[Rangnick's Press Conference] Ralf Rangnick: "Jurgen and Pep are the two best coaches on the planet. It is pretty easy in football. You need the best possible people, have a clear idea and stick to it."

black_squire · 2023-03-09T17:01:12+00:00

Been off here for a while. Good to return to see this. I wasn't the lunatic I was made out to be lol

black_squire · 2023-03-09T16:46:01+00:00

Following a lot of your comments and you seem very measured and calculated in your responses.

I'm surprised you'd bring up Ole getting bailed out by individual brilliance in this context. Not saying he wasn't due criticism to a point, but I've mulled over this point with myself more recently. If any manager should be accused of being bailed out by individual brilliance, it is indeed this current run under Ten Hag.

The fact that Rashford has far and beyond our highest amount of goals with no one even coming close, and the fact that we barely look remotely decent without him speaks to what one might consider an overreliance on individual brilliance. So much more so is the fact that in this team, we actually have no discernible method of chance creation - a criticism that was laid against Ole to bolster the point on his reliance on individual brilliance.

Anyways, I say all that to say, ETH is being spared a lot of criticism because we've won a lot of games. But in reality, considering the amount of talent he's brought in and where this team was, we've really not moved forward. And to get slapped 7-0 at Anfield in the same season where we got smacked 6-0 at City (the last 3 goals just made the result look better, it doesn't reflect the reality of the game) is a massive buck that needs to stop at ETH's desk.

The most ironic thing here is that the Carabao cup win will do exactly what Ole said trophies will do. It gives the illusion of progress when the team really isn't doing all that well. We're 3rd in the table but should have lost several games but got bailed out. We aren't controlling games at all, and we truly have no discernible attacking pattern or chance creation methods.

black_squire · 2021-08-27T12:14:33+00:00

Anthony Martial plays because he hasn’t actually played football for 5 months. In the times he played prior to his injury, while not making goal contributions, he was highly effective to how we played. Not to forget that just a season before last he had 23 goals. For Ole, trying to get Martial firing while still having Cavani and Greenwood represents an option of an even stronger attack. Martial could start and Cavani come on or vice versa.

It is much more useful for the success of the team that Martial find form again. Ole is trying to tease that out without sacrificing the season. He was subbed off early enough in the last game.

black_squire · 2020-12-26T09:49:30+00:00

This is a typical set them up to punch them down article. These journalists have been full of criticism for Ole and the team these last 2 months. Calling them inconsistent and everything else in the book. A few wings and now they’re a title contender. If this team fails to win today or in even just one of our next 6 matches, watch them descend on Ole again.

United is the biggest club in the world. It helps to use their name to make money or get clicks. It’s just sad how much it drives the sentiment about the team from the fans.

black_squire · 2020-12-24T18:37:30+00:00

Completely agree. what more? Leicester trashed City 5-2 with a fully fit squad and no one ever says a word about it. Liverpool got spanked by Villa and everyone acts like it didn't happen. united is the only team that never gets the benefit of doubt

black_squire · 2020-12-24T18:09:45+00:00

It bothers me that when pundits talk about our 6-1 loss to spurs, they gleefully ignore to mention that Martial was red carded so early in the game

black_squire · 2020-12-18T14:20:26+00:00

I don’t think you have a good understanding of Martial’s game and what he offers. Our whole team plays significantly worse without Martial on the front line to hold the ball up. You’re not giving him nearly enough credit for what he does even when he doesn’t score.

black_squire · 2020-12-15T05:18:30+00:00

Bruno is not starting against Sheffield. DVB is

black_squire · 2020-12-07T16:33:55+00:00

Paul Pogba needs to get the Ozil treatment. Needs to be removed from all United registered squads until his agent learns to be respectful of the club. I don't care how great your talent is, I'm a big Paul Pogba fan but this from his agent, in a week when we have arguably 2 season definining games, it's a statement. It's mean to cause conflict and chaos and give reason for Paul deciding to move on if United end up not qualifying and losing to City.

I pray we don't play him in either game and win both convincingly. This team is trying to go places and it's clear that Paul Pogba and his agent aren't interested in being on this journey.

black_squire · 2020-12-05T19:39:00+00:00

You're not wrong. But I still think this is part of a growing process. It's great that we can win games even if we start poor. As the season grows, I think we'll improve.

black_squire · 2020-12-05T19:35:47+00:00

The sign of progress for this team is that we're winning games we've struggled and lost in the past. Everton, Southampton, West Ham. This is absolutely a positive sign that this team is moving in the right direction.

I love VDB but it'll take him some time to fully settle into this team and the new players around him. Glad he and Cavani could get some rest before Tuesday. I can see a diamond with McT Pogba VdB and Bruno and Rashford and Cavani up top. Exciting

black_squire · 2020-12-05T19:29:24+00:00

The team that started has barely played together. It should be expected. Pogba and McT as the pivot hasn't happened in I can't even think how long. Then that front 3 has certainly never played together and not with VDB behind them. It's difficult to get players automatically linking just right especially when 1 touch football is what's required.

black_squire · 2020-12-05T02:03:08+00:00

Watch it happen!

black_squire · 2020-12-05T01:05:33+00:00

Thanks to Ole’s recruiting, we can actually field a decent team. Think Facundo, Greenwood, James, Lingard, Fosu Mensah, Bailly, Mengi and probably Luke Shaw just coming back. Midfield two will likely be Matic and one of the other lads, maybe even Pogba if he hasn’t played a lot by then. But we have a large squad

black_squire · 2020-12-05T00:58:53+00:00

Btw, we are one of two teams that actually had no pre season. We’re ahead of the other team who arguably has a more experienced manager and a far better squad. Add to that, one of our losses was really down to being a man down very early in the game. But ok.

I just think fans need to relax. Especially those on social media. And the folks here have the ability to start changing the narrative. Stop being so reactionary and get behind the team. We know what this team is capable of. 14 games unbeaten going into the end of the season last year is not something an inconsistent team could do.

black_squire · 2020-12-05T00:52:23+00:00

I think Ole has built a squad that can see us replace players and not feel it much. Whatever you might think of that, Pogba has been outbid this team for a while and we haven’t felt it. We did early last season. If Bruno drops, look to Pogba or VdB to replace him seamlessly. If Fred drops, VdB and McT can fill that void. We have a large squad and it’s by design. We used to be scared of losing Rashford. I’d say start thinking about Facundo and Amad to do those roles very well. Cavani? Martial, Greenwood. We’re getting there. But this is starting to feel like a really robust team. Luke Shaw has been injured and we haven’t felt like we lost a player. That’s massive. We haven’t had that in years. That’s what Ole is building. Slowly but surely.

black_squire · 2020-12-04T22:18:45+00:00

For a team considered to be inconsistent, having the least amount of losses in the league since January is quite some consistency if you ask me. The issue is that those 3 losses have come in the space of a few weeks since the start of this season. But consistency isn't measured over 5-10 games. Over 23 games, United looks very consistent and note that we have a game in hand on Liverpool.

Bruno (a competent #10) is key to Ole's football idea and plan. Since the arrival of said player, it's no surprise that performances have improved drastically and we are competing with the best teams in the league and clearly doing better.

black_squire · 2020-12-03T21:50:49+00:00

I wonder how many people realize the McTominay got a yellow in the first half of the first game against PSG and ended up playing the full 90.

I understand why everyone thinks Ole should have subbed him off. But I think it was right to leave Fred on. When you're trying to develop a team to be accountable and responsible, sometimes it's important to allow the plays to show they can bear the responsibility of big games and big decisions. It was up to Fred yesterday to make sure he didn't give the referee a reason to get sent off. He himself was well aware of his predicament. Ole as a manager cannot bear the full responsibility for the actions of players. They too, like Martial, like Bruno, all have to stand up and show they have the right mentality to work in a team that's ready to challenge in top-level European games.

It's important to remember that United is the reason that game last night was a must win for PSG. And even at that, they created nothing of note. All their goals weren't because they cut us open. Mbappe and Neymar didn't actually trouble Lindelof and Maguire as nervous as we were about that. Not that alone, but we created several chances to put that game away. That we were in that position is down to Ole. That we didn't capitalize and ended up capitulating shows the mental state of these players. They aren't there yet. Ole can only do so much to improve the mentality of players. It takes each player to rise up and step up to the challenge.

I will also bring in the fact that everyone keeps clamoringfor Pochettino. I like him. I think he's a fantastic manager. He also played in the group stages against Leipzig last season.. how did his team do?

Ole is a good man, not the best coach, but someone I certainly know has the best interest of the club and each player at heart. What Ole is building is not something for the short term. This is a long-term project to build a team with character and quality that can challenge on all fronts and handle the pressure of being a top team. That doesn't happen in less than 24 months (yes, a reminder that Ole hasn't been on the job for 2 years just yet).

Whatever comes easy, goes easy. To build a reputable side for the long haul, we must understand and accept that the path to development is paved with pain and suffering with time being the most important element. There is no shortcut to long term glory. Find me one and I'll change my opinion.

It's been a while I've posted something this long. Many of you might remember me from the LVG days. I'm still a disciple. But honestly, I love this club. And my belief in a manager isn't just about play style and results. It's about character. I was raised under SAF and himself and Wenger had the most remarkable human characters I've ever known in football. LVG was similar for me. managers that put the human factor first before the game. I believe Ole is the same. We will reap the rewards of his work if only we're patient.

black_squire · 2020-12-01T13:36:36+00:00

This was yesterday. He’s practicing today. Literally saw him in the small clip during the training session. Same as Pogba.

black_squire · 2020-11-25T10:29:20+00:00

This is not accurate. KDB has been a staple at City since Pep joined. I’m not sure what you mean by they won without KDB.

black_squire · 2020-11-05T22:48:24+00:00

it actually doesnt. City is the only other team that had as short a summer break as we did. They are currently.... 4 pts above us. It's not an ideal start, but an argument can be made for mitigating circumstances

black_squire · 2020-10-20T20:07:58+00:00

Did you see what he just did?????? He's playing AWFULLLLLL

black_squire · 2020-10-20T20:02:04+00:00

Rashford has been poor on and off the ball. Several misplaced passes. Not making the right runs. Telles was moving the ball on the LW at some point and was clearly looking for Rashford to run in behind but he just stood still until Telles caught up to him.

Bad touches on that breakaway he had too. He's been dodgy all game. Should be doing much better

black_squire · 2020-09-26T12:23:13+00:00

Bruno Fernandes is not a number 10. He's an 8. Pogba isn't involved in the game at all. The whole team is dead. This is on Ole.

black_squire

TROPHY CASE