I don't see us being overrun at the same rate we were last season. We will still lose possession because we lack a player who can control the midfield, but the defence will be more able to prevent the counter.
The Positives - We will concede less, and be no less threatening in attack
- Thread starter WensleyMU
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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.
If only we could find the form of oles first 10 games or whatever it was.
Things will be very interesting
Things will be very interesting
I'm not really going into this upcoming season with many expectations.
I've decided just to enjoy the ride we get to see our exciting talents Chong, Greenwood and Gomes (hopefully the added gametime will convince him to sign a new deal) in and around the first team
I've decided just to enjoy the ride we get to see our exciting talents Chong, Greenwood and Gomes (hopefully the added gametime will convince him to sign a new deal) in and around the first team
Why do people now talk about our midfield being massively weakened by losing Fellaini and Herrera?
Fellaini who everyone wanted gone, who left half way through the year, only started 6 league games in the last season, and probably not all of them were in midfield anyway?
Herrera who, admittedly, I was quite fond of - but again started less than half of our league games.
I would have loved us to strengthen our midfield. But I don't see how it is significantly weaker. If McTominay takes Matic's place and continues to develop, I think it's stronger.
For that matter, even with the exact same personnel playing, if we can manage to consistently play how Ole clearly wants us to, it's much stronger too.
Fellaini who everyone wanted gone, who left half way through the year, only started 6 league games in the last season, and probably not all of them were in midfield anyway?
Herrera who, admittedly, I was quite fond of - but again started less than half of our league games.
I would have loved us to strengthen our midfield. But I don't see how it is significantly weaker. If McTominay takes Matic's place and continues to develop, I think it's stronger.
For that matter, even with the exact same personnel playing, if we can manage to consistently play how Ole clearly wants us to, it's much stronger too.
There is proof of what can happen in the current generation.
Of course ours are army the very beginning, but Ajax reached the Europa League final at the very beginning so it's something to aim for at least.
There's no doubt we have the talent.
Herrera who is also injured for 4 weeks right at the start of the season anyway. As useful as he was, he was very likely to pick up a knock and miss large periods.
I think people have lost a bit of perspective since there has been such a lack of football over the last 3 months.
Our squad overall looks better this season than last - albeit most of it is based on potential of the youngsters. If either one of Greenwood or Gomes has a breakout season like Adnan or Rashford did, we will be in a good position at the end of the season.
That’s the only if I’m my mind. I think our midfield issues are being overplayed because of Matic’s decline. However, he is still good enough to play against teams in the lower half of the league and dominate midfield. Scott McT last season showed that he can step up for big games, and Fred has had his one season of bedding in. (Lucas Moura at Spurs is a great example of how the second season can be a significant upgrade from the first). We have 4 players to play 2 positions, of which 1 player is one of the best around.
There is a long way to go before we have a proper title challenging squad, but this season was never going to be about that. We need to use this season to identify our playing style, make sure we get into top 4, give our youngsters a break in chance, and then reassess our squad next summer.
If some of the questions get answered in the positive, then we may need only a few tweaks to challenge again. The ones that are answered in the negative need to be actively resolved.
At least Ole seems to be putting together a new core team which will be together for 4-5 seasons, and will want to stay at United. I’m super sick of the mercenary nature of our previous signings. For e.g.
1. Rom has quit at first sight of a challenge
2. Matic lost his legs after 16 months
3. Di Maria, Falcao, Bastian, etc. etc.
Our squad overall looks better this season than last - albeit most of it is based on potential of the youngsters. If either one of Greenwood or Gomes has a breakout season like Adnan or Rashford did, we will be in a good position at the end of the season.
That’s the only if I’m my mind. I think our midfield issues are being overplayed because of Matic’s decline. However, he is still good enough to play against teams in the lower half of the league and dominate midfield. Scott McT last season showed that he can step up for big games, and Fred has had his one season of bedding in. (Lucas Moura at Spurs is a great example of how the second season can be a significant upgrade from the first). We have 4 players to play 2 positions, of which 1 player is one of the best around.
There is a long way to go before we have a proper title challenging squad, but this season was never going to be about that. We need to use this season to identify our playing style, make sure we get into top 4, give our youngsters a break in chance, and then reassess our squad next summer.
If some of the questions get answered in the positive, then we may need only a few tweaks to challenge again. The ones that are answered in the negative need to be actively resolved.
At least Ole seems to be putting together a new core team which will be together for 4-5 seasons, and will want to stay at United. I’m super sick of the mercenary nature of our previous signings. For e.g.
1. Rom has quit at first sight of a challenge
2. Matic lost his legs after 16 months
3. Di Maria, Falcao, Bastian, etc. etc.
Yeah and I think Matic will be fine as long as he's regularly rotated. He looked exhausted last season, a lot of games, but he is turning 31, not 34.
Yep pretty much this. A very very poor transfer window
We made 3 signings all of which I'm happy with, we sold Lukaku which should create more options for Greenwood up front. There was no spunking of a fortune on a big name, ageing star.
There's no quick fixes to 5 years of poor squad management.
If we're fitter, work harder and give the youth a chance, I'm good.
There's no quick fixes to 5 years of poor squad management.
If we're fitter, work harder and give the youth a chance, I'm good.
Same, I'm looking forward to Rashford and/or Martial up front and reckon if Mata's in the 10 role there will be lots of chances for them.
I believe because of them we will be very dangerous in cup competitions
Looking good already