In January, Manchester United sent Marcus Rashford and Antony on loan. The stats up until departure show that United didn’t lose particularly in terms of scoring power, but part of the story is that the two forwards have delivered goals and assists at a high pace for their new clubs. The problem for Ruben Amorim was also that United did not bring in any offensive forces. Goals haven’t been scored, but the United manager thinks it’s worth it. When we hear the Portuguese talk like he does all the time, we feel the irritation rising for what happened in November 2021.
We have heard the message since Amorim’s first days at Old Trafford: This is going to be chaos, changes must be made now to remove it before next season, the plan must be kept through adversity. Adversity has been, the only bright spot is the Europa League semi-finals.
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United supporters have seen their attacking players almost refuse to score, with even Harry Maguire having to run into attack for the club to score. Still, Amorim insists that extra goals would only have brought short-term joy to the supporters.
“We sent some players away in January, and we didn’t bring in anyone to replace them. Of course, there was a risk,” Amorim begins, according to the BBC.
“But there are more important things than scoring ten more goals this season. We are trying to create something that is much more important. We can wear out the squad now, but it will help the club in the future,” Amorim said before the Bournemouth game.
We try to create something that is more important than ten extra goals.
For those who have followed the coaches who have come and gone, it is a recurring theme that it is built long-term. The reality has been that all the United managers, who have been chanting the message of “long-term build-up” since Ferguson, have been sacked when results are not forthcoming.
Had Ole Gunnar Solskjaer been given the same patience as it seems Amorim gets, despite absolutely horrendous results in the Premier League, we think Manchester United would not have been in the miserable situation they have been in the last two seasons. Solskjaer went back to his roots at United without lingering on the past, gave the players confidence, weeded out the “weeds in the squad”, once again gave United supporters a stable leader after Mourinho.
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We let the Premier League’s summary of Solskjaer’s performances as Manchester United manager explain why United would have been in a very different position if Solskjaer had been given anywhere near the patience Ratcliffe and the gang show Amorim:
-In December 2018, Solskjaer was confirmed as interim manager of Man Utd for the rest of the season.
-After 10 wins out of 13 in the Premier League and a comeback win against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, he was rewarded with a three-year contract.
-In his first full season as manager, Solskjaer led Man Utd to a third-place finish, securing UEFA Champions League qualification for the 2020/21 season.
-United in second place in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season – 12 points behind champions Manchester City – the Red Devils also lost the Europa League final to Villarreal on penalties.
A run of one win in seven games in the Premier League saw Solskjaer leave Old Trafford in November 2021, with the Red Devils seventh in the table, 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.
United legend Terry Sheringham believes Solskjaer will one day return as Manchester United manager, but the continuity Solskjaer built up was lost on a few chaotic days in November 2021 – 12 points behind the league leader.
All about Bournemouth – Manchester United
