The Premier League thread

I liked him as a personality and I also think he was treated like absolute shit, particularly over the summer whilst Ineos actively courted replacements in his face.

However, he’s not worked and just watching his press conference the other day, his communication in English was sometimes painful, and I imagine this will have hindered getting his plans in motion in training or pitch side or even in terms of motivation pre game, half time etc. I don’t like Virgil van Dijk but seeing him interviewed post match last night, the difference in eloquence from a countryman was stark.

I think Ineos are looking less and less business savvy as they now have to pay him a full year for a few months’ work. I’d also be a bit squeaky bum if I was a middling former Ajax player at the moment which obviously now translates to about 80% of the team!

I will say Erik was one dapper motherf*cker. I bet whoever we get isn’t as well dressed.

Anyway, I’ll conclude with something about looking a cow in the ass.

Don't be silly - Alex Ferguson is now out of a job. The stars have aligned.

"Quick, someone draw up a list of managers who are either available or have been linked with other jobs in the last two years..."

We really do expect far too much from journos, as if they actually know anything.

Ten Hag wasn't the best answer. But he also isn't the problem. The problem is United's terrible transfer policy imo. It's worse than Chelsea's and that's saying something. Chelsea have the luxury of somehow buying an entirely new team each season, including throwing 80-120m at single big signings.

United buy players in a similar, seemingly scattergun approach, but without the volume. They've accrued some absolute dross over the last 4 or 5 years. Look at this summer's signings: De Ligt (good one at least), Kone (who), Mazraoui (Bayern fringe player), Ugarte (who, despite being a second coming over Christ according to some people in here), Yoro (who), Zirkzee (great hair, but who).

It feels so untargeted. Then look at, I dunno Arsenal. Merino - solid if not amazing player, but makes total sense in Arsenal team. Calafiori, solid player, makes total sense. Sterling, bit of a punt, but loan can't hurt too badly. Villa as well - some great signings.

It's ThE cUlTuRe

Never thought he was going to last. Even in our first season, which was his best, I wasn't convinced.

His record in Europe has been nothing short of a complete joke, and has broken awful records all over the place. Honestly don't even know where we go from here, but doubt it will be any worse.

He alone is not the problem.

It's disingenuous to suggest he's not big part of the problem too, though.

His coaching and tactics have been predominantly poor and he's unable to change them. Not sure who we think oversaw all those signings you've mentioned (Kone, who's a under-17 maybe not), though. I wonder where the motivation for all these ex-Ajax players and players who'd previously played for the manager came from... 

Yes, there are cultural problems, but let's not pretend that's all there are. I personally believe whoever comes in next is NOT going to radically change things, but some willingness to recognise when things just don't work would be a big step forward.

I’m pretty sure it’s not even a conspiracy theory anymore that city and Liverpool get the majority of decisions. I mean Oliver was being jet setted off to Saudi to referee games by the Man City owners not long ago. It’s disgusting…

just saw the video of this. He was sure a lucky boy.

Southgate came out and said a few weeks ago that he is taking at least a year off so it won't be him. Thank god.

Wonder if this news will tempt @solid-SCB- back?

I hope they give it to Ruud. He's got Utd DNA.

Yeah, but it was the UAE, not Saudi, where he went and refereed a game. So the the concern over conflict of interest still remains.

I think that was just an honest mistake rather than a "they're all the same" implication.

Yes that was a bit of lazy casual racism, consider me told...

The amount of times I've been called Dutch though. I'm disappointed in you Brits.