It is something we normally associate with desperate managers fighting relegation, trying to find positives when there are few, if any.
Ole's "i'm pleased' analysis of the first Europa League game where we have not had a single shot on target, is worrying. Because, for me, it is a sure sign that he is aware the exit door is coming, and is struggling to keep morale up here.
Having got rid of Mourinho, because of clashes with players, primarily Pogba, the Frenchman has shown little sign of getting rid of this big chip on his shoulder, and has continued to court a move away while his performances continue to suffer (when fit) And that has to have an effect in the dressing room.
As much as Ole says that it was time for Lukaku to leave saying the Belgian striker "doesn't want to be here" the same can be said for Pogba, but he remains. If you can't have unhappy players at the club, why pick Lukaku, and not Pogba? Right now we are toothless up front and devoid of creativity in midfield, and the worry is that this mess will affect the young players like Greenwood that we are now having to rely on.
I raised my concerns before the season started and been told by some that my past posts would be resurrected when everything went swimmingly this season. They haven't been. The issues we have at Old Trafford are clear, in my view.
Investment is one thing, investing in the right areas and in the right way is something else. While our signings this summer have been good, there has been a non-replacement policy that is crippling us this season.
The fact that Andreas Pereira has to be relied on as a first team regular when his performances have been decidedly average in midfield, and shows no sign of improving (unlike McTominay) says it all.
But it is Ole I am concerned about at the moment. After the AZ Alkmaar game, the normally ebullient Norwegian looked desperate. And sounded it.
"Today I’m pleased with the boys. Very pleased, big, big pluses today," said Solskjaer who appears to have been watching a different game from the rest of us.
"It’s a good point away from home against a difficult opponent, very difficult surface," added Solskjaer, who is clearly clutching at straws.. "Remember they beat [the mighty] Feyenoord 3-0 away from home just now. "We made any changes, and I’m very pleased.
"There are many games we should have, could have won away from home. I don’t think that’s an issue. Today is a good away point. If you get a point away and win your home games you go through."
Asked if he was concerned that United had failed to register a shot on target, Solskjaer replied: "Yeah, of course, you create chances and you don’t score goals. There’s no point me saying he should have hit the target there, they know themselves."
And the clutching of straws, which is something Ole is not renowned for continued when he uncharacteristically (he accepted this himself) had a good natured pop at the referee.
Solskjaer said: “We should have had one [a penalty] on Monday against Arsenal for handball.
“Here the linesman can look straight at the tackle, when he swipes Marcus Rashford’s foot.
“Unfortunately for us we didn’t get it so there is no point me complaining but there will come a point decisions turn our way.
“I’m fed up talking about pens we should have had. It could have topped off a very good performance.”
But we can't point the finger of blame at Ole. He is just the latest manager to encounter the rot at Old Trafford. We lack direction and it comes from the top. And that top is Ed Woodward and the Glazers, our American owners who show little interest in the fortunes of our team on the pitch. The expected director of football announcement, trotted out as ever after a disappointing non-replacement transfer window to placate the fans, has not materialised. Again.
Now there are those who think Man Utd fans moan because they feel they have been indulged too much by the past, and feel entitled.
The facts are we are now behind only Real Madrid and Barcelona in the list of the richest clubs in the world, in terms of revenue, having been top. An April analysis by Zeelo has United as the biggest and most supported team in the world, taking into account social media followers, shirt sales and fan base, in front of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Would Real Madrid and Barcelona's hierarchy accept where United are for them? No chance of Top 4 (as it stands) let alone challenging for the title with the season barely started, playing a style of football that lacks football nous and creativity while producing poor results. Of course not.
United sells itself as the biggest and best club in the world. This is what the public are told. It is well past time we showed it on and off the pitch. And the only way forward is a complete revolution upstairs.
Ole's "i'm pleased' analysis of the first Europa League game where we have not had a single shot on target, is worrying. Because, for me, it is a sure sign that he is aware the exit door is coming, and is struggling to keep morale up here.
Having got rid of Mourinho, because of clashes with players, primarily Pogba, the Frenchman has shown little sign of getting rid of this big chip on his shoulder, and has continued to court a move away while his performances continue to suffer (when fit) And that has to have an effect in the dressing room.
As much as Ole says that it was time for Lukaku to leave saying the Belgian striker "doesn't want to be here" the same can be said for Pogba, but he remains. If you can't have unhappy players at the club, why pick Lukaku, and not Pogba? Right now we are toothless up front and devoid of creativity in midfield, and the worry is that this mess will affect the young players like Greenwood that we are now having to rely on.
I raised my concerns before the season started and been told by some that my past posts would be resurrected when everything went swimmingly this season. They haven't been. The issues we have at Old Trafford are clear, in my view.
Investment is one thing, investing in the right areas and in the right way is something else. While our signings this summer have been good, there has been a non-replacement policy that is crippling us this season.
The fact that Andreas Pereira has to be relied on as a first team regular when his performances have been decidedly average in midfield, and shows no sign of improving (unlike McTominay) says it all.
But it is Ole I am concerned about at the moment. After the AZ Alkmaar game, the normally ebullient Norwegian looked desperate. And sounded it.
"Today I’m pleased with the boys. Very pleased, big, big pluses today," said Solskjaer who appears to have been watching a different game from the rest of us.
"It’s a good point away from home against a difficult opponent, very difficult surface," added Solskjaer, who is clearly clutching at straws.. "Remember they beat [the mighty] Feyenoord 3-0 away from home just now. "We made any changes, and I’m very pleased.
"There are many games we should have, could have won away from home. I don’t think that’s an issue. Today is a good away point. If you get a point away and win your home games you go through."
Asked if he was concerned that United had failed to register a shot on target, Solskjaer replied: "Yeah, of course, you create chances and you don’t score goals. There’s no point me saying he should have hit the target there, they know themselves."
And the clutching of straws, which is something Ole is not renowned for continued when he uncharacteristically (he accepted this himself) had a good natured pop at the referee.
Solskjaer said: “We should have had one [a penalty] on Monday against Arsenal for handball.
“Here the linesman can look straight at the tackle, when he swipes Marcus Rashford’s foot.
“Unfortunately for us we didn’t get it so there is no point me complaining but there will come a point decisions turn our way.
“I’m fed up talking about pens we should have had. It could have topped off a very good performance.”
But we can't point the finger of blame at Ole. He is just the latest manager to encounter the rot at Old Trafford. We lack direction and it comes from the top. And that top is Ed Woodward and the Glazers, our American owners who show little interest in the fortunes of our team on the pitch. The expected director of football announcement, trotted out as ever after a disappointing non-replacement transfer window to placate the fans, has not materialised. Again.
Now there are those who think Man Utd fans moan because they feel they have been indulged too much by the past, and feel entitled.
The facts are we are now behind only Real Madrid and Barcelona in the list of the richest clubs in the world, in terms of revenue, having been top. An April analysis by Zeelo has United as the biggest and most supported team in the world, taking into account social media followers, shirt sales and fan base, in front of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Would Real Madrid and Barcelona's hierarchy accept where United are for them? No chance of Top 4 (as it stands) let alone challenging for the title with the season barely started, playing a style of football that lacks football nous and creativity while producing poor results. Of course not.
United sells itself as the biggest and best club in the world. This is what the public are told. It is well past time we showed it on and off the pitch. And the only way forward is a complete revolution upstairs.
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