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In the Old Trafford locker room after Tottenham Hotspur’s defeat, there was no discussion, but there was still a lot of anger. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rebuked the players who had been on the field and said there were certain aspects that he would “never” allow again.
That anger has given way in the past week to some anguish, only amplified by a emptier training ground amid international calls. Solskjaer now needs to set the mood just before this weekend’s trip to Newcastle United, and for reasons beyond getting United’s season back on track.
A number of sources say that the intermediaries have probed Mauricio Pochettino, although United say that no one has approached the Argentine on his behalf.
That doesn’t necessarily mean a lot in the world of football, but it does indicate that the lines of dialogue are open. There is an opportunity. Executive Vice President Ed Woodward is a known admirer, as are Chelsea and Manchester City.
Pochettino’s presence weighs heavily on much of this, making each setback a bit more serious for Solskjaer.
While repeated sources say the Norwegian is not in immediate danger and that “no one is looking for a reason to fire him,” the start of the season, and especially the 6-1 loss to Spurs, has raised concerns that were not. there before. Woodward likes Solskjaer and feels he has good ideas, but he doesn’t like a situation like this. A source says that the Norwegian does not go from game to game, but that this is a “great month”. You just have to look at the accessories.
United have Paris Saint-Germain at home, Chelsea at home, RB Leipzig at home, Arsenal at home, Istanbul Basaksehir away and then a newly resurgent Everton. It’s a streak that could ruin any managerial spell, as well as the chances of a return to the Champions League, the true bottom line of United’s corporate structure.
Even the fact that many of these games are at Old Trafford does not necessarily make Solskjaer fall in love with, as the advantage of playing at home has apparently been eroded under the current circumstances.
Then there is the way this race begins with an uncomfortable trip to Newcastle. It was exactly this match that he lost last season, in a loss that seemed to define so many problems with the team, especially when they face opponents in the middle of the table.
Steve Bruce will enjoy his possibilities.
Crystal Palace certainly did, as did Brighton and Hove Albion.
Palace players felt a “lethargy” in the United team in that first game, which could be put to them. Brighton simply felt they had a better idea of football, which could expose United. Graham Potter’s side felt that sheer misfortune cost them that match.
These reflect recurring problems for Solskjaer, and do not exactly work against a senior European coach’s assessment that “it is out of reach.”
A core of United players have long wondered about the depth of the attack approach, and they fear that Solskjaer is probably not innovative in that regard. There is a belief that the coach does not know his best midfield or his best team.
This week, a player privately told a friend that “the training is very basic” and “lacks creativity”, and said the Norwegian feels “insecure” at the moment.
Some have spoken of a “malaise” around the staff.
“The vast majority like Ole, and he’s seen as a good manager,” says a connected source. But does everyone respect him as a manager? I’m not sure. They ended up hating Jose [Mourinho]but they knew it was good. Solskjaer probably needs some wins to restore his credibility with the players. “
For their part, some players also need some performances to regain credibility with the club. There is a lot of guilt for everyone. Some of those same players, including the most skeptical of Solskjaer, cannot understand how the club did not do more in the transfer market. An influential starter feels it was a missed kicking opportunity and couldn’t figure out why he didn’t hire a defender. Ruben Dias was supposedly a deal “waiting” to be done. He is now at Manchester City.
It all adds up to a series of problems on the team and on the field. They become apparent when you start to walk through it.
David de Gea is said to be “two mistakes to fall for you,” with the return of Dean Henderson creating uncertainty in a position that requires definitiveness. Against that, the defense has been a disaster. That is personified by Harry Maguire, who has been in disarray since his arrest in Greece. The poor form spell has exposed issues that were already there despite his role as a defensive leader, such as his lack of pace. That can still be fixed with the correct setup, but United does not appear to be able to put it in place. An underperforming Victor Lindelof is on the team because there is not enough competition, and Eric Bailly is seen as too prone to errors. The hope is that Alex Telles can solve what has been described as “the left-back problem”, but there are also doubts about how the Brazilian had not left Porto, which was supposed to be a gateway to Europe for the best South American Players: before the age of 27.
Against that, the midfield poses the biggest problem of all in terms of tactics, and perhaps all the work. Paul Pogba is a problem that precedes Solskjaer. While initially there had been quite a bit of enthusiasm for how he worked with Bruno Fernandes, that has led to dysfunction. Training camp sources say Pogba hates playing a more withdrawn role and feels he should be more advanced. That would likely require removing one of the two creators, although many in the club would have no problem with either.
United sources insist that stories of a dispute involving Fernandes during the Spurs game are “totally false”, and the player made sure to deny it on international service, but is known to be agitated. Others think that Fernandes is becoming “too big for his boots”, especially since his own form has slumped. Either way, the midfield balance currently looks wrong, and that’s even before he got to the underutilized Donny van de Beek.
Solskjaer may need to show that he has the strength to make a difficult decision. The same applies to the beginning. Edinson Cavani’s arrival will likely see one of Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford fall, two players whose improved form had previously been among Solskjaer’s genuine hits.
However, even the very name of United’s starting eleven has the potential to cause political problems for the Norwegian. After the nature of the loss to Spurs, and the way Solskjaer berated the players involved, those left on the bench would be aggrieved if they don’t get their chance now.
Solskjaer could well have a situation where around £ 1 million in weekly wages (De Gea, Maguire, one from Pogba or Fernandes, one from Martial or Rashford) are sitting on the bench or in serious doubt about their places. Such salary reflects their higher status in the team, and that these leaders find themselves in such situations shows this dysfunction, especially in recruitment.
Solskjaer can be understandably aggrieved that he failed to achieve any of his main goals, or many signings that solved immediate first-team problems. Similarly, agitating publicly about this could only create another problem at the wrong time. One of the criticisms has been that he is a “yes man”, in total contrast to Mourinho.
It all adds up to a great month, starting with this game against Newcastle. That offers a crucial potential comparison for the board for another reason.
Last season’s loss in this match sparked another losing streak, the kind that has become a curiously common streak in Solskjaer’s time, but also a response.
The team went on to beat Spurs and City in successive games, through displays of substantial commitment.
It shows how you can possibly stop this situation and get great results from the great months. That could be what United has to count on, but also what decides things.
“Then they played for Solskjaer,” says the same source. “Were you playing for him against the Spurs last week? The performances in these games will tell a lot. “
They may well decide their future.
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