The imaginatively titled Premier League 21/22 Thread

[weasel]

Is it too soon to claim I got my "Any other predictions" prediction right? City get the obligatory cushy domestic draw and tough CL group.
Liverpool's is arguably tougher. Chelsea are in a straight fight with Juve for top spot. I can't see either of them failing to get through. Utd's is the easiest on paper, but I could see the top 3 finishing in any order. Utd SHOULD walk it, but….

Ronaldo to City makes no sense to me. He doesn't fit their style of play at all. Plus he wants 500kpw. Plus he's 36. It will be funny to see all the Utd fanboys crying if he does sign, but I really cant face a season of his "look at me, look at me, aren't I amazing" goal celebration. Especially when he wheels it out after scoring the 6th goal in a 7-0 demolition of some ***** at the Etihad. Fine, if it's a CL winner or a crucial goal, but when he does it EVERY SINGLE ******* TIME.

Cleary, it's asking too much for a PL season free from him AND Jose.

 

[theforceuk]

A lot of Utd fans are already crying about Ronaldo, really doesn't bother me that much, I blame the Glaziers as much as Ronaldo. United should have got him from Madrid but refused him. The other thing is as much as an amazing player he was for his last 3 seasons at Utd, I never felt his heart was with Man Utd and it was very much Man Utd being a stepping stone for him. We could do with a striker now so again the Glaziers won't dig deep and pay up, complete bollocks from them.

 

[Michael Sith]

Well I for one am a happy boy today, say what you will, 29 league goals last season.
a legend at Utd, he will lift the whole team and players like Sancho, Greenwood, players also coming through the youth squad, seasoned players at Utd will all be buzzing, and will lift their game, an icon in the game that's still doing the business to play alongside, to learn from, the fans will be buzzing OT will be amazing when he steps out on that pitch for his first game I really don't care what is said in all the autopsies, he's too old, bla blah blah, come on what team wouldn't want Ronaldo in there.
belated B day present for me for yesterday

welcome home Ronaldo

game on

 

[weasel]

I don't get that transfer at all.

From his point, bar the 500kpw, why has he joined Utd? He likes trophies, surely he has more chance of them at Juve? Utd won't win the league, and probably won't be good enough to beat at least two of City, Chelsea, Pool, Bayern and PSG, that they will need to beat to win the CL. Juve have a decent shot at winning Serie A. So no sense for him.

Why do Utd want him? He's 36, wants stupid money, this could be Sanchez mark 2, and whilst he is quality, he plays in a position where Utd already have too many players.

Genuinely, they would have been better taking the supposed 20m signing fee, the 10+m they paid his agent, and the 25m they are paying him a year, driving down to Brighton and slapping 40-60m on the table for Yves Bassuma (spelling). He is a quality, young, DCM, who would instantly solve the one glaring weakness in their team (ignoring the fact 1 of McFred have to play along side him while OGS ignores VDB) and make them a much more rounded, and better squad. Instead they have so many attacking players even Kevin Keegan would struggle to get them all in one side.

It strikes me as a signing for the fans. Not one for the team.

Either way, OGS has to win something now. He may get away with finishing a few points off the PL winner or a CL semi defeat but a season like last year, even if we swap a EL final for a CL quarter final defeat, won't be enough. The pressure is on him.

 

[Michael Sith]

Utd won't win the league..conjecture…proof of the pudding

36 but from a fitness perspective has at least 2 years to 3 on other standard players of his age due to his fitness ( look at Ryan Giigs as a reference point)
Sanchez ..Ronaldo..no comparison 2 totally different players, Ronaldo is. Literally head and shoulders above

why do Utd want him ( aside from he money it will generate for the club) 29 goals in the league last season, the lift it will give to the players around him, the cudos of having arguably the worlds best player in your team, the " oh no I have to play against Ronaldo" mindset of players lining up on the pitch against him.

Pogba, Bruno, Sancho, Veranne, Cavani around him.

the legend returns, ethos

yes undoubtably a signing for the fans, but UTD is an iconic leading player in the premiership, so that makes business sense, arguably the best player in the world in your team, what that does for morale and belief, for the squad, what that says to the opponents lining up against you on a Saturday.

so for me a no brainier, if you can get a player of this quality in your squad, with 25 + goals a season, with his effect on the rest of the team, why wouldnt Utd go for him.

proof of the pudding and all that, but I firmly believe aside from all the circus around this signing, it's a sensible decision that will reap rewards, but hey I'll hold my hands up if I'm wrong, let's see how the season unfolds.

 

[theforceuk]

Ronaldo won't win Man Utd the league or CL we still need a DCM! But the Glaziers have just banked a money maker, the clubs stock has just gone up by £200 million and the Man Utd web site has crashed! 3 months ago the fans were breaking into Old Trafford demanding Glaziers out, what a turn around from them. One thing it will do is put a rocket through the sqaud, raising standards which the club really needs. TeamViewer are happy and Utd will get top 4. Also Ronaldo will probably do a Giggs and play into his 40's so the age tag is arguable for me.

We have to win against Wolves on Sunday without Ronaldo!

PS Tomorrow were going to sign Kante. lol

 

[weasel]

Michael, look at Utd's two holding midfielders and tell me that is a PL winning combination! neither would get a game at any of the other big four sides. That tells you all you need to know. You have a decent defence, I still don't rate fat Maguire, but still, your keeper situation could be better but isn't "bad" and your attacking options are great. But that midfield will not win a title.

I don't disagree Ronaldo is a supremely fit player. BUT, he is 36 and has been playing in Seria A for 2-3 years. That is a frightfully slow league. Before that he had 10 ish years in La Liga. Which is a great league, at the top, but the sides at the bottom are woefully poor. The PL is a LOT more intense. Just look at how many big name signings join the PL and take a year to adapt. Pep and Jurgen have both spoken of how surprised they were by he competitive nature if the PL, there really are very few easy games. Unlike other European leagues. I can't see Ronaldo playing week in week out. If he does he will be subbed after an hour. While Giggsy played on until he was 67 his last few seasons where mainly sub appearances or coming on with ten to go. I'm not sure Ronaldo's ego would allow that to happen.

Granted there may well be a psychological boost to his team mates of having him onboard. Though Henry and Bale (not the same calibre of player, but equally iconic at their clubs) had limited effects on their clubs when they returned.

As for the Sanchez remark. I meant more the fact that Utd beat City to the signing of Sanchez, broke their wage structure to sign him, same as with CR7. They ended up having to give Pogba and DDG massive pay rises and are still trying to shift some of the deadwood who ended up with salaries three times what any other club could/would pay them. DDG on 330kpw! And Sanchez wasn't exactly a success. I do think Ronaldo will be more use than Sanchez was, but that isn't hard.

Then there is the issue of how/where he fits in Utd's team. He is 36 and isn't able to do box to box any more. One of his main strengths has been his ability convert himself from a world class winger/attacking midfielder who would carry the ball and beat four players, to an equally world class finisher. He will still score goals, but his game is more about being in the right position to tuck away the chance. I'm not sure how that fits with Utd. They seem to play best on the counter, which is where his age will count against him. He will score goals, I have no doubt about that, and his ****** "look at me" celebration will be plastered all over the TV, but I don't see him bagging 20-25 goals this year. MAYBE in all comps, if he gets to take pens. But it's a brave manager who takes pens off Fernandes.


Ohh and you do realise that he will insist on taking EVERY direct free kick Utd get within 20 yards if the other team's box. His record, over the last few years is genuinely appalling. It's something like one goal from 120 efforts, seriously. He'll kill more disabled fans than he will score goals from free kicks.

 

[weasel]

Trying to be dispassionate about it, I just can't help but think that spending that money on a new DCM, see my comments about Yves Bassuma, would have been a much more sensible idea. Albeit far less glamorous and less exciting for the fans.

 

[theforceuk]

That's the thing for me if Ronaldo was a DCM it would be the perfect signing! lol The money spent on him will largely be recouped from shirt sales and the other merchandising which is gonna go into over drive. We still may get a DCM, although I would go as far to say to win the league you probably need a different manager as well, saying that Ole deserves a chance at the title IMO. I actually think our holding midfield options are among the worst in the league let alone top 4 qaulity. We only have one and he's finished, Matic is the only specialist holding midfielder at the club and that is shocking. I can see Martial or Cavani going before the window shuts.

I told the Mrs about the Ronaldo saving the world celebration every time he scores, we were both cracked up, so true very funny @weasel lol

 

[edd_jedi]

I know exactly how you both feel, I was over the moon when Spurs got Bale back, that didn't go as well as I hoped so only time will tell if Ronaldo can still cut it in the PL. He didn't do a lot at the Euros.

The City result today was hardly a surprise even without the red card, obviously I'm not going to shed any tears over Arsenal being bottom of the table BUT losing against Chelsea and City is hardly a fair assessment, we will only really know how good they are once they've played a few more average teams. Saying that, if he doesn't beat Norwich then I think Arteta will be gone.

And the other red card of the day spoiled the Liverpool Chelsea game, but I think it was the right decision, he clearly tried to block the ball even if only as a reaction. He had to go, even though I always hate seeing the penalty and red card combo, you might as well forefeit the game.

Big day for Spurs tomorrow, beat Watford and we go top! What could possibly go wrong

 

[lejackal]

I just don't understand what Arteta hoped to achieve with the team selection today, it wasn't even our best available 11. We want rid of 60% of the back five.
Kolasinac has spent half the week trying to get his contract cancelled/paid up so he can join Fenerbache and he gets picked to start at City?!
We would have at least stood a fighters chance if we went at them. Yeah, we probably still would've lost but we would've had our dignity intact. Xhaka is so frustrating, has a half decent Euros, comes back after not getting a move away, gets an extension and goes in two footed like a ****, although in his defence he was left to hold the midfield on his own against that City team.
As a back 5 we should've gone:
Leno
AMN
Holding
Mari
Tierney
Saka
Lakonga
Pepe
Odegard
Aubamayang
ESR

Not perfect and hugely flawed/inexperienced but at least it would be brave

 

[theforceuk]

Yeah sad times for Arsenal, owners are pratts and that's about it.

 

[Michael Sith]

Fully get what your saying Weasel, but For me I think the positives as a Utd fan will far outweigh the negatives when looked at in the cold light of day in regard to Ronaldo returning. The intangible effect lifting other players lifting the fans the effect it will have on youth players coming through, say what you will about him, he is a footballer committed to his trade, fitness and drive to achieve, that mindset in a team can only be a positive. I think he will definitely score goals, yes he plays a different game at 36, but we have Greenwood, Sancho, Rashford all with loads of pace, Bruno feeding as well, let's not forget Pogba in the team, will this signing take the limelight away and will that help or hinder him? Time will tell.
im speaking as a Utd fan, who loves the club and the history, bringing a legend back into your team is a massive buzz for any fan, not saying its a game changer and we will win the league ( maybe it will be) but his talent, goals and mindset will definitely take us progressively forward.
like I said I m a happy boy and we will see what the season brings, off to the club shop now to buy my grandson his Ronaldo shirt ( no 28?).

 

[edd_jedi]

If Carlsberg did league tables (taking a snapshot of this while it lasts!)

 

[lejackal]

If Carlsberg did league tables (taking a snapshot of this while it lasts!)

View attachment 107084

That's definitely as depressingly piss poor as the beer they make

 

[edd_jedi]

I'm obviously very happy Spurs have won three out of three, and with City amongst them you can't say it's been a gimme, but I am a bit concerned that we've only scored one goal in each game (including a penalty!) None of the wins have been convincing and it doesn't fill me with confidence that this streak will continue, we could easily have conceded a goal in each of those games and have three points instead of 9. There's been no shortage of attempts, but just not taking enough of them.

Still for Spurs to keep three consecutive clean sheets is a big achievement and something I can't remember happening for a long time.

 

[weasel]

I had a funny feeling @edd_jedi would enjoy the current league table.
The question is, is the top or the bottom his favourite part!?

As for the weekend's games, from what I saw of City and Arsenal, it was very very comfortable for City. As @edd_jedi says, it is unfair to judge Arsenal on games against the current PL and CL holders, but they have been VERY second best in both. It doesnt look like Arteta knows how to set up shop when the game is gone. Look what Tuchel had Chelsea do in the second half at Anfield, once he realised that a man down they were daft to continue trying to go man for man. One of the City goals, possibly the 3rd, was school boy naive. Arsenal had 5 players in City's final third, ONE straight pass from Ederson took them all out of the game and from there on it was just a matter of would City take advantage or not.
The Pool Chelsea game has to go down as 2pts dropped for Pool. To have a big title rival down to ten men for 45mins and not take advantage, is the kind of thing that comes back to haunt you in May. Credit where it is due for Chelsea they did set up shop very well. The "low block" is bloody hard to break down when done well, and Chelsea did it very well.
I thought the red card was a bit harsh, it comes up off his thigh. Yes, it's handball, and a pen, but the red card just strikes me as double punishment. Fine if he dives and saves it like a keeper, but that was the kind of handball where only he really knows if it was intentional or not. It also killed the game from a neutral's point of view. Chelsea settled for a point from then.

I didn't see the Utd game but I hear they were poor. I haven't seen the Spuds game either, but 3 wins from 3 is not to be sniffed it. They did start well last year too though.


ps @theforceuk you know clubs make nothing from shirt sales right!? General merchandising driven by Ronaldo signing will increase, I have no idea if that will pay for him. Given his wages, I doubt it.
Your shirt maker gets the bulk of the money from shirt sales. The retailer gets a little, so any sales from the club shop etc will boost Utd's coffers, but 95% of the money goes to the shirt maker. Utd get a flat rate from them as per the contract. That won't change with the level of shirt sales, unless Utd or the shirt maker have a clause specifying that it does. I suspect most clubs prefer a flat fee as that allows them to budget better.

 

[theforceuk]

I had a funny feeling @edd_jedi would enjoy the current league table.
The question is, is the top or the bottom his favourite part!?

As for the weekend's games, from what I saw of City and Arsenal, it was very very comfortable for City. As @edd_jedi says, it is unfair to judge Arsenal on games against the current PL and CL holders, but they have been VERY second best in both. It doesnt look like Arteta knows how to set up shop when the game is gone. Look what Tuchel had Chelsea do in the second half at Anfield, once he realised that a man down they were daft to continue trying to go man for man. One of the City goals, possibly the 3rd, was school boy naive. Arsenal had 5 players in City's final third, ONE straight pass from Ederson took them all out of the game and from there on it was just a matter of would City take advantage or not.
The Pool Chelsea game has to go down as 2pts dropped for Pool. To have a big title rival down to ten men for 45mins and not take advantage, is the kind of thing that comes back to haunt you in May. Credit where it is due for Chelsea they did set up shop very well. The "low block" is bloody hard to break down when done well, and Chelsea did it very well.
I thought the red card was a bit harsh, it comes up off his thigh. Yes, it's handball, and a pen, but the red card just strikes me as double punishment. Fine if he dives and saves it like a keeper, but that was the kind of handball where only he really knows if it was intentional or not. It also killed the game from a neutral's point of view. Chelsea settled for a point from then.

I didn't see the Utd game but I hear they were poor. I haven't seen the Spuds game either, but 3 wins from 3 is not to be sniffed it. They did start well last year too though.


ps @theforceuk you know clubs make nothing from shirt sales right!? General merchandising driven by Ronaldo signing will increase, I have no idea if that will pay for him. Given his wages, I doubt it.
Your shirt maker gets the bulk of the money from shirt sales. The retailer gets a little, so any sales from the club shop etc will boost Utd's coffers, but 95% of the money goes to the shirt maker. Utd get a flat rate from them as per the contract. That won't change with the level of shirt sales, unless Utd or the shirt maker have a clause specifying that it does. I suspect most clubs prefer a flat fee as that allows them to budget better.

I don't know what shirt deal they have I do know the clubs value went up by 8% over night, adding $230 million to the cubs value. I'm no business man but signing Ronaldo is a no brainer for the Glaziers. Its also turned the supporters away from braking into Old Trafford and getting games posponed! lol This is what the Glaziers have done to Manchester United supporters, the fransfer window we have just had should be happening every couple of years as standard, but the Glaziers only do it when their in the dog house with supporters or sponsors.

 

[weasel]

As an ABU I should really be enjoying what the Glazier's are doing to Utd, but I hate leeches.
Fair dos if they have bought Utd with their own money, but they didn't actually put a penny into the purchase (I think). It was done entirely using borrowed money secured against Utd's debts. Now, you run that risk once you list a company, and Utd certainly got the benefits of the stock market listing for the leeches came along. But I still don't like what they have fun. Even if it is funny to see Utd paying some Americans £200m a year for the privilege of being owned by them.....ehhh I mean, 'for their consultancy services'.

 

[theforceuk]

If I was a Liverpool or Man City fan I would be very relaxed as long as the Glaziers were the owners and they will be for some time. They are none football fans, let alone Man Utd fans that are only interested in taking dividends out of the club. They have no interest whatsoever of seeing Man Utd win the PL or CL, all they care about is Man Utd getting top 4. Since 2013, David Moyes was sacked as soon as we couldn't get top 4, LVG sacked after finishing 5th and winning the FA Cup and Jose sacked after finishing 2nd, not getting backed in the transfer window and was sacked in December the following season as it was clear he was never getting top 4. Their is no pressure or expectations from the owners to win something and OGS is the perfect buffer for their **** running of a football club that should have done so much more in the last decade.

I actually give them 5 out of 10 for the the last transfer window, Sancho was last summers signing that we didn't do, ok Verane was a minor miracle but knowone else went in for him and Ronaldo has come back because Fergie begged him to! Dan James being the only exit is a complete shambles. If anyone at the club new what they were doing Utd would have got a holding midfielder as priority number 1. Imagine, City, Liverpool or Chelsea going into a season without 1 single top DCM, just wouldn't happen. Utd's net spend is £80 million as usual, not enough to bridge the gap between us and the 3 best teams we need to finish above.

 

[edd_jedi]

It was a pretty good transfer window for Spurs when you consider we went a couple without signing anyone recently. I'm never going to complain about signing lots of defenders, if just one of them turns out to be any good we'll be better off. Aurier going is probably for the best, I didn't dislike him personally and he was good up front but much like Walker he just made too many catastrophic mistakes for a right back (I still don't know how Walker has managed to avoid doing the same at City.)

 

[weasel]

Hard to judge Spurs' transfer window as I have no idea what any of the players they signed are like.

Like most things, the quality of a teams transfer window only becomes apparent 6-12months down the line.
Pool win the league and they were dead smart for not spending money they didnt need to. They finish miles off and it was cos they didn't sign anyone.

Weirdly all the big clubs have gaps in their squad, UTD need a DCM, City a Striker, Pool another back up for the front 3/4 (2 of whom are off to ACN), and Chelsea need a striker (Lukaku is good against *****, but ***** against good) and I still don't know what to make of their keeper.

 

[edd_jedi]

Well today was one of those game where nothing goes your way, and everything goes the other teams way. Edouard scores with his first touch on his debut and Zaha got away with one, yes Tanganga's foul on him was as synical as any other "professional foul" but I've seen Son get sent off several times for retaliating. The 3-0 result flatters Palace a bit as it was deadlock until the sending off, I thought Spurs were going to nick it with a bit of quality Palace were lacking.

Saying that, this result was coming. None of the previous three victories were convincing, and today's could have happened in any of those games too. The fact our goal difference is wiped to zero from losing just one game speaks volumes. Losing an away match with 10 men isn't a catastrophe, but Nuno needs to start scoring more goals urgently, as Spurs don't have the discipline of a team like Chelsea to lock down when on the back foot. Not looking forward to the next few games now, I would have bitten your arm off for 9 points from 4 games at the start of the season, but I don't see us picking up many more wins following the performances so far.

 

[Michael Sith]

Genuinely Edd, I think that result yesterday is a write off for Spurs fan, and one to just walk away from, i really don't think it was an indication of Spurs being a bad team, just one of those football things that happens, I do think Son is a key player for you and that was an issue in the match.

 

[Michael Sith]

Utd yesterday ….as a Utd Fan, I was absolutely over the moon when we snagged Ronaldo, not getting drawn into all the " we got one over on City" as that means sod all to me, what was important to me as a Utd fan was that we get Ronaldo back in the Red shirt, I genuinely think he will bring the extra we need ( yes we may be lacking in certain areas) but as I have said before it's not just about the ability to score goals, be where he needs to be etc etc, it's about the intangible benefit it brings to the team… his ethos, his mentality, what that will bring to the team and lift the other players.
his first goal yesterday shows the poacher striker instinct, run into the space on the off cahnace you get a bite, his second goal, the run he put in when Shaw picked up the ball … that was class …bang he was off… and the touch the n finish with the opposite foot…brilliant!
add to that Bruno s class finish i genuinely think that the Ronaldo signing is a game changer

I now wait to be battered with , one game wonder and all that, but I genuinely think the Ronnie signing will make the difference this season and we are serious contenders to win the league, my only regret is that I was not on the game yesterday, to be there in the Stretford end singing Viva Ronaldo!

 

[weasel]

I did have a few Utd supporting mates sending me gloating texts when they won on Sat.
It is only one game. Di Maria and Martial both started well and ehhh, well, yeah, they didn't end well. Plus Newcastle are dog ****.
But, yes, two goals for ballbag (I wonder will our silly swear word detector thing pick that one up!?) is a good start. Fair play.

I though yer Leeds boy was unlucky to be sent off yesterday. Not a "Good" tackle, but not a shocker either. We will see plenty worse not even result in bookings this season. I suspect the fact Elliott ended up being stretchered off and given oxygen may well have influenced the refs decision. A bit harsh. I dare say Leeds will appeal and it will be over turned. Which would be fair enough.
I only saw bits of the game, but my most one-eyed Utd supporting mate said the red card didn't affect the outcome only the scale.

A big 3pts for Arsenal as well in the relegation 6 pointer! ;-)

 

[lejackal]

The crowd at the Emirates were singing "we're staying up"

 

[weasel]

The crowd at the Emirates were singing "we're staying up"

Optimistic, on current form. ;-)

As for Utd in the CL, THAT is a perfect example of why they won't win the PL or the CL. Their manager is bang average. As are their DCM options, but this week it was OGS again showing why he is such a poor choice of manager for one of the self proclaimed 'biggest clubs in the world'.

Yes, bad/freak results do happen. And, he can't really legislate for 2 individual mistakes (AWB and JLinz) BUT his substitutions and how he set the team up were piss poor. Utd had two shots in the game. TWO. Not two on target, two shots. One was the goal. Granted they played 60mins with 10 men, but they were playing a Swiss side, not peak Barcelona. FFS Liverpool had 15 shots against AC Milan in 20 mins last night. That's seven defeats in eleven CL games for Utd under Ole. There are a few hard games in there, games you could reasonably expect to lose, but 7 defeats in 11 is shockingly poor.

I saw someone say that Utd's spending, I think they have spent more than any other club in world football during OGS time at the club, hasn't improved their chances of success as such, rather it has lifted the floor on how low they can finish. The heights to which they can climb are limited by the bang average manager they employ.
Hard to disagree with that.

 

[theforceuk]

Yes I'm afraid I agree, that game is a classic show of how the club is badly run and the people in charge haven't got a clue. And I'm fed up of OGS coming out after results like that with comments like 'fine margins', 'ups and downs', 'it's about progression'. Bollocks, 3 years he's been in charge now, spent over £400 million and has had a new player in every position. On Tuesday when we had 11 players on the pitch we were just as bad for the first 35 minutes, playing Stoke City 2010 style football!!! Ronaldo has had 4 shots on target in two games, the number 9 position this season has had 7 shots on target all season. I said it before the season started we need a decent DCM to controle games, get things moving quickly, whats the point in having one of the best players ever playing the number 9 position if you can't get the ball to him!

It's not just down to OGS, it's also the coaches that just aren't good enough, they can't be. Were playing worse football than Jose and LVG for periods of games. How can the fans be happy with the present situation, just because we've signed Ronaldo and we can all buy Ronaldo shirts singing his name in the sun at Old Trafford while beating Newcastle with individual brilliants rather that tactics and a clear playing style that the players can all get behind.

The worse thing for me is OGS didn't even ask for a DCM, so we can't blame the owners for not getting him one. That's worrying when the coach can't see something an armchair fan can point out instantly. He won't give Van De Beek a run of games either, he did well I thought for the first half, much better than Fred and he took Van De Beek off!!! Everyones saying McTominay will make the difference when he's fit. Bollocks again he's not a number 6 he's a number eight and an average one at that and he's nearly 25, so is he suddenly going to become a world class DCM over night, because that's what we need. OGS won't get sacked, he's no where near it, in fact he's further away from the sack than Man Utd are of winning the PL or CL. He's the perfect buffer for the Glaziers. Unbelievable Jeff!!! lol

 

[weasel]

Yeah, he is a "yes man" who won't rock the boat and knows he has been appointed to a job he would never have got on merit. No other top 6 PL side or top European side would even have considered him for the manager's job, but Utd employed him.

He said Rolando should have had a penalty in that game, and a red card for Young Boys. If it was the incident I saw ehhhh, that's not a penalty. The give away was the fact the defender didn't actually touch him and Ronaldo dived like a bitch. What it actually is, is a yellow card for simulation. It wasn't even close to being a penalty. Not even one of those that "you see them given". It just wasn't a penalty or even a foul.

His tactics are, 'get your best 11 on the pitch and let them do their thing'. A more cycnical version would be 'get your best 11 on the pitch and........hope'. It's bloody simplistic, and TBF it does work, unsurprisingly. But should a "top" manager not be capable of a little bit more?
There doesn't seem to be a style of play as such. Every one knows how Pool, City, Bayern, (pre bankruptcy) Barca and Real will play. But Utd are just a hodgepodge of players. Now, they do have some fantastic players, plenty of whom are more than capable of a moment of genius to win a game. But I just can't help feel that a decent manager would get so much more out of them as a team.
He would start by letting Van De Beek actually play a bit. He's not a DCM as such but he will do a much better job in there than Matic over the course of a season. Matic was a great player, but his legs are gone, and that is the one thing a DCM needs.
There's only so long OGS will get away with playing the same boys week in week out. Tiredness will catch up with them. As will injuries. Utd have been quite lucky over the last 2 years, most of their injuries have been minor or in positions where they have relative strength in depth. I'm not going to compare them, or anyone's, injuries to Pool's last year, but most clubs have a period during a season when they have 2/3/4 players injured/suspended and have to field a make shift back four/midfield/front line, Utd have escaped that (for the most part). If they get a couple of big injuries OGS could be in trouble.

Genuine question, IF Utd win nothing this season (and I don't count the worthless cup, FAC is arguable) will OGS keep his job?
I suspect the Board would be happy to keep him, but will the fans? He can't really have any excuses if he doesn't win anything. He has had time and a **** tonne of money.

Obviously, If they lose a CL final narrowly, or even a semi, and come close in PL (within half a dozen points) then that's different from a 1/8 final tame knock out in CL and finishing 18pts off PL top.