You either think the squad is great and the manager is shit because we are not challenging or you think the squad is shit and no matter the manager it will take a bit of time; chose a side people, you can't have both.
Side C - squad is decent (and can be great if they're in the right mood) and manager is decent.
Decent = just okay
Sorry but I don't think manager is good enough to turn this decent team into title deciding team. To be fair, he did his best so far but his weaknesses are clear and doesn't show any improvements as a manager. Our squad potential is huge but they're just not that motivated nor be in the best shape.
We had
two great runs:
1. 18/19
When he first takeover, caretaker months mainly, but arguably that's more to do with the "new manager" effect, huge positive atmosphere compare to the drowning negativities previously. Happier and more motivated players will yield greater performances as they seek to impress. Our squad at that time are that good with top quality players (Herrera, Lukaku <-- can't deny his scoring skills, Pogba attacking in 433) then we got rid of them later on. Get worse quickly, with poor end of the season.
2. 19/20
Early this year, with Bruno taking charge of on-field duties. Interestingly this dwindle down in latter months. This is more so the "new player" effects = new player are more likely to be motivated to perform and impress. James, AWB, Mag and Ighalo also the same thing, giving great performances the first few months after joining, then getting worse later months. Same with Williams. Only Greenwood seems to be keeping up his usual performance but then that's natural growth and he's not really yet a proven starter (Ole still bench him at times). Bruno's level is far ahead than the other, thus we had that great run.
Other than that, our run of performances are so dreadful, it's embarrassing to call it a Manchester United team. None of that runs has more to do with Ole's skills, just his contrasting character and managerial approach to the first run being a key factor. He couldn't keep it up later on didn't he. There are no other great runs until Bruno came in. Motivations/mentality and getting the best out of players are questionable.
Fitness problem is a known problem manager highlighted and mentioned from the very start... so it still being a problem is really bs. Bad job. I love the fact that we're still giving the "poor fitness" excuse to Ole and the players for three seasons now. It's amazing. I remember many posters said it's a process for Ole to turn this team into a high fitness team in the first season 18/19... so we need more time eh... rubbish. Fitness problem is specially exclusive to our team, with other PL teams not having that problem.
18/19 - bad fitness, blame Jose for not training fitness enough, not enough running, many injuries.
19/20 - still many injuries.... let's blame C19 break and the hectic schedule for the poor fitness of best 11. Also add our squad players, 2nd option players are not good enough. Ole's ability in rotating and motivating are not the problem. Fitness is the main problem.
20/21 - no match fitness, players not getting enough rest. Poor fitness.
Reaching treble semi-finals is good I suppose with this team and manager, but then the squad is actually that strong but just like always, couldn't reach the finish line. Manager is okay... but
should we be fine with just okay?
We can still win trophies with the same manager... but it depends on us to get another player of Bruno calibre then hopefully we have enough lucks and players self-motivated enough to win trophies.