I agree with that. Former players don’t always make great pundits. I would
Part of the problem is, Ole approaches big games like we’re the underdog no matter the form or fitness of the opponent. If counter attacking is our only tactic, then he’s simply not suited to coach a team as big as United. Too often, he coaches not to lose, rather than to win. I’m not Ole out by any means, but I do wish he’d show more of a killer’s instinct at times.
I didn’t suggest for a moment that we should have attacked with ten men inside their box. That’s a ridiculous suggestion. I did assert, however, that there should be a reasonable level of attacking intent. There wasn’t. Against Chelsea, and any top level opponent, Ole keeeps it tight and hopes we take one of the two or three chances we might get over the course of 90 minutes. There are times in a season where that makes perfect sense. It’s less appealing to fans when it becomes a regular (and predictable) game plan.
I don’t agree that Rashford, Martial, Greenwood and James are so limited that they can’t create or do something other than kick and run, or try to run behind (although I do agree that they generally rely on speed rather than sophisticated build up play). They’re doing what they’re asked to do. The problem is that they’re incredibly isolated, with too big a creative gap between the defenders and attackers. In large part, that’s because Ole persists with Maguire, Lindelof, Fred and McTominay. That’s an incredibly defensive setup with virtually no creativity. It becomes very easy for teams to mark Bruno out if the game, and the forwards starve out there.
Again, I’m not overly critical of the draw. Chelsea away is never a bad point. I firmly believe, however, that most fans will have been disappointed with Ole’s approach to big games this season.
As for Scholes, I agree that former players don’t always make great pundits. I don't think Scholes is very well suited for it, in fact. I think it’s ridiculous to just outright dismiss him as being some sort of football idiot, though. He’s spent basically his entire life in the game, and played at the very highest level. He‘s undoubtedly more knowledgeable than the average fan.
In any event, the game is well in the past. Time to move forward.