I am very excited not only about the defensive line, but generally about the season. As I mentioned in numerous posts during summer, Ole has a plan. I was not discouraged by the bad performances in the end of season, I felt Ole got a good sample of data. For the first time after Fergie left, we are seeing long term strategic work at the top. Ole, Ed, scouting and coaching working as a team.
I would like to remind the chronology of the last season.
Ole’s effect:
Ole inherited a team with obsolete system, which passed its peak in mid-2000. A broken 1:0 winning machine. Today, that system would function only if Mourinho gets right players. Very specific niche players like Perisic. Recruiting players of that type is very expensive. It’s a hit and miss buying. I have to mention Ed’s sanity who realized that if Mourinho gets all what he wants, we will spend 1 billion pounds to replace entire first 11 when he leaves. United refused to give JM money last summer for that reason.
Without any investment, Ole went on impressive run. He had to use Mourinho tactics but with much more freedom. That was a time when Ole And the squad showed that they were quite capable. It was an interim fix though. Then, the opposition managers found unrepairable holes.
Major problems post 2018/2019:
Defending as a team: man marking (Mourinho style). Major reason why we leaked so many goals. Midfielders and defenders were making a lot of mistakes, opposition teams targeted our system as a whole. Everton loss is a good example. Everyone failed.
Smalling. Shit at bringing ball forward (Pogba dilemma starts here), shit at zonal marking. Good 1 v1, good at man marking and in the air. We had to play him because our GK is not imposing and doesn’t provide any aerial defense. Troubles against pressing teams.
Young. No comments.
Fitness.
Pogba Dilemma. Not because he’s bad. Quite opposite. The only player who can bring ball out of defense, the only player who can provide a final pass. If he contributes to attack, he’s lazy and not disciplined. If brings ball out of defense he has a bad game because he “is invisible on the pitch”. What the f**k?!
Summer 2019 starts. RedCafe is moaning as usual
) “Ole sucks, Ed sucks, United sucks...Life sucks”.
1. First signing: James. Important position (RW) but not a key one. Cheap one, Giggs influence. We have nice networking in a highly perspective region, I must note.
2. AWB: MAJOR signing. 50 M pounds, “too expensive, can’t cross blah blah blah”.
3. Pre-season. Every single game one setup. Huge relief. We know how we play, we know who And how we buy. Fitness addressed. Again, a huge relief.
4. Maguire. Never been more sure than about this particular transfer.. just flow of things.
5. Number 10, a forward to replace Lukaku or another CM? (Bruno-Dybala discussions).
6. ?
Defense is sorted. It is one of the best in league on paper now.