Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

I think there is some sense in what you say.

i still think buying Ronaldo without buying the players to build around him was the main strategic error - it's not simply a matte rof bringing in a coach and magic happening.... Klippety had to break the transfer spending records to build his team and it is a team with balance

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

and for the avoidance of doubt I want OGS (and Woodward) to stay at Yernited indefinitely..... I was gutted when Mourinho left ;)

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

I'm assuming Ronaldo is a short term signing though. Why build a structure to support something not needed soon?

With the right coaching staff it doesn't need magic, as long as there is something good there to begin with. And second in the league last season would suggest there was something good. Various results in the Champions League over the last couple of years and other European displays would suggest there was something pretty good in the right hands.

One only has to look at coaches like Conte who wins with a good Juventus team, follows that with a league win with Chelsea and then again with Inter.

Your own club employed a top coach in Mancini. He wins you the league and two different subsequent coaches have done the same. Mancini goes on to win the Euros with Italy.
At Chelsea, Mourinho wins the the league and five different coaches since then have won three league titles and two Champions League titles.

These are not examples of magic, just very good players being coached by good coaches.

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

And of players wanting to work with the manager. I think Ole lost that (if he had it in the first place). While former players managing their former clubs do tend to understand the club's culture better than someone who's never played for the club, maybe it's easier for some players to put in less effort because they disagree with whatever the manager's trying to do. I seriously think Man Utd's problem isn't solely Ole's doing, it's on the pitch and behind the scenes, and signing CR7 was just another shot at reliving past glories, same as Ole's appointment.

I think Ole's done the best he can with those willing to work with him. Either the ones who aren't willing to support Ole go or he does, and unfortunately that only ever turns out one way. But I think he'll get to the end of the season.

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

Yes...although I'm taking good players wanting to work with a good coach/manager as a given.
Because they don't seem him as good. All we ever hear about is he's popular. But those reports of them encouraging van de Beek to change his agent to better his chances of escape seems to point to something. :nod:

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

Good assumption as he is 36..... well done....

As to your structure question i think you need to consider that if you don't you may well miss CL qualification and the financial implications are huge

Don't forget the debt that has to be serviced and the money creamed off for the owners...... so missing Top 4 is v v bad news for Woodward and the Gimps

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

I thought Woodward was on his way out at the end of the year anyways? So it's no loss to him. If his replacement has any sense the first thing he'll do is sack Ole to try and get on the fans' good side.

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

yeah good point - it's a shame that he won't be at Yernited though

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

Even a competent manager should be able to get the United team to win games....Hell, any professional player should play to the best of their ability for the fans.

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

All those yous...you're trying to catch me out again aren't you...:rofl:
I believe that every time the club has missed CL qualification they have said it's not a problem - money wise.
Perhaps that is the problem in that the club is serving its financial purpose without impressing on the pitch.

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

One suspects that is spot on

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

It's the daily mail but
Sportsmail can also reveal:

• Bruno Fernandes is among the senior players who feel they are not getting enough direction from Solskjaer and his coaching staff.
• Cristiano Ronaldo is alarmed at the drop in standards at United since he left the club 12 years ago.
• The players sympathise with Donny van de Beek over the way he has been treated by Solskjaer after fans also offered the out-of-favour Dutchman their support when he came on against City.
• Marcus Rashford played almost half an hour in the derby despite missing training for two days before the game with flu.

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

Mail???? I had you down as a Sun reader ;):p:scarper:

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...96fe5dda88.png

Re: The 2021/22 Football Thread
 

So with Eddie Howe appointed Newcastle are now being linked with Phil Jones to stave off relegation. Eddie will be heading back down south before the end of the season.