The Manchester United Thread

[Alcaraz]

And as much as I hate to say admit it. Scouse actually has a point when he says that Liverpool have the most stable managerial position among the big clubs at this moment.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

It's truly baffling how they let City become favourites tbh. And they also let Ancelloti slip through their grasp. Serious questions have to be asked of the executives at this point

That's if you believe they haven't already approached either man's reps.

And as much as I hate to say admit it. Scouse actually has a point when he says that Liverpool have the most stable managerial position among the big clubs at this moment.

Arsenal accepted.

 

[Alcaraz]

That's if you believe they haven't already approached either man's reps.

I am sure they have but Ancelloti is already gone and all reports indicate Pep heading to City which makes it seem they were late to the show

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

I am sure they have but Ancelloti is already gone and all reports indicate Pep heading to City which makes it seem they were late to the show

Maybe, maybe not.

I'm past believing anything is final until it's officially announced. I'd be utterly shocked if Utd aren't going in hard for Guardiola.

Where else do they turn after investing so much on the team to keep everyone happy?

I read the Guardian piece on Ancelotti. But my gut is saying otherwise. For what that's worth. Shrugs.

 

[Tyton]

In any case, January window will explain a lot. Title race is still wide open, so if club still has faith in Van Gaal, they should invest.

 

[zzeezzy]

If Ancelotti got a chance to manage United I honestly think he'd grab it, especially now, imagine the name he'll make for himself if he turns United into the force we once were again, especially in Europe where he has more of his success rather than domestically.

If he goes to Bayern he'll achieve but won't be looked back on as anything special in the scheme of things.

 

[tigertailz001]

I just hope if the board do sack Louis van Gaal, they don't give in and give Jose Mourinho the job, as he seems to be the bookies favourite to given the job. He might be a quality manager but it would be only for short term success. A club like Manchester United should be still looking forward ahead than just a quick fix for one/two seasons that Jose would give us. Personally don't like watching United under Louis van Gaal since he has been in charge, at least he is giving youth a chance more than Jose Mourinho would.
I would rather put up with Louis van Gaal until the end of contract in the summer 2017, than appoint Jose Mourinho.

 

[Tyton]

I'd be absolutely shocked if they replaced him with Mourinho. Its already been 3 years in transition, a club like United can't just swipe it all the work under rug, start from scratch and wait another 2 years till everything falls into place. All these sponsors are there because the club had reputation for extreme success, they're not going to wait forever. So whoever comes will continue the work Van Gaal started. Which is why throwing him under the bus is completely pointless, unless they can grab Guardiola who could smoothly take over.

 

[tigertailz001]

I'd be absolutely shocked if they replaced him with Mourinho. Its already been 3 years in transition, a club like United can't just swipe it all the work under rug, start from scratch and wait another 2 years till everything falls into place. All these sponsors are there because the club had reputation for extreme success, they're not going to wait forever. So whoever comes will continue the work Van Gaal started. Which is why throwing him under the bus is completely pointless, unless they can grab Guardiola who could smoothly take over.

I totally agree with you on that. Plus it's alright for a small club like Chelsea with no history and just to money throw around for a short fix just to win a trophy, but United are bigger than that I hope. I would happy if we played more youngsters, if I could see the green roots Louis van Gaal philosophy's coming to through. It might even give the senior players a kick up backside to perform better.

 

[zzeezzy]

Pep isn't exactly a long-term manager either, in the modern game it's all revolved around instant success, short bedding in period is all you'll get at best, but after that you're strictly judged on results.

 

[iNickStuff]

A general question, one to promote discussion:

Aside from the Manchester United/Chelsea blame game, who needs to assume responsibility in situations like these and how do you draw that line? Can you really just by watching games and not knowing the contours of dressing room dynamics?

We've had a scenario where the fans have directed frustration onto the board and players (Chelsea), but elsewhere where fans are almost exclusively looking at the manager (Manchester United).

 

[LFCMarshall]

It's truly baffling how they let City become favourites tbh. And they also let Ancelloti slip through their grasp. Serious questions have to be asked of the executives at this point

Without doubt they should be asking the questions, but it seems everything is set up for Pep at City.

The new youth facilities are fantastic and with the two former Barca directors at City they have personnel pulling power also

 

[tigertailz001]

Pep isn't exactly a long-term manager either, in the modern game it's all revolved around instant success, short bedding in period is all you'll get at best, but after that you're strictly judged on results.

Even if it is a short term fix to bring in a new manager to a club in the modern era, United's board should follow the example clubs like Southampton and Swansea have set by bring in a new manager to continue the philosophy of play. Also Southampton example to continue to bring through the youngsters through youth system into the first team.

 

[Alcaraz]

I totally agree with you on that. Plus it's alright for a small club like Chelsea with no history and just to money throw around for a short fix just to win a trophy, but United are bigger than that I hope. I would happy if we played more youngsters, if I could see the green roots Louis van Gaal philosophy's coming to through. It might even give the senior players a kick up backside to perform better.

You do realize that Chelsea didn't bring in Mourinho for a short fix as you seem to suggest. They genuinely wanted him to remain for a long time. Don't be ridiculous

 

[Alcaraz]

A general question, one to promote discussion:

Aside from the Manchester United/Chelsea blame game, who needs to assume responsibility in situations like these and how do you draw that line? Can you really just by watching games and not knowing the contours of dressing room dynamics?

We've had a scenario where the fans have directed frustration onto the board and players (Chelsea), but elsewhere where fans are almost exclusively looking at the manager (Manchester United).

Well I suppose everyone has to share part of the blame. But just like any organisation in the world, the buck always stops with the CEO or in this case, the manager. He is directly responsible for the performance of the players and ultimately, he has to pay the price when things go south

 

[tigertailz001]

You do realize that Chelsea didn't bring in Mourinho for a short fix as you seem to suggest. They genuinely wanted him to remain for a long time. Don't be ridiculous

Very manager who has been employed by Chelsea is short term fix, you should at your history of your club employment of managers. No manager since the late sixties/early seventies have lasted more than three seasons in employment, that was Dave Sexton. Glenn Hoddle last manager to complete three seasons (1993-96).

 

[Alcaraz]

Very manager who has been employed by Chelsea is short term fix, you should at your history of your club employment of managers. No manager since the late sixties/early seventies have lasted more than three seasons in employment, that was Dave Sexton. Glenn Hoddle last manager to complete three seasons (1993-96).

Whats that got to do with anything? Many times the club brought in a manager hoping he would stay for the long-term. In some cases, club blinked too fast and sacked them (Mourinho in 1st reign and Ancelloti). In other cases, the manager himself wasn't good enough (RDM, AVB, Scolari, Mourinho in 2nd reign).

Club is trying to find a manager to stay for the long term. It isn't easy at all because it's so hard to deliver consistent results over a sustained period of time at this level. Either you need a miracle worker like SAF or you need to be prepared to endure many trophyless seasons like Wenger

 

[tigertailz001]

Whats that got to do with anything? Many times the club brought in a manager hoping he would stay for the long-term. In some cases, club blinked too fast and sacked them (Mourinho in 1st reign and Ancelloti). In other cases, the manager himself wasn't good enough (RDM, AVB, Scolari, Mourinho in 2nd reign).

Club is trying to find a manager to stay for the long term. It isn't easy at all because it's so hard to deliver consistent results over a sustained period of time at this level. Either you need a miracle worker like SAF or you need to be prepared to endure many trophyless seasons like Wenger

So what are you trying say then, are you saying that all nineteen managers in the Premier League should lose their jobs that the end of the season because haven't won the league then?.

 

[Tyton]

A general question, one to promote discussion:

Aside from the Manchester United/Chelsea blame game, who needs to assume responsibility in situations like these and how do you draw that line? Can you really just by watching games and not knowing the contours of dressing room dynamics?

We've had a scenario where the fans have directed frustration onto the board and players (Chelsea), but elsewhere where fans are almost exclusively looking at the manager (Manchester United).

I'm honestly not blaming anybody. On the managerial front, the man is obviously building the team for the future, but he's being judged by people expecting instant success, which is a complete misunderstanding of how these things work. Van Gaal is notoriously difficult to work with, and everybody knew that all along when we was hired. But 2-3 years down the line, when all the young talent he brought - Shaw, Memphis, Martial - will start ripping ****, everybody will suddenly realize that maybe crazy uncle Louis actually knew what he was doing.

And when it comes to the players, who can you blame really? People who got injured? Because otherwise everybody is performing more or less up to their expected standard, and younger players are inconsistent, which is also expected. The only exception is Rooney, but he pretty much went and declined beyond repair. Can't really blame the guy for aging, can we?

The biggest problem is obviously Rooney, there's zero doubt in my mind that if you've had another "250k a week" striker, you'd be top of the table. Its a bizzare sort of situation where United is an elite club that doesn't have even one elite word class outfield player. Because who do you have that other teams are afraid of? Nobody. Back in a day when opposing manager prepared before the game, he had a headache of a century because there was 5-6 people he had contain to turn around the score if left alone for a second.

And you can't blame the board either, because what can they do really? They have the money, they're willing to spend for superstars, but if nobody is willing to sell, you need to develop your own superstars. That's always hit and miss, and it takes time and patience. Di Maria was one prize that you managed to grab, but after robbery it was obvious he doesn't want to be there, or more likely, his wife doesn't won't to be there, which is even worse.

 

[Vanjagl]

I totally agree with you on that. Plus it's alright for a small club like Chelsea with no history and just to money throw around for a short fix just to win a trophy, but United are bigger than that I hope. I would happy if we played more youngsters, if I could see the green roots Louis van Gaal philosophy's coming to through. It might even give the senior players a kick up backside to perform better.

Ugh... go away.