Ole Gunnar Solskjær | 2021/22 Discussion

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Roboc7

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We have a lot of good players but not a good team. Ole is just trying to squeeze everybody in without thinking about if it works or not. A great manager would have stood his ground and demanded players to fit the system he wanted to play, not buy players who are great for clicks on social media.
And that’s been the huge gap in this rebuild, Ole doesn’t even know what he’s working towards yet some still think he’s building for the next guy. Ole looks totally bemused but likes of DVB and Sancho, both good players but seemingly bought with no understanding of what to
do with them.
 

Smores

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That only has an impact 2-3 times a season before it becomes white noise for players.
It also only works if the players believe in the plan but accept they're not executing it.
From what Pogba came out with yesterday the players don't trust the plan or that Ole knows what he's talking about.
 

R'hllor

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This whole individual brilliance thing is just a reflection of a fan base and their expectations from players, focusing on totally wrong stuff and its always connected with excusing a manager in charge.
 

YeahYeah

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Ronaldo changed everything and Ole probably wouldnt even wanna play him if he had choice.
Ronaldo just absolutely doesnt fit Ole's free flowing football at all and I do think he will require us to change formation and play with 2 strikers. Its just way out of Ole's depth.

With Cavani it worked cuz Cavani fit in great, Ronaldo cant.
 

Cloud7

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The EL final for me was a big turning point as well. For a guy on the verge of his first major trophy, he really did not seem that bothered about winning it. Bottled every in game decision, so much so that he did feck all with subs until the last minute. Joke.

And yet, my heart still gave him one more chance after a decent transfer window. Now though, I'm really tired of seeing his teams play. Lethargic, slow, insipid. No doubt he'll go on a run of a few wins later this season as he does, but it will be too late and we'll be well out of the title race by then. Joke.
The man said winning trophies are for egos. That alone shows the sort of manager he is. Clinging to league performances where we're nowhere near the top of the pile in terms of points or performances to say that that shows progress.
 

Gehrman

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The man said winning trophies are for egos. That alone shows the sort of manager he is. Clinging to league performances where we're nowhere near the top of the pile in terms of points or performances to say that that shows progress.
So did Poch to be fair and he lost the french league last season with PSG and failed to win the CL.
 

DomesticTadpole

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The man said winning trophies are for egos. That alone shows the sort of manager he is. Clinging to league performances where we're nowhere near the top of the pile in terms of points or performances to say that that shows progress.
Winning trophies are for clubs with ambition.
 

Cloud7

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Ronaldo changed everything and Ole probably wouldnt even wanna play him if he had choice.
Ronaldo just absolutely doesnt fit Ole's free flowing football at all and I do think he will require us to change formation and play with 2 strikers. Its just way out of Ole's depth.

With Cavani it worked cuz Cavani fit in great, Ronaldo cant.
His fecking what? :lol: The only free flowing football Ole's ever encouraged would be the footballs flowing out of the bag in training
 

LInkash

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We've had so many great moments under Ole, the highs were a better feeling than even winning trophies under Van Gaal and Mourinho. I dreamed and hoped of winning the biggest prizes under Solskjaer, it would have been the most amazing thing ever but looks it's not going to happen :(
 

Cloud7

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So did Poch to be fair and he lost the french league last season with PSG and failed to win the CL.
And Poch has gone down in my estimation at PSG. Prior to him going there Poch was my first choice for who I wanted to be our manager, but his time there has made me reassess that. Him saying that doesn't make it any more justifiable that Ole said it either. Thinking like that is unacceptable at a club like United or PSG.
 

Gehrman

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And Poch got major stick for it on here
Yup. For a Man Utd manager saying that winning trophies is for ego's is just absurd. Especially as Ole mocked José for finishing 2nd before he got the job himself.
 

Gehrman

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And Poch has gone down in my estimation at PSG. Prior to him going there Poch was my first choice for who I wanted to be our manager, but his time there has made me reassess that. Him saying that doesn't make it any more justifiable that Ole said it either. Thinking like that is unacceptable at a club like United or PSG.
I doubt Poch would ever say that at PSG. I reckon at Spurs he could say that finising higher in the table is still an achievement even if you don't win trophies since the expectations are lower, but it's still really silly to say regardless of who you are managing.
 

Cloud7

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I doubt Poch would ever say that at PSG. I reckon at Spurs he could say that finising higher in the table is still an achievement even if you don't win trophies since the expectations are lower, but it's still really silly to say regardless of who you are managing.
Ah okay I thought you meant he said that at PSG and I missed it. It's unacceptable to say that at any club really, but especially if you have aspirations of managing a top club. Absolute joke that we have a manager who thinks that.
 

VorZakone

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Yup. For a Man Utd manager saying that winning trophies is for ego's is just absurd. Especially as Ole mocked José for finishing 2nd before he got the job himself.
When did Ole mock Mourinho for finishing 2nd?
 

Gehrman

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When did Ole mock Mourinho for finishing 2nd?
When he was at Molde. There is a clip of it somewhere, but I don't have it. Mocked is perhaps a strong word, but he just thought it was unimpressive since mou was managing united.
 

laughtersassassin

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Only our club would be stupid enough to think we could try compete with Klopp and Pep while we employ a rookie manager....

It was nonsensical
 

Berbaclass

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It's going to be almost comical how much the likes of Neville and the other United pundits skate around the issue of sacking him or even criticising him in any way :lol:
 

Bobcat

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Likes of Varane and Ronaldo will be fine but they’ll be changes, anyone who thinks next manager is carrying on where Ole left off is in a dreamworld. Everyone has different opinions and a good player isn’t necessarily the right player.

If Ole gets the sack then his rebuild has failed, can’t be dressed up any other way.
Sure, but there is a reason good players demand high fees and world class players demand even higher ones. If it was just the case of finding the right players then you could have Pep walking the league with the likes of Norwich and thats not just happening

When Ole took over we had more holes in our squad than a swiss cheese and besides a quality DM, all those have been adressed and then some. The number one argument for replacing Ole among his critics have been that "a competent manager would walk the league with this squad", and while that is hyperbole its some truth to it aswell because the squad on paper is more than capable of competing for the big prizes.

Another key thing is the age profile of the players he has brought in. While Jose bought players for the now, Ole has mostly bought players for the future.

Maguire and Varane are just entering their prime as CB's. AWB is only 23 and has plenty of room for growth. Its not that long ago people were calling Shaw a fat crock and look at him now. Bruno is also entering his prime years, Sancho, Pellestri and Diallo are all very young

Cavani and Ronaldo are old as shite, but the attitude, experiece and mentality they bring is invaluable. Two years from now, we could line up like this

------------------------------Henderson (26)-------------------------
AWB(25)-----Maguire(30)-----Varane(30)-----Shaw(27)
-----------------------Pogba(30)-----Fred(30)-----------------------
-----------------------------------Bruno(29)-----------------------------
-Sancho(23)--------Greenwood(22)---------Rashford(25)

Besides that questionable midfield, thats a good team with an average age of just 26,9. Considering the average age of key players in league winning teams tend to be at around 27-28, i dont get the bleak outlook.
 

captaincantona

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Let’s be honest about this- Ole is living out his dream, as is Carrick and McKenna. 3 complete rookies trying with everything they have in their locker to do the best for the club. It would take very big men indeed to turn down the offer of managing or being 1st team coach at a club considered to be elite around the world. They are doing what they think is right and obviously believe they can turn it around.

Now, the actual issue is the decision makers at the club not seeing this as being a mistake and offering Ole a long term contract because, IMO, they knew that Ole and a more organic ethos would pacify fans and keep them off their back. He was the perfect buffer and with the investment made would almost guarantee a top four finish or cup run.

Our football under Ole has been no better than under the previous 3- different, better on the counter...but not better overall.
 

pseudo_canadian

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Come on. Are you suggesting players like Maguire, Varane, Bruno, Sancho and Ronaldo are going to be completely useless if there is another man sat in the dugout? Of course different managers prefer players with different skillsets, but its not like its going to be a pack of bulldogs trying to herd sheep

If we had swapped Van Dijk for Lindelof its not like the former suddenly was going to turn to shit just because he was no longer playing under Klopp. Ronaldo is still going to be a world class poacher and Pogba and Bruno is still going to have amazing vision and passing ability after Ole leaves

At the start of the season, 95% of this forum was expecting a league challenge. As it seems Ole is not up to the task, but that does not mean the players are suddenly bad

Its been repeated on here ad nauseum, but good managers make do with what they got and manage to create a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. Ole has seemingly failed in that regard, but unless you get some extreme philosophy idealist like Pep you dont need to tailor suit the squad to the managers needs
Spot on. This is all it comes down to.
 

SonyaCross493

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Is it time for Ole to show some balls and bring in a new formation? His job is on the line and if he doesn't try something new he'll sack himself

A new formation could be the key. This group of players must click soon and go on a run of form.. they are too good not to click eventually surely..

Heavy rumours last week of a 3-5-2 with wingbacks providing the width and playing Fernandes/Lingard, Pogba/Donny and Fred/McTom as a front 3 in the midfield with Ronaldo/Cavani and Greenwood/Sancho/Rashford upfront. Never happened but let's see if Ole pulls the trigger now. You have to get the right formation to suit the players you've got. And if I was Ole right now I'd try anything I'd be desperate. I'd prefer a 4-4-2 diamond personally so we can play Sancho
 
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Andycoleno9

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So did Poch to be fair and he lost the french league last season with PSG and failed to win the CL.
Half season doesn't count (it is free pass for all managers), no pre-season, not his squad, no transfers.....etc....etc...
Those are right excuses, right?
 

SeanyC

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Problem with Ole is he’s too scared, too trust worthy of his current crop of 11…he really has to have the nerve to change it up now, surely there is some young pup in the reserves to plug that midfield dying for a chance
 

Roboc7

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Sure, but there is a reason good players demand high fees and world class players demand even higher ones. If it was just the case of finding the right players then you could have Pep walking the league with the likes of Norwich and thats not just happening

When Ole took over we had more holes in our squad than a swiss cheese and besides a quality DM, all those have been adressed and then some. The number one argument for replacing Ole among his critics have been that "a competent manager would walk the league with this squad", and while that is hyperbole its some truth to it aswell because the squad on paper is more than capable of competing for the big prizes.

Another key thing is the age profile of the players he has brought in. While Jose bought players for the now, Ole has mostly bought players for the future.

Maguire and Varane are just entering their prime as CB's. AWB is only 23 and has plenty of room for growth. Its not that long ago people were calling Shaw a fat crock and look at him now. Bruno is also entering his prime years, Sancho, Pellestri and Diallo are all very young

Cavani and Ronaldo are old as shite, but the attitude, experiece and mentality they bring is invaluable. Two years from now, we could line up like this

------------------------------Henderson (26)-------------------------
AWB(25)-----Maguire(30)-----Varane(30)-----Shaw(27)
-----------------------Pogba(30)-----Fred(30)-----------------------
-----------------------------------Bruno(29)-----------------------------
-Sancho(23)--------Greenwood(22)---------Rashford(25)

Besides that questionable midfield, thats a good team with an average age of just 26,9. Considering the average age of key players in league winning teams tend to be at around 27-28, i dont get the bleak outlook.
If a good player is a good player then why do managers want different players, why do players perfofrm differently at different clubs or at the same club under different managers?. Why do managers have different opinions of players if someone is either just good or bad, it’s total nonsense.

It’s a really odd logic your using which seems to be heavily influenced be fact you want to cling onto idea Ole hasn’t failed, even picked a team two years ahead using same formation as Ole without a single new player.

It’s time to let go, he’s failed.
 
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UnitedSofa

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The man said winning trophies are for egos. That alone shows the sort of manager he is. Clinging to league performances where we're nowhere near the top of the pile in terms of points or performances to say that that shows progress.
That’s been taken out of context & Ole is sharing the same sentiment that most on here would use as an excuse to bat him with:


"I’ve been here for two and a half of those years and coming in as I’ve said so many times I felt a big rebuild had to be made," Solskjaer said.

"In the league position you see if there’s any progress for me, that’s always the bread and butter of the season that you see how capable you are of coping of ups and downs any cup competition can give you a trophy but sometimes it’s more of an ego thing from other managers and clubs to finally win something.

"But we need to see progress and if we perform well enough the trophies will end up at the club again. It’s not like a trophy will say that we’re back, no”

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...-trophies-mourinho-van-gaal-b1818512.html?amp


He’s saying that if you win a trophy it does not hide the fact that there are still issues within the club, which is right, if we won the EL, it would just act as an ego boost to hide the fact we’re still shite.

He’s 100% right, admit it, you’d be happy with a trophy but we’re still shite, it counts for nothing unless you actually play well as a team. Cup’s are just one off games, you could get lucky all the way through and win it. If it was the Prem ist’s a different story, cup competitions not so much and can hide a lot of the problems within the club.
 

tenpoless

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He’s saying that if you win a trophy it does not hide the fact that there are still issues within the club, which is right, if we won the EL, it would just act as an ego boost to hide the fact we’re still shite.
I'd take that ego boost when we're still shit than not getting anything and we're still shit too.
 
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