That’s not strange at all.
There were still some doubts about Pep/Klopp this time last year, plus we were expecting the traditional year two title under Mourinho. Far fewer (if any?) reasons for optimism this time round. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Are you optimistic about the new season?
- Thread starter Lemansky
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There were still some doubts about Pep/Klopp this time last year, plus we were expecting the traditional year two title under Mourinho. Far fewer (if any?) reasons for optimism this time round. Quite the opposite, in fact.
I think he'll either fail spectacularly like he has in recent third season stints, or win the title. For some reason I just don't see a middle ground, mind you, I think it's far more likely to be the former.
Not until we get a RW and LB
I also don't know what to make of this Kroos rumour
I also don't know what to make of this Kroos rumour
Unfortunately I can see Mourinho failing in a heap of glory and boring football. I hope I’m not right.
Honestly, I'm not optimistic with Mourinho in charge. Another manager could have done better with these players. Just my opinion.
Not particularly optimistic at all, was more optimistic at the beginning of this season, but..
For me Mourinho just brings misery and boring football, even if we were winning, that would at least take some of the sting out of it, but we aren't and it's just a slog to get through the matches somedays. His attitude has been just awful too, from slagging players off to having a face like a smacked ass all the time it's just ugh.
The signings since Fergie have all been hit or miss, but it seems like Mourinho hasn't really done any better, most haven't lived up to potential, one was traded off after a season, one doesn't get in the team ahead of some of Fergie's players, just so hit and miss. People thought we'd be getting rid of 'deadwood' or at least be seeing some of them replaced in the team by others, but no. Don't even get me started on pushing players like Martial out but begging players like Fellaini to sign new contracts, definitely inspires 0 confidence of a good attacking unit next season, we aren't suddenly going to change, and with Fellaini staying I can't see us buying another midfielder that we could of done with, certainly don't think Fred is the answer to all our problems.
Transfer window still has a ways to go so hopefully more positions are sorted like the needed RW, but even then i'm struggling to see us overcoming City and could find ourselves in a fight with Liverpool and Spurs again, hell even a possibly rejuvenated Arsenal might do something, even Chelsea depending on whats happening with them. All I know is this could be one of our toughest seasons yet and we got to get this bang on if we want to walk away with something.
For me Mourinho just brings misery and boring football, even if we were winning, that would at least take some of the sting out of it, but we aren't and it's just a slog to get through the matches somedays. His attitude has been just awful too, from slagging players off to having a face like a smacked ass all the time it's just ugh.
The signings since Fergie have all been hit or miss, but it seems like Mourinho hasn't really done any better, most haven't lived up to potential, one was traded off after a season, one doesn't get in the team ahead of some of Fergie's players, just so hit and miss. People thought we'd be getting rid of 'deadwood' or at least be seeing some of them replaced in the team by others, but no. Don't even get me started on pushing players like Martial out but begging players like Fellaini to sign new contracts, definitely inspires 0 confidence of a good attacking unit next season, we aren't suddenly going to change, and with Fellaini staying I can't see us buying another midfielder that we could of done with, certainly don't think Fred is the answer to all our problems.
Transfer window still has a ways to go so hopefully more positions are sorted like the needed RW, but even then i'm struggling to see us overcoming City and could find ourselves in a fight with Liverpool and Spurs again, hell even a possibly rejuvenated Arsenal might do something, even Chelsea depending on whats happening with them. All I know is this could be one of our toughest seasons yet and we got to get this bang on if we want to walk away with something.
Bale would be a transformational signing for us. My excitement for the season pretty much hinges on him (or someone of similar quality) coming in
Not sure.
Still think we are very far from a great squad or a great team. Still more than a month left of the transfer window though.
But who knows, I think this might be the defining season for Mourinho.
Still think we are very far from a great squad or a great team. Still more than a month left of the transfer window though.
But who knows, I think this might be the defining season for Mourinho.
Pretty pessimistic but can't say you are wrong.
Myself, I too don't expect anything to change next year and now retaining Fellaini says we will sign some ageing Galactico(for shirt sales) totally overpriced which will only get worse in Jose's system, e.g Sanchez. Unless some drastic changes happen next season I will be presently surprised if we do make Top 4. I really hope I am proven wrong and we do improve but I don't think we will.
Reading the different threads on the forum, even the most optimistic fans have curbed their expectations of what Man Utd should be accomplishing.
Atm no. Our transfers haven't been good enough to fix the problems in the team, and I don't believe Mourinho is the right coach to take us to the next level (though I acknowledge he's done decently well to shore up the team).
Still need proper fullbacks.
When do players go back?
Agree. It is not who we sign it is how they are used. He could sign Messi and then have him sitting in front of the back six.
OP is a free life advice folks. Take it.
I feel generally positive for next season. Last season I started as an enthusiastic muppet who were hoping for a real PL challenge and a semi in CL (yep, a little delusional about CL there). After the season I guess I summed up that we did decent in the league compared to previous years, and that the loss to Sevilla felt like a nostalgic trip. In other words, not that enthusiastic, but long from broken.
This year I'm hoping for a real PL challenge once again, but instead of a CL run, I'd just like to see more goals. Hope Lukaku will bang in about 30 and that Sanchez follows him suit. I could go on, but I think I'll leave it at that.
I feel generally positive for next season. Last season I started as an enthusiastic muppet who were hoping for a real PL challenge and a semi in CL (yep, a little delusional about CL there). After the season I guess I summed up that we did decent in the league compared to previous years, and that the loss to Sevilla felt like a nostalgic trip. In other words, not that enthusiastic, but long from broken.
This year I'm hoping for a real PL challenge once again, but instead of a CL run, I'd just like to see more goals. Hope Lukaku will bang in about 30 and that Sanchez follows him suit. I could go on, but I think I'll leave it at that.
We are privileged to be Man United supporters. There is every chance we could challenge with a few more additions.
Do you think Leicester fans ever thought in their wildest dreams, that they would win the league a mere few seasons ago? No. Anything can happen and City will have a harder time defending a title.
Do you think Leicester fans ever thought in their wildest dreams, that they would win the league a mere few seasons ago? No. Anything can happen and City will have a harder time defending a title.
Too early to say, no one did any signings really apart from our fred and dalot, liverpool signing fabinho (and keita) and now Chelsea closing in on Golovin, I am optimistic but I am sure we will buy 2 more plaers
Well we've announced that Fellaini's staying for another two years....
Of course one more season of boring Mou football featured by Fella...
They better hadn't be counting him as one of the signings.Well we've announced that Fellaini's staying for another two years....
Not in the slightest.
A thread like this would work after we're done with our summer transfers.
2 signings so far? I don't think we can speculate yet. Let's wait till the transfer window closes.
Just after Fellaini signs a new deal is fine too.
Our grand plan for catching an exceptionally talented City team is giving Marouane fecking Fellaini a pay rise and signing a 19 year old right back? Am I optimistic at this point? lolz
Not really. Who do you expect we are going to sign?? Unless its Neymar and Kroos there aren't any 1 or 2 players that are gonna make us champions. Even if we sign Bale i still don't expect us to win the league. We don't have enough consistent quality in defense, there are question marks about our wingers (Sanchez did nothing to allay those fears in the 4-5 months he played). Signing Fred, who we don't know how he is going to perform in such a tough league, doesn't exactly solve our midfield issues as Pogba isn't gonna turn into a consistent Kroos or De Bruyne type performer overnight. So I don't think the summer transfers are gonna do much to change the mood around here. Plus if you wanna be pessimistic (or realistic depending on recent history), as Pogue said, even top class players whom we signed haven't set the world alight recently for us.
^^Pretty much this^^I’ll reserve judgement until the window shuts but...
If Fellaini signs an extension (looking likely
Martial leaves
Young and Valencia are our starting wing backs again.
We don't sign a RW.
We can write off the season before it starts.
Added that if our distribution from central defence is still shocking then I think next season will be a really tough struggle for us.
My personal opinion is that talk of a title challenge is completely laughable, unless we significantly improve in all of the weak areas.
Think like England I just don't really have any aspirations any longer. Like England and hoping for a semi-final place, United it is finishing nearer to City, hell even finishing in the Top 4 might be something. In fact I would just like to see some good football, more goals. Just loosen up a bit Jose.
No. Mourinho had a very promising first season but since then has made too many mistakes.
Mouirinho isn't good at developing youth, what makes you think he can improve pogba, rahsford and co. Pogba has been an expensive flop. Lindelof looks a flop too, hes bought poorly in general. I think well see more expensive flops.
I think it's universally accepted it will be Mourinho's last season.
Hopefully one of the better teams has a bit of a blip and we can nab 4th.
Hopefully one of the better teams has a bit of a blip and we can nab 4th.
I just feel if you don't go into the season full of optimism you are not disappointed. If things improve then the happiness it gives you is even better.
It’s more about the attacking system than the personnel. Sanchez is world class but he has been toliet for us.
I think a lot of feelings ATM are colored by that horrendous run of games at season's end and our loss in the cup final. Our football for most of this year, however, has been poor and I don't see anything happening, other than the changes to Mourinho's staff, that might fix some of it.
It's hard to take us seriously as contenders of anything with Fellaini staying another 2 years. There are other players we need to be rid of but we could have made a statement and cast him off, clearing the air of someone that has brought so much animosity to the fanbase. If we're willing to keep someone who's so limited in ability, with a manager who has openly begged for him, who are we to think that we'll find improvements for LB, RB, CB, RW?
Our young players are part of what makes United such a great club and this summer, I feel concern for them like I haven't felt in the past. Martial might stay on but I don't think matters will get any better for him, I see him at least leaving after this season. Rashford has also stagnated in his development, his composure in front of goal appears to have gone. It doesn't look to me as if Andreas will get a real chance at making the first team, the MF is just so crowded right now and I think he's lost patience in getting a chance to prove himself. Then you have TFM and Tuanzabe, who I think will both be loaned out again.
With WC happening, I've asked myself why we didn't pursue commitments from players before last season ended, like we did with Memphis. This could have helped us to deal with the lack of time we have on transfers (unless rules have changed and this is not allowed?).
In the meantime, am I right in saying that Joe Riley is the only player who has left United since the window opened? Are Darmian and Blind still going to take up places in our squad? Do we have to watch Mata on RW for another whole season?
Weighing things as they are, my predictions for next season:
* Anywhere from 3rd to 6th in PL. I think Liverpool will be the only legitimate challengers to City based on their signings. I think their defence will be improved with a full season of VVD in the backline. Things could get very ugly for us if we fall behind City early and Mourinho starts going off on everything around him.
* I can see us winning League Cup, which isn't saying much. I don't think we can win FA Cup, Jose just doesn't seem able to win the thing.
* R16 exit from Champions League.
So, basically, a rerun of last season, being the most optimistic. A couple of signings and outgoings might change my mind slightly.
It's hard to take us seriously as contenders of anything with Fellaini staying another 2 years. There are other players we need to be rid of but we could have made a statement and cast him off, clearing the air of someone that has brought so much animosity to the fanbase. If we're willing to keep someone who's so limited in ability, with a manager who has openly begged for him, who are we to think that we'll find improvements for LB, RB, CB, RW?
Our young players are part of what makes United such a great club and this summer, I feel concern for them like I haven't felt in the past. Martial might stay on but I don't think matters will get any better for him, I see him at least leaving after this season. Rashford has also stagnated in his development, his composure in front of goal appears to have gone. It doesn't look to me as if Andreas will get a real chance at making the first team, the MF is just so crowded right now and I think he's lost patience in getting a chance to prove himself. Then you have TFM and Tuanzabe, who I think will both be loaned out again.
With WC happening, I've asked myself why we didn't pursue commitments from players before last season ended, like we did with Memphis. This could have helped us to deal with the lack of time we have on transfers (unless rules have changed and this is not allowed?).
In the meantime, am I right in saying that Joe Riley is the only player who has left United since the window opened? Are Darmian and Blind still going to take up places in our squad? Do we have to watch Mata on RW for another whole season?
Weighing things as they are, my predictions for next season:
* Anywhere from 3rd to 6th in PL. I think Liverpool will be the only legitimate challengers to City based on their signings. I think their defence will be improved with a full season of VVD in the backline. Things could get very ugly for us if we fall behind City early and Mourinho starts going off on everything around him.
* I can see us winning League Cup, which isn't saying much. I don't think we can win FA Cup, Jose just doesn't seem able to win the thing.
* R16 exit from Champions League.
So, basically, a rerun of last season, being the most optimistic. A couple of signings and outgoings might change my mind slightly.
Yea, they will probably manage to spend 60m on another 30 year old before the window shuts
Individual players won't make us win the league in the absence of galvanized squad solidarity. That's up to Mourinho and his staff. That said, I don't think people would be sobbing like 9 year old fairies if we wound up with Bale, Ronaldo, SMS, or another emerging top player who can actually contribute goals. City certainly didn't win the league because they bought the likes of Danilo, Mendy, and B Silva. They won it because their existing players performed at a higher level than the year before. Sterling for instance, doubled his goals from the previous year and David Silva, De Bruyne, and Aguero had fantastic years. That's the sort of improvement we need to see from the likes of Alexis, Pogba, Lukaku, and Rashford if we want to take the league. Who we buy will obviously also influence that process.
Fellaini … there goes the weekend Yes as we have made progress overall each year. Performances will come when we get a better balance. Still players to be shipped out that Jose diesnt want or trust, need a good few in. I see us needing 6-7 in total for a well balanced and rotational team. That won't all happen in this window mind.
I think that's a strange view to take in truth. United were one of the only two top teams to improve last season. Liverpool were worse off by one point, Spurs were worse off by 9 points, Arsenal were worse off by 12 points, Chelsea were worse off by 23 points.
So in a league campaign where the majority of our rivals found it much more difficult to get points on the board, we improved to the tune of 12 points, whilst also scoring more and conceding less. There's also still just as many question marks over Klopp as there were previously (failing in cup finals and not challenging in the league), question marks over Spurs in terms of settling in their new stadium and contract issues with key players like Dembele, Alderweireld, Rose etc, obviously the managerial situation at Arsenal. At the same time City players will go into the season knowing they're almost certainly not going to be maintaining their performance levels.
In terms of excitement the season naturally petered out with City running away with the title, Chelsea winning the FA Cup final and the Sevilla performance; but from a United's fans point of view I think we're more likely to improve compared with anyone else. The likes of Lukaku now has a season under his belt, Sanchez has had several months and his first pre-season in years, Pogba/Rashford/Martial/ have another year of maturity under their belt, we've signed a talented midfielder in Fred and are likely to sign one or two more.
People complain about the style of football but from my point of view it's the best football I've seen from a United team in the last 7-8 years; since the effective but dreadful to watch zombie football took hold in Fergie's last few seasons.
Funnily enough if we'd have signed Fred, Dalot & Sanchez so far this Summer (which is effectively exactly what we've done going into this season vs last one), people would be saying we're one player short of a fantastic squad.
For some reason signing Sanchez 5 months ago means that our Summer transfer business seems underwhelming. Despite the fact that no-one was talking about needed two top attackers this Summer back in December. I can only assume this is because people are less bothered about the team/squad and more bothered about the perpetual excitement of new attacking signings.
This is the major problem. What players can you name that have actually improved under Jose? Lingard is one, Lukaku arguably. Maybe Young - but only marginally. And thats it.
If we try to play the same style of football next year we won't get anywhere near the league or the CL.
So - to answer OP - not optimistic at all. The Fellaini news says it all really.
I'm not particularly at this point in time. We've made one signing of any note which won't suddenly transform us...Liverpool on the other hand have done great business so far, my money is on them for the league next year!