Ole is at the wheel. Viva Ronaldo. World champions twice. The Manchester United away fans remain as vocal as any in the land and they have had a good run of it too. But that fine record of 29 games without defeat came to a halt against Leicester.
There was still applause for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he went over to acknowledge their support following United's 4-2 defeat at the King Power Stadium. But how long can performances such as this one be tolerated as expectations rise?
Almost three years into the job, the early signs this season suggest that Manchester United are still not good enough to compete for the title. Eight games in and they are adrift of the three favourites - three teams all coached by Champions League winning managers.
There can be no talk of misfortune. The performances have been poor. Everton could have won at Old Trafford, the win at Wolves was scarcely deserved, and the late victory over West Ham required a stoppage-time goal and a penalty save from David de Gea.
Solskjaer was quick to stress that it is allowed for his goalkeeper to make saves but the problem for United is that sometimes the individual heroics will not be enough. De Gea was just as impressive again at Leicester and yet he still conceded four goals.
Mason Greenwood scored a stunner, a goal from nothing. Marcus Rashford responded to his manager's call for him to prioritise his football by coming off the bench on his return to the team and finding a swift equaliser. They were behind again within seconds.
Manchester United have Bruno Fernandes, the player to have created the most chances this season. They have Luke Shaw, the player to have created the most from set plays, and Paul Pogba, the man with the most assists. They have Cristiano Ronaldo.
"When you are playing against Manchester United, they have a team full of incredible players," said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers afterwards. Somehow, it is still not close to being enough.
The synergy is not there. They remain less than the sum of their parts. Through sheer quality, a top-four finish remains likely, but if United want to win the title, if they are to take the next step, it will not be enough to put the players on the pitch and hope it clicks.
It is almost a quarter of a century since a team won the Premier League without averaging two points per game - Solskjaer will remember that as it was United during his first season at the club as a player. Under his management, it still looks beyond them.
"When they play a team with an organisation and a methodology, they are going to get pulled apart and that is what is happening," Gary Neville told Sky Sports on Saturday.
Leicester have had problems of their own of late, the victory over United ending a run of four games without a win. But it was not a result that just happened. It was the consequence of a conspicuous plan devised by the coach and executed by the players.
Rodgers talked of returning to their identity, their blueprint. "We did some work on being tactically better in the game, but most of it was about the emotional side of it, not being passive. We had been way too passive in some of our games this season.
"That intent then spreads to your football. We spoke about that. We are at our best when we are pressing teams, being a horrible team to play against. That turns the temperature up in the game for us. That means we have the ball higher up the pitch.
"So, fixing it [was about] filling the gaps at the back, getting the speed on the sides, getting the footballers in the middle of the field and getting us pressing again, synchronised as a team. That was what we spoke about and worked on."
That coordinated structure with and without the ball is lacking at United and it is not a problem that is easily solvable. Ronaldo, for example, is a weapon to be wielded rather than moulded at this stage of his career. He does not press. He needs others to run for him.
How can Solskjaer find that balance when the same might be said of Fernandes and Pogba, players who are better with the ball than without it. The latter's continued presence in a deeper role in midfield is making United far too easy to play against.
At Leicester, Pogba was alongside the ageing Nemanja Matic. "Their central midfield players were not pressing," said Rodgers, "so we could be patient and move the ball through the pitch into some really good areas where we could put pressure on their back line."
Rodgers might have surprised his opponents by opting for a back three for the first time this season but just as significant was the presence of Kelechi Iheanacho and James Maddison, the pair starting alongside Jamie Vardy for the first time since May.
The result was that Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire dropped deeper in fear of the pace up front. They had little choice given the lack of pressure on the ball in attack but that merely opened up the space for Maddison to exploit. He revelled in the role.
Some of the passages of play were damning. It was Subbuteo stuff from Leicester as United's static midfield was bypassed, Youri Tielemans able to peel off and pick out Maddison in those not so little pockets. They didn't even have to move it that quickly.
"We were too easy to play through," acknowledged Solskjaer.
"I would not say that is only Nemanja and Paul, it is the team as a whole. We need to be compact, we need to be more aggressive. I think we dealt with the runs in behind well enough but maybe by dropping off a bit, we gave them too much space."
It strikes at the heart of another key question. What sort of team do Manchester United want to be? They are not committed to a pressing game but nor is there a coherent strategy to keep the ball. Without that dominance, they will always appear vulnerable.
How do United address that? Neville wants workhorses in the team but the temptation is always going to be there to find a way to put the best players on the pitch. Could Solskjaer drop Sancho for Scott McTominay and move Pogba back out to the left wing?
It might bring a more stable structure but it would also highlight the imbalance in quality in this team. It would mean consigning a £73m buy to join Rashford, Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani on the bench while fielding a midfield of McTominay and Matic.
Perhaps that will spark calls for another expensive acquisition, the supposed final piece in the puzzle. But when the patterns in possession and out of possession are so unclear, this still feels like a problem of coaching as much as it is a problem of personnel.
Again, Rodgers' words were revealing.
He ran through the list in his press conference after the game. "You have Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo. You have Mason, what a strike and what a young player he is.
"You have Jadon Sancho and Marcus to come into the game. There is huge, huge talent. As a team, you have got to be so synchronised in your press to stop the ball getting to them."
Leicester found that synchronicity. Manchester United still cannot. Until they do, the risk remains that Solskjaer's embarrassment of riches will become a mere embarrassment.
AdPrayer
0
why has Ole bought Sancho? Do we really need him? Lindelof can't pair Maguire, never! The coach needs to be sacked!
cababemnou
0
The last stuffs I mentioned like he’s not gotten the right formation and players to use when using a particular formation plus the pairing is not there are what he’s working on….he still really doesn’t have any sense of the art or substitution…no. Like seriously
cababemnou
0
Just leave this dude…he’s just getting the team he wants not the one they left behind for him…this guy signed wan bissaka(the spider) you do hail him…Bruno(the magic feet)he’s good, got cavani for free, he wore the cursed No.7 shirt under ole and did well 😂😂..this man you are asking to be sacked brought the likes of Maguire,Varane, Alex telles ,van de beek who he’s struggling to use to the reds….This same coach brought Greenwood into lame light💡and even sancho who is still slowly adapting but still a top shot….the team now looks some what complete just this season….give this man time to get the best out of his players….literally all this man wants to do is okay…what’s the best formation to use , what’s the other formation we can use and just in case these two aren’t working in the match what other one can we turn to? Now we’ve got too many new players at man utd trying to adapt to the atmosphere and to each other most importantly, they tend to always build a bond(chemistry),we still lack that a bit, Ronaldo should be given the ball at least on a scale of % it’d be 55% by me but he rarely gets the ball ,the ones he gets he fires 🔥 it in⚽️🥅….yay!!!….Golazo…He’s still hasn’t gotten the right formation to use and the player to use…he’s still really hasn’t gotten the idea of substituting the right players at the crucial moments…and he’s also trying to deal with the academy well …..bringing Elanga,shoretire and the few remaining others to the first team, he also got garner ,Angel including Facundo that was both alongside Amad Diallo for the youth side , he’s relying on his instincts….Don’t blame even if he’s yet to deliver us a cup😂😂 Liverpool waited to get their premier league title after 30 years…..A dear Football ⚽️fan🥅
rihnpruz
0
Yes. Shearer got a very good point.. The whole team didn't know whether to go or sit! They are playing half hearted and no fighting spirit, it's total failure and unaccounted for. Look at Man C, Chelsea, Liverpool, all these teams are performing so much better. They fight for every chance to win... it will be sickening to watch another match ( against Liverpool especially) if we are not going to win.. BUCK UP TEAM!! YOU ARE MAN UNITED!!
reycikmpu
2
no match day team management and poor match approach.
zuzabcotz
0
very right
Its_Sally04
2
... do you guys want to win all games in a season or what? everything is just Ole?
nahadmtuz
0
For sure, Ole is a man without plan. He should be fired right now.
Nkemooo
0
I personally I've decided to stop watching Manchester United match ole will be sack
Semacisuy
1
So Leicester was supposed to lose
EriesYugEvng
0
I will support Liverpool against us
Cimdkps
0
I earlier said Ole is a very good coach but not good enough for o win trophies. as long as man utd keeps Ole there will be no silverware.
ManCityFanForever
2
Ungrateful united fans forgot what Ole gave to them
daheroda8
0
The players are so lazy and slow. Can't press opposition at all. Disappointing performance.
kukdknoyz
1
Salah would still dribble past them😂
True. I like your sense of humour.
mediprsty
1
Pliz all man utd fans in UK don't buy the tickets for the next game so that they know that we are not happy with the coach
muhdiksy
0
It’s going to be 3seasons with no trophy. If by November Ole is still the couch,I will be surprised! Absolutely clueless with no tattics. Buys players and bench them. If I had this team in my Fifa I will be the best in the world
ankitttttttttrtr
0
Ronaldo is useless now, he can't even give a proper pass or even dribble past one player, I prefer Cavani over CR7....
Was waiting for one dumb post - you act like before Ronaldo under Ole you were winning cups😂
Lazie
0
I understnd it's hard to fire him because he is a nice guy,but face it,if this was s one other manager they would have been searching for his replacement already
Mourinho would have been long gone with this performance, the management are hypocritical
Lazie
0
Give Ole another 5 year contracts is a very good plan for United football club
😂😂😂
Lazie
1
In THE DAILY STAR of October 17, OLE GUNAR SOLSKJAER was quoted as asking thus: "Do we need more legs..." I say, YES. You need to sign SPIDERS AND OCTOPUS before you face Liverpool 😜😂
Salah would still dribble past them😂
Lazie
0
A title winning team with a scout as the coach. SMH
Hansolo
2
What plan??? He only has the process.
Zawabcekry
2
Ole is not making good use off what he has in this team
Zawabcekry
3
Yes let him leave this team for now….he is not the man utd need to get what thy want
Kozakotu
3
Ronaldo is useless now, he can't even give a proper pass or even dribble past one player, I prefer Cavani over CR7....
FrenkieT
3
Now it's time for even worst days😂
kukdknoyz
2
In THE DAILY STAR of October 17, OLE GUNAR SOLSKJAER was quoted as asking thus: "Do we need more legs..." I say, YES. You need to sign SPIDERS AND OCTOPUS before you face Liverpool 😜😂
GoatLingard
4
Give Ole another 5 year contracts is a very good plan for United football club
titioruy
2
ole out
Deocknryz
3
We are in need of a high pressing midfield, that can get themselves dirty and make fast forward runs with the ball. Fred and McTominay has done it before, Pogba and Lingard are good with forward runs when told to do so. Dalot and Shaw can give us the wide attacks and their crossing ability is great.
Bueeikmptu
1
yes oooo that is true
sisadekmsu
2
Please bring Antonio Conte, not Zidane
sisadekmsu
1
Ole will take our team nowhere
homacdklo
2
Almost 3 season as a man united manager ,but still can't see improvement.
haubdnsz
1
I understnd it's hard to fire him because he is a nice guy,but face it,if this was s one other manager they would have been searching for his replacement already
haubdnsz
1
A naive and weak manager.Can't take the team forward.He has done all h3 has within him to do.Time to move on before more time is being lost for no good reason
patapata
0
naive coach!
cimamry
0
l want Ole to succeed in United,but the way l see things, l doubt, he cannot be consistent,one fine win today,one draw tomorrow,then one lost the next time, what kind of coaching style is this ? infact it will pain me if Ole do not succeed in United and he is sacked,it will dent his coaching career.he has all the time and chance to succeed in United but his inconsistency will fail him,he must wake up, good luck.
cimamry
3
Ole is like a woman who has been given all the right cooking materials to prepare a good meal but can't prepare, Ole has all the players to give fans the results, what is he waiting for ???
cutbimosy
0
ole out
cimamry
1
certainly Ole cannot take United to the promise Land,Ole out"
cahcmtu
0
Unpopular opinion : if psg lose everyone will blame messi If MU lose everyone will blame ole
EmmaJosAkyediepa
0
all am waiting for is Ole is sacked by Man united
riedeiprty
3
Man Utd will never win any trophy under OGS, even if the team full of Hollywood star players.
ChelseaFC_Addict
1
[image]
Fred is lazy Pogba can't press relentlessly so he must exchange position with Bruno Matic is strong but he's slow to reaction and can't press relentlessly I say Play Van de Beek with Scot Mctominay against high pressing teams they can be good at counter-pressing they have the speed and the energy to run back and forth
Bimklrtuz
0
A great club with great players and a good for nothing manager. Brentford a team of less known players, well organized by Thomas Frank, gave their all against Chelsea but we're unlucky not to score. we need an experienced mgr who knows how to manage these great players. Manchester United sud replaced the manager fast before we end up with nothing.
I'm saying that manager like Frank read the game and organise his team accordingly and gave Chelsea a fright.
Oketch123
0
True tactless styleless fellow bure kabisa