This is the most likeable team we’ve had since SAF retired

[dogwithabone]

He’s the only manager since Fergie to make proper Man Utd type signings and buy into what the club stands for. Manchester United is an institution and you cant just bulldoze your way in and change the whole ethos of the club. We may well have added to an FA Cup under LVG’s slow, pass it to death, way or built on Mourinho‘s pragmatic winning way. But, just as The Rolling Stones might still sell records if they sang folk songs, you cannot just change a way that symbolises the whole tradition and success of something.

I hope Ole is at the helm when the good times do return but, if nothing else, he has shown that the Manchester United way is the only way and fair play to him for maybe compromising the odd cup success to get back to the traditional values that have given so much success in the past.

 

[tentan]

Is it? I'm sure after one loss everyone will hate them again

 

[Someone]

I do like this squad, and there's a good vibe around the club. I know that a poor run will bring a lot of negativity back, but honestly I'm really looking forward to watching the next game. Whether we end up challenging for the title or not, it's pretty obvious that this squad is full of talented players. There were years post fergie when it felt that there's no magic within the team. This team has a spark about it, it doesn't mean we can win titles, but I'm confident that we'll have some spectacular games this season.

 

[Lemansky]

It's only likable because the team is winning. If there are a few weeks of bad play it won't look the same. Not unique to this team, any team in the world is the same. When you're winning you see the positives and if we're losing I'm sure people will complain about stupid shit again

Disagree. Of course winning is important, but I can also appreciate loads of other positives at the club.

 

[Wumminator]

I really like all the team and the effort they put in. Love watching them play.

 

[devilish]

Its the strongest team we had since SAF retired.

 

[fishfingers15]

Debatable.

A large section of our fanbase actively dislike a lot of our players.
Pogba, James, Martial especially.
Lingard, pereira, jones receive abuse for just existing as man united players.

It’s easy to make this claim on the back of a great team performance, but if we draw or lose some games - no doubt the targeted abuse will return.

They are douches, sitting on their armchair couches and throwing out insults.

 

[crossy1686]

Its the strongest team we had since SAF retired.

 

[Desert Eagle]

If anything that picture shows me it's not been as dramatic a change in terms of personnel. About 7/8 positions are similar but it does show how important Bruno has been. There really is a United pre bruno and post Bruno. His mentality and leadership cannot be understated. I realize we haven't won anything yet but it feels good to have a player on the field that has the quality and "gets" it.

 

[Nytram Shakes]

It's certainly the best squad we have had since 2009

 

[sp_107]

Disagree. Of course winning is important, but I can also appreciate loads of other positives at the club.

Agreed, the way lads get on in the training and the way they celebreate the goals..These might be little things but they tell us lot of things.

This teams bonding is great since Bruno arrived as he is not only the best player but he pulls/pokes everyone and bring in some fun stuff.

F|red/Pogba/Telles/Bruno/Baily/Lingard are our core hyper group and Mata/Matic balance the things in the backend...overall we can clearly see this team are playing for each other

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

I agree it’s the most likeable team. And not just because we are winning.



You say a blind spot for James, but we always seem to win when he plays. Think I read that we haven’t lost a league match he’s played. Or something similar.

Maybe he does things that fans can’t appreciate and helps the other players more than we think. Park was a bit like that.

If you really think James has the same sort of impact Park did you need to actually watch us play.

I’m all for sticking up for players and I have no ill will against James, but he’s not good enough and saying so or getting frustrated after he’s scuffed another chance in the box doesn’t mean there’s a vendetta against him.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

If you really think James has the same sort of impact Park did you need to actually watch us play.

I’m all for sticking up for players and I have no ill will against James, but he’s not good enough and saying so or getting frustrated after he’s scuffed another chance in the box doesn’t mean there’s a vendetta against him.

Nah it’s nothing about impact. That’s not what I meant. Park had much more impact and was a much better player. But he was under appreciated

 

[lysglimt]

It's only likable because the team is winning. If there are a few weeks of bad play it won't look the same. Not unique to this team, any team in the world is the same. When you're winning you see the positives and if we're losing I'm sure people will complain about stupid shit again

No it's not just that - we won a lot at times when Mourinho and LvG were in charge - but it was effective more than exciting

 

[Shark]

I wouldn't say James is doing enough to be under appreciated. Park used to pop up with monster performances and goals. He fully embodies what a United squad player should be.

 

[Ferguson’s Hairdryer]

Most likeable and best team/squad for a long time, I’d go as far as saying better than what SAF had post 2010.

In 2010 we might have had Giggs, Scholes, G Neville etc but they were all late 30s.

 

[Dahmmy]

Ole talked a lot about a cultural reboot, after the previous 3 managers, we were in serious danger of losing our identity- this is something that Arsenal are going through right now, if you read/watch arsenal fans, the irony of all those who wanted wenger out are now very quiet. as much as they bashed him, he gave the team an identity...i remember the boring George graham days..

the United board to their credit realised the perils we faced and got in Ole.. now we are seeing the rewards.. people nowadays want instant results, it has taken a few years and we are where we are.

 

[Plant0x84]

We know he might not be the greatest football coach ever,

How do we know this? Coaching is only one facet to Oles job, and is largely delegated to the coaching staff. I’d wager we don’t even know how much of a hand ole has in the coaching of the team, so to hang this on him seems kinda harsh.
In an otherwise positive post praising Ole (who by the way has generally done a fantastic job) I don’t know why this sentence needed to be included.

 

[Chief123]

It's only likable because the team is winning. If there are a few weeks of bad play it won't look the same. Not unique to this team, any team in the world is the same. When you're winning you see the positives and if we're losing I'm sure people will complain about stupid shit again

Not really. Regardless of results, this is the best squad and most likeable we’ve had since Fergie. You say the team is winning, but is it? We’ve not won any trophies. But you can’t deny this squad is the best we’ve had since.

Let’s not forget the days we were starting Fellani as our striker.

 

[Adam-Utd]

How do we know this? Coaching is only one facet to Oles job, and is largely delegated to the coaching staff. I’d wager we don’t even know how much of a hand ole has in the coaching of the team, so to hang this on him seems kinda harsh.
In an otherwise positive post praising Ole (who by the way has generally done a fantastic job) I don’t know why this sentence needed to be included.

He says himself he isn't, and he relies on his coaches for a lot of training ground work.

Lets be honest, football is probably the only major sport that relies on 1 man to do everything.

NFL has attack, defence, special teams etc etc. There's a head coach of course, and that's essentially Ole right now.

He's more about putting all the pieces together and keeping everybody happy - that's what he's great at.

 

[jesperjaap]

Would argue its the only likeable side since Fergie retired. Being hyper critical I would say there are still a few here I would persoanlly rather wouldnt and still think we are light in central midfield.
But there are a few players now that have really progressed to a very good level such as Shaw and Maguire, players with a great mentality such as Fernandes, players I personally rate very highloy like Greenwood and Bissaka, players that I dont massivley rate but are progresing and valuable to the squad now like McTominay and even dare I say Lindelof the last few months and two fantastic signings, Sanchos ability is obvious as is Varanes ability and experience and for anybody who has seen his netflix documentary, his personality is as sharp and classy as the suit he signed in. And also we have a couple of genuinely exciting yougnsters on the cusp as well

Go back just a few years and I could honestly say beyonf DeGea there werent really any players I had massively warmed to myself

 

[Plant0x84]

He says himself he isn't, and he relies on his coaches for a lot of training ground work.

Lets be honest, football is probably the only major sport that relies on 1 man to do everything.

NFL has attack, defence, special teams etc etc. There's a head coach of course, and that's essentially Ole right now.

He's more about putting all the pieces together and keeping everybody happy - that's what he's great at.

I don’t disagree with that, it’s all good stuff - that is the mans job. How many training sessions do you suppose SAF led himself alone, and yet he is quite rightly lauded as the greatest manager of all time. Yet with Ole it is a weakness, something to tag him as not good enough, which I find bizarre.
It’s nothing personal, no problem with you by the way - I just don’t understand why as a fan base we have a problem with accepting we were in a shitty mess, we’re now not in a shitty mess because Ole is a good manager and has done a great job.
Indeed, a large part of why this team is so likeable is because Ole is manager and has built the squad in his own image to the betterment of the club.

 

[Dahmmy]

I don’t disagree with that, it’s all good stuff - that is the mans job. How many training sessions do you suppose SAF led himself alone, and yet he is quite rightly lauded as the greatest manager of all time. Yet with Ole it is a weakness, something to tag him as not good enough, which I find bizarre.
It’s nothing personal, no problem with you by the way - I just don’t understand why as a fan base we have a problem with accepting we were in a shitty mess, we’re now not in a shitty mess because Ole is a good manager and has done a great job.
Indeed, a large part of why this team is so likeable is because Ole is manager and has built the squad in his own image to the betterment of the club.

sadly, until Ole gets a trophy or two in the cabinet, the criticism will remain..

 

[T00lsh3d]

By a fecking mile

 

[Zhagzi]

Its the best group of players we have had and Ole has to get credit for that. Now we need to start winning trophies. He still has a blind spot for James, who is the weak link, but Sancho will take his place now.

Or maybe, just maybe, he actually wants to keep James, much like SAF wanted to keep Park for reasons that weren't apparent to the entire world (don't know why not). James is a great tactical tool, and never seems like one to be upset with some bench time. He works his ass off, and CAN be dangerous which will keep the opponents on their toes due to his speed. He's a tactical tool more than a start XI player. So was O'Shea. You need these types if you're gonna win trophies.

 

[Ibi Dreams]

Best squad we've had since then, and it's easy to like players that are good. Aside from that, there does seem to be a togetherness and a strong, positive mentality. Ole has done a really good job in that regard. With the players we have now we should absolutely be winning something this season.

 

[Becks00]

No it's not just that - we won a lot at times when Mourinho and LvG were in charge - but it was effective more than exciting

This I think best described it. This is the most exciting squad we've had and it generally just makes you really happy looking forward to watching them entertain you

 

[432JuanMata]

I don’t know if it’s the most likeable based on the players. Under LVG when we had Falcao,RVP,Rooney and Di Maria it looked so exciting but then LVG happened.

Ole is the reason people find this side likeable and enjoyable. He has signed the right players and fixed the postitions that needed fixing.
This side reminds of us in 06. We might not be on the level of City yet but the potential is there. I feel we are on too big things.

 

[Flytan]

No it's not just that - we won a lot at times when Mourinho and LvG were in charge - but it was effective more than exciting

I thought the Europa winning squad was pretty likable, but then again I love assholes like Ibra. LVG we won a FA Cup after months of not scoring goals, I wouldn't call that a winning squad really. But yeah, punch for punch the players are more likable, but if we start struggling people will talk about players' attitudes negatively too.

 

[GreenFieldsGoldenBarley]

Or maybe, just maybe, he actually wants to keep James, much like SAF wanted to keep Park for reasons that weren't apparent to the entire world (don't know why not). James is a great tactical tool, and never seems like one to be upset with some bench time. He works his ass off, and CAN be dangerous which will keep the opponents on their toes due to his speed. He's a tactical tool more than a start XI player. So was O'Shea. You need these types if you're gonna win trophies.

Also, back to the thread title, Dan James is likeable as shit! Say what you want about his footballing ability but he comes across as a really good kid (remember the video of him getting a puppy?). He's not on high wages and I'd have nothing against it if he was happy to stay as a squad player with limited game time for 5 years - and I'd love to see him lifting a trophy with us. It's not like he's gonna disrupt squad harmony is it?

 

[Eckers99]

In a weird way, I think seeing them trying, failing and trying again makes the bond between players and fans stronger. If it's the same core of players, it feels like everyone is on a rollercoaster journey together.

I remember it feeling like that when we won the league for the first time in 26 years, having blown it the season before. You can see and feel how gutted the players are after a defeat, which makes it more special when (hopefully) success comes. Feels like everyone's been through the valley to reach a peak.

Compared to a few years back, when I honestly struggled to name a favourite player, there's loads of admirable characters to get behind right now. Rashford's so likeable that even oppo fans like him, which is weird.

Feels great and it's almost entirely down to Ole knowing what types of characters this club needs. He's done an excellent job in that respect.

 

[scottw]

Yup, we have a pretty damn good team now. The signings of Sancho and Varane were badly needed and will strengthen us significantly. I still think we should try to buy Kane though - if by some miracle we get him, we could win anything.

I agree 100% with you until you said sign Kane. For the money they want and his age, it just would be a bad decision for all involved. We need to hope and pray the relationship Ole has with Halland can push him over the edge and if you think Kane is worth what Tott as asking, then offer that amount to BD for Halland next season and he could be ours. He is going to be the next Rooney for us and just score loads of goals. He is the real deal, guy just doesn't have many off games thus far, he scores so effortlessly its crazy.

 

[ehsanul]

I don’t know if it’s the most likeable based on the players. Under LVG when we had Falcao,RVP,Rooney and Di Maria it looked so exciting but then LVG happened.

Ole is the reason people find this side likeable and enjoyable. He has signed the right players and fixed the postitions that needed fixing.
This side reminds of us in 06. We might not be on the level of City yet but the potential is there. I feel we are on too big things.

Except Di Maria all were on their wrong side of the age.

 

[meamth]

Can we call these lot "Ole babes" now???

 

[LoneStar]

It's only likable because the team is winning. If there are a few weeks of bad play it won't look the same. Not unique to this team, any team in the world is the same. When you're winning you see the positives and if we're losing I'm sure people will complain about stupid shit again

This. No media reports on teams which are winning for fun, cause there's no story there. Same with fans. If a team loses a couple matches though, that's when people start to overanalyze.

 

[afrocentricity]

Not believing Pogba has done anything to justify the level of vitriol he gets means I’m acting as if he’s “Saint Paul”? United fanbase just has a bunch of weirdos

Trust me!