann who are forward thinking coaches that also play great football. They would also attract better european talent than Ole ever would in a million years.

Maybe we will get Pochettino when he leaves Spurs and Allegri will replace him there. Mind you Levy is a tough negotiator to deal with.

He is ridiculously slow to make substitutions and don't even get me started on the rest of his in game management.

If Ole had the tactical nous he would play Tuanzebe against the teams with tall strikers,however he just keeps Lindelof in whoever the opposition.

 

[passing-wind]

He's off his head, but I agree with him on the Lukaku > Rashford point one hundred and fifty million percent. I've been saying it all along.

Be careful some of the deluded ones on here will swear blind that Ole only intended to use Rashford as a winger. It just goes to show how inept the manager is.

Rashford starts playing as the lead striker, Lukaku despite being in good goal scoring form then becomes unhappy given his treatment. Lukaku leaves during summer, less than three games into the season the manager realises that Marcus is garbage and so decides to give the responsibility to Martial upfront We have lost 20/25 a season goal scorer to be replaced with two inexperienced inside forward who neither have had a full season as a 9.

 

[croadyman]

Glorified cheerleader didn't you know. I can't even look at his grinning face anymore.

Don't watch his press conferences and interviews anymore because he just makes me annoyed.

That smiley demeanour is starting to wear really thin with me,however I am sure the board are content to let him carry on doing that.

 

[He'sRaldo]

why should it matter how the opponents play?

It’s not like we are good against teams who play otherwise as well. Like the time when we thrashed Barcelona off the park because of our counterattacking speed???

I am sorry, if you think we would have won 3/4-0 had Rochdale been open, is too delusional.

Honestly, if you are tactically good enough, you can overcome the player deficiencies and atleast have a semblance of play against any opposition.

And conversely, if you are tactically not good enough you could manage prime Barca or Milan and play like we do every week.

I thought the match was dire, and we weren't tactically good enough.


Having said that, I also thought we were severely lacking in player quality, such that beating Rochdale players individually was hard for our players to do. For instance, none of the 3 behind the striker could dribble and beat their man until Dan James came on.


Both problems definitely need fixing. I think even if we see an improvement in general play should we hire a better manager, we would struggle in these types of games.

 

[ash_86]

Be careful some of the deluded ones on here will swear blind that Ole only intended to use Rashford as a winger. It just goes to show how inept the manager is.

Rashford starts playing as the lead striker, Lukaku despite being in good goal scoring form then becomes unhappy given his treatment. Lukaku leaves during summer, less than three games into the season the manager realises that Marcus is garbage and so decides to give the responsibility to Martial upfront We have lost 20/25 a season goal scorer to be replaced with two inexperienced inside forward who neither have had a full season as a 9.

Didn't martial play upfront all the games he played for us this season? Only after he got injured did Rashford play striker.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

He’s like a fish riding a bike
Agree about Lukaku though

 

[roonster09]

Be careful some of the deluded ones on here will swear blind that Ole only intended to use Rashford as a winger. It just goes to show how inept the manager is.

Rashford starts playing as the lead striker, Lukaku despite being in good goal scoring form then becomes unhappy given his treatment. Lukaku leaves during summer, less than three games into the season the manager realises that Marcus is garbage and so decides to give the responsibility to Martial upfront We have lost 20/25 a season goal scorer to be replaced with two inexperienced inside forward who neither have had a full season as a 9.

 

[Dec9003]

Be careful some of the deluded ones on here will swear blind that Ole only intended to use Rashford as a winger. It just goes to show how inept the manager is.

Rashford starts playing as the lead striker, Lukaku despite being in good goal scoring form then becomes unhappy given his treatment. Lukaku leaves during summer, less than three games into the season the manager realises that Marcus is garbage and so decides to give the responsibility to Martial upfront We have lost 20/25 a season goal scorer to be replaced with two inexperienced inside forward who neither have had a full season as a 9.

Martial started the season upfront, no?
Lukaku scored 12 premier league goals last season, less than half of 25.

 

[tenpoless]

"Love Ole more than my own child" brigade, where are you now? loving your child back?

 

[croadyman]

Stick with Ole and keep the faith!

Things will get better.

He needed to get a job somewhere much bigger than Cardiff or Molde to prove he should ever be considered by the club.

It was a permanent appointment that reeked of desperation because their top target wasn't available this summer.

People are bang on when they say this is as bad as autumn 2013 under Moyes when we lost numerous league records in a short space of time.

He needs to just resign for his own good and the current coaching staff should go too because this is diabolical.

I genuinely don't believe any more signings will make a difference because he doesn't look like he is capable of improving current players. He should not be trusted with bringing in any more in my opinion.

 

[AkaAkuma]

Ole may or may not be good enough, but it's clear right now the major problem is our players, especially our attackers, aren't good enough to play against teams which park the bus.


Our attackers can't dribble or hold off defenders, hence Dan James being our best attacker thus far (although I'm guessing teams will soon put 2 on him and nullify him). They have poor touch and thus don't operate well in tight spaces, and they also have poor movement and thus don't react to potential chances.


Our midfielders can't tackle and aren't very mobile, so are often reluctant to play incisive dangerous passes with numbers forward, for fear of losing the ball. Compounding the issue is the aforementioned poor touch of our attackers.


Lastly, our defenders find it hard to defend counterattacks, with the possible exception of Tuanzebe, and all the players know this and thus play with fear.


I think the tactics, while lackluster, have provided a decent enough platform to score more than 1 goal per game. Even if we get rid of the manager, I think we'll still need at least half a team in order to consistently break down buses. Unfortunately, the players are not good enough to break down buses with their skill, and are tasked to do so week in, week out.

I think you raise some interesting points. The issue is that we just fired a pragmatic manager as its not the approach we want. He needs to take more risks. I missed the Rochdale game but the issue seems simple to me - we just dont play the ball forward fast enough, if we did that the attacking players would have more space to operate.

 

[Foxbatt]

These players are not as bad as some of you make them to be. All of them are internationals.
It's the lack of coaching that's the problem.
Players need to practice their movement. Getting the ball early to Rashford is not a movement.
Set pieces needed to be practiced first without the opposing players and once it's done properly, then you get the defenders in place and practice.

 

[Un4givableB]

100% right about Lukaku maybe be a flat-track bully, you win leagues by racking up goals against poor sides.

Anyone who thinks Solskjaer will be a long term success is deluded. He's proving more and more he doesn't deserve time.

Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of our fans think wishing that Solskjaer is a good manager will make him one,he's been a manager for 10 years, he has a record of management and he's living up to his record.

 

[redIndianDevil]

Ole out now. Its fecking ridiculous how there are supporters for every incompetent manager. It's really pathetic to see people go on about lack of players when we couldn't even win against a fecking league 1 side.

 

[Madzik_92]

Ole out now. Its fecking ridiculous how there are supporters for every incompetent manager. It's really pathetic to see people go on about lack of players when we couldn't even win against a fecking league 1 side.

That's the thing. I already mentioned long before that ole is clueless in his tactic. Oh come on, you do not need another 500M to beat fecking 17th place Rochdale . This match truly shows that ole is tactical inept. Good player for us but bad manager. I dare to say that Lampard much better coach than him, bear in mind that he did his coaching license year ago if i'm not mistaken.

 

[Son]

I think it is obvious the coaching is the problem now along with the manager. People blame the players but it is obvious most are trying their best but don’t have a clue what they are supposed to do at times.

The thing I always loved about Mourinho and Van Gaal is they lived the moments, showing emotion on the side of the pitch and made changes.

You wouldn’t go to war for Ole. To get the most out of this squad we desperately need a true leader of a manager as well as top tier coaches.

I’ve heard that the coaches haven’t got round to putting a philosophy in yet and are only starting that since they focused more on fitness which hasn’t really worked either. It’s still not good.

 

[Sky1981]

I think Ole would make a better DOF for United than a manager, he comes across as way too nice, and in an era of snowflakes and kids that get paid way to much, way to fast, there needs to be more balance, Jose was too negative, Ole is way too nice, LVG was Mr.Bean & Moyes belonged in Lord Of The Rings, but the reality is it's difficult to polish a turd, and that's exactly what's expected of managers that come here, they are expected to get the best out of really average players.

To be fair Ole's signings have seemed a lot better than the last 3 managers signings have, and they have only played a couple of games, that say's it all really.

This stupid idea needs to die.

You appoint a manager so bad he needs to get sacked as a DOF, you know... the man who oversee the next manager, create the phylosophy, and actually tells the next manager who to buy, how to play, etc.

As if being a DOF is all about being Nice

 

[He'sRaldo]

I think you raise some interesting points. The issue is that we just fired a pragmatic manager as its not the approach we want. He needs to take more risks. I missed the Rochdale game but the issue seems simple to me - we just dont play the ball forward fast enough, if we did that the attacking players would have more space to operate.

It depends on the area. We tend to get the ball to the wings fairly quickly, but the wingers simply don't have the skill 1v1, unless they have space in front of them. As for the central areas, they're usually a vacuum depending on who's playing there (Lingard especially), so it's hard to move the ball there quickly.

In general, I do agree there's a lethargy to our play, and that is definitely something Ole can and must sort out on the training ground. Whether he's able to do so or not is another matter.

 

[roonster09]

Amazing how many manager appointments we have fecked up. Might take long time before we get the right one.

 

[Sky1981]

The problem we have is not coaching.. It is the pressure that is getting on our players .. with high expectations.. and our poor recruitment.. You cannot coach a Smalling, Jones to make a 50 yard pass.. what we are lacking is recuitment and players that can play under pressure

Pressure???

Our objective this season is "anything as long as we're not relegated and showing some progress", if playing at 3rd round League cup against fecking Rochdale is too much pressure then we should just fire everyone and disband as Manchester United

 

[bleedred]

This stupid idea needs to die.

You appoint a manager so bad he needs to get sacked as a DOF, you know... the man who oversee the next manager, create the phylosophy, and actually tells the next manager who to buy, how to play, etc.

As if being a DOF is all about being Nice

Honestly this.people talk as if the signings are already a success and took incredible planning from him.

The same bullshit arguments were used for LVG as well to be DOF . “He’s building for the future”,”the next manager will reap the rewards of his planning etc”.,

 

[AkaAkuma]

It depends on the area. We tend to get the ball to the wings fairly quickly, but the wingers simply don't have the skill 1v1, unless they have space in front of them. As for the central areas, they're usually a vacuum depending on who's playing there (Lingard especially), so it's hard to move the ball there quickly.

In general, I do agree there's a lethargy to our play, and that is definitely something Ole can and must sort out on the training ground. Whether he's able to do so or not is another matter.

I didn't watch the Rochdale game, but what I gather is we played it forward faster to the wings? We didn't do that against Astana or West Ham, which was my criticism of Ole.

Our wide players are shit 1v1 in tight space, you think still shit with a faster ball and greater room? Sounds hopeless.

 

[M16Red]

It depends on the area. We tend to get the ball to the wings fairly quickly, but the wingers simply don't have the skill 1v1, unless they have space in front of them. As for the central areas, they're usually a vacuum depending on who's playing there (Lingard especially), so it's hard to move the ball there quickly.

In general, I do agree there's a lethargy to our play, and that is definitely something Ole can and must sort out on the training ground. Whether he's able to do so or not is another matter.

I think he is / was sorting it out, last season he said they were unfit and he's fixed that. Now the hard part getting these players the give a shi# about the club, seems we have more celebrities than footballers in this club. People like Pogba believe that looking good on the patch means more than winning the game.

 

[In Rainbows]

Amazing how many manager appointments we have fecked up. Might take long time before we get the right one.

They got to go for an upcoming progressive manager like Marco Rose, Nagelsmann, etc... We seem to always pick dinosaurs.