The positives for me, James and AWB. More James as he was unheard of. It does not take a genius to know AWB was made for us but James has been a steel and has great work ethic. The positives translate to hope for me, if this is the strategy of buying players with this work ethic and potential, then in two years we could have a team to actually compete for 4th place. For me the youth have not been positive as they have barely been given a chance by ole. Getting rid of deadwood has also harmed us significantly in terms of depth, but wage bill wise, we are better off.
What are the positives at Manchester United?
- Thread starter DLE
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
The match-going fans are very supportive and forgiving.
Though some might argue that’s a negative, but for me it’s positive.
Though some might argue that’s a negative, but for me it’s positive.
The positives are that we are making efforts to get back to the way we were under Fergie, with Mike Phelan having a huge say on tactics and transfers to slowly head back in that direction.
Playing attacking tactics, signing the best of British exciting young talent, while being open to foreign talent if they fit the clubs philosophy.
I feel we are heading in the right direction, but we have fallen so far behind by appointing 3 catastrophic managers who were all monster disasters for different reasons, that it's going to take time. The positives being if Ole fails, he'll leave a very solid foundation of young talented hungry players for the next guy to improve on.
Playing attacking tactics, signing the best of British exciting young talent, while being open to foreign talent if they fit the clubs philosophy.
I feel we are heading in the right direction, but we have fallen so far behind by appointing 3 catastrophic managers who were all monster disasters for different reasons, that it's going to take time. The positives being if Ole fails, he'll leave a very solid foundation of young talented hungry players for the next guy to improve on.
If you multiply our negatives does it become a positive?
Positives
Decent crop of youngsters coming through.
Our Defence is actually very good and will get better.
Once we get back a lot of our first team regulars we will improve.
Our back room operation is getting better (sports analysis, physio)
A good foundation is being built, Rome wasn't built in a day etc.
Decent crop of youngsters coming through.
Our Defence is actually very good and will get better.
Once we get back a lot of our first team regulars we will improve.
Our back room operation is getting better (sports analysis, physio)
A good foundation is being built, Rome wasn't built in a day etc.
The Academy. We have some great prospects coming through, and IF they make it, we will be a top team again, in a few years.
aaand jinxed.
This is the biggest proof you don't watch our games. We play anything but attacking, we are more defensive than we were under Jose.
De Gea / Dean Henderson / Romero
Lindelof / Bailly / Jones / Maguire / Shaw / Wan-Bissaka / Tuanzebe / Williams
Pogba / Fred / Gomes / Garner / McTominay
Martial / Rashford / James / Greenwood
20 players, avg age 23/24. We're not risking loosing any of these except Pogba. This season is write off, next season dont expect more than top four. In that time buy what's needed. Probably 2 central midfielders and an attacker, maybe experienced central defender + squad player(s). Looks fn great!
Lindelof / Bailly / Jones / Maguire / Shaw / Wan-Bissaka / Tuanzebe / Williams
Pogba / Fred / Gomes / Garner / McTominay
Martial / Rashford / James / Greenwood
20 players, avg age 23/24. We're not risking loosing any of these except Pogba. This season is write off, next season dont expect more than top four. In that time buy what's needed. Probably 2 central midfielders and an attacker, maybe experienced central defender + squad player(s). Looks fn great!
Do we have an odd or even number of negatives? 11 players plus a manager so 12 negatives is my guess.
The new signings look good.
You missed the parts in my post where it says 'we are making efforts to' and 'it's going to take time'.
You need to slow down a little, take a walk, get out of the house for a change.
There’s money being spent on the academy is only positive.
Stadium and first team are being left to rot so at least something has had some investment.
Stadium and first team are being left to rot so at least something has had some investment.
Dan James, Scott McTominay and Wan-Bissaka.
Getting to see the youth get time to showcase their ability, excited to see who we promote next. It might be a bit early for a few of them but I’ve got all the time in the world for them.
Players finally starting to get over their injuries, it might sound like blind optimism but our results will pick up as soon as we can keep Pogba and Martial fit for more than five minutes.
A smaller positive but I’m actually starting to like the look of Pereira, he’s been quietly turning in some very solid performances.
Getting to see the youth get time to showcase their ability, excited to see who we promote next. It might be a bit early for a few of them but I’ve got all the time in the world for them.
Players finally starting to get over their injuries, it might sound like blind optimism but our results will pick up as soon as we can keep Pogba and Martial fit for more than five minutes.
A smaller positive but I’m actually starting to like the look of Pereira, he’s been quietly turning in some very solid performances.
Daniel James has been much better than I expected.
Maguire has been solid.
Nice to see more youth players, just a shame they are not able to perform at their best due to all the other issues at the moment.
That’s about it for me.
Maguire has been solid.
Nice to see more youth players, just a shame they are not able to perform at their best due to all the other issues at the moment.
That’s about it for me.
It cannot get any worse.
Money and the sheer mediocrity of most of the squad means the young players should have a good chance to break through. If they dont we're doing something very wrong
Thats it
Thats it
Liverpool still aint won the league.
With Southampton and Watford being totally crap it'll be hard for us to get relegated this season. Though still need to reach points needed to stay.
That's about the only positive thing I can think of.
That's about the only positive thing I can think of.
James reminds me of the excitement of seeing the potentials of Rooney/Ronaldo. It has been a while...
How is wage bill down a positive?
Also... we could’ve done with Lukaku this year.
As for Norwich today, I’d be amazed.
The positives are the academy and the 3 new signings who look like our best 3 players.
RAB, I consider us good friends. Let’s meet for a beer before a game soon and you’ll come away enthralled with Ole.
Ha ha, you’re on mate.
So your point is that United's academy isn't good because Chelsea is involving some youth players in their team?
Also: do you think Tammy Abraham would flourish at United (mind that he is more than four years older than Greenwood)? It's a lot easier playing in that Chelsea team than coming in at United like some kind of savior. For what's it worth, I don't think that Sergio Aguero would make any significant difference in United right now so you can't really expect Greenwood to do that. With that said, he has two goals in three starts if I remember correctly, playing on the wing when he's a striker. Not that bad.
Is that true though?
Sanchez is out on loan only. Lingard is still around. As are Mata, Matic and Young.
You forgot Rojo and Bailly who should be on top of that list.
Mata, Matic and Young at least serve a purpose (poorly mind).
United still have strong strategic fundamentals. That’s a big positive. Wealth, big stadium, high status due to historic achievements. Maybe a solid academy? I’m a bit less sue of that one, but a lot of people here seem to think so.
So theoretically the situation could change much faster than if we were talking about a mid tier club. Bring in the right manager, and the tide could turn in a few seasons.
The obvious caveat to this is the people in charge. Will they ever choose the right manager and back him both financially and structurally? History suggests they won’t, but there is still hope.
So theoretically the situation could change much faster than if we were talking about a mid tier club. Bring in the right manager, and the tide could turn in a few seasons.
The obvious caveat to this is the people in charge. Will they ever choose the right manager and back him both financially and structurally? History suggests they won’t, but there is still hope.
I haven't been called a "glory hunter" in about 8 years...
Can't get worse than this, we have hit rock bottom. Only way is up from next season.
It's always the hope that kills you. I have no hope of us doing well this season, so not gonna be shocked where we end up this season.
Total lack of any emotion related to United. Gives me a lot more time to do useful shite instead of browsing United forums (for the most part)
It's always the hope that kills you. I have no hope of us doing well this season, so not gonna be shocked where we end up this season.
Total lack of any emotion related to United. Gives me a lot more time to do useful shite instead of browsing United forums (for the most part)
I'm comparing them but no thats not the reason. Greenwood, gomes, garner and chong are not good enough but we need them because of chronic mismanagement of the squad. That doesn't mean our academy is pulling up trees.
I don't expect the youngsters to be ready. Its noy fait on them. But that doesn't mean thry are currently not good enough.
Good signings and some exciting youngsters is big positivtes
We get alot of penalties.
After outlining the negatives of dropping silly points to team United should be beating what are your positives?
For me.
Unbeaten in 6 PL games in a row.
Four points off 4th (Spurs play Chelsea next week) so can close the gap further.
3 goals in 2 games for Greenwood and the time has come to give him more PL game time now.
Transfer window reopening where one or two decent players should be brought in and more dead wood cleared out.
For me.
Unbeaten in 6 PL games in a row.
Four points off 4th (Spurs play Chelsea next week) so can close the gap further.
3 goals in 2 games for Greenwood and the time has come to give him more PL game time now.
Transfer window reopening where one or two decent players should be brought in and more dead wood cleared out.
A burgeoning squad. Think we'll have a good second half to the season.
It's clear having a threat on either side really is helping.
It's clear having a threat on either side really is helping.
We haven’t lost to any of the top 6 in the league.
The Europa League is allowing a lot of the youngsters to get proper first team experience, which can make us better judge who can take the next step.
Rashford’s improvement
Mason Greenwood
The Europa League is allowing a lot of the youngsters to get proper first team experience, which can make us better judge who can take the next step.
Rashford’s improvement
Mason Greenwood
You're pushing it.
Hudson-Odoi isn't a regular starter
Mount/Abraham wouldn't be regular starters if it wasnt for the transfer man.
Loftus-Cheek often misses out to Barkley/Kante/Jorginho
Chelsea HAVE to play certain youngsters due to a transfer ban.
Stop comparing us to other clubs, each club has they're own issue's and circumstances. We have ALWAYS integrated youth, whereas Chelsea in particular don't. It's not comparable
Positives:
Young players starting to become important team members, playing with confidence and showing real promise, notably:
McTominey
Rashford
Wan-Bisska
James
Martial
While there are major works to be done on the transfer front, i've been happy with the out-goings thus far, but feel this trend HAS to continue.
The squad on a hole needs to be re-shaped almost entirely.
Players that still need to leave:
Pogba
Lingard
Young
Jones
Matic
Mata
Rojo
The development of Greenwood has been a big plus also.
I think we are possibly 2 key signings away from having a transformed team, a lot of our draws could have been wins had it not been for lack of creativity for example. A Maddison or Eriksen make us so much better.
Ole has my trust, we are heading forward. The January window needs to be used well, Matic looks likely to leave and i'll be glad when the Pogba show finally pisses off so we can stop pretending he's some world class saviour who is going to make us great again.
Some competition for Martial who badly needs it, and also some midfield additions and we are looking much better squad wise
Young players starting to become important team members, playing with confidence and showing real promise, notably:
McTominey
Rashford
Wan-Bisska
James
Martial
While there are major works to be done on the transfer front, i've been happy with the out-goings thus far, but feel this trend HAS to continue.
The squad on a hole needs to be re-shaped almost entirely.
Players that still need to leave:
Pogba
Lingard
Young
Jones
Matic
Mata
Rojo
The development of Greenwood has been a big plus also.
I think we are possibly 2 key signings away from having a transformed team, a lot of our draws could have been wins had it not been for lack of creativity for example. A Maddison or Eriksen make us so much better.
Ole has my trust, we are heading forward. The January window needs to be used well, Matic looks likely to leave and i'll be glad when the Pogba show finally pisses off so we can stop pretending he's some world class saviour who is going to make us great again.
Some competition for Martial who badly needs it, and also some midfield additions and we are looking much better squad wise
How so? Pretty clear his output has got better, already got 13 goals this season which equals his two best seasons.
Season | Total Minutes | Total Goals | Min Per Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
15-16 | 2101 | 12 | 175 |
16-17 | 3068 | 11 | 279 |
17-18 | 2676 | 13 | 206 |
18-19 | 3291 | 13 | 253 |
19-20 | 1784 | 13 | 137 |
Quoting a 2 month old post. Oook.
Ironic you say don't compare us to other clubs and then compare us to chelsea anyway.