So Ole has the full time gig, and training and preseason were focused on the teams fitness levels. United are finally implementing a press defensively after Van Gaal and Mourinho methods of sitting back.
Incomings at the beginning of the transfer window were great, with AWB and Dan James coming in and getting a full preseason under their belt. Slabhead arrived right before the window closed and hopefully United turns a weakness into a strength. I do hope Lindelof and Maguire can be a great pair of centerbacks, while AWB is young enough to continue to mature into a well rounded fullback. If Luke Shaw can put his injuries behind him he's a top 6 level fullback and the club has been super patient with him.
I'm not too fussed about losing Lukaku to Inter but it is a bit worrying that we're relying on 18 year old Mason Greenwood to back up Martial and Rashford. He has talent for days but thats a big ask.
The biggest loss of the off season was Ander Herrera to PSG. We are painfully thing at midfield. So much so that aside from Pogba, Mctominay (who I like more than most), Matic, and the underwhelming Fred we have nobody who can step into the double pivot in Ole's 4-2-3-1. I was honestly shocked they didn't bring in another midfielder but the club's transfer dealings have deeper problems than that, with Ed Woodward still in charge of transfers. Some articles recently have stated that the sole focus of the club over the next few months is hiring a Director Of Football, but the rumored names have left me skeptical. What do Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher, or anyone else that comes from the club know about player recruitment? One of the biggest clubs in the world should be able to get nearly anyone they want for the role. They need to grab someone with experience who can set a vision. The one name I wouldn't mind who is a former player is Edwin Van Der Sar, who has helped build the current Ajax squad as their chief executive.
Yesterday's 4-0 win papered over some cracks. Chelsea were unlucky not to be ahead, nevermind behind, but whatever Ole said at halftime worked because they looked like a completely different team. At Wolves on Monday should offer a better test and give us a glimpse into what to expect.
In the end, I think 5th is the most likely table position. Which is fine for rebuilding, but it likely means that Pogba (by far our best player) will leave and we'll be another midfielder short.
Incomings at the beginning of the transfer window were great, with AWB and Dan James coming in and getting a full preseason under their belt. Slabhead arrived right before the window closed and hopefully United turns a weakness into a strength. I do hope Lindelof and Maguire can be a great pair of centerbacks, while AWB is young enough to continue to mature into a well rounded fullback. If Luke Shaw can put his injuries behind him he's a top 6 level fullback and the club has been super patient with him.
I'm not too fussed about losing Lukaku to Inter but it is a bit worrying that we're relying on 18 year old Mason Greenwood to back up Martial and Rashford. He has talent for days but thats a big ask.
The biggest loss of the off season was Ander Herrera to PSG. We are painfully thing at midfield. So much so that aside from Pogba, Mctominay (who I like more than most), Matic, and the underwhelming Fred we have nobody who can step into the double pivot in Ole's 4-2-3-1. I was honestly shocked they didn't bring in another midfielder but the club's transfer dealings have deeper problems than that, with Ed Woodward still in charge of transfers. Some articles recently have stated that the sole focus of the club over the next few months is hiring a Director Of Football, but the rumored names have left me skeptical. What do Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher, or anyone else that comes from the club know about player recruitment? One of the biggest clubs in the world should be able to get nearly anyone they want for the role. They need to grab someone with experience who can set a vision. The one name I wouldn't mind who is a former player is Edwin Van Der Sar, who has helped build the current Ajax squad as their chief executive.
Yesterday's 4-0 win papered over some cracks. Chelsea were unlucky not to be ahead, nevermind behind, but whatever Ole said at halftime worked because they looked like a completely different team. At Wolves on Monday should offer a better test and give us a glimpse into what to expect.
In the end, I think 5th is the most likely table position. Which is fine for rebuilding, but it likely means that Pogba (by far our best player) will leave and we'll be another midfielder short.