The Official Manchester United Thread (Vol 12)
Discussion
You'd be mad to keep a manager because they turn out the odd random top performance. We had this with OGS. A run of dire performances interspersed with glorious SAF-style swaggering ones. You have to stand back and look at the wider picture.
For example, were it not for an offside Coventry toenail, we wouldn't even have made the final.
For example, were it not for an offside Coventry toenail, we wouldn't even have made the final.
Agreed about the short termism, but on my mind I have the following
1. There has to be the right candidate to replace. There isn't a huge benefit to bringing the wrong person in (again) and having to replace in a year / 2 years. We need a bit longer view I think. Of course the flipside is if their top choice is suddenly unexpectedly available they have to go for it. I'm just concerned who that might be..
2. SJR himself said earlier this year words to the effect of, "the issue isn't the manager, it's the structure above them. That has to be in place. We have had many good managers, they all failed because of the structure around them". That new structure isn't in place fully, so surely by SJR own words ETH needs a chance to try with in place?
3. Paying him off, while we are still setting things right, hurts the funds for transfers and ensures who ever comes in does it while there are still issues to resolve. Keeping him a year longer gives more time to fix things for the replacement, whilst avoiding such a large payout, in the worst case.
4. The season has been really poor results wise (15 points behind last year in the league) - but throughout he has claimed injuries were the cause. While sceptical that it's been overplayed, he had his team back and found a new formation and it's started to turn. Short sample size, but City, Arsenal, Toon and Brighton aren't easy teams and we put up performances, and mostly results, against them.
5. Two trophies in 2 years, against 3 in 9 before that. He does seem to know how to win pots, even if some of the cup runs weren't so tough.
6. Most of the players do seem behind him, even if at times in the year they've looked otherwise. Get out the ones that aren't and things will look better.
I don't know. I just think maybe there's enough there to make it worth one more round. I get the negatives, I know it means risking one more year - I'm just on the fence and if in doubt don't change and let see is my preferred approach. In the scheme of things 1 year (which we can change early if it goes south quickly) might be worth it to be sure.
1. There has to be the right candidate to replace. There isn't a huge benefit to bringing the wrong person in (again) and having to replace in a year / 2 years. We need a bit longer view I think. Of course the flipside is if their top choice is suddenly unexpectedly available they have to go for it. I'm just concerned who that might be..
2. SJR himself said earlier this year words to the effect of, "the issue isn't the manager, it's the structure above them. That has to be in place. We have had many good managers, they all failed because of the structure around them". That new structure isn't in place fully, so surely by SJR own words ETH needs a chance to try with in place?
3. Paying him off, while we are still setting things right, hurts the funds for transfers and ensures who ever comes in does it while there are still issues to resolve. Keeping him a year longer gives more time to fix things for the replacement, whilst avoiding such a large payout, in the worst case.
4. The season has been really poor results wise (15 points behind last year in the league) - but throughout he has claimed injuries were the cause. While sceptical that it's been overplayed, he had his team back and found a new formation and it's started to turn. Short sample size, but City, Arsenal, Toon and Brighton aren't easy teams and we put up performances, and mostly results, against them.
5. Two trophies in 2 years, against 3 in 9 before that. He does seem to know how to win pots, even if some of the cup runs weren't so tough.
6. Most of the players do seem behind him, even if at times in the year they've looked otherwise. Get out the ones that aren't and things will look better.
I don't know. I just think maybe there's enough there to make it worth one more round. I get the negatives, I know it means risking one more year - I'm just on the fence and if in doubt don't change and let see is my preferred approach. In the scheme of things 1 year (which we can change early if it goes south quickly) might be worth it to be sure.
Edited by bstb3 on Sunday 26th May 10:23
Plucky underdogs with their £1b squad thwart City 
But seriously, in this era of City's dominance, 2 trophies in 2 years (plus a final) plus CL qualification year one (unexpected) and European footy next year - it's not a bad haul.
You'd be mad to sack him. So that's what you'll do. Obviously
McKenna would have all the same problems Potter had at Chelsea. So it will be him. Obviously
But seriously, in this era of City's dominance, 2 trophies in 2 years (plus a final) plus CL qualification year one (unexpected) and European footy next year - it's not a bad haul.
You'd be mad to sack him. So that's what you'll do. Obviously
McKenna would have all the same problems Potter had at Chelsea. So it will be him. Obviously
I didn’t want him sacked until we reached a stage of absolute mediocrity after Christmas. At that point I think he was finished. As much as people think the players aren’t the problem they are a huge part of it. They are in two camps though, one lot just can’t be arsed no matter who the manager is, they might be a bunch of easily led idiots though and getting rid of one or two dissenting voices might turn them around. The second camp is the players he’s signed. They really are a poor group and have taken the squad backwards. Martinez is the exception there, but he’s a real injury risk now and Hojlund, but he needs the first group of players to be sorted before we’ll see the best of him.
However, ETH’s downfall has been self-inflicted too. His lack of playing style, or suicide midfield tactics has made us a team that’s easy to attack and beat. We seem to turn up occasionally, but generally we lose to the top teams, lose to the mid-table teams and get outplayed by the bottom teams.
I don’t see how one win can suddenly turn this around for him. We all got swept up in the last minute win over PSG and Ole got the permanent job after that, when he should have just run out his time as the temporary manager. I can’t see how the FA Cup win and some dead rubbers at the end of the season can make up for a horror show of a season that we’ve just had.
I’m ecstatic that we won the Cup, even more so that we beat City. It was quite a high watching a few of the plastic City fans looking shellshocked that they could actually lose a match and that it’s not a given that they always win. I just worry that another PL season like we’ve had will be what we get next year.
However, ETH’s downfall has been self-inflicted too. His lack of playing style, or suicide midfield tactics has made us a team that’s easy to attack and beat. We seem to turn up occasionally, but generally we lose to the top teams, lose to the mid-table teams and get outplayed by the bottom teams.
I don’t see how one win can suddenly turn this around for him. We all got swept up in the last minute win over PSG and Ole got the permanent job after that, when he should have just run out his time as the temporary manager. I can’t see how the FA Cup win and some dead rubbers at the end of the season can make up for a horror show of a season that we’ve just had.
I’m ecstatic that we won the Cup, even more so that we beat City. It was quite a high watching a few of the plastic City fans looking shellshocked that they could actually lose a match and that it’s not a given that they always win. I just worry that another PL season like we’ve had will be what we get next year.
I'm not a big follower of football, I'll watch the finals/Euros/World Cup, and other than following Wrexham's progress as my local team, im pretty neutral. City vs United is a big game, especially in a final. I get the footie talk in work, United fans wondering what's going on and all that stuff. Yesterday I was expecting the Haaland show and a big win for City. United did a great job to win it and I was happy for them.
Ten Hag at the end seemed a bit reserved and subdued considering they just won the FA Cup against City, that might be the way he is? I haven't really seen him in interviews or media stuff before. When a lot of the people came up to him to congratulate him on the pitch, the first thing seemed to be them asking something like 'are you OK?', and not 'Yeeeesss we did it!!'. As if they knew it was his last match anyway, win or lose.
If the stuff about the management above him being changed is right, I hope he gets another year with the right people in place above and around him.
Ten Hag at the end seemed a bit reserved and subdued considering they just won the FA Cup against City, that might be the way he is? I haven't really seen him in interviews or media stuff before. When a lot of the people came up to him to congratulate him on the pitch, the first thing seemed to be them asking something like 'are you OK?', and not 'Yeeeesss we did it!!'. As if they knew it was his last match anyway, win or lose.
If the stuff about the management above him being changed is right, I hope he gets another year with the right people in place above and around him.
bstb3 said:
2. SJR himself said earlier this year words to the effect of, "the issue isn't the manager, it's the structure above them. That has to be in place. We have had many good managers, they all failed because of the structure around them". That new structure isn't in place fully, so surely by SJR own words ETH needs a chance to try with in place?
Building on your point 2.Last 6 months, CEO gone, interim CEO gone, CFO gone (average time at club 15 years - plus or minus)
John M gone (11 years at the club)
Ineos none football people currently in charge (causing a bit of collateral damage).
Let Jason, Omar and Dan settle in, find their feet, navigate the complex beast which is United.
Keep ETH and review the position at Xmas.
and31 said:
What a difference it makes having our first choice center half playing.ETH signing too
He played in the 2-0 defeat to Spurs, the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, the 3-1 home defeat to Brighton, the 4-3 defeat at Bayern all at the start of the season. One man doesn’t make a team. He is though one of two signings that ETH has made that have been good. Time for you to throw an insult around now.
G-wiz said:
Wilmslowboy said:
Keep ETH and review the position at Xmas.
Would be the sensible approach.Any new manager is going to be just that - new & is also going to need time to bed himself into the club.
There are enough changes going on both upstairs and in the squad without changing the manager at the moment
I guess we will find out the next time the NYSE is due to open.
Edited by Wombat3 on Sunday 26th May 12:24
LF5335 said:
He played in the 2-0 defeat to Spurs, the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, the 3-1 home defeat to Brighton, the 4-3 defeat at Bayern all at the start of the season. One man doesn’t make a team. He is though one of two signings that ETH has made that have been good.
Time for you to throw an insult around now.
You’re just a miserable bell end. I try my best to ignore you but coming out with sTime for you to throw an insult around now.
t like that just makes you look a tit and I even question that you’re a United fan.Gone a bit AMG said:
I didn’t have a meltdown but it was pretty warm
GTFI. Yesterday That’s what being a United supporter is all about. My ears are ringing and my voice is gone. But my fingers aren’t sore from typing ste!
Nice to see some positivity on the thread!
Isn’t it Unident?
Still buzzing today!!GTFI. Yesterday That’s what being a United supporter is all about. My ears are ringing and my voice is gone. But my fingers aren’t sore from typing s
te! Nice to see some positivity on the thread!
Isn’t it Unident?
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