Ole Gunnar Solskjær - Could he build a team?
There are argument for and against this question. A lot of it depends on what team you support as it usually does in questions of sport.
He has some great ammunition on his side.
The forward line for united is able to rip apart any team when the mood is on them. The have young fast attackers that are well able to score goals.
- Rashford
- Martial
- Greenwood
- Cavani
- Pogba
- Fernandes
Solid options. This might also be an unpopular opinion among united fans but they don't need Sancho. He can play but can he really make a big difference to what they already have on the pitch. Would that 100m really improve their attacking line up by that much? They picked up Van der Beek who adds another option but that is a full attacking roster. Right wing could be strengthened but that 100m could be spent in a lot smarter places to bring up the teams strength profile.
They have two good keepers even if De Gea is slightly off form.
Then we look at the defence......
Solskjaer has a few options here but none that fill you with great confidence. Wan Bissaka is improving every game and the CB against PSG had a great game but they have no proper CB partnership and Shaw is inconsistent at LB. They need to be a lot stronger here to compete against good attackers.
As a team they do seem to be in a much better place than two years ago. The morale is much better. They got into the champions league and the manager has bought smartly. A lot of the rabble were handed to him and since then he has made his own team from the youth academy and a few buys.
A couple more players to strengthen the defense and they would be real competitors.
Where they are falling short is in the consistency and tactical skills. They can beat the most unlikely of opposition and then fall flat the week after. This is partly the managers fault as he needs to get the motivation and player selection correct for each game. In theory they should always be up for it but for whatever reason struggle against the weaker teams.
Would that be the same under Pottechino? Klopp?
Probably not. You would have to think that they could get more out of this bunch of players and set up the team to suit their attacking strength.
Would i like to see that change?
Not at the moment.
I think that Solskjær has done enough to justify his position and should get enough time to make a difference and to finish building this exciting young team. 2 more years to sink or swim with them and see if he has the right stuff for United.
You can't change a mentality and get that buy in over night. I do think that he is tactically naive at this level but the will and talent of the players could override this and create success.
It's a lot more fun to watch at least.
https://twitter.com/niallon11/status/1321932496989204485
I hate to say this but you are right. The team is there yet it is lacking something. I think they will have a mediocre season as Ole just can't get the best out of the players. I just cannot see him lasting long term as the wheels will come off at some point. When you look at the Premiership this season they have 7 points from 5 games and to be honest should have been thrashed by Brighton and were gifted the draw against Chelsea with the non awarding of the penalty. I think they are going to struggle this season and finish way out of top 4.
I think they will push top4 without getting over the line. They have the players to compete but need a couple of defenders and some confidence in the back line.
It's hard to push forward when your always worried about conceding at any chance. A good run of results would do wonders like last year.
Lots of goals at both ends is my prediction for the season. Should be entertaining if painful.
I fancied us to have a decent season after last year but the start has been poor outside of Europe.
Two years sounds about right for Ole. Pog, Fred, and McTominay look weakest but could improve.
I was shocked at how bad they started the season. Some signs of life lately but they need to get points on the board and get some wins.
They have too many good players and seem to want to play for ole which helps. Apart from pogba but who the hell knows what he wants.
Agreed.
And yeah, IF Ole can get Pogba playing, those points should arrive.