Isn't it time we moved away from 'the United way'?

RedMilo

Full Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2014
Messages
1,317
The United Way means different things to different people. I view it as intense high quality attacking football. A brand of football that gets you off your seat, win, lose or draw is fundamentally what it means to me, that's why I fell in love with the club as a kid.

To some it means winning full stop and to others it means giving youth a chance.

Reality is Ole has done a better job instilling this than any previous manager post SAF but he's not gone far enough with it. I could see his vision at first with 3 forwards interchanging ala our 2008 team but this has changed and evolved with his signings and it had to because we aren't in 2008 and don't have those players.

Our biggest issue is that our midfield is poor and doesn't allow us to play in a sustained expansive way, there is no control in the game.

The United Way is what we should always aspire to be identified with, it inspires and creates a feeling of achieving and belief, something we all need in life..
 

Daengophile

Full Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2015
Messages
504
This romanticism about the utd way is the reason we are in the throes of an ex player managing and ex players coaching or running the club. Apart from 2 managers who were part of the furniture for so long, we have performed poorly, trophy wise over the seasons. Ole is trying to turn the clock back to a time that has past and everyone else has moved on. When you get Brentford and Brighton playing to a better style of football than we show, isnt it time we moved on and left the past in the past?
The United way was about thrilling footy.

This didn't include a leaky defense, a lost midfield and everybody wanting to play in the opposition half
 

BrilliantOrange

Full Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
1,338
Supports
Ajax Amsterdam
Sounds like you're ok with being a second tier club, not even playing good football if it's "united way"
I would play the United way, play attacking football and develop youth players so that we are proud of our team
than
Winning trophies by defensive - scratching my eyeballs out of my sockets of boredom - mourinho ball with players where we dont give our youth chances and we dont value creativity (apart from perhaps 2 players on the pitch).

Ofcourse I want to win trophies with attacking football most of all, and many teams have showed this is possible over the last years.

(mind you, Im an Ajax fan more than a United fan, which share the same values)
 

Adnan

Talent Spotter
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
29,862
Location
England
The 'United way' is on display under the tutelage of Erik Ten Hag at Ajax and Luis Enrique with Spain. Both coaches play a attacking brand of football whilst also developing and integrating youth players. The United way has been lost for well over a decade imo.
 

justsomebloke

Full Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2020
Messages
5,861
This romanticism about the utd way is the reason we are in the throes of an ex player managing and ex players coaching or running the club. Apart from 2 managers who were part of the furniture for so long, we have performed poorly, trophy wise over the seasons. Ole is trying to turn the clock back to a time that has past and everyone else has moved on. When you get Brentford and Brighton playing to a better style of football than we show, isnt it time we moved on and left the past in the past?
We already did that, remember? Did it work well?

It's not "romanticism". It is also not to "turn the clock back". That's a caricature of what's happening, not a description of it. No one is trying to exactly replicate the club structure and style of play we had under SAF, in the expectation that would deliver the same result. It's about building on some key principles and choices, and about embedding those in the organisation so that there is some sort of long-term identity and structure to how we do things that doesn't get rebooted to zero every time we change the manager. Such as emphasis on the academy and reasonable opportunity for young players, and a fast, attack-oriented brand of football. Things that any new manager has to fit into, and work on the basis of. The SAF period is the starting point for that and defines some of the values and principles we need to build on, but it's not a template to copy.

If we want that continuity, I believe one thing that has to not work the same way as it did under SAF is that the manager has to adapt to the club and work within that culture. Not a problem for OGS, because he's the one who's building that culture. But it will be an issue with whoever succeeds him, whenever that happens. Never again should a new manager be allowed to come in at United and fundamentally affect things like the role of the academy, or put us on a completely different course in terms of playing style, the way van Gaal and Mourinho did. Not understood too narrowly of course - football changes and playing styles develop. But you can't jump from the kind of fast, attacking, fairly direct form of football we played under SAF to the very different possession-based style we had under van Gaal to the reactive football we played under Mourinho - to name just one thing, it makes sensible recruitment impossible.

Most of that work of course would be in the selection - find someone who shares the basic principles and can work well within that structure.
 

EtH

Full Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2021
Messages
2,712
The 'United way' is on display under the tutelage of Erik Ten Hag at Ajax and Luis Enrique with Spain. Both coaches play a attacking brand of football whilst also developing and integrating youth players. The United way has been lost for well over a decade imo.
Agree. Unfortunately.
 

K Stand Knut

Full Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2008
Messages
5,167
Location
Stretford End
Agree. Unfortunately.
Why unfortunately????

Surely the size of club that we are, we approach both of those managers to fill any void that might need filling in the future!

It’s ludicrous to think we can’t go and get 95% of managers anywhere the world.
 

Deery

Dreary
Joined
May 21, 2019
Messages
18,590
I wouldn’t mind us approaching Enrique after the World Cup doubt he’d leave Spain before then..
 

EtH

Full Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2021
Messages
2,712
Why unfortunately????

Surely the size of club that we are, we approach both of those managers to fill any void that might need filling in the future!

It’s ludicrous to think we can’t go and get 95% of managers anywhere the world.
Read the last line of his post.
 

Garethw

scored 25-30 goals a season as a right footed RW
Joined
Feb 7, 2005
Messages
16,965
Location
England:
The United way should be two things;

1) play attacking football.
2) Aspire to have the best youth academy in world football that brings through exciting young talents.
 

tomaldinho1

Full Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2015
Messages
17,372
The United way should be two things;

1) play attacking football.
2) Aspire to have the best youth academy in world football that brings through exciting young talents.
This probably is the goal of every football club out there to be honest. Entertain your fans and save as much money as possible by producing your own players.
 

Regalia

Full Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2013
Messages
443
If there is anything that we could ever claim as the 'United Way' that other clubs aren't striving to do as well (play attractive, attacking football + nurture youth talent + win trophies), we most certainly aren't doing that now. Our football is dull and mostly just as bad as Mourinho, we have loaned out all our youth and the few youngsters we bought are left to rot because Scotty/Freddy/Bruno/Pashun, and we certainly haven't won anything in years. There's nothing United Way about our club right now except that we have brought back in a bunch of old boys (and not even the most talented ones) to fill roles they're hardly qualified for.
 

Hansi Fick

New Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2020
Messages
5,057
Supports
FC Bayern
There are things that set this great club apart from the rest. Ole being manager regardless of results is NOT one of these contrary to popular beleif.
What are those things, then, if you don't mind me asking, that set you apart from the rest?
 

morbidsaint

Full Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
1,438
Location
Deansgate preaching scientology with Tom Cruise
Yeah, I think the style that Ole tried to play is as close to what most United fans would like to watch. It just requires a bit of refinement and finesse, maybe a more experienced coach.

Contrary to popular belief, we’ve scored by far more goals under Ole than those two managers and had some great moments. If it goes sour in the end, I think he still did a good job overall as I think he would have left the club in better shape than he left it if we decide to go with a more experienced head.
It is absolutely no doubt about that. If he left now or after this season is over, he will leave the club in the best state it has been since SAF retired. By a good margine. All the three other managers we've had left the club and squad in shambles. Ole has done almost everything i wanted him to do. Get rid of useless players, add quality players and get our club to look like we have been used to for the last 20-30 years. All that remains is the last step, and it is this step people doubt OGS has what it takes. Myself included, i have to admit. Anyway, he will not be fired this season, so lets see.. No matter what he will have left the club in a better state then when he signed.
 

lilcurt

Full Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2006
Messages
3,536
Location
Birmingham
The 'United Way' is just a catchphrase at this point, currently being used to give longevity to a failing manager and coaching setup.

The only really tangible of the United way is the history of academy players being in the squad and giving youth a chance, something Greenwood aside as he is exceptional and would get a chance at any club hasn't been happening under Ole.

The elements of playing attacking entertaining football haven't been happening either, a lot is said about it by the powers that be. But unless we can play Leeds every week it doesn't happen.
 

Bebestation

Im a doctor btw, my IQ destroys yours
Joined
Oct 9, 2019
Messages
11,862
What are those things, then, if you don't mind me asking, that set you apart from the rest?
For me, one is the last gasp goals.

It obviously happens to everyone but United did that great.
 

FriedClams

Full Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2021
Messages
3,688
Playing the United way isn't as feasible anymore in part because almost every other team now has their own way. Technology and data is at such a level that every team in the league can use scientific data to prepare for every eventuality, so when they come against us, it's a little bit easier to stop us from playing "The United way". I have no doubt that the team ethos is to play attacking football on the front foot as often as possible, but teams are just so well organized now that it's only natural that plan B and C needs to be utilized.

One thing that was part of the way we used to do things was that we were very difficult to counter attack against, because the midfield and defence worked as one unit. We don't have that at the moment in part due to tactics but also player ability.
 

Demaw

Full Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
406
We moved away from the United way under LvG and Mourinho. No one looks back on that too fondly.
Yep, we must remain the United way, it's why we ae so loved by so many, I agree we aren't probably playing the way we want, but it is a much bigger picture, amazing youth numbers, legends who stay with the club forever eg Rio and the like, the theatre of Dreams.
 

the chameleon

Full Member
Joined
May 20, 2012
Messages
916
I believe the Utd way means:

- Playing with passion and a never die attitude (I think Ole has done brilliantly in this department).
- Playing or at least attempting to play an entertaining and positive style of football. (Ole has done this better than his predecessors but still not top-level).
- Utilising Youth and maintaining our academy traditions (despite popular belief I don't think Ole has done a great job in this department, he's a little risk-averse for me overall).
- Conducting ourselves with class at all times and truly understand what United's History is all about. (Ole gets this above all else).
- Operating with the right level of talent for a top club. (kind of goes without saying at a club our size.)

Now I appreciate some of those points are a little vague but personally they are the very fibre of the club I love. Whichever manager we get should at the bare minimum understand and implement the above and it's why for me personally Ole has been by far the best manager post-Fergie, regardless of the lack of trophies. For me 'trophies' isn't that important, primarily I watch the game to be entertained and to derive hope and joy, when that leaves (under Mourinho and LVG) there's nothing left. I also believe if you nail all of the above points, trophies are not far behind. Get the attitude, talent and performances right and the results will speak for themselves.
We can be a League 1 team playing the United Way.
We can be a mid-table team playing the United Way.

United Way doesn't mean success on the pitch. It's set of principles and values that the club should always work towards. When we hire a manager or a director of football they should embody these values that you described.

But these values alone aren't enough. The manager has to be competent too and it should also allow the manager to bring his uniqueness and identity with him. Ask yourself, does someone like Klopp embody the United Way? Hell yeah? A manager doesn't have to be an ex-player or someone trying to be a Sir Alex clone.

United way should 100% be mandatory requirement, but it should also come with competence. Ole embodies many aspects of the United Way but he doesn't have the competence. Jose and Louis Van Gall had the competence but they didn't fully embody the United Way. Moyes had neither the United Way nor the competence.

The problem has been that we have had managers that have one or the other.

We need our next manager to embody the United Way + be competent and bring their own personality.
 

Will Singh

Full Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
5,675
Location
Theatre of dreams
We shouldn’t need to as we are the leaders and dominated football in recent history. It’s all the other teams that has had to change there ways to catch us. What we have to do is get back to business, we’ve got far to much to talk about which is just as much to blame. The United way as a fan should he who scored our best goal or who’s the fastest player we’ve got, instead we’re talking about things that we as United fans can’t fix!
 

dave1956

Full Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2016
Messages
463
We can be a League 1 team playing the United Way.
We can be a mid-table team playing the United Way.

United Way doesn't mean success on the pitch. It's set of principles and values that the club should always work towards. When we hire a manager or a director of football they should embody these values that you described.

But these values alone aren't enough. The manager has to be competent too and it should also allow the manager to bring his uniqueness and identity with him. Ask yourself, does someone like Klopp embody the United Way? Hell yeah? A manager doesn't have to be an ex-player or someone trying to be a Sir Alex clone.

United way should 100% be mandatory requirement, but it should also come with competence. Ole embodies many aspects of the United Way but he doesn't have the competence. Jose and Louis Van Gall had the competence but they didn't fully embody the United Way. Moyes had neither the United Way nor the competence.

The problem has been that we have had managers that have one or the other.

We need our next manager to embody the United Way + be competent and bring their own personality.
A very good post, that the " United Way", is indeed a set of principles and values by which the owners, and all club employees should work towards. I believe this is what Sir Matt meant when he said, " At Manchester United we strive for perfection and if we fail we might just have to settle for excellence".
 

Spoony

The People's President
Joined
Oct 27, 2001
Messages
63,107
Location
eerF Palestine.
United Way probably means to entertain the crowd. Sir Matt did say 'The people over there work hard all week long and it is your job to go out on the field and provide them with some entertainment'.
 

DRJosh

Full Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2018
Messages
2,845
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Supports
United minus the Glazers
The United way is nothing more than an insurance policy for Ole to keep his job when results go south
 

AndySmith1990

Full Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2021
Messages
5,892
The United way is no different to the way many other clubs operate. We simply have a selection of fans who arrogantly throw the term about to show that other clubs are beneath us, and by talking about this supposed United way, it makes you a better fan because you understand the "culture" or "DNA" of the club. No, you simply know the history.

What set us apart from other clubs during our successful periods of time, was having a manager and players who instilled a winning mentality for prolonged periods of time. If the United way means anything at all its giving your all to win and be successful. That mentality seems to have left the club when Sir Alex retired.
 

Spoony

The People's President
Joined
Oct 27, 2001
Messages
63,107
Location
eerF Palestine.
Van Gaal made me hate football. His teams literally had me sleeping. Sir Matt would've been turning in his grave.
 

Raees

Pythagoras in Boots
Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
29,464
United Way probably means to entertain the crowd. Sir Matt did say 'The people over there work hard all week long and it is your job to go out on the field and provide them with some entertainment'.
This is the way I see it as well and can we honestly say the managers since SAF have succeeded in getting bums off seats? Even Ole football is stilted and not really fluid compared to Klopp etc so for me blaming the United way doesn’t make sense when we haven’t really returned to our roots of all out attacking football. Our full backs aren’t even the most attacking and our midfield is more steel than silk...
 

Spoony

The People's President
Joined
Oct 27, 2001
Messages
63,107
Location
eerF Palestine.
This is the way I see it as well and can we honestly say the managers since SAF have succeeded in getting bums off seats? Even Ole football is stilted and not really fluid compared to Klopp etc so for me blaming the United way doesn’t make sense when we haven’t really returned to our roots of all out attacking football. Our full backs aren’t even the most attacking and our midfield is more steel than silk...

Probably not. Ole's got the closest, I do think his teams have given fans more expectation. Even though we're not great to watch, we feel more like United. Don't you think?
 

KirkDuyt

Full Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2015
Messages
24,444
Location
Dutchland
Supports
Feyenoord
The 'United way' is on display under the tutelage of Erik Ten Hag at Ajax and Luis Enrique with Spain. Both coaches play a attacking brand of football whilst also developing and integrating youth players. The United way has been lost for well over a decade imo.
You should tell Ajax fans that what they do is actually the United way. Would be a fun show. Lot of fuming and the name Johan Cruyff being screamed at you I imagine.
 

Sviken

New Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2021
Messages
2,450
I don't know what the "United way" is anymore. The word has been used and abused so much that it has lost all meaning. Suffice to say we play no "United way" under Ole, no matter how much he talks about DNA and stuff. My only understanding of the "United way" is playing a fast, free flowing attacking football combined with winning. This is the legacy of Sir Busby and Sir Alex. Everything else is nonsense.
 

giggs-beckham

Clueless
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
6,926
The United way is attacking football playing youth and seeing the team lifting a shiny thing on a semi regular basis
 

Hammondo

Full Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2015
Messages
6,663
The United way was about thrilling footy.

This didn't include a leaky defense, a lost midfield and everybody wanting to play in the opposition half
Its an old way of playing football, with a paper thin system. It's so far behind modern football.
 

Hammondo

Full Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2015
Messages
6,663
I don't know what the "United way" is anymore. The word has been used and abused so much that it has lost all meaning. Suffice to say we play no "United way" under Ole, no matter how much he talks about DNA and stuff. My only understanding of the "United way" is playing a fast, free flowing attacking football combined with winning. This is the legacy of Sir Busby and Sir Alex. Everything else is nonsense.
And this is our biggest problem, it's closer to a slogan than any actual football depth or merit.
 

NZT-One

Full Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
2,342
Location
Berlin
United fans wants us now to be -

1. 1/4th - tactics of Pep
2. 1/4th - manager and overall energy bought by Klopp & his players
3. 1/4th - short term nature management hires of Abrahamovic of Chelsea
4. 1/4th - scouting nature of Leicester City

Then there is the oh let's play youngsters like La Masia of Barcelona but still sack the manager like Chelsea if that team don't win a title. At the same time the same fans beg for big name players resembling a team like Zidanes recent Galacticos at Real Madrid.

I'd say just go support another club.

Nothing is permanent. The Mourinho haters like me had to go through it and it stopped one day. The same with the Van Gaal Era. The Same with Ole. Nothing is permanent and it will stop one day and then until then just watch the bloody football rather than trying to turn the club that you love to something else.

I didn't walk around old Trafford with a flag in my hand saying that we should sack Mourinho and we should hire someone else next - I just sat there fustrated by the football but enjoyed it whenever I could, trying to give any support I could give even if it was my last 1%.
Just for my notes... You think your behaviour should be a template to all other peoples behaviour because you are the epitome of moral integrity and positive fan-hood? :D

I mean, come on. Posting such a text, how does that not make you look a little too full of yourself. About your advice for people to look for another club. I'd say just stop coming to the forum. All your troubles gone with one little decision.
 

Bebestation

Im a doctor btw, my IQ destroys yours
Joined
Oct 9, 2019
Messages
11,862
Just for my notes... You think your behaviour should be a template to all other peoples behaviour because you are the epitome of moral integrity and positive fan-hood? :D

I mean, come on. Posting such a text, how does that not make you look a little too full of yourself. About your advice for people to look for another club. I'd say just stop coming to the forum. All your troubles gone with one little decision.
No not at all. Do your own thing sir, I don't even know you.
 

NZT-One

Full Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
2,342
Location
Berlin
No not at all. Do your own thing sir, I don't even know you.
Will do. But on a genuine note: Do you understand my irritation? I mean, you state that you don't know me, I guess, that applies to 98% of all posters here, doesn't it? Still you felt the need to suggest that some posters should look for a different club to support. And you use yourself as an example of how to deal with the situation better - I am not trying to attack you here, I just want to know, if a part of you can understand, that such posts will only fuel the debate going on a more personal level?