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I've said it before - Ten Hag cannot manage egos - look at the treatment of Sancho & other players when they butt heads.
I'm sure the same thing happens at City & Liverpool but it's handled internally away from the press & the both teams are all the better for it.
There’d have been plenty of egos at Ajax, being Dutch, and he did well there.
Several managers before him have failed to turn United round. At least now they seem to be putting a structure together which all the other top clubs seem to have. Might bear fruit in the long run, but ETH will be long gone by then.
On TNT last night they said United have conceded the most shots of any side in Europes top 5 leagues in 2024. So they’re actually doing quite well to be 6th!
I think they are very lucky to be 6th, one month somehow ETH was "manager of the month" and Maquire "player of the month, but while they had lucked out in results the performances were still really poor, I don't see how anyone selecting them for the award had actually seen united play that month.
So they’re actually doing quite well to be 6th!
We're like Spurs were last season. Absolutely bloody awful but somehow still inexplicably in the mix. Personally I think we'll finish 7th or 8th. We're a mile off the top four (five?) and the completely shambolic displays on the pitch mean we now need to be looking over our shoulder at the 4 or 5 teams who could easily overhall us. We could potentially finish 10th and maybe thats not a bad thing. Does anyone really want Thursday nights in Kazakhstan?
I'm dreading Sunday. It could potentially be even worse than last year
I think they are very lucky to be 6th, one month somehow ETH was “manager of the month” and Maquire “player of the month
We were as baffled by that as everybody else and also wondered if the people making that call had actually watched us play?
I’m dreading Sunday. It could potentially be even worse than last year
They'll raise their game & make it tricky for Liverpool - Man U are better against the better teams as they have less of the ball & can sit deep & hit them on the break.
Yep, they still set up like they did under Ole, and that’s probably the most damning indictment of Ten Hag. No change in style, plan, tactics, despite massive investment, and players of his choosing being brought in.
Its all a bit weird though, isn't it? At the back end of last season it looked like it was coming together and we looked half decent. So the assumption was that with a few key signings and a clearout of all the dross, then we could kick on.
But there was no clearout. We've still got the same useless donkeys stealing a living (Tony Martial - remember him? - is still picking up a quarter of a million a week), the signings have been woeful AGAIN (Antony at 85 million is comically bad)
So we've just gone backwards at a rate of knots. The defence is a shambles, the attack is toothless and nobody really looks like they know what it is they're actually meant to be doing, as a result of which they all look like they just given up and can't be arsed. Look at Rashford. Last season he was unplayable. This season he's looked like Paul Pogba. Like he'd rather be anywhere else in the world rather than on a football pitch.
This article on Footy finances is equally eye-opening and mind-boggling.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68713522
ManU and Chelsea are complete basket cases. I'm surprised to see Brighton's net debt so high given the last 10 years of buying cheap and selling for a big profit
This season he’s looked like Paul Pogba. Like he’d rather be anywhere else in the world rather than on a football pitch.
He's not the only one though & that has to be down to the manager - he's rubbed too many players up the wrong way
He’s not the only one though & that has to be down to the manager – he’s rubbed too many players up the wrong way
Rubbish - they are professional sports people earning bazillions to just do their job. They should just get on with the job at hand like millions of normal people do. I'm sick of hearing about off-field issues affecting performances. It's utter bollocks. Do you think that Stacey or Tariq down at Aldi don't work hard when their cat is poorly?
Have you ever worked for a poor manager? Someone who isn't great at their job?
Vs working for someone who nurtures & develops your talents?
Which manager are you going to work harder for? It's all relative to the world around you.
As a Gooner I am in one of those uncomfortable spots of wishing Man Utd every success on Sunday
I've worked under several shit managers, that's just corporate life.
I also have self-respect and respect for my colleagues, so I don't use a poor manager or a poorly run project as an excuse for my personal performance.
Is the curse of Harry Kane real, Bayern lost again after being 2-0 up today, Leverkusen are now 16 points ahead with 6 games to play, one win away from their first ever Bundesliga, after 11 Bayern titles in a row 🤣
Bayern lost again after being 2-0 up today
Spursy?
Could this finally be the 'no bottling it' Arsenal season? If Liverpool trip up tomorrow we're in for a belter of a run in.
Looks like fair play fine magnets Reading, gave Lincoln a kick up the cathedrals. Keep this form up we'll make the coveted mid table of obscurity spot.
Isn't Ben White famous for his disinterest in football?
he seemed more interested in Wrestlemania style amateur dramatics today
He's not a maverick, he's just a very naughty boy
Looks like we haven't even got our third string defence today with Varane, Evans and Lindeloff added to the injury list. We're apparently starting Kambwala in the centre alondside slabhead and a 17 year old, Amass, in his first premier league game at left back. Coping with Salah is going to be a baptism of fire.
With that cobbled together defence its a good job we're not facing someone who's pretty handy in the final third
This could be really, really, really bad
At least Rashfords back in the starting 11 and up for tracking back and helping out 😁
I look forward to watch him jog around aimlessly
Amass is on the bench Binners? Dalot at left back. United need to sit in and fire long balls over the full backs for Rashford and Garnacho - often bears fruit with Liverpool’s high line.
Great win for Athletic last night, especially after losing 5 finals.
They're going to need a bigger barge!
Rashford is a bit like Timo Werner without the goal threat.
Looks like this has the potential to be even more nuts than the last meeting
Great win for Athletic last night, especially after losing 5 finals.
They’re going to need a bigger barge!
Yeah, they've waited a long time for that trophy, and can now mention the barge at last 🤣
Ah well.
Any predictions on what Utd's goal difference will be after this? It was already -1 going into the match, which is pretty unusual.
Well I was about to come on here to post that Man Utd had started well....
Absolutely top notch shithousery from Magaluf holiday rep Ben White today. Embarrassing.
Just saw the clip of this. Why can't we deal with these cheating tossers with VAR and a retrospective ban?
Don't worry Binners, i firmly believe ManU will have a shot in the second half 🤣
You were saying…? 😂
It's all gone a bit mental, Liverpool really have been shooting themselves in the foot this last month!
Technically I want Liverpool to win because they're not rivals for Newcastle and the European spots. But watching Klopp lose his shit is never not enjoyable.
. . . so it’s always enjoyable? I never not want Liverpool to lose 🤯
Excellent weekend for the toon. With our run in 6th place is looking very achievable, which would be a minor miracle given the injuries and other stuff which has held us back. Still don't understand the idiots who want Howe out, I've lost count how many times we've bounced back after everything was looking lost. 🤔
Oh dear. Can't help thinking double bubble for the toffees is unfair. And ridiculous that the appeal will be held after the season ends.
This years relegation battle will be even more interesting with the EPL just docking points every week, maybe they could do it like a cup draw, out of a velvet bag 🤣
Still makes me laugh the whole FFP, the only value it had was to stop clubs being mismanaged and run into the ground, but the way it's being used could cause clubs that are able to handle the debts to be run into the ground due to relegation, if they really wanted FFP in our game, they'd have wage cap and transfer cap that all teams can work within, imagine ManU, ManC and so on hitting the market with £50 million max transfer budget each year, yeah, i don't think the EFL can either.
And ridiculous that the appeal will be held after the season ends.
As much as I have no love for Everton, any appeals should be held within the season that points are deducted. Or, start them on -2 points next season.
If they are relegated because of those 2 points, then successfully appeal, there'll be a shitstorm of litigation
Can’t help thinking double bubble for the toffees is unfair. And ridiculous that the appeal will be held after the season ends.
Agreed, it's crazy that if relegation is decided by a point or two, two clubs and their squads could effectively be in limbo for weeks after the end of the season. Are you down, having to sell players, or still up, with the financial boost that brings? A system that is supposed to prevent rash spending decisions effectively paralysing prudent financial planning for both.
If you're Jordan Pickford, and an offer comes in from a PL club while you're in this limbo, do you wait for the outcome or just play it safe?
It's also deeply unsatisfying for the audience not to have everything decided on the final afternoon of the season. And I agree that applying sanctions for two separate seasons in a single season is ridiculous.
It is deeply unsatisfactory. I am behind the intent of ffp, but not the way its brought into reality.
Citeh 1-0 already
Wowsers
This City game is worth watching. Not a fan of Franco's Madrid. Not the same level of dislike as Rangers or Oxford United ovs.
City and Arsenal off to great starts, now both 2-1 behind, lucky the away goals don't matter now for Arsenal, need to actually show in the CL, especially with the team they have just now.
Very large element of luck on the Madrid goals
Had to be him, didn't it? Bet he loved that.
I think Arsenal were a bit naive and lucky to come away with a draw, I think Bayern will probably beat them in Germany.
It was never a penalty either, the one on Saka. He dangled his leg out hoping for contact - good job the brave English lads never dive eh.
Agreed, it was a very good decision by the ref in real time to spot it. Arguably could have been a foul in the other direction for kicking Neuer.
Not sure why Saka wasn't booked. Simulation is a blight on the game.
I was surprised Rio and Keown felt it was a pen, the 5 live pundits didn’t.
Was hoping Ipswich could take advantage of last nights result for Leicester and Leeds but had to settle for a draw ourselves. It's still tighter than a tight thing at the top of the championship
Squeaky bum time at the Birmingham City end of the Championship... 🙁
**Was hoping Ipswich could take advantage of last nights result for Leicester and Leeds but had to settle for a draw ourselves. It’s still tighter than a tight thing at the top of the championship**
Opposite for me (as a Leeds fan) - I still can't believe how tight it all is – there are three very nervous teams out there. Despite the gap to fourth, Southampton could still pip one of them to an automatic promotion spot.
Pretty sure Norwich will beat Ipswich in the play off finals at Wembley....
Surprised a Wolves season ticket holder at work when she asked me if I'd be disappointed if Ipswich didn't go up - I told her I'd have been happy with fourth from bottom back in September, all this is just a bonus
Timo Werner has just missed a sitter that a traffic cone would have put away.
Big case of squeaky bum time at the top of the championship! Southampton right back in it with their games in hand.
Wow, that's one of the worst penalties i've seen given under the new 'handball' rules!
Yep, shocker. If you give that why not the one on Maguire 10 minutes earlier? He arguably had more time to react.
Every cloud though - if United salvage a draw or scrape a win there’s more chance of ETH staying.
Big case of squeaky bum time at the top of the championship! Southampton right back in it with their games in hand.
It's as if no one actually wants to get automatic promotion - somehow Ipswich are top again
That’s a good point for United - another disjointed performance, I’ve rarely seen a team pick up as many points playing poorly week in week out. Trust the process though, Eric will say.
United need a new keeper, Ohnono getting beaten at his near post was poor.
Newcastle beating Spurs has made it interesting with United goal difference being what it is.
I have a feeling Villa might do something tomorrow and add an other twist at the top.
I’m just relieved that we’re safe and it was great to see Chunha and Hwang back today, happy to share a point with Nuno. I really hope Forest make it.
That penalty was an absolute joke.
Sadly the Bournemouth guy moved his arm as the ball hit him. It was completely unintentional but he moved his arm. I understand why they got the pen.
For clarity, I hate ManYoo with a passion and I'm enjoying every single moment of their troubles. It was a pen.
Once again, how we came away with a point from that I have no idea. Another shambolic performance that somehow wasn’t punished as it should have been.
Its just bizarre watching them give players like Solanke acres of room without any attempt to close them down, never mind put a challenge in.
An interesting article in last weeks Guardian on the Ten Hag philosophy
I don't think the Hags to blame. This United side reminds me of the teams pre Ferguson which were filled with 'stars' but were inconsistent and not a team. Just a bunch of individuals that have met up for a kick around.
Wot like Mike Duxbury?
😆
...Or Jordi Cruyff. Got a feeling the buying department must have thought the acorn had fallen closer to the tree.
Congrats to Stockport and my own team Wrexham for clinching promotion yesterday. We play each other at Wrexham on the last day of the season but Stockport are in poll position to wrap up the title by then. It also looks likely that Mansfield will be the third team promoted automatically but the playoff positions are hard to guess. Donny were 15 points off the last playoff place on March 3rd but now only 1 point.
The Stockport and Wrexham celebrations looked absolutely bonkers. You can't beat a good, old-fashioned, 70's style pitch invasion when its all obviously all good natured and celebratory
It's suddenly looking very good for the toon. They have arguably the three most in-form players in the league with Guimaraes, Gordon and Isak, a friendly run-in and a penultimate game 'decider' against Man Utd. Also with Spurs looking shit and needing to play Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City their 10 point cushion is looking a little fragile. Of course we'll probably lose to Burnley and Sheffield Utd after saying that, but you never know. Hopefully the Howe-out idiots will shut up now.
I don’t think the Hags to blame. This United side reminds me of the teams pre Ferguson which were filled with ‘stars’ but were inconsistent and not a team. Just a bunch of individuals that have met up for a kick around.
Usually i'd agree with managers always getting the harsh end of it, but Ten Hag is a real head scratcher, they have a squad as good as any other, but can't seem to build a team, his player management is suspect as well, a few fall outs, nobody playing better than before, there's a real struggle with managers just now though, Ange looks like he's struggling to get a game out his squad as well at Spurs, Newcastle and in and out, Chelsea can't get it going either, Villa seem to be in and out as well, it's gone weird!
Ten Hag’s greatest achievement might just be starting the rot which has derailed Klopp’s farewell quadruple!
A good weekend for Newcastle.
Howe has again proved how good a coach he is. He's got another group of players playing in a manner that suits them and is effective.
Hopefully, he can get a few back and he has 10 days before the next match.
WTF. Is everyone trying to give it to City again.
What weird voodoo does Pep and Citeh use each year around this time? 10th league title coming up.
It’s as good as Citeh’s now, surely?
Liverpool and Arsenal are good at creating loads of chances but don’t seem able to finish any of them
Fair play to Villa though. That was some second half performance after a dominant Arsenal first half. Two cracking finishes!
Great weekend for City, Only the fact they have to play aware at Spurs - which is their kryptonite - makes me think they may not end up as winners.