Garrymanilow said:

Woodward is the major problem, but it all boils down to the plan, and there isn't one. You can jettison a manager you don't like if you've bought players who suit an agreed style, and replace that manager with one who is able and willing to work within the style. They never had a plan as such under Ferguson because he was there for 26 years; he was the plan. After that they should have taken stock, settled on a way of playing and started to bring in players to suit it. You're never going to replace the man, so you elevate the style above the manager. Instead they brought in Moyes at Ferguson's recommendation which is never a wise plan, and chucked him at the first sight of danger.

His sole signings were Fellaini, who cost more than he should have as a result of Woodward trying to play a fee game with Everton that he lost, and Mata at the end of January. How can you expect a manager to come in after the greatest of all time and take control of a squad that was almost entirely Ferguson's? Moyes never had a chance even if he didn't help himself. van Gaal was backed financially but it never made sense to bring in a manager with a rigid style that was completely different to what the players were used to and then chuck the manager as soon as it didn't look like it was working. There were some really poor signings, including those handpicked by van Gaal, but mostly players that he didn't want, so he was never able to really put his style in place. The maddest thing about employing van Gaal is they knew from the moment they signed him up that he was going to do three years maximum with them. With that in mind, they should have gone all in with the plan and had a few successors planned who could play in that style. Give van Gaal his three years to set the foundations and pick up a trophy or two, and then build on that style. Instead they panicked, chucked him early right after they had won the FA Cup and brought in Mourinho because he was available. Big name, but a completely different way of playing. Out went the van Gaal style and the van Gaal signings, in came the polarising style of Jose. Jose was never backed to the level he would have liked, never given the players he really wanted and they chucked him too. Bonus points for Woodward again trying to play silly buggers with transfer dealings, telling Jose that Maguire was too expensive and that he had enough defenders as it is only to spend even more on Maguire a year later under Ole. And now Ole is there, a man who wants to play guerilla football on the counter with a hybrid of what's left of van Gaal players, Jose stodge players and little else. Even the good players in there have been bounced around from style to style over the years so much that they're beginning to look like half the players they were. Mata is a wonderful player but he's been asked to defend, to play wide right and cut in, to be part of quick counter attacks, when his best football has been as a 10 with scope to create and score in a free role. Even when they knew Ole was permanently in the role they haven't brought him in the players he needs to suit his style. The exception in Dan James and he looks excellent playing in the style Ole wants. There's a lot of focus on where the money has gone with United but the worst thing is you can't point to a single decision they've made since Ferguson left and say it was part of any considered strategy. A team with their money will eventually power out with signings, but not if every strategic decision takes them back a step. Woodward has to go. I hope he doesn't though, because I hate Man Utd. Long live the official noodle sponsors.

Chris_from_Sidcup said:

To be fair if i was 21 and earning about 200k a week i'm pretty sure i'd buy a load of expensive shit as well.

Sage said:

se9addick said:

Sage said:

Said already but wanna say again because I enjoy it so much. It’s hilarious and their so called ‘supporters’ keep thinking they’re something amazing. When Ferguson left, he left with the weakest squad he probably had in years and years. They’ve just got worse and it’s great to see.

They can keep throwing money at the problem and hoping it works. But everyone else knows how desperate they are so prices will inflate further. Then when they carry on being so poor, any decent players they have left, will almost certainly want to leave. It’s great.

Lose against Liverpool and they’ll be 18 points behind already, and 9 points after 9 games. I’d expect them to finish around 30-40 points behind. No exaggeration.

Leicester will finish above them and make Maguire leaving look stupid.

Didn’t they win the Premier League by double figure points that year?

Nope, they won the league with 89 points in 2012/13, which is a good total and was Ferguson's last season, but has since averaged 69 points, which on average is a 6th place finish.

Since Ferguson left in 2013, they've spent £948.23 million. Where has it got them?

They've brought in £311.25 million in fees. Making a total loss in transfers, in 6 years of, £636.98 million.

I find it hilarious.

MuttleyCAFC said:

Rashford has to become more clinical. That would make a big difference.