Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 2021/22 Discussion

[Olecurls99]

Have slept a bit and calmed down, but still, that match yesterday was far from good enough and those are the kind of matches we need to win comfortably if we are going to seriously challenge for the league. I've backed him so far and i stand by that. Hes lifted the club from the toxic mess that Jose left behind and as even his most fervent critics point out: We have a very good squad now. He deserves credit for that.

So even if you dont rate him, hes still a United legend and he has still (in my eyes at least) done a pretty good job up until this point. Name calling and abuse makes you look like an entitled twat imo. There are fewer jobs in the world with the amount of pressure like the manager of United, so have some respect.

That being said, the last couple of games have been far from good enough and this season is make or break for him in my eyes. Going forward this season there are a few key points regarding his job that i want to adress

• He absoloutely MUST qualify from that CL group. Its a fairly easy group so not getting past that would be a huge black mark on his CV. But most of all, seing Varane and Ronaldo play in the fecking EL would make me cringe so hard i might die
• He MUST make a serious league challenge. That means being within striking distance of the league leaders around March-April
• He MUST improve his points haul in the league. This one should be fairly easy

Regarding our football, there are also a couple of things i want to adress

• He has to stop playing McFred in the double pivot. Honestly i dont think they are as bad as some people make them out to be and particularly Fred is quite good at breaking up play. The two of them together though are incredibly detrimental to the way Ole wants us to play. If you want to build from the back, you 100% need CM's who are good at the "pass and move" aspect of midfield play and those two are not it. One of Pogba or VdB has to play there to make the transition from defense to attack go a bit smoother. Some people will say "he needs a CM", but hes had plenty of time to sort that out now. Hes made his bed regarding that and hes been backed well now
• The way we played vs Villa is was simply unacceptable. Not because we lost at home, but because we were careless, sloppy and greedy and we did not look like a team that wanted to win the league.
  • I dont mind him telling the players to take a shot as i dont want to see LvG football where we try to pass the ball into the goal, but if you can pass to a teammate who has a better chance of scoring than you, you fecking pass that ball.
  • The amount of unforced errors we made the last couple of games is also something he needs to sort out ASAP. if we keep fecking up simple 10 yard passes, then either the players are not focused enough or we really need to do passing drills in training. Either way, its his responsibility to sort them out
  • Villa, despite not having the talent we have, more than matched us because they were first to every second ball and fought tooth and nail to press us, where as we as a team seemed to play in 2nd gear and there were numerous times were i saw us ball watching instead of getting stuck in there. The reason City and Liverpool managed to win the league this past years is not just because they "have patterns". Its because the whole team work their socks off for 90+ minutes for every fecking game. If somehow we think we are too good to put in the maximum amount of effort, we are well and truly fecked and Ole is already done and dusted as manager here

Crucial months ahead with some really big matches coming up. If we qualify from our CL group and are still around the top of the league table, he deserves to see out the season and we will take it from there. If not, i hope he has the sense to bow out himself, because i really dont want to see the OT crowd turn at him and him getting sacked in a nasty manner like with our former managers

Very well said. All valid points. Yesterday was not acceptable and with the squad at his disposal we should be there or close this year and we should be playing Villa off the park.
Hopefully Ole can keep us close to the top through the next 7 or 8 league games which will be enough to have a crack at being top come March but work rate, ball retention and movement off the ball, all have to improve.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

Refrained from posting yesterday as was fuming coming out of the ground. I heard a lot of people talking on the way out / on the tram that it's time for a change etc.

Those asking for Ole to have changed it up earlier yesterday need to remember we had to make 2 unexpected substitutes to the defence. If Ole makes the 3rd too early then we get another injury then he's slated - it was a tough decision to make. Ultimately he made the attacking decision to bring Cavani on and go for the win - we opened up more and Villa took the chance. Many times Fergie did the same thing, go for the win and end up with nothing - it was worth the risk.

With that said, there's been too many games this season where we look stuck for ideas. I'm still right behind Ole but he's not immune from criticism - things need to improve. The good news is despite being poor in 3 or 4 games this season, we are keeping the pace.

He absolutely deserves to see the season out IMO - he's built a good squad but now you feel it's make or break time this season. 2 home wins this week and the mood will lift I hope.

 

[Eplel]

but work rate, ball retention and movement off the ball, all have to improve.

So how is this going to happen? If he's not cracked this in 3 years, what will change now?

 

[edgecutter]

Stole this from the Guardian, but it sums up Ole


"Solskjaer has the best job in the world. He doesn't have to do any coaching. He doesn't even have to be imaginative when answering questions. He earns millions of bucks a year to basically do two things:

1. If United win, say "culture", "history", "magic" and "Sir Alex" in some vaguely plausible sentences. Throw in the word "lads" or "boys" a few times.

2. If United don't win, say "referees" "decisions" in vaguely plausible sentences.

Most of you could do it"

 

[VP89]

Those talking about Liverpools 3-3 today against Brentford.

If United had let slip a 3-2 win away to Brentford this place would go up in flames.

Just admit it, that is exactly what would happen.

If Ole had won a PL and a CL during his time, guess what? We would probably be ok with a slip to Brentford. Next time you make comparables try and actually put some thought into it.

 

[passing-wind]

If Ole had won a PL and a CL during his time, guess what? We would probably be ok with a slip to Brentford. Next time you make comparables try and actually put some thought into it.

This is for me why the Europa League was the biggest loss for Solskjaer more than the club. When managers win it gives them credibility.

 

[Giggsyking]

The ones I feel sorry for, is not Ole and his coaching staff, they are putting millions in their pockets. The ones I feel sorry for are the ones who believed in him from the fan base and still believe in him, they will reach the same conclusion we reached 2 years ago when he got handed the permanent job. Their disappointment will be huge.

 

[Olecurls99]

So how is this going to happen? If he's not cracked this in 3 years, what will change now?

It all stems from the attitude. We have played great stuff a lot under Ole but yesterday and too many times a lot of our players just look like they have to show up to win. That still boils down to the manager so he needs to get a jolt out of them and keep us up there through a difficult October and November.

 

[Olecurls99]

The ones I feel sorry for, is not Ole and his coaching staff, they are putting millions in their pockets. The ones I feel sorry for are the ones who believed in him from the fan base and still believe in him, they will reach the same conclusion we reached 2 years ago when he got handed the permanent job. Their disappointment will be huge.

Won't all our fans be disappointed if he fails?

 

[Eriku]

Stole this from the Guardian, but it sums up Ole


"Solskjaer has the best job in the world. He doesn't have to do any coaching. He doesn't even have to be imaginative when answering questions. He earns millions of bucks a year to basically do two things:

1. If United win, say "culture", "history", "magic" and "Sir Alex" in some vaguely plausible sentences. Throw in the word "lads" or "boys" a few times.

2. If United don't win, say "referees" "decisions" in vaguely plausible sentences.

Most of you could do it"

Oversimplified toss. Is this simple job why Ole’s face has aged like he’s been through a presidency?

 

[HairyBack23]

If we still can't retain the ball effectively move the ball, and move off the ball effectively - what makes people think that's still going to change?

And don't tell me we need more players. Brighton and Brentford can do it. What do they have that we don't? Astute managers.

This season is going to be more frustrating than previous years because I think our squad is capable of winning the league, if we had a better manager/coaching team. It's clear as day at this stage and the writing is on the wall.

 

[edgecutter]

Won't all our fans be disappointed if he fails?

It just seems that it is inevitable that he will fail. I wasn't disappointed about yesterday's match, I kind of expect us to put in these kind of performances and it is becoming a rarity to see us put in a dominating perfromace (leeds). Therefore, I had very little expectations other than a top four finish which shouldn't justify Ole being the manager.

 

[Giggsyking]

Won't all our fans be disappointed if he fails?

In him, no. Most of the fans grew to realize he will not be a huge success. So if he fail, that would not be a surprise and everybody know that is his maximum output. The huge disappointment though will be in the board that stuck with him for 3 years spending hundreds of millions and win nothing.

 

[edgecutter]

Oversimplified toss. Is this simple job why Ole’s face has aged like he’s been through a presidency?

Toss...how so? Ole has stated that he doesn't do any coaching and most of his press conferences he uses these cliche sayings.

 

[Eplel]

It all stems from the attitude.

Ball retention and off-the-ball movement stems from the attitude? Nothing to do with having a proper system, formation, tactics and style of play, all of which are Ole's weaknesses?

 

[crossy1686]

Refrained from posting yesterday as was fuming coming out of the ground. I heard a lot of people talking on the way out / on the tram that it's time for a change etc.

Those asking for Ole to have changed it up earlier yesterday need to remember we had to make 2 unexpected substitutes to the defence. If Ole makes the 3rd too early then we get another injury then he's slated - it was a tough decision to make. Ultimately he made the attacking decision to bring Cavani on and go for the win - we opened up more and Villa took the chance. Many times Fergie did the same thing, go for the win and end up with nothing - it was worth the risk.

With that said, there's been too many games this season where we look stuck for ideas. I'm still right behind Ole but he's not immune from criticism - things need to improve. The good news is despite being poor in 3 or 4 games this season, we are keeping the pace.

He absolutely deserves to see the season out IMO - he's built a good squad but now you feel it's make or break time this season. 2 home wins this week and the mood will lift I hope.

He deserves to see the season out baring a meltdown, I agree. He also still has plenty of time to redeem himself and prove this is just a blip. We should really wait until the end of the season anyway, we shouldn’t be appointing a new manager mid season when there’s no one available.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Those talking about Liverpools 3-3 today against Brentford.

If United had let slip a 3-2 win away to Brentford this place would go up in flames.

Just admit it, that is exactly what would happen.

Please enough of these types of arguments. Klops team plays with a clear plan and style in every single game, proper football, not counter or pray somebody scores a goal, even his reserve team do apparently, won the Champions League won the premier league, he can afford to draw at Brentford. Ole has won feck all but most importantly after almost 3 years with an all star squad still has a team that has no idea what to do on the pitch other than a back 6 and pray one of our world class players up front does something to bail him out.

 

[DoomSlayer]

He deserves to see the season out baring a meltdown, I agree. He also still has plenty of time to redeem himself and prove this is just a blip. We should really wait until the end of the season anyway, we shouldn’t be appointing a new manager mid season when there’s no one available.

Chelsea did it and won the CL. Why can't we do it, why are we always so special compared to every other successful club?

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Stole this from the Guardian, but it sums up Ole


"Solskjaer has the best job in the world. He doesn't have to do any coaching. He doesn't even have to be imaginative when answering questions. He earns millions of bucks a year to basically do two things:

1. If United win, say "culture", "history", "magic" and "Sir Alex" in some vaguely plausible sentences. Throw in the word "lads" or "boys" a few times.

2. If United don't win, say "referees" "decisions" in vaguely plausible sentences.

Most of you could do it"

True. Also, thumbs up, and grinning.

 

[Eriku]

Toss...how so? Ole has stated that he doesn't do any coaching and most of his press conferences he uses these cliche sayings.

I’ve got nothing to say to anybody that seriously believes that’s the extent of Ole’s job.

 

[edgecutter]

I’ve got nothing to say to anybody that seriously believes that’s the extent of Ole’s job.

So you can't refute it then? Not really proving the point made was incorrect.

 

[Andycoleno9]

I love myth how he is attacking manager which is based only by the fact that he said that in his first interview. But in reality he is more defensive than Jose.
We have top defence. We bought to him world class attack in which he has 6 attackers. But he still plays with Fred and Mct and puts Pogba on the wing. And it is not against City or Liverpool; it is against midtable clubs. On top of that, he is fine with waiting on our half, leaving the ball to opposition and waiting on counter attacks.
Guy is happy with point on most away games ( against WH his subs were to secure point, not to go for a win). Meanwhile, Pool, Chelsea and City don't adapt. They play attacking against every opposition.

If we get Zidane or Conte or any decent manager (which we will not), i bet that they would not play with two dmc. They would use best what this squad have

 

[Dante]

Ole was brought in to steady the ship. He did that brilliantly. But not only did he steady the ship, he also took the next few steps by remoulding the squad and resetting the culture. We're now in the strongest state we've been in for about a decade (even more so than in SAF's last couple of seasons).

Solksjaer deserves huge credit for cleaning up the mess left by Moyes, LvG and Mourinho. United is now full of hungry, youthful talent that's ready to take the next step.

The problem is that Ole's currently experiencing the same problem that every football manager eventually experiences: shelf life.

The average Premier League manager only stays in their job for 2 years 8 weeks and 3 days. That's not because they suddenly lose their football knowledge all of a sudden. It's because squads of players need frequent changes in order to keep things fresh and moving forward. Football isn't like any other industry in that respect. Even hipster favourites like Klopp, Tuchel, Jose, Pochettino and Conte have lost their edge at some point. Then they moved on and found it somewhere else. That's the nature of the game.

Ole outers have been wrong about him for 3 years. But like a broken clock, I think it's almost that time when they might be right. The team is underperforming compared to last season (despite superior players), which suggests that the something is going stale. If it's the same by Christmas, it'll be time to move him upstairs and bring in a different head coach.

 

[Robbie Boy]

'Resetting the culture' is a new hipster phrase on here. Fantastic.

 

[Shark]

Please enough of these types of arguments. Klops team plays with a clear plan and style in every single game, proper football, not counter and pray somebody scores a goal, even his reserve team does, won the Champions League won the premier league, he can afford to draw at Brentford. Ole has won feck all but most importantly after almost 3 years with an all star squad still has a team that has no idea what to do on the pitch other than a back 6 and pray one of our world class players up front does something to bail him out.

Take last season as an example also when Klopp lost around five or six home games on the bounce. Barely any Liverpool fan wanted him out because they trusted he'd turn it around given he won them their first title in 30 odd years and delivered their 6th CL. If he'd won absolutely bugger all in his career that trust simply wouldn't be there. Ole still has another mountain to climb before he can be afforded that. He's currently struggling to win United the second tier trophies never mind the elite ones.

 

[mav_9me]

So you can't refute it then? Not really proving the point made was incorrect.

Let me refute it. You can't just managae a bunch of highest level footballers by giving them thumbs up. His strengths obviously lie in man management. That's how he has managed to improve Shaw, managed to get performances out of Pogba even thru controversies about leaving or staying, that's how Cavani chose to extend. Clearly the players play for him cuz so many times in his tenure here, when we are down and it looks like Ole's time is up, we manage to get a run of performances and results.

 

[Gonçalo Motta]

I like Ole and I honestly think that he did a great job in building this squad but this is as far as it goes with him imo.

I just don't think he is the right manager to take the final step we need to win the PL and be real CL contenders.
He is way too tactical naive and makes obvious mistakes way too often.

I had hope for him but I just don't see us winning relevant titles with him running the show

 

[Revan]

Anyone care to explain what does ‘resetting the culture’ means? And how do we know he did that, whatever it means?

 

[Eriku]

So you can't refute it then? Not really proving the point made was incorrect.

Too stupid to refute. None of us know exactly what goes on, but anybody with half a brain knows that summary is nonsense.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Ole has earned finishing his current contract!

.
Your post is a joke but tells the story. I don't think that there is more than 1% of rival fans who want him sacked. It is easy to say "i don't care for opposition fans opinion" but when all fans think the same then that tells you something.
Pool, Chelsea and City fans celebrated last month when Ole signed new contract. Meanwhile we all "hate" the fact that all 3 clubs have current managers. Ffs, even midtable clubs fans are laughing to us.

 

[Xaviesta]

Anyone care to explain what does ‘resetting the culture’ means? And how do we know he did that, whatever it means?

It's code for reinstilling the culture of Ferguson's United.

 

[hobbers]

So your saying Ole should win every game until he wins the PL or CL? No leeway until then? And should dominate every team, every game?

You tell me, is that what I said?

 

[Andycoleno9]

Anyone care to explain what does ‘resetting the culture’ means? And how do we know he did that, whatever it means?

It is pretty simple. Before him, our culture was to win trophies and wanting to win trophies.
Under him we don't win anything and he himself said that trophies are only good for ego.

 

[Revan]

It's code for reinstilling the culture of Ferguson's United.

Yes, but bar a vague cliche what does it mean?

 

[Andycoleno9]

He deserves to see the season out baring a meltdown, I agree. He also still has plenty of time to redeem himself and prove this is just a blip. We should really wait until the end of the season anyway, we shouldn’t be appointing a new manager mid season when there’s no one available.

What?? Seriously?

 

[D. Mungai]

Ole was brought in to steady the ship. He did that brilliantly. But not only did he steady the ship, he also took the next few steps by remoulding the squad and resetting the culture. We're now in the strongest state we've been in for about a decade (even more so than in SAF's last couple of seasons).

Solksjaer deserves huge credit for cleaning up the mess left by Moyes, LvG and Mourinho. United is now full of hungry, youthful talent that's ready to take the next step.

The problem is that Ole's currently experiencing the same problem that every football manager eventually experiences: shelf life.

The average Premier League manager only stays in their job for 2 years 8 weeks and 3 days. That's not because they suddenly lose their football knowledge all of a sudden. It's because squads of players need frequent changes in order to keep things fresh and moving forward. Football isn't like any other industry in that respect. Even hipster favourites like Klopp, Tuchel, Jose, Pochettino and Conte have lost their edge at some point. Then they moved on and found it somewhere else. That's the nature of the game.

Ole outers have been wrong about him for 3 years. But like a broken clock, I think it's almost that time when they might be right. The team is underperforming compared to last season (despite superior players), which suggests that the something is going stale. If it's the same by Christmas, it'll be time to move him upstairs and bring in a different head coach.

A beer on my tab. Spot on.

It's time to move on, no matter how difficult it is.

 

[Abhinav]

Ole has done well so far to get us to finish in CL places consecutively while strengthening the squad. However, we still don’t look as organized as other top teams. Our players are not focused throughout the game and make silly errors frequently. Our build up play looks laboured and haphazard. We don’t dominate games and build waves of sustained pressure. We can’t press effectively and are not able to play through presses ourselves. These and other such weaknesses have been ever present irrespective of the personnel’s on the pitch and that is a clear coaching failure. Ole has taken us as far as possible and we need to bring in somebody else to build on his good work. Thank Ole, give him a dignified exit and make the right appointment to not waste his hard work & let it go in vain.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Anyone care to explain what does ‘resetting the culture’ means? And how do we know he did that, whatever it means?

Honestly, some on here have a staggering lack of self awareness. The same posters that froth at the mouth at the mere sign of 'patterns of play', throw around nonsense like 'cultural reboot'. Ole has done some good work here and deserves credit for it, but there's no need for silly new cliches.

 

[Beachryan]

I assume that the coaches watch back matches - a lot. And therefore, at some stage in Ole's tenure he must have noticed that teams 'funnel' us into the right hand side of our half with a press - and reap huge dividends. It was Villa's whole gameplan in the first half yesterday. And it worked a treat.

Push back the CB (Lindelof previously, Varane now - both of whom are reasonable on the ball) but leave the out to AWB. Also let Fred run across to AWB, remain kind of close but make it clear those two are the 'open' players. Then watch them either put it out for a throw, or eventually try to hoof it down the line to no one. Or if you're really lucky, Fred will try to turn - and this is the winning ticket - you can then nip it off him and you're for a chance.

Every well coached team does this to us, and have done it to us for the best part of 3 seasons.

So - how has our multi-million dollar coaching staff responded? Have we told Bruno to come back and actually be part of midfield in those situations? Have we coached Mason to fake coming forward, then double back and try to run in behind down the wing? Have we told De Gea to maybe not play that ball? Or now that our rather huge left 'winger' Paul Pogba up against a tiny full back, are we using the direct option?

Nope, we're doing the same thing. Every match. That's what is killing me. He's not improving at all.

 

[Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell]

Anyone care to explain what does ‘resetting the culture’ means? And how do we know he did that, whatever it means?

It began with Moyes - firing all the coaching teams at United and installing his Everton lot. That hit the culture of the club hard and removed the winning mentality that had been nurtured for a few decades. Moyes lowering of standards across the board.

Van Gaal booting out good players and loyal servants to the club to replace them with expensive, mercinary dross. Van Gaal removing any Manchester United identity from our play, serving up utter shite. Never known boos in OT like it.

We replaced Van Gaal with the ultimate toxic option, Mourinho. He bullying players, wilfully damaging the careers of some of our best young players. Dog shit football, toxic vibes in the ground. Having to sit and watch our manager give his 'football heritage' speech and totally disrespecting the club. 8th in the League when sacked and sinking fast.


Ole brought back the tradtions and standards of Manchester United. The respects for eveyone at the club again. He shifted out the bad eggs as quick as he could, without any drama.
Ole has revived the moral of the players like Shaw and Rashford who would not be at United now if Mourinho lasted longer.
Ole has vastly improved the squad and brought in players that want to be at the club.
The atmosphere at games is optimisitc and hopefully again, this 7 year depression has been lifted.

Ole might not go on and achieve what we need long term but what he has done for United has been brilliant and a very important rebuilding job. The online nutters who want him sacked if we draw or lose a game don't reflect the match going fans or anyone I know in real life, people seem to accept we're in a peroid of improvement but inconsistency but things are going the right direction ( which is refreshing after the last 3 managers)