PBP: EPL - Manchester United FC vs Aston Villa FC - Sep 25, 2021 [R]

Agreed on the midfield battle being lost and the crossing issues from the right. Today these faults caught up with United.

I think Ole has a lot of the right tools available to him to make the midfield better balanced. I think it starts with getting Donny on to the pitch and having Bruno take on a new role. I think Pogba is probably better served on the left wing. Fred and McTominay are decent players TBT, but we really just need them taking on a basic holding midfield role and plugging away at holes in the back. We have to stop asking more from them than that.

 

Good observation on Bruno. Emiliano was as close to a pantomime villain today as he could get.

 

Don't even see him as a villain though: just someone with nerves of steel, not one bit afraid. Did what he did in front of the Stretford End. Says a lot right there.
Not sure what he said here but he looked way more of a villain in the Copa America in that shootout vs Columbia when his words (along with his actions) were clearly audible for all to hear and see.

 

Ole out. Four asst. coaches out. I think Ole may have lost the dressing room.

 

Only if Mason had squared the ball to Bruno we would be having entirely diff discussion. Who do you replace OLE with ? Lets assume we are limping in 6-7 position comes Christmas and are out of title race.

 

How do you reckon that?

Ole, by now, has to see that the McFred midfield combo holds this team back. He keeps insisting with it and that is going to be his albatross. He also waits too long to sub. Give Cavani some time to get a rhythm. How bad does Fred have to look for VdB to get an opportunity?

I am sad for Bruno but these things happen. He gave United that opportunity in the first place.

Mase could have had some better decision making but some days just don't go your way. I disagree with some of you who said he had no other options on his shots, especially the square ball to a wide open Bruno in the middle of the box.

It is still early in the season so I am not going to get too emotional about this. This is something for the staff to work on and build upon. Chelsea also lost on the day. Points will be dropped.

What I worry about is whether this staff has what it takes to improve. Ole needs some ideas. He's had the same assistants from the start of his spell. Maybe it is time to refresh.

 

Picking Fred is Ole's choice, do not see why is that an excuse for him.

We have no attacking system, our defense leaks. Does not matter who start, we do not look like a quality team.

 

Given Fergie time, at home, Bruno could not rescue points. Sh!t quality from a lot of highly-paid players. Why is Shaw the highest-paid left-back?

 

Lads when did I joined the housewives book club!? All this crying and wailing is too much. It is still early in the season. Let's get a few things in perspective

Out of Ole's hands
No proper 6. They have passed on this two seasons in a row. Not much he can do. I have said we only needed Gareth Barry level not even a Kante or Casemiro level. I remember McGinn was rumored to be recommended to us by SAF. McGinn would do wonders for us

Buying CR7 that was not Ole's call and yes he is a great player and club legend but the knock on effect on our best player, our penalty taking, our forward rotation all have to be made in a relatively short time.

Today there two injuries which meant he only had one sub. EPL is 3 subs, CL is 5. This is likely why he held onto the last sub so late, not that he doesn't normally.

Didn't we hire a set piece coach to stop all this nonsense at corners?

In Ole's Hands
He has not got a proper 6 so he has to make due and in that it is his choice to use McFred.

He at least used his one sub to put on an attacker. Although it was that player that got beaten to the header for the goal.

He let the PK kicker debate linger. I will say I understand his logic. Ole is loyal to guys that are reliable. Bruno has come in and become the leader but Maguire was there first and he earned captain so Bruno stays vice captain. Well Bruno has been the PK taker with great success, Bruno to date has not done anything to say he needed to have that taken away so he had to stay with his VC.

 

I don't think Ole completely has his hands tied. With a player like Donny on the bench, I think Ole has been too reluctant to find a solution for someone who can really help United out with those midfield issues. There are ways Ole can work him into the line-up, but the solution would require time on the training ground and it would need patience in matches. Doing that would ensure United only play one of Fred, McTominay or Matic while at the same time reduce the burden on one of those three to progress the play, something they're not very suited to doing.

 

Sir Alex and his 'boy'
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