It certainly does feel like we have made more progress as a club and a team since Ten Hag arrived. The feel-good factor was definitely back amongst fans for much of this season.
But ...
Have we really made any progress? I saw a stat yesterday after the pathetic loss at Newcastle that through this stage of the season we are only 3 points better off than at this point last season , which we can all agree was arguably our worst ever season in the PL era.
Our away record against the big six is terrible this season. Players like Bruno , Sancho and Weghorst continue to disappoint in these matches. And the Manager's tactics or lack thereof and his substitutions in away matches this season have been pretty confusing too.
Antony is not everybody's cup of tea but in a lot of these big matches he's the only one who offers any attacking option yet he's almost always the first one to be taken off ... often for Sancho who's just too soft to have any impact in games especially if the other team are right in our faces like Newcastle were yesterday.
And oh by the way , we'll be out of the top 4 tonight if Tottenham beat Everton
Progress
posted on 3/4/23
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 15 minutes ago
Progress can only be judged in the summer really. Granted we did win a cup but we hardly had a tough route to the final. In previous attempts we often came up against the massives.
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This. I'm a neutral, who happens to think Utd have made some decent progress under ETH ... BUT a lot seems to being pinned on that EFL Cup success. Now a trophy's a trophy, I'll give you that ... BUT Utd basically had to win ONE game where you weren't massive favourites (the Final, against a Newcastle side in the middle of their worst spell of the season, when they couldn't score in weeks). Home ties against a struggling (at the time) Villa and Burnley, and 2 legs against a bang average Forest more interested in top flight survival. As has been said, it wasn't exactly that difficult a Cup to win.
posted on 3/4/23
comment by Dave The Jackal (U22179)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 15 minutes ago
Progress can only be judged in the summer really. Granted we did win a cup but we hardly had a tough route to the final. In previous attempts we often came up against the massives.
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This. I'm a neutral, who happens to think Utd have made some decent progress under ETH ... BUT a lot seems to being pinned on that EFL Cup success. Now a trophy's a trophy, I'll give you that ... BUT Utd basically had to win ONE game where you weren't massive favourites (the Final, against a Newcastle side in the middle of their worst spell of the season, when they couldn't score in weeks). Home ties against a struggling (at the time) Villa and Burnley, and 2 legs against a bang average Forest more interested in top flight survival. As has been said, it wasn't exactly that difficult a Cup to win.
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Yep I'd agree and you could argue the same for all of our trophies post SAF if we are honest.
posted on 3/4/23
Think we need to win one more cup for this to be classed as a really good season. The Europa preferably as it's got better prestige and rewards (pot 1 of CL)
posted on 3/4/23
We've definitely improved, it's been clear to see.
SAF lost games, but we trusted him to get it right.
ETH doesn't have that trust yet, but he will.
posted on 3/4/23
It’s hard to sum up where we are at, ETH seemed to have brought much needed authority and discipline to the club, the games against Barcelona showed a maturity and confidence in the team and we won the first available silver wear of the season.
However we have experienced our most humiliating defeat since we were Newton Heath, played possibly the worst player I have ever seen pull on a United shirt consecutively for 18 games and just put in a performance in an important top 4 game at Newcastle that wasn’t even worth putting the fuel in the club coach for.
Ole would have had been crucified for playing Weghorst never mind the Liverpool debacle and yesterdays performance for me was right back to square one, insipid, passive and cowardly.
Defeat at home on Wednesday against a difficult confident opponent in Brentford and the wheels will be well and truly coming off our season.
Hard to sum up, it could be just too much football and critical players losses Casimiro, Eriksen, Martial and Garnacho now but I’m not sure, we just seem to have an ability to capitulate against determined opposition and have periods in games where we defend like comedy gold and can ship multiple goals in no time.
Progress I still think so but if we don’t get top four or CL through the Europa it will be incredibly disappointing.
posted on 3/4/23
comment by Dave The Jackal (U22179)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 15 minutes ago
Progress can only be judged in the summer really. Granted we did win a cup but we hardly had a tough route to the final. In previous attempts we often came up against the massives.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This. I'm a neutral, who happens to think Utd have made some decent progress under ETH ... BUT a lot seems to being pinned on that EFL Cup success. Now a trophy's a trophy, I'll give you that ... BUT Utd basically had to win ONE game where you weren't massive favourites (the Final, against a Newcastle side in the middle of their worst spell of the season, when they couldn't score in weeks). Home ties against a struggling (at the time) Villa and Burnley, and 2 legs against a bang average Forest more interested in top flight survival. As has been said, it wasn't exactly that difficult a Cup to win.
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Minor caveat: Villa were having their new manager bounce and had only just beaten us the previous week! Agree with your point though.
posted on 3/4/23
Some improvement for sure, huge improvement, no.
posted on 4/4/23
Worst goal difference out of the top 8 teams, currently 22 point behind Arsenal.
We are very fortunate Chelsea and liverpool have imploded a bit this season. But if United do scrape top 4 then its a decent season, and hopefully good signings in the summer. But the signings so far barring Casemiro suggest god signings might be optimistic.
posted on 4/4/23
comment by Ron (U1646)
posted 15 minutes ago
Worst goal difference out of the top 8 teams, currently 22 point behind Arsenal.
We are very fortunate Chelsea and liverpool have imploded a bit this season. But if United do scrape top 4 then its a decent season, and hopefully good signings in the summer. But the signings so far barring Casemiro suggest god signings might be optimistic.
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Martinez
Malacia
Eriksen
Antony has scored some cracking goals and works hard.
posted on 4/4/23
Casemiro and Martinez have been good signings by Erik. These 2 are the type of players you need to build a winning side around.
Eriksen and Weggy have been temporary to fill holes. I expect priority long term signings soon for a Center Forward.... and a CM player or two, to compliment Casemiro. Plus finally replacing moneybags Spanish Dave.
Young signings like Antony and Malacia have been ones for the future. Jury out on both of them. But they have time.
Then there are the ones that Erik must sell or release also in order to rebuild. The likes of Maguire, McT, Eriksen, Weggy, Sabitzer, Martial and Sancho who's not really interested. We will need to keep Linderlof as cover for Varane and Martinez if we sell Maguire.
Decide if Rashford is a Centre or Inside Forward. Likewise decide where Bruno is best.
Give more games to our young talents like Garancho and Pellestri and see them thrive. Armadillo too, maybe.
And do up/replace the Stadium and training grounds.
I hope our potential new owners have deep pockets.