Thank you for your service Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia - True Reds that wore their heart on their sleeve every time they put that United shirt on. Something I can't say about too many of the current crop of United players. That in itself is a sad indictment of the current state of affairs at the moment.
Really, really, really can't understate how big a loss Herrera is going to be to United. He was the type of player we need and could build a competitive team around, and now he's off on a free while Young and Jones got contract extensions for doing fudge all, it's just madness, it's woeful, it's nothing short of a shambles.
Still believe OGS is the right man for the job, he understands how this club ticks and the mentality of the club from when he was there as a player, even though it will continue to be a baptism of fire for the foreseeable future. After several years of styles and ideals that generally conflict and contradict with what United had established under Sir Alex Ferguson, we've gradually moved through periods of what is an identity crisis. We moved from a time when no one was bigger than the club, discipline was paramount and players played for that badge on their chest week in week out with a passion and desire to be the best in England, Europe, the World. Now we're talking about being in the Europa League and fighting for a spot in the top 4. Unfathomable for a club like Manchester United, but unfortunately not unforeseeable either.
There are several players that should hang their heads in shame at the season just gone, they've let themselves and the club down. Big hypothetical here too, but if Fergie was still around I could count on one hand the players that would be in his setup - Lindelof, Shaw, Herrera, McTominay and Rashford. Even then, Herrera is walking away on a free all the way to Paris...
Anyway, that's my take on the scope of the rebuild that we need to go through and my feelings around this team at the moment. I love United, but damn, what a load of work to undertake over these next couple of months. Looking forward to see who'll be coming in, but will have just as much interest in who'll be shown the door too.
Im guessing you are too young to remember when we were relegated.
Im not having a go at you and its not directed at you but the very thing I used to hate about Liverpool fans in the 80's now seems to be common among Utd fans. That sense of we are utd so we deserve to win. I remember the 77 cup final, for me that felt just as good as the Champions League win in 99. Any trophy is to be enjoyed and the expectation of trophies just because we are a "big" club is something I despise, it smacks of a lack of respect for what sport is all about. I see lots of fans on here of clubs outside the so called big clubs and I have more respect for them than the majority of Utd fans.
Hope they give Ole enough time to replace the dead wood and set up a new fresh squad. Its the pressure of that entitled fan expectation thats one of our major problems.
Holy hell, didn't realise it had been a couple of months since I'd last been in here! I've probably worded it a little ambiguously in the above post, so will try clear that up.
Quite simply, no, I don't believe it should be an entitlement that we should get anywhere simply because Manchester United is a big club. That's the great thing about football is that reputation, history and stature, and 'who you are' counts for little when the players cross that white line onto the field.
Don't get me wrong, I hate it when we lose, I love it when we win - like anyone, from any walk of life would who supports a club/team across any sport, but what really gets my goat is playing without the sense of identity that should be present when playing for United; Making the runs, putting in the tackles, doing the hard yards with and without the ball, essentially just doing the basics and building - It's not to say we should be up there competing for everything and winning every trophy in sight, it's just not where we're at, at the moment. What I'd rather see is a concerted effort to try and right the wrongs since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, get back to what we are about as a club and make moves from there. As it turns out, after a think about it since season's end I'd rather us play in the Europa League this season, as the 19/20 season will be more about putting the building blocks in place & setting foundations for seasons to come.
As far as the off-season has gone, I'm liking the change in tack for our transfer dealings, bringing in youthful players who are hungry to stamp their mark on the game and make a name for themselves at this club through hard work and perseverance (because they should know that things are not going to be easy for them). Obviously still a little bit to go until the season proper kicks off so hopefully we can iron out our situation with regards to Pogba and Lukaku, and if they do end up leaving getting the quality replacements for them, as well as looking to strengthen with another midfielder and a top class CB.
Just have to say too, while I'm happy with our couple of signings so far in Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, the price-tag of £50 million that Newcastle want for Longstaff - What a joke! Also a little perplexing when we've got someone like McTominay coming through to the first team setup. Longstaff a bit more attack minded, but still think McTominay will be a huge part of our midfield for years to come.