We made no offer because of ownership issues. Fan protests biting us in the ass, at least short term.
Erik ten Hag - Manchester United manager
- Thread starter sewey89
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
Eric ten Hag is the real deal Holyfield! So far he has done everthing right. He talks the talk but more importantly he walks the walk. So excited to have him as our manager. IMO it's only going to get better.
You cannot compare La Liga or Bundesliga with PL. I’d doubt those teams could boss the PL consistently.
We have teams here that have as much clout financially as us, and more draw to get new players due to recent success.
About every PL team has a top manager.
I do have a lot of admiration for Real Madrid: they make shrewd signings and always have a team with a winning spirit.
But the difference is our club needs to be a consistent challenger for the title, not just a one off and to do that, you have to build a base of consistent CL qualification.
I would rather invest in a way that enables us to challenge strongly 3 times in the next 5 years, than challenge this season and not again. Leicester were a fluke and there's no real insight to be gained from that success, for a club like ours.
If we get CL qualification this season, then I think it's right to aim for the title next season. But this season, the gap is too big. That's not a lack of ambition or the wrong "mentality" , that's just recognising we haven't done the work yet to get us there.
CL qualification and a Cup, that would be a good season for us, at this stage of our development.
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Totally agree but so bloody frustrated we can't find that loan CF able to give him different dimension
Fergie himself had three transitory 3 seasons from 2004, rebuilding the side, our tactics, keeping us in the CL, bagging an FA Cup but we weren't title challengers. People were writing us off. All the patience paid off though didn't it?
Well, how many did we ship in against City? Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal also managed to score against us aldo the Chelsea penalty was a robbery and and we got 7 out of 9 in those games. Im sorry Im not putting ETH on a pedestal just yet...
Not if your ultimate goal is winning the PL. By default you should have at least 15 easy games and 45 points if you plan on winning it. I know the team is nowhere near that but Forest at home is a good place to start. 2 1 at HT is a fighting chance for them and we should not allow that against second tier opposition (aldo I personally like Forest).
after his 20 goal in the league comments, decided to go back and see what previous seasons looked like (post-2008)
Can't really find any patterns!
The decline after Fergie is very obvious.
The period from 2015-17 was awful, and yet produced 3 trophies.
I was trying to figure out if a season like 19/20 (2 main scorers) is better than Ronaldo/Zlatan/Lukaku seasons with one clear scorer, but there's no clear pattern there.
Rashford is doing well, but isn't on track to match Ronaldo/Zlatan/Lukaku, let alone what Rooney/RvP produced.
Martial in 19/20 and Berbs, I think are the only ones who weren't penalty takers. Maybe Zlatan also? Also, Martial 15/16, Pogba and Bruno are the only ones who did not play as the main centre-forward.
| Season | League top scorer + stats | 2nd top scorer + stats | Total league goals scored | Overall top scorer |
| 09/10 | Rooney 26 (32) | Berbatov 12 (24+9) | 86 | Rooney 34 (42+2) |
| 10/11 | Berbatov 20 (24+8) | Hernandez 13 (15+12) | 78 | Berbatov 21 (32+10) |
| 11/12 | Rooney 27 (32+2) | Hernandez 10 (18+10) | 89 | Rooney 34 (41+2) |
| 12/13 | RvP 26 (35+3) | Rooney 12 (22+5) | 86 | RvP 30 (40+8) |
| 13/14 | Rooney 17 (27+2) | RvP 12 (18+3) | 64 | Rooney 19 (37+3) |
| 14/15 | Rooney 12 (33) | RvP 10 (25+2) | 62 | Rooney 14 (37) |
| 15/16 | Martial 11 (29+2) | Rooney 8 (27+1) | 49  | Martial 17 (45+4) |
| 16/17 | Zlatan 17 (27+1) | Mata 6  (19+6) | 54 | Zlatan 28 (41+4) |
| 17/18 | Lukaku 16 (33+1) | Martial 9 (18+12) | 68 | Lukaku 27 (45+6) |
| 18/19 | Pogba 13 (34+1) | Lukaku 12 (22+10) | 65 | Pogba 16 (45+2) |
| 19/20 | Rashford 17 (i31) | Martial 17 (31+1) | 66 | Martial 23 (41+7) |
| 20/21 | Bruno 18 (35+2) | Rashford 11 (33+4) | 73 | Bruno 28 (51+7) |
| 21/22 | Ronaldo 18 (27+3) | Bruno 10 (35+1) | 57 | Ronaldo 24 (35+3) |
| 22/23 | Rashford 5 (14+1) | Martial 3 (3+3) | Rashford 10 (17+4) |
Can't really find any patterns!
The decline after Fergie is very obvious.
The period from 2015-17 was awful, and yet produced 3 trophies.
I was trying to figure out if a season like 19/20 (2 main scorers) is better than Ronaldo/Zlatan/Lukaku seasons with one clear scorer, but there's no clear pattern there.
Rashford is doing well, but isn't on track to match Ronaldo/Zlatan/Lukaku, let alone what Rooney/RvP produced.
Martial in 19/20 and Berbs, I think are the only ones who weren't penalty takers. Maybe Zlatan also? Also, Martial 15/16, Pogba and Bruno are the only ones who did not play as the main centre-forward.
Yes. Because he is a manager and has a lot of resources at his disposal to do it right (we are not Real Madrid but we surley are not Slovan Bratislava either) I think every fan is entitled to that and judging how some of the CAF treated OLE or Mourhino I think my words are more than kind and mesaured.
What did any of those goals have to do with height though? Cause that was the point you were making.
I suppose the argument might be that it's rather other teams that would play to height, but then why all the clean sheets against those?
Also, while the City result was obviously bad, allowing teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea to score against you is no disgrace, you can't expect to keep top teams out 100% of the time.
I'm not arguing that Ten Hag is without faults btw; but I'd say that, if there's any area where United have made great progress in the course of this season, it's exactly defence.
The point I was making is that by stating that you're giving ten Hag the benefit of the doubt actually comes across as if you are being critical. I mean, why wouldn't you? He's doing well. It goes without saying.
49 league goals in 15/16.after his 20 goal in the league comments, decided to go back and see what previous seasons looked like (post-2008)
Season League top scorer + stats 2nd top scorer + stats Total league goals scored Overall top scorer 09/10 Rooney 26 (32) Berbatov 12 (24+9) 86 Rooney 34 (42+2) 10/11 Berbatov 20 (24+8) Hernandez 13 (15+12) 78 Berbatov 21 (32+10) 11/12 Rooney 27 (32+2) Hernandez 10 (18+10) 89 Rooney 34 (41+2) 12/13 RvP 26 (35+3) Rooney 12 (22+5) 86 RvP 30 (40+8) 13/14 Rooney 17 (27+2) RvP 12 (18+3) 64 Rooney 19 (37+3) 14/15 Rooney 12 (33) RvP 10 (25+2) 62 Rooney 14 (37) 15/16 Martial 11 (29+2) Rooney 8 (27+1) 49 Martial 17 (45+4) 16/17 Zlatan 17 (27+1) Mata 6 54 Zlatan 28 (41+4) 17/18 Lukaku 16 (33+1) Martial 9 (18+12) 68 Lukaku 27 (45+6) 18/19 Pogba 13 (34+1) Lukaku 12 (22+10) 65 Pogba 16 (45+2) 19/20 Rashford 17 (i31) Martial 17 (31+1) 66 Martial 23 (41+7) 20/21 Bruno 18 (35+2) Rashford 11 (33+4) 73 Bruno 28 (51+7) 21/22 Ronaldo 18 (27+3) Bruno 10 (35+1) 57 Ronaldo 24 (35+3) 22/23 Rashford 5 (14+1) Martial 3 (3+3) Rashford 10 (17+4)
Can't really find any patterns!
The decline after Fergie is very obvious.
The period from 2015-17 was awful, and yet produced 3 trophies.
I was trying to figure out if a season like 19/20 (2 main scorers) is better than Ronaldo/Zlatan/Lukaku seasons with one clear scorer, but there's no clear pattern there.
Rashford is doing well, but isn't on track to match Ronaldo/Zlatan/Lukaku, let alone what Rooney/RvP produced.
Martial in 19/20 and Berbs, I think are the only ones who weren't penalty takers. Maybe Zlatan also? Also, Martial 15/16, Pogba and Bruno are the only ones who did not play as the main centre-forward.
The only season that's even comparable to the SAF era in terms of goals is 20/21 which is no surprise.
you will all change your tune when we close the gap with arsenal
I’m a believer.
I’m a believer.
Exactly why Lvg was sacked. Had the players too scared to attack49 league goals in 15/16.
The only season that's even comparable to the SAF era in terms of goals is 20/21 which is no surprise.
And yet some fans still think we should've kept him.
I honestly think that season was the worst football I've seen United play. Absolute bore fest.Mourinho only getting an extra 5 goals the following season considering the amount of attacking talent he brought in was even worse. Dreadful manager.
9-0 win against Southampton who were down to 10 men (and 9 towards the end) was a big factor in total goals scored. Special game.49 league goals in 15/16.
The only season that's even comparable to the SAF era in terms of goals is 20/21 which is no surprise.
Outscored by Bournemouth. The EL saved him.
We were much more entertaining (especially at home) in Jose's 1st season than under van Gaal. There were 5-6 games at OT where we didn't score or scored only one goal and could've scored much more.
LvG's boring draws were as boring as possible, Jose's weren't most times. At least in 2016/17.
It almost made me go right off football for good. I don’t think I’ve ever got the same enthusiasm backAnd yet some fans still think we should've kept him.
Sorry what?! Are there seriously people who are saying he’s no good?!
Ok then. I agree with the improvement but not the defence. It Casemiro who is doing a lot of dirty stuff saving the defence IMO. But yeah Im just not completely on the ETH band wagon but he has done very well and I really hope Glazers back him up in january
Even though it was the worst period post SAF, you can make that same case for all the managerial reigns post SAF, while some got high on the Ole vibe and others felt somewhat reassured during Mourinho's first two seasons. By and large we've looked miles from being anything close to resembling a team others fear.
Oh I’m sure you could, Lvg was my breaking point though
Sorry, what do you mean? Who is no good?
He is doing very well. He is not doing brilliant as some fans say and is the general agenda on this thread currently. That was my point. And he plays his players out of position
Bah! How could you forget the sex masochism?
Must have been boring sex shows!
That’s a weird thing to be bothered about. Who cares if the football’s good and we get the win?
Should SAF have been sacked for playing Carrick at CB?
Well if you want to nitpick SAF played Carrick because he had an injury crisis not two CBs of which one had a good WC and the other didnt play at all. I said that this approach is going to bite us in the ass eventually if he continues with that but I honestly hope he gets the players he wants come January because its obviously unfair to judge a manager without at least two decent transfer windows
it wasn't 2-1 at half time though
Fergie would often do the same over the years. Centre backs at right back, defenders in midfield etc. Pep likewise.
I love this about him. Putting Shaw at CB instead of Dumb&Dumber, what a maestro. Same as Malacia at RB just before the WC. These moves haven't backfired yet so I don't mind it at all.
He's a very grounded person and has been able to stay true to himself, his standards, and his beliefs, thus far. He has a lot of self-belief and relevant experience. EtH knows the team can be better and should be better, but there has to be gradual improvement and he knows exactly what is yet to come. Ole knew the standards United needed to get to, but because he never actually acheived those high standards as a manager with any good players, he ultimately failed to take the next big step(s).
Being surrounded by his loyal lieutenant in van der Gaag, wise head in McClaren, and drafting in McCarthy has been immense. They've all been part of something greater and of legitimate success, save for McCarthy, but he was very good on his own merit as a striker.
I don't mind if United do not get another forward in January. EtH will continue to adapt with what he has and get the best out of them. We shouldn't be compromising in the short-term (i.e. paying someone like Joao Felix for a temporary loan and knowing full well he's inbetween positions - not the CF we need, probably won't be able to push aside Marcus from his best position, hasn't shown anything he's capable of playing well off the right, etc.) for long-term gain.
Continue to develop the players and team as a whole and when the proper player(s) are available to make a geniune impact like Lisandro, Casemiro, Eriksen, then the boat should be pushed out as best as possible. United are about 3 pieces (CF/forward, GK, midfielder) away from having a competitive team, assuming the rest of the players continue to develop under EtH.
Being surrounded by his loyal lieutenant in van der Gaag, wise head in McClaren, and drafting in McCarthy has been immense. They've all been part of something greater and of legitimate success, save for McCarthy, but he was very good on his own merit as a striker.
I don't mind if United do not get another forward in January. EtH will continue to adapt with what he has and get the best out of them. We shouldn't be compromising in the short-term (i.e. paying someone like Joao Felix for a temporary loan and knowing full well he's inbetween positions - not the CF we need, probably won't be able to push aside Marcus from his best position, hasn't shown anything he's capable of playing well off the right, etc.) for long-term gain.
Continue to develop the players and team as a whole and when the proper player(s) are available to make a geniune impact like Lisandro, Casemiro, Eriksen, then the boat should be pushed out as best as possible. United are about 3 pieces (CF/forward, GK, midfielder) away from having a competitive team, assuming the rest of the players continue to develop under EtH.
This. I was stopped watching after I started falling asleep during games.
Just not sure we have got enough to secure top 4 without a CF who will score those scrappy goals needed in tight games
How is Casemiro not part of the defensive setup though? In fact, in a pressing team, every player is.
You can't judge a defence purely by the guys playing right in front of the goalkeeper. Football hasn't been played or considered like that for a few decades now.
Top 4 is an objective, but the growth of the team and how we play is of greater importance. There really wasn't an available CF in the summer, especially when you consider the priorities of CB, CM, and RF.
United are in the thick of top 3. Defensively, the team is so much more compact and there's a platform for chance creation without totally exposing yourself.
The lack of depth behind Martial and the lack of quality behind Martial and Antony is the worry. And just being more clinical as a forward line. Marcus still leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to finishing, but he's almost back to his previous level...yet needs to take another clear step to be classified as a top player driving the team to the next level. Martial has to stay fit and if he's involved, then players around him do better. Antony is the x-factor. Has to be more ruthless in front of goal and fill the right forward void. If not, then EtH has to do more tinkering.
The more the front 4 play together, the better our chances.
I'm all in mate, excited to see how it all plays out over the next few years. The fight back to the top will be tons of fun.