Match Day Thread Van Gaal vs Alex Neil

[Diego]

He did for a period at Real but he also got his defensive style in. He's the type that would sabatage the team to make a point. Remember that Barcelona game? Jose demonstrated in his own way, why Real Madrid, needed to purchase a route master. Sent them out with suicidal tactic's. I believe he knew exactly what he was doing.

Of course, with the talent he had, attacking football was never far away. We don't have that quality. And will Jose play the likes of Martial at all? Or will Rooney and Drogba be our attack?

I think he covets the United job for a reason. He is lured by the glamour and swagger of the club and all the success we have had here.
If he was given the chance I think he would try to start a dynasty here and continue with our accepted attacking style. There was never any chance of that at clubs like Chelsea and Madrid where results come way before performance.

 

[Chief]

Can't say I want Mourinho either, which is why I said Giggs as interim until Guardiola could come in. The alternative is we stay as we are, I just don't see Ancelotti as our manager.

It's nonsense to suggest Giggs would take us down. I'm not saying he'd win us the league either but he'd get some experience and then leave when the new manager comes in. He could not do any worse, we are currently sinking fast. Van Gaal has run out of ideas and, while I don't think his situation with the players is anywhere near like Chelsea and Mourinho, he HAS lost the crowd.

Which is enormously relevant.

 

[Chief]

I thought he'd already said he was leaving/retiring though?

No, I don't think so. He won the treble and they bombed him out!

 

[Treble]

He did for a period at Real but he also got his defensive style in. He's the type that would sabatage the team to make a point. Remember that Barcelona game? Jose demonstrated in his own way, why Real Madrid, needed to purchase a route master. Sent them out with suicidal tactic's. I believe he knew exactly what he was doing.

Of course, with the talent he had, attacking football was never far away. We don't have that quality. And will Jose play the likes of Martial at all? Or will Rooney and Drogba be our attack?

Mourinho is far more subtle than we sometimes give him credit for. When he feels loved he will give all the respect, when he feels undermined, he sticks two fingers up. Real Madrid board and fans wanted him to play gung ho football and tbf they were wrong and he was right. He definitely used the opportunity to show them he knew best and I agree I don't think it was the right way to do it. But imo he wouldn't have the same problem at United. Nobody really interferes in football matters and he can take the best elements of a club like United - attacking mentality, expansive football, big club, lots of money, glamour, while also being allowed to have a solid defence and the time given to develop both. At least that's what I hope IF he takes over. My real fear is the circus that comes with him and IF things do turn sour and he starts washing the metaphoric dirty linen in public.

 

[UnitedinRed]

Its not easy to make the transition though Chief and right now its a massive risk. Look at Neville, he's hit coaching experience with England yet its been a tough start for him. Obviously its a completely new club for Neville in a new country but still, United is arguably the biggest job in football. I worry about Giggs ability and if he fails, how that will effect his career from then.

There's nothing wrong with him gaining experience in he managers role elsewhere. There's plenty of quality managers out there for us to pick from.

 

[UnitedinRed]

Mourinho is far more subtle than we sometimes give him credit for. When he feels loved he will give all the respect, when he feels undermined, he sticks two fingers up. Real Madrid board and fans wanted him to play gung ho football and tbf they were wrong and he was right. He definitely used the opportunity to show them he knew best and I agree I don't think it was the right way to do it. But imo he wouldn't have the same problem at United. Nobody really interferes in football matters and he can take the best elements of a club like United - attacking mentality, expansive football, big club, lots of money, glamour, while also being allowed to have a solid defence and the time given to develop both. At least that's what I hope IF he takes over. My real fear is the circus that comes with him and IF things do turn sour and he starts washing the metaphoric dirty linen in public.

I'm a big fan of Mourinho as I have said before. Hes ruthless and that's what a winner needs to be. He's an arse and there's little doubt about it but the mans a winner. Full stop.

I just don't think he's right for us anymore. He's a very different manager to a few years ago after two of the most brutal jobs in football. He would be under even more pressure here.

 

[Chief]

Mourinho is a right conundrum, I must admit I'm completely torn.

I take on what Treble just wrote and agree in principle, I think he'd take it on as THE job. I also can't help thinking it screams car crash!

I'd also be bothered by his use of, or rather lack of, youth.

 

[Diego]

Mourinho is a right conundrum, I must admit I'm completely torn.

I take on what Treble just wrote and agree in principle, I think he'd take it on as THE job. I also can't help thinking it screams car crash!

I'd also be bothered by his use of, or rather lack of, youth.

That is a major reservation of mine, maybe at a club like United he would feel more at ease using the youth players and taking a bit of a risk.

 

[UnitedinRed]

Hire Mourinho. Make van Gaal head of youth development

Have a clause, Youth must feature to continue our record. And not just to continue it, but because they deserve the chance.

I'm joking, re van Gaal obviously but I would like to see his work continued through the ranks. Whether through injury issues or other, we've seen a huge increase in youth being used. Our average age is down and we have a squad on the brink. If it happens to be Jose, the importance's of this must be stressed as one of the priorities. We revealed plans this week to revamp the whole acadamy side which LVG* was apparently heavily involved in. So his work and plans and that of those who came before him, along with our traditions and history must continue.

* if indeed he was. I'm simply going off the media.

 

[ValleyGraduate12]

I'm surprised Sparky hasn't been mentioned. Or is that bridge burnt because he took the City job?

 

[Treble]

I'm surprised Sparky hasn't been mentioned. Or is that bridge burnt because he took the City job?

I may get shot down but I'd probably put Bruce up there. I think he could make the step up considering what he's done on a shoestring budget. Definitely ahead of Hughes.

 

[cytrax]

His interview was pure waffle UIR. It was clueless babbling. Every interview has become progressively more clueless as the season has gone on and today's demonstrated perfectly a man with nothing further to add and no ideas left.

As for the players, see my post above to Valley.

Please explain how his interview was completely clueless. You can heap all your babbling about how bad his philosophy is, but he actually has a mature and pragmatic approach when he's talking to the press and in return they respect him for it.

Granted his philosophy to the game has not worked out this year, but he is far from the coward you petulantly call him. He faces up questions and answers them straight up without hiding even in defeat. He certainly has my respect.

 

[ValleyGraduate12]

I may get shot down but I'd probably put Bruce up there. I think he could make the step up considering what he's done on a shoestring budget. Definitely ahead of Hughes.

I'll have to disagree there. The job he's doing at Stoke is incredible. I thought no he's now ready for the Utd job. Shame he took the City job which has killed any chance of him taking over.

 

[Treble]

Please explain how his interview was completely clueless. You can heap all your babbling about how bad his philosophy is, but he actually has a mature and pragmatic approach when he's talking to the press and in return they respect him for it.

Granted his philosophy to the game has not worked out this year, but he is far from the coward you petulantly call him. He faces up questions and answers them straight up without hiding even in defeat. He certainly has my respect.

"I am always evaluating myself because I think that is an aspect of the philosophy I have. But the philosophy is also making an evolution - I am not the same coach I was 25 years ago. So, you are always evaluating and of course that philosophy is very important for me. Because of that I am - or maybe I have to say now, was - a very successful manager.

What you have seen today is what a lack of confidence can do. It was not good enough. It is also confirmation we are in a very bad period and we have to come out of that bad period. You have to win against Norwich City, you have to win every home match. We did that this season until now. The problem is how we can manage to come out of this bad period. That can be done when you are sticking together, not only the players, manager and staff, but also the fans, because that is very important."

You can respect him all you like, but that is pure waffle. Meaningless rubbish, some of it pure bullsh1t, particularly the bit in bold. How the fck does that inspire the fans and the players listening to that? His interviews are as defeatist and unimaginative as his football. As for coward, well 25 games this season seem to suggest that quite easily. He's lost the dressing room as they don't like playing for a coward either.

 

[Treble]

I'll have to disagree there. The job he's doing at Stoke is incredible. I thought no he's now ready for the Utd job. Shame he took the City job which has killed any chance of him taking over.

Thoughts on Bruce? I think he has a better temperament despite being a firey character on the touchline. I think he'd command the respect and will play decent football with better quality to work with.

 

[Diego]

"I am always evaluating myself because I think that is an aspect of the philosophy I have. But the philosophy is also making an evolution - I am not the same coach I was 25 years ago. So, you are always evaluating and of course that philosophy is very important for me. Because of that I am - or maybe I have to say now, was - a very successful manager.

What you have seen today is what a lack of confidence can do. It was not good enough. It is also confirmation we are in a very bad period and we have to come out of that bad period. You have to win against Norwich City, you have to win every home match. We did that this season until now. The problem is how we can manage to come out of this bad period. That can be done when you are sticking together, not only the players, manager and staff, but also the fans, because that is very important."

You can respect him all you like, but that is pure waffle. Meaningless rubbish, some of it pure bullsh1t, particularly the bit in bold. How the fck does that inspire the fans and the players listening to that? His interviews are as defeatist and unimaginative as his football. As for coward, well 25 games this season seem to suggest that quite easily. He's lost the dressing room as they don't like playing for a coward either.

I know it's harking back (and I did the same after Moyes interviews) but I can hear Fergie after a game like that "that was unacceptable, you'll no see a performance like that the next game I can tell ye". That is what we need to hear.

 

[ValleyGraduate12]

Thoughts on Bruce? I think he has a better temperament despite being a firey character on the touchline. I think he'd command the respect and will play decent football with better quality to work with.

A good manager (you have to be to keep getting clubs up from the championship). However I don't see him any more than a top 10 manager at best tbh.

 

[Diego]

Thoughts on Bruce? I think he has a better temperament despite being a firey character on the touchline. I think he'd command the respect and will play decent football with better quality to work with.

Larry White could be a decent call.

 

[Treble]

After match week 13, Tottenham were 5th and 3 points behind United. Today was their first win in a month and now they are 4th, ahead of United on goal difference. This league is dreadfully bad.

 

[Diego]

After match week 13, Tottenham were 5th and 3 points behind United. Today was their first win in a month and now they are 4th, ahead of United on goal difference. This league is dreadfully bad.

Is the league dreadful or good?
Is it better for the top teams to walk all over the lower teams or for there to be some form of parity between them. What makes a more interesting, competitive league.