Manchester United played Chelsea this Tuesday at Stamford Bridge. With two wins under the belt for Ole against Lampard this season, Lampard would be looking to seek vengeance for the losses incurred this season against United.

United went into the game with a strong midfield of an inform Fred, a creative in Bruno and a solid defending midfielder in Matic. On form however, United had not won a game in their past 9 away games and were looking to capitalise with their opportunity against Chelsea who they’ve already won twice this season.

United were the first team to break the deadlock with a tempting pass by AWB to Martial who had a world class header into the back of the net.

The next goal came by United again with a corner from Bruno Fernandes saw Maguire on the end to another header and the ball into the back of the net. With United 2-0 up, they backed off and the defensive capabilities from Bailly and Maguire proved to be a strong defensive partnership.

Although, they key talking point however is the VAR. Quite a number of controversial decisions had been decided via VAR. Maguire’s kick to Batshuayi had been a straight red card yet VAR deemed it had no violent conduct. Another was the Azplicueta push on Williamson. VAR is ruining the emotion in football and yet even with its introduction, it’s not improving the decision making in football.

For Ole however, I still believe he must go in the summer. Even if he gets Champions League football, he is to go as he is tactically inept and with Freds’ comments about him, United won’t be on the upward with him and the current coaching staff. Relishing on teams’ mistakes and capitalising on the break through counter attacks are not tactics for a top level club. Ole is doing a great job in the rebuilding and forming the foundation for the club to build upon, but to complete the project, that’s for another manager. Pochettino? Allegri? We’ll see.

Imad – 22/02/20

Yes. Here at the Manchester United Blog, we bring to you the current updates in our squad. The latest news for players leaving and joining is right here.

Bruno Fernandes

Yes! He is finally signed United fans. Manchester United made a bid of £47 million which was accepted by Sporting. His signing is vital for United’s lacklustre midfield after the injuries to Pogba and McTominay. Running with Paul Schole’s number 18, he has high potential and talent with high expectations in Scholesy’s footsteps. We hope he is the player United need to finish fourth, providing key passes in the midfield and a compact defense style. A box-to-box player, a certainly key signing for United.

Rating: 9/10

Odion Ighalo

Who you may ask? The striker United need indeed. He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s strong, he’s also from the Chinese Super League? United have loaned him out for the rest of the season from the Chinese Super League Shanghai Greenland Shenhua. With Rashford injured for around 3 months and Martial carrying the heavy workload; United haven’t had anyone to rely on for strike purposes in the past month and signing a striker had been a pivotal signing for the rest of the season. It is now up to United fans to back him as he is premier league proven and strong striking skills.

Rating 8/10

Marcos Rojo

As for Marcos Rojo, he is loaned out to Estudiantes LP. He did get some chances throughout this season but his performances have been anything but average. His time for United had been up for a while now and this loan may end with a departure as well.

Rating: 9/10

Imad – 1/02/20

United held a comprehensive win against Manchester City midweek in the EFL Cup Semi-Final second leg but fell short to make it through to the final. With City completely dominating the first game with a 3-1 win, they had been in the hot seats for the replay at the Etihad as United had a mountain to climb.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played with a 5-3-2 formation although the formation changed to 3-5-2 in attack. United held the threshold of the game and scored a decisive goal with Nemanja Matic at the end of the goal.

Even with the goal, United hadn’t been able to score again apart from a header from Maguire which soared over the City bar. A good win to raise confidence for the side in the hopes of a top 4 finish.

Imad – 31/01/20

Manchester United thumped Tranmere in the FA Cup with a 6-0 against Tranmere progressing through to the next round in the cup competition. Albeit their distasteful performances in recent week, most importantly the 2-0 loss to Burnely at home.

Even with Rashford injured and Phil Jones in the backline, United reemerged once again with the 6 goals coming from 6 different players. A pleasing long range shot from Maguire found the back of the net before Dalot thumped it across towards the bottom left corner to increase the lead to 2. A ball passed into the net by Lingard and a header by Phil Jones further increased the lead to 4-0 before Martial made it 5 just before half-time. Greenwood then scored a penalty in the second half as United raced through to the next round in the FA Cup.

A certain confidence boost for Ole and the side before their upcoming clash against Manchester City in the EFL Cup semi-final. This performance however, will not cover up United’s misfortunes and problems as the same mistakes and complications have been concurrent since Sir Alex’s departure in 2013. The Glazers and Woodward in particular have been behind them. A reset button should be pressed from the top for United and a large scale investment must be invoked in order for United to progress.

Having a banker in charge for the signings of the club is bizarre and fans have erupted against United’s management calling for the Glazers and Woodward to leave. For Ole now, it is up to him to continue this momentum as his time at the club looks to be nearing to the end.

Imad – 27/01/20

Another day, and another win as the mighty roars were heard after the final whistle at Anfield with their bitter win against rivals Manchester United. One team looked like a team cruising and battling for the premier league title while the other looked to have a kick about in their opponents backyard with the impetuous crumble, inevitable. We’ll let you decide which is which.

United conceded an early goal as Van Dijk thumped a header past De Gea. With the lack of creativity and leadership in the United side, no one had stepped up and began to decide United’s fate as it seemed it already had been sealed by Klopp’s tactical masterclass. Let United have the ball with a low back line. A big chance had been created by Wan Bissaka’s cross but it hadn’t been capitalised by Perreira. In the dying minutes of the game, Salah sealed the deal and Liverpool ended the game in their fashionable desire and leaving United fans heartbroken.

Ole’s tactical ineptness had been shown once again but another factor is with the lack of investment and no director of football for the club. Gary Neville has said the problems surfacing United are not Ole’s fault but Woodward’s. That may be true with the former bank manager having made no improvements in his past 13 years at United. Will United be the next AC Milan? United fans, fear the worst as long as this goes on. It had been quite evident the different levels of United and Liverpool and how far Liverpool have come in terms of progress. With both Manchester City and Liverpool excelling, tough times have called for United fans as Arteta’s appointment is proving to be of significant value for Arsenal as well.

Imad – 21/01/20

United progressed through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after their firm defense and a goal from Juan Mata proved to be good enough against Wolves.

After a boring, stalemate draw in the first game, both teams looked to get onto the score sheet and proceed towards the next round in the FA Cup draw. With United coming off a convincing win against Norwich City in the Premier League, the 13 time premier league holders looked to advance into the next round with a win against Wolves.

The first half reflected the game before as both teams went into halftime scoreless albeit the performance by Wolves and their ball control. With a goal disallowed by VAR for Wolves and with a string of luck, United scored the only goal of the game with Mata being at the end off it from Martial’s ball.

This will certainly augment United’s confidence going into their rival clash against the undefeated Liverpool on Sunday. However, it is not all sunshine and rainbows for United as they’re tormented with immense uncertainty from Rashford’s recent acquainted back injury. Ole’s decision to substitute Rashford certainly backfired and he is uncertain to be played against Liverpool as he limped off the field against Wolves. Rashford is a mere problem United face with United’s injury list now consisting of an extra member.

Nonetheless, the win against Wolves shines brightly in Ole’s favour, however he has still yet to put in a performance whereby United have a tactic played. Counter attacking seems to be his only option and games against Liverpool and City will be interesting to see whether Ole is put under scrutiny of a ‘sacking’ by Woodward or an uplift for his attitude with the players and a long awaited aim to solidify convincing performances.

Imad – 17/01/20

A 4-0 victory at Old Trafford against Norwich City surged Manchester United to fifth place in the Premier League table. With Ole’s side putting up a collection of abysmal performances over the past two weeks, a regain of form had been a necessity for top 4 chances and with the fans enraged with the lack of tactical depth Ole possesses, a time for a change was on the rise.

United were a changed side and creativity through the midfield had been expressed by Juan Mata who gave a peach of a ball to Rashford far post who finished the chance without difficulty. United proceeded to win a penalty in the 52′ minute and Rashford laid it past Krul as United went up 2-0. Two minutes later and Martial scored a header from Mata’s cross. A 76′ minute goal sealed the match as Greenwood struck past Krul from 20 yards out.

A surge of confidence from the performance will help for United’s clash against Wolves midweek in the FA Cup replay. Although, the big game will be on Sunday as United will take on league leaders and undefeated Liverpool away. Will Liverpool proceed to run reckless and increase their undefeated run or will United do what no one thought possible? Only time will tell.

Imad – 14/01/20

Transfer news just in. Ashley Young will be joining the Italian giants at the end of the season after a 9 year run with Manchester United. The Manchester United captain’s contract ends at the end of the season and with United unlikely to renew it, he is set to have a fresh start in Milan.

Young will become the latest Manchester United star to join Inter after the signings of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez this past summer.

With United left without a captain and Ole’s recent countless accomplices to the armband from Maguire, De Gea, Rashford and Lingard, United are left without a leader. It’s time for Ole to step up and bring in a strong suitable candidate to wear the armband and lead United. The lack of leadership in the squad is evident and it’s imperative for the team to be led.

United to splash money for a new signing this transfer window looks highly unlikely and if this calamity of a season is to become worst, it will be due to the lack of infantry in the squad. Being one of the youngest teams, United don’t have a leader who could be captain and with Ole’s lack of team management, things will only get worst from here.

Imad – 09/01/20

The semi-final of the Carabao Cup ended between the two Manchester sides 3-1 in City’s favour. A bitter and sweet victory for City while a cold and fragmented night for United. With City running rampant, United laid down in their cul de sac hoping the nightmare would end soon only to be torn apart throughout the whole game.

United looked to regain a run of form after a miserable defeat against Arsenal last week and a boring, stalemate defeat by Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday. On the contrary, City hoped to cement another final in their sights, giving them a chance to win another trophy in Guardiola’s campaign.

The semi-final began in its usual sort between two rivals, a press contest to win the ball and attack the opposition. Although, City were quick to break down United’s press and attack their defence aggressively. It was not long before they broke the deficit from a wonderful strike from Bernardo Silva leaving De Gea stranded and helpless. City continued the press and swamped the midfield and another chance had been created with Mahrez sending the final touches into the net raising the scoreline to 2-0. A world class save from De Gea was followed up with an own goal from Perreira bringing a 3 goal advantage on City’s behalf at halftime.

A constellation goal from Marcus Rashford shows some sort of respect in the scoreline as the game finished 3-1. United’s academy graduates were behind the scoring of the goal, demonstrating the need for investment for United.

Ole’s one trick tactic has been found out by all if not most of the Premier League managers and this game had been a perfect demonstration of it. Tactically inept and ‘schooled’ by Pep Guardiola, some fans say it is time to appoint a more experienced manager who has a vision and future for the club. Ole has been at the club for 13 months yet there is no showcase of tactics or vision from his performances. Creating chances from the break is not a tactic and yet, this is shown from United’s performances with no other strategy placed.

It’s time for Ole to step up or step out as there seems to be no desire to change the inevitable; United remain in the same position 8 months ago, trophy-less and finishing sixth. Except this time, it could be seventh with the revival of Arsenal from Mikel Arteta who per say, has a vision and future for the club. As for United, they still go onto torment their fans.

Imad – 08/01/20

United were victim to a heavy defeat against Arsenal on new years day as the gunners ran triumphant to their recent managerial succession under Mikel Arteta. On the contrary, Ole’s side lacked creativity with very few options to play in the midfield due to Pogba’s and McTominay’s recent injuries having them ruled out for the game.

Nonetheless, Arsenal started on the front foot with pressure on United’s midfield and holding possession of the ball through their attack. An 8′ minute Kolasinac cross found Pepe at the far post who scored to put his side in front. Arsenal’s pressed pressure found United on the back-end of the clash and a second goal had been inevitable for Arsenal. A save by De Gea from Arsenal’s corner into Sokratis’ path made it an easy task to blast the ball into the net.

The second half found a surge in United’s attacking conduct however, it was not much to break apart Arsenal’s rigid defence. The game finished from the start for United with the game ending 2-0 in Arsenal’s favour.

The performance certainly assuaged the fears of Arsenal fans’ recent doubt of Mikel Arteta’s appointment. Their high quality attack led by Pepe was unprecedented and this game will prompt a surge of confidence for Arteta’s side who will be hopeful for the remainder of the season.

As for United and Ole, the only trick up his sleeve seems to be denoted by other teams who have answers to his questions. His desire to improve and bring the best out of United is surely wondrous but the results this season have been dismaying. The coaching staff’s inept judgments have led to Manchester United’s dismay. Blaming the defeat to Pogba wanting to leave or to the squad’s horrid performance only points to the problems rather than for the club to find solutions. Why wouldn’t Pogba want to move elsewhere from this wretched and angst of the current situation at the club? His unprofessionalism may be unforgivable but his statements were not wrong were they?

It may be preposterous to claim Ole is not fit for the job and that United should look for an experienced manager, but it should be taken into consideration, certainly after the appointment of three time Champions League winner, Carlo Ancelotti, to Everton. One could argue that Ole has been brought into clear the deadwood in the club but to bring trophies and success is a mystery to remain unsolved. A stronger coaching staff with an experienced manager is crucial for United and it may be necessary in these times.

As for now, United will need to regain their confidence in forward for their next to heavy clashes against Wolves in the FA Cup and Manchester City in the EFL Cup semi-final. Let’s hope for a ‘performance’ by United.

Imad – 02/01/20