Manchester United under Solskjaer

[zudomiriku]

Push Paul Pogba further forward? Bring back Juan Mata? Change the system entirely? Man United need to solve their midfield conundrum after taking 58 minutes to fire off a shot on target in Crystal Palace defeat

* Man United's early season optimism was punctured by Crystal Palace defeat
* They lacked a creative midfielder to produce a defence-splitting pass
* United boast plenty of speed in attack but struggled against a packed defence
* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's midfield options weren't strengthened over the summer
* One option could be to push Paul Pogba forward or restore Juan Mata

As another wave of Manchester United attacks crashed on the rock of the Crystal Palace defence, Old Trafford again echoed with groans of frustration.

United's fans had seen their side enjoy 71 per cent possession yet fire off just three shots on target, the first of which didn't arrive until the 58th minute.

In the end, United's lack of a cutting edge got what it deserved - an unexpected 2-1 defeat that well and truly punctured any early season feel-good factor created by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.


Manchester United struggled for midfield creativity in Saturday's home loss to Crystal Palace. Dejected United players reflect on a disappointing afternoon against Palace at Old Trafford

And with the transfer window long since shut, it exposed an area where United failed to strengthen over the summer.

With a forward line of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Dan James, this United team is blessed with blistering speed going forward.

That worked a treat in their season-opening 4-0 win over Chelsea, who came to Old Trafford to attack but left themselves vulnerable to United's speedy counter-attacks.

But confronted with opposition in Palace who set up to defend deep and keep United at arm's length, they sorely missed a player who could pick an incisive pass.

With hindsight, United may have pushed a little harder to sign a defence-splitting passer during the summer but prioritised their defence and attack instead.

So with another hard-to-break-down team awaiting them this Saturday in the shape of Southampton, Solskjaer will have to make do with a tactical adjustment in midfield.

But what are his options and will they achieve the desired effect?

How do United set up at the moment?

It's been a consistent 4-2-3-1 system for United in their three opening Premier League fixtures.

Pogba and Scott McTominay have formed the base of the midfield in all three games, expected to shield the defence as well as contribute going forward.

Against Chelsea, Andreas Pereira started in the No 10 role with Rashford on the left and Lingard on the right.

But Pereira didn't impress that afternoon and was replaced in the central position by Lingard for the 1-1 draw at Wolves, with James on the right.


Andreas Pereira started the season in the No 10 role for United but has since dropped out


Jesse Lingard is crowded out during Saturday's match against Palace at Old Trafford

This was replicated against Palace but it soon became apparent that United had become very reliant on the individual runs of their attacking speedsters to create chances.

With Palace sitting back, Rashford, Martial and James found themselves running into cul-de-sacs rather than along highways.

What United were crying out for was a lock-picker to slide passes in behind the Palace back line whenever these quicker players made forward runs.

Getting the best out of Pogba

Pogba was inevitably the man United turned to for a moment of inspiration as Saturday's game wore on.

But the Frenchman was burdened by the duties of his deeper station alongside McTominay and couldn't fully commit to the attack.

He did try and play as far forward as possible but it was ultimately his dwelling on the ball, inviting a tackle from Christian Benteke, that led to Patrick van Aanholt's injury time winner.

So much is expected of Pogba and this was a theme Solskjaer picked up on ahead of Saturday's game when he said: 'We know we can't get Roy Keane, Veron, Scholes, Giggs, Cantona in one player.'

Against the likes of Palace - and Southampton - maybe it would be better to position Pogba further forward alongside Lingard in an advanced midfield four behind Martial up front.

If Pogba knew that his only job was to pass and create, rather than having to cover, he could even improve on the already impressive 55 chances he created last season.

It would place a greater burden on McTominay, of course, but a back line that looked significantly stronger for the summer acquisition of Harry Maguire should be able to cope against most teams.

This 4-1-4-1 would still enable Rashford and James to do their thing out wide, but United would carry the additional threat in the middle as well.

Time to bring Mata back into the fold?

Juan Mata has played just 18 minutes so far this season and there were plenty annoyed that it took 85 minutes for the Spaniard to come off the bench against Palace with United trailing.

Mata may be 31 now but possesses passing skills and set-piece abilities that mark him out from United's other forward options.

His eye for an effective pass would have been useful on Saturday and he has often made the difference against opponents that defend in numbers.

While his lack of pace makes him less useful in more open matches against better opposition, Mata certainly still has a role to play at United.

There's certainly a case for playing him in the No 10 position against Southampton on Saturday as a counterpoint to all that pace.


Juan Mata is one of the few United players who can supply a defence-splitting pass

Back to a 4-3-3?

Solskjaer, especially during his caretaker spell in charge at Old Trafford last season, favoured a 4-3-3 formation as he looked to get the optimum from his players.

Rashford, Martial and Lingard would form the front three, with Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera in the midfield.

Herrera departed over the summer and hasn't been replaced, while Matic's days at Old Trafford also appear to be numbered.

The Serbian has reportedly demanded showdown talks with Solskjaer because he's feeling ignored having not yet played this season.

Matic could find himself frozen out given that McTominay continues to put in consistent displays in the same position and Solskjaer, keen to put an accent on youth, is favouring him.

So McTominay and Pogba could be paired with Mata in a midfield three which would still offer a nice balance.


Nemanja Matic seems to have slipped out of Solskjaer's favour in United's midfield


Scott McTominay continues to put in consistent performances at the base of United's midfield

Any chance of a midfield diamond?

There were a couple of games last season when Solskjaer deployed a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond. One of them was in the 1-0 win at Tottenham in an effort to match Mauricio Pochettino's system.

You could theoretically have a diamond with McTominay at the base, Pogba on the left, Mata on the right and Lingard at the point, with Martial and Rashford ahead.

But the more compact shape deprives United of the pace out wide that Solskjaer seems to cherish, though it could certainly be an option in games against the top six.

Is there any way back for Fred?

It appears that United will hang on to their £52million Brazilian misfit Fred despite interest from Italian club Fiorentina.

He played in 25 matches across all competitions last season but struggled to make the grade and his outings for Solskjaer in the spring coincided with a collapse in form.


United's £52m signing Fred looks set for another bit-part role during this season

If Fred doesn't move before the European transfer window closes on Monday, he is likely to find himself involved only in the domestic cups and the Europa League this season.

But given United's dearth of midfield options having lost Herrera and Marouane Fellaini in the past year, they could well need him.

He'll play in the two of a 4-2-3-1 on the rare occasions he's likely to be selected.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7398827/How-Manchester-United-solve-midfield-conundrum-Crystal-Palace-defeat.html

kalo saya lebih memilih duet Matic-Tominay dan Pogba lebih bermain didepan/ofensif, atau kalo tetap mau menduetkan Pogba-Tominay, mending Mata yg dimainkan dibelakang striker. atau coba mainkan Chong yg permainannya lebih 'menusuk'?

[zudomiriku]

Kids are all right but is it too much too soon? Yes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United starlets are struggling to turn promise into points

* Man United are three games without a win after their 1-1 draw at Southampton
* Early promise in 4-0 opening day thrashing of Chelsea hasn't materialised
* A draw to Wolves followed, and then a disappointing defeat at home by Palace
* United go into the international break in eighth place on five points

Earlier this year, Channel 4 put out a show called When I Grow Up. The premise of the programme was to take a bunch of kids and throw them into adult working environments.

One week, they might work for Hello! magazine. The next, they'd be chocolatiers or estate agents.

Watching Manchester United trying to beat 10-man Southampton at St Mary's Stadium, you wondered whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were starring in the second series.


Harry Maguire looks desolate after Manchester United failed to break down Southampton

Solskjaer put faith in his striplings on Saturday. Marcus Rashford, 21, led the line. Daniel James, also 21, scored. The man who assisted that goal was Scott McTominay, 22.

Also pivotal in the build-up to United's opener were Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 21, and Andreas Pereira, 23. At 1-1 and chasing the win, Solskjaer turned to 17-year-old Mason Greenwood.

Other options on the bench included academy products Tahith Chong and Axel Tuanzebe. Juan Mata, the 31-year-old midfielder used at No 10, must have felt like a dinosaur.

In December, United will make it 4,000 consecutive games in which they will have named a graduate in their squad - a record dating back to October 1937. It is an admirable feat, but also an unavoidable one nowadays.

In the absence of senior players, Solskjaer has no choice but to turn to his kids. Whether they are capable of competing in the Premier League is another matter. United's form is certainly concerning.

Saturday's draw with Southampton, who were a man shy for 21 minutes, means United have now won one of their last 10 matches.

They have kept only one clean sheet in 19 outings, while their last away win was against Paris Saint-Germain in March. Their last in this country was in February.

You felt the United of old would have found a way to win this match. The youngsters could not force a victory, however, and this is becoming a worrying trend for Solskjaer.

Alan Hansen notoriously said you cannot win anything with kids in 1995 and he was proved wrong. Spectacularly so. Yet can you win a Champions League place in 2019? Early evidence suggests that will be a big ask for this group.


Has Solskjaer gambled his season's chances on kids such as 17-year-old Mason Greenwood?

The average age of the Sir Alex Ferguson side which made Hansen eat his words by becoming champions and FA Cup winners in 1995-96 was 26 years and 137 days.

Solskjaer's line-ups this season have averaged 24 years and 312 days - the youngest in the Premier League. He realises they need to learn how to grind out wins, and fast.

'We've deserved to win the last three games,' said Solskjaer, referring to their 2-1 loss by Crystal Palace at Old Trafford and 1-1 draws at Wolverhampton and Southampton.

'That doesn't give us any comfort in the table, but it does give us comfort to know we're doing the right things. We need to learn to win games like this and the boys want to learn how.

'We create chances. It's about those scrappy goals. We have young players and they've got to learn to score those nasty little tap-ins that I did. They count just as much.'

Romelu Lukaku may have failed to live up to the hype but as the ball flew through Southampton's six-yard box over and over and again, you wondered whether he would have been there waiting.

Solskjaer intends to teach Rashford how to score those ugly goals that he himself loved to bag.

One concern for United is a lack of experience in the changing room.

Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez left and were not replaced, while Chris Smalling, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia have also been shipped out on Solskjaer's watch. Those six alone had played more than 1,000 Premier League games between them.

Now, the kids are taking their seats at the big boys' table.

So far, United have secured one win from four games in a division where the very best do not drop points.

'There's a few words being said in the dressing room - as there should be,' added Solskjaer. 'But you can't control results. You can only control the effort. We're all pulling in the same direction.'

Harry Maguire, their new £80million defender, shares a similar view to his boss. He felt Jannik Vestergaard's equaliser robbed United of a win but also admitted they should have done more to dominate this match, especially after Kevin Danso's red card.

'We've dropped two points,' said Maguire. 'We were too sloppy. We need to improve on that and show arrogance on the ball. Be confident. We're Manchester United. We want to control games.'

The Busby Babes and Fergie's Fledglings were special. Ole Gunnar's Young Guns -Solskjaer's Starlets, if you prefer - may not achieve the legendary status of their predecessors.

If United are to make it into the Premier League's top four, this group must grow up fast.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7417061/Kids-right-soon-Solskjaers-starlets-struggling-turn-promise-points.html

[tumpal_oneunited]

Hmmm...bingung euy arahan Ole sekarang..
Terkesan ga punya Plan B jika sedang dalam kondisi susah..hadeuuh

[zudomiriku]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'brands Manchester United players a joke' in furious dressing-room rant following Southampton draw

* Manchester United drew 1-1 with Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday
* They failed to find a winner despite the home side being reduced to 10 men
* United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer let rip at his players following the game

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly labelled his Manchester United players 'a joke' after they were held to a draw by Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

The under-pressure manager let rip at the the team after they failed to find a winner in the 1-1 draw at St Mary's, despite the home side having been reduced to 10 men with just under 20 minutes remaining in the game.

And The Sun claim he told them their performance was a 'joke' and it was 'embarrassing' that they had failed to finish a team off once again.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly let rip at his players after Saturday's draw with Southampton. Solskjaer is said to have been extremely frustrated with another failure to kill a game off. Saturday's result leaves United seven points behind league leaders Liverpool after four games

Aiming his verbal onslaught at the entire squad rather than individuals, Solskjaer also accused his players of playing for themselves — and too often trying the spectacular instead of sticking to the basics.

The Norwegian also made it clear he feels there has been a lack of effort from certain players, who are letting their team-mates down.

Saturday's draw means the Red Devils have won just one of their opening four Premier League matches, a 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea followed by a draw at Wolves and a shock defeat at home by Crystal Palace.

Eighth-placed United already sit seven points behind arch-rivals Liverpool, who top the table after picking up 12 points from 12.

Their next game is at home to Leicester on September 14, following the international break.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7424763/Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-brands-Manchester-United-players-joke-Southampton-draw.html

[zudomiriku]

Stats confirm poor finishing IS letting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer down as Manchester United have created the third highest number of 'best' chances in Premier League

* Manchester United are eighth in the Premier League table after four matches
* United have won one game so far, which came against Chelsea at Old Trafford
* But there are reasons to be cheerful for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his players
* They have created the 'best' chances yet it's their finishing that has cost them

Eighth in the Premier League table and with just one win from four matches, there is perhaps good reason for Manchester United supporters to feel disappointed.

But if you listened to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's post-match interview after the 1-1 draw away at Southampton on Saturday, you may have thought nothing was overly wrong. 'We had loads of chances, created loads of openings but the last bit is just missing.' Solskjaer said.

The statistics show there is some sense to his comments. United have in fact created the third highest number of 'best' chances in the top flight. According to expected goals (xG), a metric used to assess every chance in a game, United rank high with 7.4 goals for the four games played so far.

Only West Ham (7.67) and champions Manchester City (11.17) rank higher than United.


Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has remained positive despite only one victory

There is also some good news where expected goals against are concerned. The addition of Harry Maguire in defence has helped Solskjaer's defence become much tighter and more organised.

The proof is there in the number of goals United have conceded (four) and that they have restricted their opponents to the second-best number of chances against over the four games played so far: 3.25.

Only Leicester - with 2.79 - have a better record. Again, it is a sign that United are much closer to once again being a team that is defensively disciplined and effective.

OLE ISN'T WRONG ABOUT UNITED CREATING PLENTY OF CHANCES
SOURCE: OPTA

Team---------Expected Goals
Manchester City 11.17
West Ham United 7.67
Manchester United 7.4
Liverpool 6.64
Southampton 6.07
Bournemouth 5.97
Tottenham Hotspur 5.71
Chelsea 5.62
Arsenal 5.33
Watford 5.33
Sheffield United 5.06
Norwich City 5.04
Burnley 4.88
Wolverhampton Wanderers 4.6
Brighton and Hove Albion 4.53
Everton 4.43
Aston Villa 4.14
Leicester City 4.13
Crystal Palace 3.75
Newcastle United 3.18

The addition of Harry Maguire has helped United become much tighter in defence

UNITED'S NEW, TIGHTER DEFENCE IS DIFFICULT TO GET PAST
SOURCE: OPTA

Team-------------Expected Goals Against
West Ham United 8.91
Bournemouth 8.39
Tottenham Hotspur 6.83
Aston Villa 6.82
Arsenal 6.41
Watford 6.29
Norwich City 6.28
Crystal Palace 6.28
Brighton and Hove Albion 5.54
Everton 5.23
Chelsea 5.13
Newcastle United 4.96
Wolverhampton Wanderers 4.81
Liverpool 4.74
Burnley 4.58
Sheffield United 4.57
Southampton 4.56
Manchester City 4.27
Manchester United 3.25
Leicester City 2.79

While all the above points towards United being in a league position that doesn't flatter their overall play, undoubtedly it is their finishing which is stopping them from flourishing.

United have had 63 shots in the league this season but only 18 have been on target. That is a shooting accuracy of 29 per cent.

It is time for United's attacking line to sharpen up. Daniel James is their current top scorer - something he no doubt wouldn't have expected to happen at any point of the season.

He has had a brilliant start to life at Old Trafford. Unfortunately, those around him aren't firing. Marcus Rashford has started all four games this season but only has two goals - one coming from the penalty spot - to show for his efforts. Indeed, out of Rashford's 16 shots, only five have been on target.

Anthony Martial, in a more central position than before, has scored two in three starts. He's had eight shots with three on target.

Solskjaer is confident it will all click soon.

'It's getting there, though,' he said. 'We have to learn to get those scrappy goals, not just the worldies. We do push teams back now and we do get around them.

'What is pleasing is that we didn't just resort to panicky crosses and long balls and we played, and we should have scored to be honest. We feel numb and a little bit disappointed. In the last three games we've lost points that we definitely deserved to win.'

The chances are being created, it's up to United's attack to take them.

WHAT IS xG?

Expected goals (xG) is a metric that was introduced by Opta.

'Expected goals' (xG) for a match, every shot must be analysed and given an 'Expected goal value' (EGV).

The EGV of a shot assumes it is being taken by someone of average ability in the league.

The value is determined on a number of factors, such as where the shot was taken from, the proximity of defenders, and the nature of the attack (i.e a direct free-kick or a penalty).

All of the information is used to create a percentage chance, on average, of a particular shot going in with all those factors taken into account.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7422371/Manchester-United-created-best-chances-Premier-League-season.html

[Andi Istiabudi]

'Solskjaer Butuh Waktu di MU, Seperti Pep di City dan Klopp di Liverpool'
Rifqi Ardita Widianto - detikSport

Jakarta - Manchester United sudah kesulitan di awal musim 2019/2020 ini. Gary Neville menegaskan bahwa 'Setan Merah' butuh waktu dengan Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Start MU di Liga Inggris musim ini sebenarnya impresif: menang telak 4-0 atas Chelsea. Tapi kemudian hasil-hasilnya menurun.

MU berimbang 1-1 dengan Wolverhampton Wanderers, kalah 1-2 dari Crystal Palace, dan berimbang 1-1 lagi dengan Southampton. Alhasil kini Paul Pogba dkk tercecer ke posisi delapan klasemen dengan lima poin dari empat pertandingan.

Sudah ada jarak tujuh poin dengan Liverpool di puncak klasemen dan lima poin dengan Manchester City di posisi dua. Dua tim itu adalah kandidat kuat juara, sehingga akan jadi tolok ukur untuk tim-tim top.

Gary Neville menilai MU belum bisa dibandingkan dengan City dan Liverpool. Keduanya sudah melalui proses perkembangan bertahun-tahun dengan manajer masing-masing, sementara MU baru menatap musim penuh pertamanya dengan Solskjaer.

Pep Guardiola tak memenangi apapun bersama City di musim pertamanya. Manajer asal Spanyol itu baru mendapatkan hasil di musim kedua, yakni titel Premier League dan Piala Liga Inggris.

Sementara Liverpool lebih lama lagi. Juergen Klopp mengambil alih posisi manajer pada Oktober 2015 dan baru mendapatkan gelar pertama pada musim 2018/2019 lalu, kala Liverpool menjuarai Liga Champions di bulan Juni tahun ini.

"Yang sudah dilakukan Pep Guardiola dan Juergen Klopp di Manchester City dan Liverpool, butuh waktu untuk mencapainya. Butuh 12 bulan untuk Guardiola, tiga bursa transfer, karena dia pada awalnya sudah punya skuat yang lebih baik dari tim lainnya," kata Neville dikutip Sky Sports.

"Buat Klopp butuh tiga atau empat tahun untuk memengaruhi kultur sepenuhnya dan mendapatkan tim yang secara penuh bakal dia sebut sesuai gayanya, kulturnya, dan yang dia inginkan. Itu butuh waktu."

"Solskjaer saat ini bekerja dengan skuat yang lebih kurang seperti yang Klopp punya di Liverpool awalnya, ketimbang yang diwarisi Guardiola di City. Dari sudut pandang itu, ini akan jadi permainan panjang di Old Trafford dan seringkali akan bikin frustrasi," tambah mantan kapten MU ini.

[zudomiriku]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brought out his hairdryer, Paul Pogba still wants out and the strikers are shooting blanks… the cracks appearing at Manchester United after just one win in Premier League start

* Concern is growing at Old Trafford following a poor start to the season
* Man United pulled off a huge victory over Chelsea but have since lost their way
* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer slammed his players after a recent draw at Southampton
* Paul Pogba still wants out while questions remain over United's personnel

When Sir Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson at Manchester United, his top priority was changing the club culture even when it meant selling big stars Gordon Strachan, Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath without having replacements.

Roll forward three decades and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also seeking long-term gain at the expense of considerable short-term pain.

Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez are among the leavers despite United being left short of proven quality and the early bounce of Ole being at the wheel has gone; just two points out of nine against Wolves, Crystal Palace and Southampton.

Sportsmail assesses United's policy of ripping up the work of Jose Mourinho and how it is affecting the players and fans at England's biggest club.


Things aren't going to plan at Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has work to do

SPIRIT IN THE CAMP

Not surprisingly, it's low after a run that's seen United fail to win away since February and beaten by Cardiff and Crystal Palace in their last three matches at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been able to remove some of the unhappy faces, Lukaku and Sanchez among them, but the gamble on forcing Paul Pogba to stay hasn't yet paid off with the Frenchman looking a forlorn figure at Southampton last weekend.

The penalty controversy between Marcus Rashford and Pogba hasn't done either any favours. Not only have both men missed their last spot-kicks, Pogba looked a bit frustrated when Rashford wasted two free-kicks from prime locations against Crystal Palace before giving the World Cup winner a go from a less advantageous position.


United players trudged off field following a recent miserable home defeat by Crystal Palace

The rush to youth has been too swift for many. It was clear Lukaku and Sanchez weren't going to get playing time and Nemanja Matic has been left sidelined for Scott McTominay despite captaining the team in pre-season.

David de Gea hasn't signed a new contract, Pogba is unlikely to entertain one and it's going to take a while for the next generation; Harry Maguire, Aaron wan-Bissaka, Rashford, Dan James to be the leaders the club needs.

It's all a sharp contrast from last December when Solskjaer breezed in, released the Mourinho shackles and promptly won eight on the spin.

Rashford's case is particularly interesting. Solskjaer and United have put huge faith in the local academy kid, telling him he's going to be the team's main centre-forward this season at the age of 21. For all his potential, Rashford hasn't yet proven himself a consistent goalscorer, and hasn't netted or played particularly well in his last three games.

TACTICS

Solkjaer's plan looks fairly clear, a 4-3-3 with two midfield 'sitters' and devastating pace on the flanks in Dan James, Anthony Martial and Rashford to hit teams on the counter. The team is filled with young, athletic players. Aaron wan-Bissaka is a right back who can defend one-on-one; Harry Maguire a centre back who can bring the ball out.

United have probably deserved to win both away matches this way but haven't got the cutting edge in the penalty area where Rashford's goal record is inferior to Lukaku.


Already Solskjaer has been utilising the blistering pace of new boy Daniel James

What they also lack in Solskjaer's system is a creative No 10 who can thread passes to unlock packed defences; a Christian Eriksen or even James Maddison. Juan Mata is the closest at the club but he doesn't hold down a regular place.

Pogba could be that player but so far Solskjaer has either used him by McTominay deep where he doesn't move the ball quickly enough in possession, or on the left of a 4-3-3.

It's not helped that Pogba's form isn't good at the moment and McTominay's passing isn't sharp enough either when United dominate possession. The home defeat against Crystal Palace showed Roy Hodgson's side offering a template how to get results at Old Trafford.

The injury to left back Luke Shaw has denied United another attacking outlet as Wan-Bissaka's main strength on the other flank is defending. Solskjaer's tactical options are restricted however by a lack of strength in depth compared to the rest of the so-called Big Six.

Besides Sanchez and Lukaku, Ander Herrera, Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling have also left.

The vacuum will have to be filled by teenagers like Mason Greenwood. He could develop into a top player but here and now it's unfair to expect him to be a regular game-changer. United's personnel make it unlikely Solskjaer is going to change tact.

James has made a good impression and his speed will be used this season. Against Southampton he showed he's probably more dangerous on the left. It leaves Solskjaer with an issue of how to fit Martial back in when he returns from injury. The Frenchman could play centre forward but that would mean shifting Rashford to the right.

SOLKSJAER'S MOOD

He may no longer be the baby-faced assassin but the 46-year-old still looked a lot younger than his age when he took over at United and charmed players, fans and media. The worry lines have started to appear now.

He shed his nice-guy image after the disappointing draw at Southampton by furiously labelling his players 'a joke' and 'embarrassing'. In his own playing days, the hairdryer was as likely to come from Roy Keane as Sir Alex Ferguson, but the United boss probably feels these days it's up to him to lay down the law, and many United fans will be glad to hear him being forthright.

Such a tactic has a limited shelf life. Having laid into the players, Solskjaer will now need a reaction. The next match, at Leicester City after the international break, already looks a biggie with the Foxes being genuine contenders to break into the so-called Big Six.

FINISHING

This is why letting Lukaku, a genuine 20-goal-a-season striker, go to Inter Milan was a risk. United need to finish their chances off to win games and Solskjaer is dismayed his team are eighth in the table despite setting up more than seven good chances a match (7.4) – the third highest tally in the division behind Manchester City and West Ham.

When you've only kept one clean sheet in 19, the importance of taking those opportunities only increases.


Marcus Rashford is yet to prove he can be reliable goalscorer for the Red Devils

'Mason Greenwood is a more natural finisher than them (Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford),' says Solskjaer, a brilliant striker himself, this season. His words could be regarded as a huge boost for 17-year-old Greenwood, or a bit of a worry for the other two.

Rashford's penalty miss against Crystal Palace ended his 100 per cent record from the spot but it was probably his failure to convert a one-on-one chance earlier in the game that is a bit more worrying.

Perhaps Greenwood will be given a chance to start before too long. United can't afford to carry on creating seven chances a match and not winning.

Not many 17-year-olds can score goals in the top flight but special talents, like Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, have proved it can be done.

ATTITUDE

When you're not winning, attitude is the first topic addressed on phone-in shows and on social media. Paul Pogba has been accused in the past of playing with too much of a strut but after being held at St Mary's, Harry Maguire thinks United's players should show more arrogance rather than less.

'We're Man United – we want to control games,' he said, evoking memories of 'King' Eric Cantona.

The difficulty is United don't have a Paul Scholes or Cantona who can move the ball with such precision, other teams don't get a kick. Manchester City have David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, their personalities aren't arrogant, but they play with that strut as footballers because of their quality.

Solskjaer is going another route – Rashford and James aren't going to outfootball you, but they are going to hurt you if they can break beyond the back line and be found with a good pass. Maybe Maguire himself has to move into midfield!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7426817/Solskjaers-hairdryer-Pogbas-unhappiness-cracks-appearing-Manchester-United.html

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Matt Le Tissier slams Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over 'amateurish' approach to penalties and hits out at 'showman' Paul Pogba

* Paul Pogba missed his most recent penalty against Wolves at Molineux
* Former penalty king Matt Le Tissier has branded the Frenchman a 'showman'
* Le Tissier has dubbed the current situation 'amateurish' and favours Rashford

Former penalty king Matt Le Tissier has slammed 'amateurish' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Manchester United's spot-kick taker.

Le Tissier, who has a Premier League penalty record of 25 scored from 26 efforts, said that Paul Pogba needs to step aside and let Marcus Rashford take on the responsibility.

Pogba, who is known for his theatrics when taking spot kicks, missed his latest effort against Wolves in the 1-1 draw at Molineux, and Le Tissier says that Solskjaer needs to make the situation crystal clear.

Speaking to The Mirror, he said: 'Paul Pogba's penalty record is far worse than that of Marcus Rashford. I was never overly keen on Pogba's run-up because it used to take so long, it became a bit of theatre and he wasn't taking it seriously.

'It was all about trying to promote himself as being the big showman and the big "Here I am" without concentrating on the job in hand.

'The way Rashford takes penalties is actually far better and if I was the manager he would be the designated penalty-taker.'


Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer needs to decide who his penalty taker is, says Matt Le Tissier. Marcus Rashford should be the man hitting United's penalties, according to Le Tissier

And Southampton legend Le Tissier, who won a competition in training to earn penalty-kick duty, said Solskjaer needs to set his stall on United's spot kick taker.

'It does cause confusion if you have two nominated penalty-takers and you just go, 'Well, let's see who fancies it on the day', he said.

'That's not professional, it's amateurish, schoolboy stuff and that comes down to the manager.

'In that situation, the manager needs to be stronger and just go, 'Right, you're the best at penalties, you're my penalty-taker, if you're not on the pitch then he can take them, but up until that point, you take them'.

Rashford also missed his most recent penalty in United's 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace last month.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7443161/Matt-Le-Tissier-aims-dig-Manchester-United-boss-penalties-slams-showman-Pogba.html

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'These players are not mature enough to carry the team': Arsene Wenger questions Manchester United's young stars... and feels current crop will not be able to emulate the Class of '92

* Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has given his verdict on Manchester United
* Wenger feels the club's young players 'are not mature enough to carry the team'
* He also believes United's starlets will not be able to emulate the Class of '92

Manchester United's current crop will not emulate the famous Class of '92 as they are 'not mature enough to carry the team,' according to Arsene Wenger.

The former Arsenal boss provided a damning assessment on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's youthful side following their indifferent start to the new Premier League season, with one win, two draws and one defeat.

United welcome Leicester to Old Trafford after the international break and Wenger believes young players like Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood and Daniel James are simply not prepared to be regular starters for a club the size of United.


Man United's starlets are 'not mature enough to carry the team,' according to Arsene Wenger. Speaking to beIN Sports, Wenger feels maturity is what will hold this Man United side back

'When you see Man Utd they are one of the examples where there is a potential there,' Wenger told beIN Sports.

'But they have not found a collective way. Maybe these players are not mature enough to carry the team play of a team like Man Utd all together.

'Will they emulate what (Ryan) Giggs, (Paul) Scholes, (David) Beckham did over a number of years? Personally I'm not convinced.'

Solskjaer has produced the youngest average age starting XI this season with Mason Greenwood (17), Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daniel James, Marcus Rashford (all 21), Scott McTominay (22) and Andreas Pereira (23) all actively involved in the Norwegian manager's immediate plans.

'When you see Man Utd they are one of the examples where there is a potential there,' Wenger told beIN Sports.

'But they have not found a collective way. Maybe these players are not mature enough to carry the team play of a team like Man Utd all together.

'Will they emulate what (Ryan) Giggs, (Paul) Scholes, (David) Beckham did over a number of years? Personally I'm not convinced.'

Solskjaer has produced the youngest average age starting XI this season with Mason Greenwood (17), Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daniel James, Marcus Rashford (all 21), Scott McTominay (22) and Andreas Pereira (23) all actively involved in the Norwegian manager's immediate plans.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7452993/Man-United-news-Arsene-Wenger-questions-maturity-Uniteds-young-stars.html

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'warns Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford to concentrate on their football' with Manchester United boss determined to get the best out of the attacking duo

* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Lingard and Rashford to focus on their football
* It comes after Lingard launched his fashion label Be Yourself last Christmas
* Solskjaer is worried the pair may become sidetracked with outside ventures

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly told Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford to concentrate on their football.

The Manchester United manager is understood to have had separate discussions with the attacking duo, who are close friends off the Old Trafford pitch.

According to The Sun, Solskjaer is worried Lingard may have become sidetracked with business ventures unrelated to football which could be affecting his performances on the pitch for United.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford (L) to focus on their football. Manchester United boss is worried the pair may become sidetracked with outside ventures

It comes after Lingard launched his own fashion label Be Yourself last Christmas, which also forms a part of his 'JLINGZ' brand, which sells aftershave, clothing and phone cases.

The report also suggests that Solskjaer is concerned that Rashford could be distracted too and wants the pair to focus on becoming better players.

Lingard launched his clothing line a week before United travelled to face Liverpool at Anfield, which ultimately ended up being Jose Mourinho's last game in charge of the Red Devils as they fell to a 3-1 defeat.


Solskjaer wants the pair to focus on becoming better players for Manchester United

Former Reds skipper Roy Keane questioned the decision to launch the clothing range before such an important game.

He said: 'If there was a good strong dressing room that wouldn't be tolerated. That's why I worry about the United dressing room. That wouldn't be tolerated in a good dressing room from a young player, who's still learning his trade.

'Again, he could be the nicest kid in the world, I don't know the lad, but if you're coming out with all that nonsense...'

Keane's former team-mate Gary Neville also stressed the importance of the game and Lingard's decision-making behind the timing of the launch.

Neville said: 'I've got no problem with him launching a clothes range. But before Liverpool away - the biggest match of the season - don't launch a clothes brand. Not this week.

'Concentrate on Liverpool, no distractions, no disruptions.'

It's not the first time Solskjaer has had to speak to Lingard over his conduct.

The England international was warned over the pitfalls of social media after he posted a crude video while on holiday in Miami earlier this summer.

Solskjaer gave the 26-year-old a clean slate on their pre-season tour but admitted he was looking for more from the midfielder who rose through the United academy.

'Jesse has proved before with his big-game goals that he's valuable. But of course I'm going to demand more of him,' Solskjaer said in July.

'I think he will be the first one to know that his last season was not up to standard. What we have discussed can be between the two of us but I expect more from him and he knows what I expect.'

Lingard is yet to provide an assist or score a goal in his four appearances this season for United while Rashford has fared better than his mate.

Rashford scored the winning goal from the penalty spot against Leicester on Saturday taking his tally to three in five games.

The England striker has also notched an assist in the same amount of appearances as Lingard.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7465799/Manchester-United-news-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-warns-Lingard-Rashford-concentrate-football.html

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