Some of it does, definitely. But the ‘legacy’ players have a host of problems, basically the same problem but from previous management regimes. Their club culture seems to be an absolute mess. A forward not picking up the runs of their opposing fullback is fairly fundamental, really speaks to a lack of motivation. Granted, that does circle back to no longer believing in a manager. Given Toon’s injury situation, the fact that they sustained a much higher tempo for the whole match is fairly damning. Sometimes it can be the players AND the manager.
I thought Onana actually had a decent match, only 4 of Newcastle’s 22 shots were actually on goal but he prevented quite a bit of play in the box in a match that was mostly played in the ManU end.
The most stunning thing of all the leaks coming out of the dressing room was the complaint that ETH was working them too hard during the pre-season. Can you imagine that happening under Klopp? I’d want to get whomever said that out of the dressing room ASAP.
I’m sure ETH rubs people up the wrong way, and is part of the problem. But it is much bigger than that. Recruitment, training, club structure, unity, uncertainty over being sold, etc.
Massive issues to sort out there.
If they are wise (and they are not) Jimbo comes in with a top director of football and they appoint a new manager and set about fixing it over the long term.
They will have to take some short term losses to start to get leverage in the transfer market, and on wages, as they have overpaid for a while, and that needs a reset too.
They need to recruit the best kids under a top football man, fire them up, and build a team, with a smattering of senior pros who have the right attitude.
Hang on, Varane joined a year before Ten Hag. @SBYM@mubbsy, put this prawn sandwich brigade glory merchant in his place, let him know that ManU are not a sacking club.
Stay off the Liverpool comparisons, you’ll get found out
That was always going to be an issue, you can only work them hard for so long and that period will be much shorter for those not used to it and either think themselves above it or incapable of sustaining it due to age or injury. But they haven’t appeared capable of signing players who thrive on that either which just adds fuel to the fire…
I’d like to think that any player approached by Man U will now turn to his current teammates and management and say “That’s it! You people have stood in my way long enough! I’m going to clown college.”
