We have spent huge amounts of cash in the last 6 years. I think our failure is less a sign of a lack of ambition and more a sign of lack of direction as a club.
If we don’t sign anyone this window it shows the club lacks ambition
- Thread starter Josep Dowling
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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.
To be fair, while we definitely need to be better with the spending, because we aren't extracting a great deal of quality vis-à-vis money spent, United's net transfer outlay isn't something to write home about for a club with close to world-record revenues — roughly averaging out at something like 21-22% for the post-Fergie era (for reference Arsenal are something like 19-20% and they aren't exactly transfer market behemoths).
Agree with the second half of your post, though one might argue that ambition (if we consider the term to be a nexus of several factors in an all-inclusive sense) isn't just about haphazardly/nonchalantly spending money on player personnel on the recommendation of a carousel of managers (or a combination of scouts + bankers) to create a distorted mosaic, but actually aspiring to be be one of the best — and that includes laying out a potent plan for the improvement/streamlining of the football decision-making infrastructure, too.
We have seen for 6½ seasons that the club's ideology isn't bearing fruit in the absence of a Fergie-esque alchemist who can figuratively poop rainbows and stardust and galvanize the organisation to be the envy of club football, it's not even a secret outside of United because several managers and director of football have suggested that the fundamentals of our operation are kind of hollow, yet we continue to disregard the need for a robust and much needed root and branch overhaul on the administrative front to try and set things right.
Our ability/ambition to spend is pyrrhic and blunted by the inability/lack-of-ambition/lack-of-intelligence to reform the decision-making framework, like Internazionale of old — where they spent and spent, but achieved little success. Half, if not more, of the issues stem from that sense of indecision and archaic thinking and incompetence riddling the club (and sometimes a form of interference by footballing ignoramus)...yet the penny hasn't, and by the look of things isn't, going to drop.
Ridiculous how the club is being run. Lack of long term vision/direction and questionable choices have got us here. The Glazers and Woodward are opportunistic, looking for the quick marketable option to bring in the money. It's bad business not to make additions that were lacking from the summer.
It's unforgivable considering the glaring lack of options available, especially in midfield. Good business would be to speed up the rebuild and push for 4th. They are drifting instead in to a uncertain place where they aren't backing the manager but not getting rid of him either. Going nowhere, the only hope is to sell the club. I just hope there greed of the Glazers gets them out.
No investment means no progress, we haven't replaced players since Ole came in never mind build a better squad. I don't think any other manager would put up with false promises. Ole is a good guy and done some good things but he's not the man. The man tactically to change games, demand changes from the board and bring us back to the top. A vision and speaking positive means nothing if we aren't seeing consistent progress. I think we will regret not going for Poch, it would be all too late and reactionary. Poch would be a good transition from Ole. Fans don't want words, they won't evidence on the pitch over months. Beating a big team now and again means nothing if there is no consistency in results and performances. I think every adult that buys United merchandise is a mug, the owners are stealing and fans are not doing anything about it. The anger will hit in May when the trophies are being given out. United fans need a kick up the hole and direct the anger better at this demise. This 'what are we suppose to do' attitude needs to stop. If the club were investing and trying they would be shown more credit. They are doing nothing to improve this side and back this manager. This will get worse this season before it gets better, United are basically standing still while others make steps to improve. It's going to take time to catch up. We have some really talented players but loads of players not good enough, especially in key areas.
It's unforgivable considering the glaring lack of options available, especially in midfield. Good business would be to speed up the rebuild and push for 4th. They are drifting instead in to a uncertain place where they aren't backing the manager but not getting rid of him either. Going nowhere, the only hope is to sell the club. I just hope there greed of the Glazers gets them out.
No investment means no progress, we haven't replaced players since Ole came in never mind build a better squad. I don't think any other manager would put up with false promises. Ole is a good guy and done some good things but he's not the man. The man tactically to change games, demand changes from the board and bring us back to the top. A vision and speaking positive means nothing if we aren't seeing consistent progress. I think we will regret not going for Poch, it would be all too late and reactionary. Poch would be a good transition from Ole. Fans don't want words, they won't evidence on the pitch over months. Beating a big team now and again means nothing if there is no consistency in results and performances. I think every adult that buys United merchandise is a mug, the owners are stealing and fans are not doing anything about it. The anger will hit in May when the trophies are being given out. United fans need a kick up the hole and direct the anger better at this demise. This 'what are we suppose to do' attitude needs to stop. If the club were investing and trying they would be shown more credit. They are doing nothing to improve this side and back this manager. This will get worse this season before it gets better, United are basically standing still while others make steps to improve. It's going to take time to catch up. We have some really talented players but loads of players not good enough, especially in key areas.
Club need not sign anyone this window to show lack of ambition.
Have been showing that plenty way before this, with Ed at the helm. So left to manager to pull the strings. Ole need to be more ambitious and push for transfers behind the scene.
Have been showing that plenty way before this, with Ed at the helm. So left to manager to pull the strings. Ole need to be more ambitious and push for transfers behind the scene.
Not to mention we've had 4 managers in those 6 years.
I think one of the more annoying parts is Woodward always talking about how the money's there, yet we seem to back out of so many deals that would improve the club over money.
I agree. I also think there are more and more people getting this as time goes on.
Hmm. Never thought of that. TBF, except for Jose-gate, so far he's fallen in line with (read: glommed onto) whichever current manager's strategy. Gonna maybe have to let that one percolate.Oh absolutely, but such a U-turn would involve such a loss of face for Ed that I just can’t see it happening. One of the reasons I’m only mildly Ole out is that I’m worried he’ll convince himself (and the fans) that the young hard-working British strategy is the right one and it’s only Ole’s execution that isn’t working. At which point he’ll go for Southgate. He may well do that anyway if England have a decent Euros
This is the darkest timeline isn't it? The manager of Man Utd coming out and bigging up Fosu-Mensah for our midfield in 2020 
you have to laugh. This club is so unbelievably buggered.
you have to laugh. This club is so unbelievably buggered.Quite so... Once again we are plagued by bad luck and injuries. This could have been a chance for Garner to get some playtime but he is ill...This is the darkest timeline isn't it? The manager of Man Utd coming out and bigging up Fosu-Mensah for our midfield in 2020
Don't know if there are any academy players that can be counted upon.
"If we don't sign anyone this window it shows the club" couldn't get the player, they wanted in this window and didn't want to make a panic buy...
Still singing from the top red hymn sheet.
If there was ever a justification for a panic buy it’s now anyway.
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or maybe because big players simply don't want to sign for an average team with a poor manager that isn't going to compete for the league or champions league for a long time
Which is why we are looking at lower level players, hoping that we find a gem. It could work or it could set us back 40 years.
If we do find a gem but are still going nowhere, then we will become a Dortmund selling our best players to clubs who actually win things. We are still in two competitions maybe three after today. We might get CL place. We can but hope and that is all it is hope.
Yes, I think it is more a sign of a lack of direction. Glazers are happy with what Woody is doing ( lining their Pockets) but neither know or care anything about football side of things.
Any January signing should be lined up and ready to go, especially if they are open goals like Can and Longstaff! Yet we are hearing the same old lines all over again, which is fine if we are writing off top 4, and are not surprised when 'the right players' don't want to join us in the summer either.
I'm sure the 'slow rebuild', only wanting the 'perfect fit' players, depending on 'youth', we are 'financially robust' enough to cope without CL, and tales of how our 'bank of iPads' , and 1000 scouts super analyse players better than any other club could only dream of, are all lined up. Just not sure there's anyone left who believes a word of it anymore.
I'm sure the 'slow rebuild', only wanting the 'perfect fit' players, depending on 'youth', we are 'financially robust' enough to cope without CL, and tales of how our 'bank of iPads' , and 1000 scouts super analyse players better than any other club could only dream of, are all lined up. Just not sure there's anyone left who believes a word of it anymore.
Depends on how you look at it. To some it's seemingly a given that we would've been no worse off with Smalling, and if you're of that opinion the Maguire deal was a giant waste of money. I'm not of that opinion myself, however. I think he's a good player and an upgrade on what we had. But - yes - we obviously overpaid for him. In fact, you could reasonably say that we coughed up a record amount for a player who isn't likely to ever be more than "good" in the grand scheme of things. Which isn't in line with a new and brilliant approach to targeting players - I'd certainly agree with that.
The genuine big clubs Juventus and Liverpool have both managed to buy midfielders in January, while we make excuses.
Hell, even Leverkusen signed Palacios who would of been a good choice for us.
"it is extremely difficult to navigate the transfermarket, especially during the winter window"
OUT
Shaw
Jones
Matic
Mata
IN
Grimaldo
Fabian Ruiz
Agustin Almendra
Soumare
Fernandes
Grimaldo for sure as our new attacking fullback with AWB being solid on the other side and I would sign atleast 2 of the 4 midfielders mentioned. All 4 midfielders make us immediately better.
We sorted CB, RB and RW last season.
This season it's clear we have to fix LB, CDM, CM and CAM.
4 in 4 out, and we're challenging at the top of the league irrespective of manager.
Pochettino is a massive upgrade on Ole so I'd like to be addressed asap too.
5 moves away from success. Not that far if the board want the club to be successful.
Shaw
Jones
Matic
Mata
IN
Grimaldo
Fabian Ruiz
Agustin Almendra
Soumare
Fernandes
Grimaldo for sure as our new attacking fullback with AWB being solid on the other side and I would sign atleast 2 of the 4 midfielders mentioned. All 4 midfielders make us immediately better.
We sorted CB, RB and RW last season.
This season it's clear we have to fix LB, CDM, CM and CAM.
4 in 4 out, and we're challenging at the top of the league irrespective of manager.
Pochettino is a massive upgrade on Ole so I'd like to be addressed asap too.
5 moves away from success. Not that far if the board want the club to be successful.
So you think our midfield will cope with the amount of games in the next couple of months? We are asking for more injuries and writing off the season without signing someone.
Seriously this attitude is just a joke. Sign 3 players every summer whilst 2 leave, one retires and still retaining 5 players in the squad that have shown for years they shouldn’t play for this club.
But apparently buying in January is now regarded as panic buying. What about trying to improve one of the worse midfields in the Premier League given our injuries? Wouldn’t exactly be difficult.
We have signed 5 players in 2 years. In that time we have lost Sanchez, Lukaku, Fellaini, Herrera, Darmian and Smalling. So on numbers alone we have lost too many players that haven’t been replaced. And as I said in the summer those players that left weren’t the issue.
We are still retaining Jones, Young, Lingard, Rojo, Matic, Pereira and Mata. I always get told ‘well they don’t start anyway’ but this is the point when we get injuries we are relying on this dross, which is what is going to happen this month.
Of those 5 players we signed Dalot is always injured, Bailly has had a permanent knee problem. And now we have injuries to Pogba and McTominay.
We aren’t signing enough players. Our youngsters are not good enough to make the step up. Only Greenwood will become a decent player for us in the coming years. Anyone that tell me the likes of Garner and Chong will do it are having a laugh. We hear the same nonsense every season. How many players have made the jump successfully in the last 10 years? 1 - Rashford.
If we have set targets, presumably they have been targeted now for at least 6 months. Why haven’t we signed them already? Maybe they aren’t interested. Maybe they want to see if we get Champions League football. Maybe they want to see if we actually bring in a manager that players want to play for.
There is no guarantee a player will suddenly decide to sign for us in the summer. We are being fed lies so we don’t spent money. The board don’t see us qualifying for the Champions League next season, so they don’t want to spend money on transfer fees and increase the wage budget. That is the only reason, they lack ambition.
Mctominay. I get your point though. Not many make it at the top level.
If we don't sign anyone this window, there is no chance for us making top 4 or even top 6.
Let's see which midfielder wants to join the club in the summer when we finish 7th, where we don't need to overpay or panic buy
I was going to ask how the hell is Wilson Palacios still playing at a high level but then checked and realised it's a totally different player in question.
To be fair to the board both Jose and LVG wasted a small fortune, however from last season two midfielders and two forwards left the club and none of them were replaced. That shows a serious lack of ambition.
I agree. We must buy a huge name this window whatever costs us.
We need to back our reputation and EL league golden medals.
We need to back our reputation and EL league golden medals.
United won't sign anyone of significance this Window. Ive already accepted that.
To be honest, would we want another mediocre player who can't pass to save his life papering over the cracks the next couple of months? If we lose 10 of our next 15 games (very likely) Solskjaer should be on his way out and we can hope that Pochettino or Rangnick somehow can turn us around.
I dont know if he was being sarcastic but this is one top red
You never hear other teams complaining about doing deals for “the right price”, which is weird considering they’re not in the shit, neither are they the richest club in the world. We’re so stingy it’s unreal.
Me too!I was going to ask how the hell is Wilson Palacios still playing at a high level but then checked and realised it's a totally different player in question.
I used to work with a Stoke fan who wouldn’t shut up about how great he was.
Agree with you on this. There seems to be no common goal at this club at all. It feels like we're being run like a multinational and not a football club. We have huge revenue, a worldwide commodity, an incredible brand, we pay huge wages, but it's like we've forgotten what's actually important.
It's been this way for a while. Compare the great teams that Fergie had to the teams he had for the last 10 years of his tenure. Bar the two seasons with Ronaldo bringing us to incredible heights, it was the greatness of SAF that kept us driving forward. There's no way he was happy to have the likes of Cleverly in midfield instead of Sneijder, or miss out on the likes of Hazard and settle for Obertan. Just using two random examples of players we were heavily linked with that SAF ultimately decided the cost was too much. Bear in mind a coach that spend huge money Rooney as a teen and Rio as relatively unproven at the highest level. I'm sure there are countless others. I highly doubt SAF wanted to finish his legacy with a past it Rooney, Cleverly, Anderson, Welbeck, Nani etc. being part of the squad he passed on.
I think we've been run poorly from the top for a long time now, the Glazers and the other Executives took for granted the work SAF did, didn't see the need to spend when we were seemingly flying high. Suddenly when things went bad, the cash was there to spend, but the investment was just misguided, juvenile almost.
It was exactly like how you would expect a Wall Street Investment Banker to act. Chase the big deals, throw money at the problem until it goes away. It works in the Corporate World, but money doesn't always guarantee success in football. The rot started long ago. This clubs lack of ambition started in 2009, when we sold the best player in the world for a record fee and didn't immediately go out and buy the second best player in the world, whatever the cost.
Honestly, we need to be signing two players in the summer. EIther two midfielders or one midfielder and an attacker.
What's the point of being one of Europes' richest football clubs if you're not prepared to 'break the bank' once in a while to secure a much needed transfer?
With Mctominay and Pogba out for the foreseeable future, and Fred likely to run out of steam before long, we are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements.
If paying over the odds is what it will take to remedy the midfield situation, then that is what Ed must do. His excuses won't wash this time around.
So true.
I remember Chelsea signing Torres in January which was huge at the time. Plus we invested well in Evra and Vidic too which helped them bed in for the next season.
To keep passing on transfer windows is suicide the predicament we are in now. It’s actually desperation time although some people will cover their ears and not admit it.
I’m failing to see what we are building atm apart from bringing the age of the squad down. The style of play is so so poor.
I disagree. It is not arriving on time for a game that shows a lack of ambition.
If in successive transfer windows the “ones you want” are either ‘not available’ or “unwilling to force a move” then sitting on our arses doing nothing isn’t something to rejoice.
I’d quite fancy us signing Van Dijk, de Bruyne & getting Ronaldo back - not being able to get them is no excuse to not find alternatives.
This squad has a serious lack of quality, we don’t need to sign the worlds best players to improve it - also since when did a manager not have to sign players & improve them through coaching?
Signing a talent & improving them shouldn’t be beyond a club of our size - I refuse to believe in world football there aren’t multiple talents that could be signed & if coached well improve. When was the last time we signed a talent no one had really heard of & turned them into something useful? It’s beyond a joke.
There is NO excuse for not improving this squad in successive windows; no fan wants the club to sign a Bale - simply show that transfer planning is being done.
Paying over the odds if we can afford it. In reality, I don't think we can, it's as simple as that. We will protect our brand and say the money is there and we should be looking for value, Solskjær is fully right about it. But I don't think we have that much available when thinking about the cash flows, especially with another season of missing the CL and Adidas money going away.
Sure, but wouldn't James qualify as a player no one had really heard of, and turning into someone useful for the squad?
Dan James was an international before coming to us if I’m not wrong but yes he definitely counts as lesser known & [thus far] one hell of a signing but in the same breath we spend £80mil on a player that has the turning circle of an artic truck but yes Dan James is exactly the kind of signing I’m on about.
You can’t make a squad up of Dan James’ though admittedly.
>with the Rumors around Chelsea chasing Zaha; it would be a total disgrace if We dont get Sancho either this month or in the summer, a total disgrace
> We need bodies in the midfields/DMs more so than 10/AM ala Grealish, Maddison. Thus I am not against Declan Rice Rice. with Fred, McTom (and Paul) we need someone that doesnt have to play every game. After seeing Fred against Arsenal looking "World-Class", we could build around him (a little) Declan Rice would be a good fit next to Fred , freeing him, sitting in front of the D
> We need bodies in the midfields/DMs more so than 10/AM ala Grealish, Maddison. Thus I am not against Declan Rice Rice. with Fred, McTom (and Paul) we need someone that doesnt have to play every game. After seeing Fred against Arsenal looking "World-Class", we could build around him (a little) Declan Rice would be a good fit next to Fred , freeing him, sitting in front of the D