vs Reading 05/01/2019 12:30 GMT KO (H)

[Diablo Rouge]

McTominay is a Championship player.

[Karma]

Jan 5, 2019 17:30:06 GMT geo said:

Jan 5, 2019 17:05:24 GMT Paul said:

Not one to carried away with hype? Christ you wanted Ole basically knighted after just 4 games in charge against low level sides.

Sweet Zeus.

Ole has done:

What Moyes couldn't or wouldn't do
What Van Gaal couldn't or wouldn't do
What Jose couldn't or wouldn't do

That needs to be recognised. Couple that with the fact he arrived as ready made club legend and that brings me to a single conclusion.
Everybody should be right behind him. Believing in him and maintaining positivity. Not trying to drag us down again with doubt and negativity.

No one is being negative but if the performance is shit it should be called as such.

There are still areas within the squad that a change of manager won't improve.

Our starting 11 is decent but there is plenty of players who aren't good enough/done and need moving on now.

That's the reality! Pointless pretending otherwise.

[Rustin Cohle]

www.football365.com/news/f365-says-old-habits-die-hard-for-solskjaers-man-utd-fringe-stars

F365 Says: Old habits die hard for Solskjaer’s fringe stars

Very little about Manchester United since Jose Mourinho’s departure has reflected well on their former manager but the Red Devils’ midfield in their FA Cup win over Reading suggested that perhaps his judgement wasn’t entirely skewed during his final months at Old Trafford.

In the four Premier League games since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over, with little to lose, the Norwegian has helped inspire individuals, no one more so than Paul Pogba while Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic have also relished the fresh start under a less conservative regime.

The caretaker boss gave two more midfielders the platform to prove Mourinho wrong too, and another the chance to prove the ex-manager right. All three failed to make their point, leaving Solskajer’s first-choice engine room feeling as snug in their places as anyone can be at the start of a new era.

Aside from Matteo Darmian, few others in Solskjaer’s much-changed line-up seized their opportunity and Andreas Pereira and Fred demonstrated why Mourinho was reluctant to trust either Brazilian with a regular place in his team.

Pereira’s urgency to impress was perhaps greater than anyone else. He is almost four years and three managers on from his debut in United’s first team but he seems further from a regular place than ever before. Fred is a far fresher face but patience of the type afforded to an academy graduate will never be bestowed upon a £52million summer recruit. He too is struggling to carve out an Old Trafford career.

The visit of a Reading side in free-fall towards League One on the back of a 10-game winless run was the perfect opportunity for the Selecao pair to restore some credibility. At Old Trafford, the onus was on them and McTominay to set the tempo and drive United forward. Instead, the trio spent much of the game chasing Andy Rinomhota, Liam Kelly and John Swift.

Of the outfield Royals who finished the game, only one – 18-year-old centre-forward Danny Loader – had fewer touches on the ball than Periera and McTominay (Fred was hooked on the hour) while Rinomhota, Kelly and Swift all made double the number of passes compared to Solskjaer’s midfield three. Their dominance helped Reading enjoy 60 per cent of the possession at Old Trafford and had that quality in the midfield extended to the attacking third, then Solskjaer would not have been sitting quite so comfortably in the second period.

Pereira and McTominay came through United’s academy but neither are rookies. At 23 and 22 respectively, both are at least a year older than Marcus Rashford yet who really knows what outstanding qualities either offers?

Mourinho appreciated McTominay’s work-rate and his attitude which are both creditable traits but so much more is demanded of a United central midfielder. Another of the ex-manager’s favourites Matic has been able to alter his focus under new leadership; McTominay appears far less equipped to do the same.

By reputation, Pereira is a more technical operator, one comfortable in possession with a creative eye. In reality, we have yet to see that in Solskjaer, Mourinho or Louis van Gaal’s first-team and the Brazilian Tom Cleverley will surely have to start thinking with greater intent over the options he supposedly has away from Old Trafford.

Fred’s mitigation is that he is new to all this. He would not be the first South American midfielder to struggle in his debut season in the Premier League before eventually finding his feet in England. But anyone looking merely for encouragement over recent months has had a fruitless search. Mourinho said he could not afford to field the Brazil international while the defence behind him remained so flimsy and after today’s victory, Solskjaer might be similarly reluctant to take the risk. The 25-year-old was replaced minutes after being sent for a bus by Sone Aluko’s dummy on the edge of the United box, just prior to smashing a free-kick straight out of play when trying in vain to find Diogo Dalot.

The midfield’s struggles perhaps did not do the forward line many favours, but the pair with most to prove, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku, did themselves little justice either.

While Old Trafford anticipated a Pogba-type revival from Sanchez, the Chilean was kept largely on the periphery before being withdrawn with what appeared to be another hamstring problem. Lukaku netted again but the centre-forward prompted more groans than gasps from an unusually boisterous crowd. ‘Redefine touch’ was the message beamed from the advertising boards and you could be forgiven for thinking it was a sentiment aimed directly at the £75million striker.

Still, this was not an afternoon without its bright spots for Solskjaer. A fifth victory, consecutive clean sheets, another youngster blooded, and momentum retained before the manager takes his squad to the sunshine of Dubai ahead of his first big test at Tottenham next week. By which time today’s midfield will be banished back to the sideline, where they appear destined to stay.

[ScholesEvilTwin]

Jan 5, 2019 17:35:56 GMT Deez said:

Jan 5, 2019 17:07:29 GMT ScholesEvilTwin said:

Coming from the king of shit peddlers that's a compliment.

Why don't you jog on and let the adults talk?

Playing up to him by replying mate.

Similar to Piers Morgan.

I know. I had resisted the urge up to now. Twice in one evening.


Bugger

[ratbag]

So guess I am the only one who thought Pereira is worth persevering with?

I thought he showed some nice touches and tried a few things. My impression was that he was maybe trying too hard to make an impression and that would be solved by some more game time. Same goes for Fred imo. McTominay just doesn’t have it though...

[mightyez]

Jan 5, 2019 16:43:09 GMT ScholesEvilTwin said:

Jan 5, 2019 14:38:40 GMT mightyez said:

Yeah I get that but Fred, Scott and pereira should be doing better individually even.
I think Fred needs some clear direction, Scott should only and only be a sitting player and pereira should be allowed to attack.
Why that didn’t happen from the get go i’m Not sure.
It’s all good and we’ll being able to attack attack but there will be games where we absolutely have to control the middle of the park, we allowed the defence unecessary exposure sometimes.
I’m probably being harsh but I just want to see players playing out of their skin to say start me!

If the players aren't playing out of their skins, then surely they should be fucked off?

Wasn't a great performance at all, yet if Jose was here the call would be for him to be fired/he would be getting the blame.

So unless people are calling for Ole to be fired, perhaps the players might finally start getting the blame?

Things had gone south with Jose no point going over that and the performance today would likely have been worst under him in that he would set up way too defensively.

3 names specifically I mentioned and Jose bought one, brought through the other and IMO tried to ruin the other.
Pereira is no DM, not sure what Fred is yet and same for Scott.
Pereira is outta contract so I expect more if he wants to stay, Scott hasn’t played games and looks like he wasn’t asked to sit deep which baffles me and Fred well there are glimpses but he does need to try and stamp in some solid performances.
I fully understand why Fellaini gets games, when others don’t perform it keeps him in a contract and that’s probably why Jose wanted him to stay.

[Deleted]

Jan 5, 2019 17:30:06 GMT geo said:

Jan 5, 2019 17:05:24 GMT Paul said:

Not one to carried away with hype? Christ you wanted Ole basically knighted after just 4 games in charge against low level sides.

Sweet Zeus.

Ole has done:

What Moyes couldn't or wouldn't do
What Van Gaal couldn't or wouldn't do
What Jose couldn't or wouldn't do

That needs to be recognised. Couple that with the fact he arrived as ready made club legend and that brings me to a single conclusion.
Everybody should be right behind him. Believing in him and maintaining positivity. Not trying to drag us down again with doubt and negativity.

What needs to be recognised? Yes won his first 5 games against agit opposition ffs. What exactly has he done that the rest haven't after just 5 games?

Everybody is behind him, haven't seen a single person that isn't

By fuck do you ever get the urge to walk past a window and start licking it?

[mightyez]

My annoyance with managers we have had is why they just don’t insist on certain players being sold within 2 markets of their arrival?
Darmian, rojo, one of Smalling and jones, Sanchez (glimpses but nothing to justify his stupid wages) Valencia (just not the same) are players that really should be out the door to free up wages for ddg, martial and Ander to renew their contracts and for us to get quality recruits.

[Karma]

Jan 5, 2019 17:54:52 GMT mightyez said:

Jan 5, 2019 16:43:09 GMT ScholesEvilTwin said:

If the players aren't playing out of their skins, then surely they should be fucked off?

Wasn't a great performance at all, yet if Jose was here the call would be for him to be fired/he would be getting the blame.

So unless people are calling for Ole to be fired, perhaps the players might finally start getting the blame?

Things had gone south with Jose no point going over that and the performance today would likely have been worst under him in that he would set up way too defensively.

3 names specifically I mentioned and Jose bought one, brought through the other and IMO tried to ruin the other.
Pereira is no DM, not sure what Fred is yet and same for Scott.
Pereira is outta contract so I expect more if he wants to stay, Scott hasn’t played games and looks like he wasn’t asked to sit deep which baffles me and Fred well there are glimpses but he does need to try and stamp in some solid performances.
I fully understand why Fellaini gets games, when others don’t perform it keeps him in a contract and that’s probably why Jose wanted him to stay.

I don't believe any manager wants to ruin a player.

They may have their favourites but on this performance it's not hard to see why Matic got so many games and he's actually been decent under a new manager.

I'm not entirely convinced Perreria has enough to make it here.

Fred has a big contract so I imagine he has enough time to show otherwise?

[Karma]

Jan 5, 2019 17:59:48 GMT mightyez said:

My annoyance with managers we have had is why they just don’t insist on certain players being sold within 2 markets of their arrival?
Darmian, rojo, one of Smalling and jones, Sanchez (glimpses but nothing to justify his stupid wages) Valencia (just not the same) are players that really should be out the door to free up wages for ddg, martial and Ander to renew their contracts and for us to get quality recruits.

Well managers come and go so maybe we need to look elsewhere?

The adult Disneyland and his paymasters perhaps?

[.]

Jones!

[ScholesEvilTwin]

Jan 5, 2019 17:54:52 GMT mightyez said:

Jan 5, 2019 16:43:09 GMT ScholesEvilTwin said:

If the players aren't playing out of their skins, then surely they should be fucked off?

Wasn't a great performance at all, yet if Jose was here the call would be for him to be fired/he would be getting the blame.

So unless people are calling for Ole to be fired, perhaps the players might finally start getting the blame?

Things had gone south with Jose no point going over that and the performance today would likely have been worst under him in that he would set up way too defensively.

3 names specifically I mentioned and Jose bought one, brought through the other and IMO tried to ruin the other.
Pereira is no DM, not sure what Fred is yet and same for Scott.
Pereira is outta contract so I expect more if he wants to stay, Scott hasn’t played games and looks like he wasn’t asked to sit deep which baffles me and Fred well there are glimpses but he does need to try and stamp in some solid performances.
I fully understand why Fellaini gets games, when others don’t perform it keeps him in a contract and that’s probably why Jose wanted him to stay.

McTominay is a squad player at best. And that is being generous.

Fred. God knows. Plays some good balls, but seems rash at the best of times and woeful at others. First season though so worth giving a full season under the new boss.

Pereira. Don't know what some see in him at times. Seems to be judged on his reserves performances more than anything. Yes he has been played out of position, but when he has been given a competitive game he hasn't stood out at all. Some seem to think he is indispensable/hard done by. If he left he will have a good career but it won't be the end of the world.

[mightyez]

Jan 5, 2019 18:00:25 GMT Karma said:

Jan 5, 2019 17:54:52 GMT mightyez said:

Things had gone south with Jose no point going over that and the performance today would likely have been worst under him in that he would set up way too defensively.

3 names specifically I mentioned and Jose bought one, brought through the other and IMO tried to ruin the other.
Pereira is no DM, not sure what Fred is yet and same for Scott.
Pereira is outta contract so I expect more if he wants to stay, Scott hasn’t played games and looks like he wasn’t asked to sit deep which baffles me and Fred well there are glimpses but he does need to try and stamp in some solid performances.
I fully understand why Fellaini gets games, when others don’t perform it keeps him in a contract and that’s probably why Jose wanted him to stay.

I don't believe any manager wants to ruin a player.

They may have their favourites but on this performance it's not hard to see why Matic got so many games and he's actually been decent under a new manager.

I'm not entirely convinced Perreria has enough to make it here.

Fred has a big contract so I imagine he has enough time to show otherwise?

Jose is petty enough to make things personal, however I don’t know if he thought pereira could be Mikel mk2?
Mikel was an attacking mid turned DM and never fulfilled the teenage potential.
Pereira at best is an attacking mid, he has no business playing the DM role.
If the current coaches think he is a DM then good grief

On Fred there are glimpses of a player but all I see is a player that can run, decent passing, I don’t really see a defensive side to his game yet, hopefully with time and games we will see the player in his pomp

[.]

Jan 5, 2019 18:05:40 GMT mightyez said:

Jan 5, 2019 18:00:25 GMT Karma said:

I don't believe any manager wants to ruin a player.

They may have their favourites but on this performance it's not hard to see why Matic got so many games and he's actually been decent under a new manager.

I'm not entirely convinced Perreria has enough to make it here.

Fred has a big contract so I imagine he has enough time to show otherwise?

Jose is petty enough to make things personal, however I don’t know if he thought pereira could be Mikel mk2?
Mikel was an attacking mid turned DM and never fulfilled the teenage potential.
Pereira at best is an attacking mid, he has no business playing the DM role.
If the current coaches think he is a DM then good grief

On Fred there are glimpses of a player but all I see is a player that can run, decent passing, I don’t really see a defensive side to his game yet, hopefully with time and games we will see the player in his pomp

Fred reminds me of the final days of Anderson.

[geo]

Jan 5, 2019 17:39:25 GMT Karma said:

Jan 5, 2019 17:30:06 GMT geo said:

Ole has done:

What Moyes couldn't or wouldn't do
What Van Gaal couldn't or wouldn't do
What Jose couldn't or wouldn't do

That needs to be recognised. Couple that with the fact he arrived as ready made club legend and that brings me to a single conclusion.
Everybody should be right behind him. Believing in him and maintaining positivity. Not trying to drag us down again with doubt and negativity.

No one is being negative but if the performance is shit it should be called as such.

There are still areas within the squad that a change of manager won't improve.

Our starting 11 is decent but there is plenty of players who aren't good enough/done and need moving on now.

That's the reality! Pointless pretending otherwise.

We were always going to learn something from today.
I never had any great expectations for this game, only to win, which is exactly why I made no pre match predictions/comments. And exactly why (not having BT at home) I decided I had better things to do than spend the afternoon in the pub watching it.
Paul's (and others) own frustrations come from his own high expectations for the game as confirmed by his 10 - 0 pre match prediction.
We done enough, sometimes that is all that is needed. We learnt somethings. Move on (the wiser) to the more important next game.
That's the reality!
Other than that I fully agree with your post and its content.