I agree if the upturn in form continues and we go on an incredible run, a big club will come for him if we decide against. I feel really happy for Ole, cause it just seems like destiny has thrown him into the spotlight and now is his time after years of quietly and professionally learning his trade with Molde. Not the right time or club in Cardiff city, but now is the time. Desperate for him to succeed.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | W15 D2 L4
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I agree if the upturn in form continues and we go on an incredible run, a big club will come for him if we decide against. I feel really happy for Ole, cause it just seems like destiny has thrown him into the spotlight and now is his time after years of quietly and professionally learning his trade with Molde. Not the right time or club in Cardiff city, but now is the time. Desperate for him to succeed.
Or maybe just a note of caution?
We have two very tough away matches coming up in the league. I’m pleased as punch with what I’ve seen so far, but am not getting carried away just yet.
I feel Ole will always be there in the background as a stop-gap/interim manager when things go south for us.
He'll be our version of Guus Hiddink.
He'll be our version of Guus Hiddink.
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Well I’m still one of them. I voted No because I don’t like decisions that are (or at least appear to be) based on sentimentality and nostalgia; not because I thought Ole was necessarily a bad manager.
I reserve the right to change my mind though
I dared to vote no too as personally I think any attack minded manager could get the same results as Solskjær. Ok so he “gets” the club but as for ex United players with managerial experience I could pick at least 2 who in my opinion could be just as much if not more effective. Steve Bruce has over 800 games experience as a manager and Mark Hughes is not for behind on over 600 games. Ok neither have been exactly successful in winning trophies but are battle hardened and give them quality players and a big budget and who knows what they could achieve? Bruce certainly knows how to set a defence up and as an ex United captain is a great leader whilst Hughes scored 163 goals for us and is as much as legend as Solskjær.
Don’t get me wrong I’m loving our free scoring attacking play at the moment but we are still leaking goals and until we play Spurs away I’m still not convinced we are fully back to our best.
Ok mate, if you want to think that then that's up to you.
Watched a lot of Bruce’s Hull city and the style of play wasn’t the best very Mourinho like in defending 1 nil leads. Bruce was also very hit and miss in the transfer market in particular buying a lot of striker duds.
Mark Hughes has he ever had a team playing attractive football? Strange post as you couldn’t of picked 2 coach’s with a more dour style of play, which is what we’re trying to get away from. I honestly don’t think the above two would of given the players the amount of freedom Olé has, and can you imagine Hughes bringing the fun factor back.
Got to say as a Liverpool fan, that Ole has somehow turned this Utd team into a different animal and attacking animal I always remembered in their DNA. Still early days and opposition has been mediocre but free scoring which is worrying. I do feel Man Utd need to invest in a couple defenders, cannot keep a clean sheet for love or money. Surprising as they use to be so strong in defence in their prem winning era and was their backbone and understated.
As Liverpool fan I will be watching eagerly to see what happens
As Liverpool fan I will be watching eagerly to see what happens
Maybe not I can only judge the individual manager and Solskjaer seems to want to play the type of football a club like ours should play so in that regard he is as good as any south american or spanish manager
Know me do you?
Not sure I agree. Sure winning the league with league with Celtic or Rangers menas feck all but how could you ignore someone who did what Fergie did in Scotland?
Fergie was stunningly successful in Soctland, he beat Real Madrid in a European cup (yes I know it wasn't the big one) final.
If someone ever had that sort of success again I'm sure teams would very seriously consider him.
Love Ole but he looks like he hasn't slept in 3 weeks.
Someone make him some herbal tea.
Someone make him some herbal tea.
He's doing great so far. Everybody wanted attacking football and he's instantly delivered. Not even a period of learning the new system, it's just worked straight away.
I still have concerns over the players though. Right now they're riding a wave and there's a feel good factor around the place, but how will they deal with a loss or two? They can't hide behind the manager anymore because it won't fly.
So as much as I'm not getting carried away just yet, i feel like the players have just as much, if not more, to prove for me than Solskjaer. If Ole can keep this up until the end of the season then out will be hard to get rid of him. Most would probably prefer Poch, but if Solskjaer keeps this up then there's probably nothing between them.
Pochettino is wanted because he plays attacking football and trusts youngsters. Ole ticks the same boxes. Poch hasn't won anything, Ole has won the league in Norway but nothing in a major league. Unless we see another capitulation, the job is Solskjaers to lose for me.
I still have concerns over the players though. Right now they're riding a wave and there's a feel good factor around the place, but how will they deal with a loss or two? They can't hide behind the manager anymore because it won't fly.
So as much as I'm not getting carried away just yet, i feel like the players have just as much, if not more, to prove for me than Solskjaer. If Ole can keep this up until the end of the season then out will be hard to get rid of him. Most would probably prefer Poch, but if Solskjaer keeps this up then there's probably nothing between them.
Pochettino is wanted because he plays attacking football and trusts youngsters. Ole ticks the same boxes. Poch hasn't won anything, Ole has won the league in Norway but nothing in a major league. Unless we see another capitulation, the job is Solskjaers to lose for me.
]That's a good point considering this team wouldnt be used to putting in those type of shifts under JM.
I just love hearing the bloke talk, he sounds like he genuinely loves being in the job, which is refreshing after Jose. LVG was happy to be Utd manager, but he always had his guard up, there's no guard with Ole, he just seems to say how he feels.
Plus players arent afraid to make mistakes and actually try stuff.
Even if we don't get good results against those teams,it will be interesting to see if he can get a reaction from the team after a defeat like Fergie used to. I just hope that we wont go into hiding if we get a heavy defeat from one of those teams.
And you picked Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes? I think they're worse versions of Jose.
Our defence is clearly not good enough, regardless of the type of football we play. If Jose couldn't organise this defence i highly doubt the likes of ole, Steve Bruce or Mark Hughes could. IMO We will conceded most of the games but with ole I think we will out score most teams, whether that'll be the big teams (i doubt it) but at least we're not being cowards against the It's only (Insert team), you know the It's only (Insert team) teams against who we were hanging on in most games and struggling to even create half a decent chance. Bigger challenges ahead but win/lose or draw hopefully we'll be attacking them.
Oh one last thing...Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes?
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What I find interesting with Ole is that we are all learning what our strongest squad is really quickly. We're finally understanding more about our player strengths than we ever did in 2 1/2 years with Mourinho.
Mou would tinker with the team so much for every game, and make crazy substitutions, that players would drift in and out of the squad and we didn't have a clue what our best team actually was.
At the moment we're not sure how Sanchez and Lukaku will compare with the other attacking players, but we'll find out soon. The defence is tricky as well, because they're all similar quality, and none are leaders.
Mourinho made everything complicated in order to make himself look good when he got right. Solskjaer is making management look so easy. Who was it that said, "a coach is what takes players to the game"?
Mou would tinker with the team so much for every game, and make crazy substitutions, that players would drift in and out of the squad and we didn't have a clue what our best team actually was.
At the moment we're not sure how Sanchez and Lukaku will compare with the other attacking players, but we'll find out soon. The defence is tricky as well, because they're all similar quality, and none are leaders.
Mourinho made everything complicated in order to make himself look good when he got right. Solskjaer is making management look so easy. Who was it that said, "a coach is what takes players to the game"?
If the results and more importantly the performances continue like this and we get a DOF that wants to work with Ole next season then why not.
We have a good crop of youngsters that we can't waste on a different manager. Is it likely enough that say Zidane will go and play gomes and greenwood?
We have the financial muscle to bring talent into this team - say someone like Dembele or Dybala for big money. Adding quality and some strong defensive players could take us up another 1, 2 or 3 rungs.
Provided he is partnered with the right director of football so we can start adding talent as soon as possible (working on deals for the summer in the next 1-2 months then I would be excited for another season under Ole.
We have a good crop of youngsters that we can't waste on a different manager. Is it likely enough that say Zidane will go and play gomes and greenwood?
We have the financial muscle to bring talent into this team - say someone like Dembele or Dybala for big money. Adding quality and some strong defensive players could take us up another 1, 2 or 3 rungs.
Provided he is partnered with the right director of football so we can start adding talent as soon as possible (working on deals for the summer in the next 1-2 months then I would be excited for another season under Ole.
I think it's unfair to acknowledge the standard of opposition without also acknowledging how little time Solksjaer has actually had with the players. To win 3 games on the bounce and score 12 goals with nothing much more than words and arms around the shoulders is impressive and would imply there is more even more to come.
There will be harder challenges and some tough losses no doubt but if Pochettino does not work out I can think of few candidates better suited than Ole. Unfortunately that is more of a reflection of the options available than Solksjaer's actual managerial ability. Outside of Pochettino there are few managers well suited to playing football how United should play and who would be able to handle the pressure of expectation at United. There are loads of interesting young coaches but none of them would be able to bed into the club as quickly and command immediate respect like Solksjaer does. As long as the structure around Solksjaer is correct he has as good a chance as anyone.
The interesting thing about Solksjaer's management so far is that he is very open and receptive to advice. If there's one thing all of our post-Ferguson managers were lacking in it was the humility to listen to the right voices or to surround themselves with voices worth hearing. It is noticeable how often Solksjaer is picking McKenna's brain on the bench during the game.
Another interesting contrast was how Solskjaer handled being 1-0 up vs Huddersfield to how Pochettino handled being 1-0 up vs Wolves. Solskjaer was quick to identify Huddersfield coming into the game and replaced Fred & Dalot for Young & Herrera in order to try and introduce some control into proceedings. Pochettino in comparison made 1 sub at 1-0, he replaced Alli for Moura which did not help Spurs control the play in any meaningful way. The major worry I have with Pochettino is his inability to influence games from the touchline, we saw the same thing in the North London Derby at the start of the month where Emery got the better of him.
United do however do need to be careful to not let sentimentality get the better of them, they must not rush such a critical appointment and they must consider all candidates thoroughly. I do have a bit of unease at how often Solskjaer is invoking SAF in the pressers, kind of gives the impression that SAF is steering the ship by proxy.
There will be harder challenges and some tough losses no doubt but if Pochettino does not work out I can think of few candidates better suited than Ole. Unfortunately that is more of a reflection of the options available than Solksjaer's actual managerial ability. Outside of Pochettino there are few managers well suited to playing football how United should play and who would be able to handle the pressure of expectation at United. There are loads of interesting young coaches but none of them would be able to bed into the club as quickly and command immediate respect like Solksjaer does. As long as the structure around Solksjaer is correct he has as good a chance as anyone.
The interesting thing about Solksjaer's management so far is that he is very open and receptive to advice. If there's one thing all of our post-Ferguson managers were lacking in it was the humility to listen to the right voices or to surround themselves with voices worth hearing. It is noticeable how often Solksjaer is picking McKenna's brain on the bench during the game.
Another interesting contrast was how Solskjaer handled being 1-0 up vs Huddersfield to how Pochettino handled being 1-0 up vs Wolves. Solskjaer was quick to identify Huddersfield coming into the game and replaced Fred & Dalot for Young & Herrera in order to try and introduce some control into proceedings. Pochettino in comparison made 1 sub at 1-0, he replaced Alli for Moura which did not help Spurs control the play in any meaningful way. The major worry I have with Pochettino is his inability to influence games from the touchline, we saw the same thing in the North London Derby at the start of the month where Emery got the better of him.
United do however do need to be careful to not let sentimentality get the better of them, they must not rush such a critical appointment and they must consider all candidates thoroughly. I do have a bit of unease at how often Solskjaer is invoking SAF in the pressers, kind of gives the impression that SAF is steering the ship by proxy.
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Broadly agree with @ArmchairCritic although I don't have any problems with Solskjaer evoking the ghost of Sir Alex.
Also just to underline the 'its only...' point:
Also just to underline the 'its only...' point:
If the team continues to play like this (aggressive pressing and better forward passing) for the rest of the season then I'll say he should be strongly considered. Especially if we win against Chelsea as I'll be there.
Excellent stat but we probably had the kindest run of fixtures during those 3 games than other top 6 sides.
It's brilliant to watch regardless
If you win your games against the "it's only" teams you can attain 60 points which will help massively in challenging for the league.
We're all happy for him. As you say, Cardiff was a terrible job to take on and it's great to see a club legend back in the fold. Let's hope the bounce continues - eight points is a lot of ground to make up but Chelsea look like they're losing their early-season shine and they've still got to come to OT.
I agree Bruce and Hughes are hardly the Chuckle Brothers in terms of personality or playing style at other clubs but in charge of United albeit in a caretaker role I bet they would fill their boots especially with our attacking options whilst sorting the defence out. I’d fancy our chances against top 6 clubs too.
Both Paul Ince and Harry Rednapp said Bruce would be their preferred choice so I’m not being totally deluded here.
And you picked Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes? I think they're worse versions of Jose.
Our defence is clearly not good enough, regardless of the type of football we play. If Jose couldn't organise this defence i highly doubt the likes of ole, Steve Bruce or Mark Hughes could. IMO We will conceded most of the games but with ole I think we will out score most teams, whether that'll be the big teams (i doubt it) but at least we're not being cowards against the It's only (Insert team), you know the It's only (Insert team) teams against who we were hanging on in most games and struggling to even create half a decent chance. Bigger challenges ahead but win/lose or draw hopefully we'll be attacking them.
Oh one last thing...Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes?
Come back to me after we’ve played Spurs, City and Chelsea eh?
I agree Bruce and Hughes are hardly the Chuckle Brothers in terms of personality or playing style at other clubs but in charge of United albeit in a caretaker role I bet they would fill their boots especially with our attacking options whilst sorting the defence out. I’d fancy our chances against top 6 clubs too.
Both Paul Ince and Harry Rednapp said Bruce would be their preferred choice so I’m not being totally deluded here.
Bruce or Hughes? Christ..
I personally feel that this form against top 6 nonsense as a competence barometer is very shortsighted. As you point out the basis for a title challenge is consistent success against the lesser teams. The quality of the premier league is such that, whilst success against the bigger teams is desired, no coach can guarantee this. The most successful coaches create an environment for success to give his team a fighting chance and I think, so far at least, Ole has done this as well or better than anyone else I could think of.
Excellent stat but we probably had the kindest run of fixtures during those 3 games than other top 6 sides.
It's brilliant to watch regardless
That's true and the new manager 'bounce' is one of the most predictable things in football. Hopefully it proves to be more than that, but we should just enjoy it while it lasts.
Still doesn't mean the likes of Mark Hughes/Steve Bruce would play completely different football from jose or could organise this defence playing defensive or attacking football. No doubt we will lose those games, well maybe get something from Chelsea (not that impressed) but regardless of the result i highly doubt we would sit behind the ball for 90 mins without any intention of attacking.Come back to me after we’ve played Spurs, City and Chelsea eh?
Of course performances and results vs big teams is where we will see true test of our progress we have made so far but few weeks ago we were struggling against bottom half teams and they were taking the p***, so far we have played 3 bottom half teams and beat them without any trouble with 12 goals scored. It would have taken us 5 games just to get 12 shots on goal before. One step at a time I guess, we have another it's only (Newcastle) team on Wednesday and hopefully we'll see the same attacking intent from us.
Still Steve Bruce or Mark Hughes
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He needs to stop being so humble in press meets. He always brings up SAF era , Scholes , Keano etc and compare/talk the current play with them.
Its all good whe things are going well, but the moment we hit a bad form he will be toasted by this same media .
Stop being so grounded Ole. United managers has always showed some arrogance and now its time for you to show that.
Its all good whe things are going well, but the moment we hit a bad form he will be toasted by this same media .
Stop being so grounded Ole. United managers has always showed some arrogance and now its time for you to show that.
You're talking shite, he can do what he wants.
I think we'd see him a little more assertive if it wasn't a caretaker role.
Good grief, what a load of tosh. He's being himself.
He’s playing his role perfectly, and he knows exactly what he’s doing. We’re getting universal praise from the press, deservedly so imo, while OGS is seen as the nice, harmlese uncle. If he’s smart he’ll keep up this nice guy act, and let people underestimate him at their own peril.
It's a big surprise that our board get it so right this time by appointing Ole as interim manager. Maybe the rumours about SAF is back to the club in some advisor roles is true and he recommended Ole because of his fluid attacking style. SAF must have also been giving Ole guidance and advice.
Whoever is behind this appointment, hope he can also get the appointment of DOF and permanent manager right. Something is changing in our club. Ed has also stopped being boastful about our money to sign world class players and no more "leaks" to the press about the club.
Whoever is behind this appointment, hope he can also get the appointment of DOF and permanent manager right. Something is changing in our club. Ed has also stopped being boastful about our money to sign world class players and no more "leaks" to the press about the club.
I understand that most people want Pochettino in, unless Solskjaer can prove worthy, but the tone being bounced around at the moment is incredibly condescending and patronising.
"It's only Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth" soon to be "It's only Newcastle" and so on. We've currently got an experienced manger of 10 years who also happens to be a club legend. Some of you have very short memories, Giggs anyone? Remember how his stint in charge went? I'll remind you, bang fecking average.
The club finally feels like Fergie stepped out only yesterday and some of you would rather have Bruce or Hughes in charge? I honestly fecking give up and I fear the worst for the future of this club.
"It's only Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth" soon to be "It's only Newcastle" and so on. We've currently got an experienced manger of 10 years who also happens to be a club legend. Some of you have very short memories, Giggs anyone? Remember how his stint in charge went? I'll remind you, bang fecking average.
The club finally feels like Fergie stepped out only yesterday and some of you would rather have Bruce or Hughes in charge? I honestly fecking give up and I fear the worst for the future of this club.