Manchester United must change their coach or formation.

To change or not to change? I think of Keegan.

Older Premier League fans, especially Manchester United fans, should still have this scene in their memory. Keegan looked at the camera and shouted: "Then I'll be happy!" Keegan's coaching is far inferior to playing football, and it can't even be considered a success. Keegan led Newcastle for two periods and left his mark at Fulham, Manchester City and the England team. His level is enough to lead the English Championship to the Premier League and lead the Premier League to avoid relegation. Any more would be demanding. He was able to join the coaching profession, just like countless peers and predecessors, relying on the aura of his playing days. It's human nature to laugh at a failed person. But one thing is that Keegan is very manly. Realizing that he was beyond his capabilities and that the working environment was deteriorating, he left without hesitation.

There is no Keegan in football.

Guardiola, Klopp, Zidane and Keegan are two different things. These people will leave without hesitation, but they are never forced to. They cherish their feathers, and as the saying goes, they "want face." Guardiola left Barcelona because some big names were alienated from him; Klopp left Dortmund because he could no longer lead a second-tier team that was poached every year; Zidane left Real Madrid because the club and his own ideas had fundamental differences. . The coaching position of Real Madrid and Barcelona is the Holy Grail of professional coaches. Being able to coach any two families once, even for a few months, is a lifetime comfort. Guardiola let go, Zidane let go, twice. This is called a magical arrival and a legendary departure. The vast majority of coaches, no matter how "special" they are, are reluctant to part with the glory and wealth in front of them and cannot do enough.

Solskjaer is not even as good as Keegan. What else is left to prove? What else is there to look forward to? Your level has bottomed out since you were eliminated from the Champions League a year ago. Then the Premier League was expected to compete for the championship, but was dropped by 12 points; the FA Cup was expected to compete for the championship, but was completely defeated by the opponent Leicester City in this round; the Europa League was expected to break the cocoon, but was forced to shoot penalty kicks at each other by a bunch of old and weak soldiers, and the loss was speechless. It can be said.

Fortunately, Ole did not say any "special" meaningful nonsense after the game. He honestly admitted: I made a mistake in starting Maguire; during the international match day, I repeatedly pondered why the result was achieved. Didn't meet expectations (but had no plan to change); we didn't deserve the points. Coincidentally, Pogba also jumped out to speak at the right time: "We are not mature enough and always throw some goals that are too casual and stupid." One spent more than 400 million, and the other pocketed more than 300,000 every week. Whenever he talked about losing, he always said "we...".

Coaching changes are commonplace in other clubs, but when it comes to Manchester United, it is ridiculously complicated. Some people compare Ole's plight with the sluggishness before Ferguson broke out of his cocoon; some blame Manchester United's recent decline on Ronaldo's return to Manchester United; some swear: This is the right path, do you follow it? They asked aggressively: Who should I change? Can you guarantee that the new guy will be better than Ole? This is no longer ignorance and stupidity, but delirium and madness.

Manchester United's problems are "firm and sufficient" and cannot be solved by simply changing the coaching staff. But a coaching change is the first step to solving the problem. Ole's words are thought-provoking: "We have to fight for every ball and win every interception..." These are the fundamentals of professional players, and to mention them so solemnly gives people an ominous premonition. The most likely reason why players give up fighting is that they give up on coaching. The biggest reason for giving up coaching must be "there is nothing to eat if I hang out with you"!

The aura of the player era can guarantee you for two years at most. No one can see hope within two years. Besides slowing down work, is there any way to force the club to make changes? In the two years since becoming a full-time player, what has been Ole's "right path"? The lack of improvement in defense and the frequent repetition of low-level mistakes is the biggest political incorrectness. Maguire and Wan-Bissaka were bought, and Telles and Varane were added. As a result, most of the accidents still occurred in the defense department.

Maguire's embarrassment this round, whether intentional or not, is the culmination of more than two years of amateur mistakes at Manchester United. Only because Lindelof blocked the shot, Maguire was now exposed and threatened.

Comparing Ole and Ferguson, you might as well look at the changes in Manchester United's defense after Ferguson took on Pallister, Bruce, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra. Improving defense is the basic skill of a coach, and Ole failed. I found a full-time coach responsible for set-piece offense and defense, but there was still no improvement.

Secondly, DNA is the talisman for Ole's rise to power. What is Manchester United's DNA? It's a win. Even if there are no conditions, you can win even if you create conditions. To win and win the championship, in addition to having a comprehensive plan, you must also have the determination and decisiveness to implement it. The impression given by Ole is that he neither has a comprehensive vision nor the ruthlessness of killing and choice. He led Molde and copied many of the routines that Ferguson led, but he did not learn from Ferguson's decisiveness. The factors that hinder, hinder or even destroy Manchester United's championship, no matter who they are, must be eradicated. Ole just wants to be Santa Claus and let everyone live in harmony and beauty in the big family. As for who is helpful to his success and who is the discordant voice in the choir, he either can't see it or pretends to see it. not see. Since you love to be a good guy, why do you use Van de Beek and Sancho with such unusual and puzzling stubbornness?

The scene at Manchester United is indeed different from the previous two, more direct and faster. But DNA is not about speed for the sake of speed. Speed ??and directness are both ways, and the purpose is to win the game. If these two things are not possible for the time being, does Ole have any other options? It turns out: no. In 11 games in all competitions this season, there were 4231 in 10 games (433 in another), 53 in 61 games last season, and 44 in 61 games in the first full season. In the first full season, Ole used another 7 formations, and in the second there were 4312 and 3412 rotations. But starting from the third round of the FA Cup against Watford at the beginning of this year, he used it non-stop for 29 games. This round, this formation has appeared 44 times in 46 games across all competitions. Why are the routines condensed when there are more high-level players? It was during this period that Manchester United lost the perfect opportunity to attack the Premier League. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and suffered a defeat in the Europa League final.

Under this idea, Manchester United's scene became polarized. The offense is leaning towards personal improvisation, and the defense is increasingly losing the ball in a pattern, such as being penetrated on the left and receiving a long shot in the middle. As long as the opponent takes the medicine according to the prescription, the goal is guaranteed. This is almost the same as the symptoms that Van Gaal and Mourinho had before they left get out of class. Most coaches can design a preferred plan, but a few are better at correcting mistakes during the game. The one who is strong in both is a great god. Ole's stylized formation has given its opponents an advantage. Stylized substitutions during the game have frequently missed opportunities to stop losses or win.

The British media had a long article discussing Ole's "style" of leading the team, mentioning that he tends to "delegate power". During the game, it was either Phelan or Carrick who came forward, something Ole rarely did. This is reminiscent of Van Gaal's two years, when Giggs read the edict on his behalf. If the first plan and plan B are both bad, then it is not just a matter of character or luck, but that the level is only good enough for the Norwegian Super League, let alone Manchester United.

There are always people who are obsessed with reaching the top four for two consecutive seasons and selectively ignore the frequent failures in cup competitions. Erikson's example is worth mentioning. Eriksson led the Three Lions to the quarterfinals three times in a row, but was killed by Scolari each time. McLaren took over but couldn't even make it into the race. So someone defended Eriksen: Good coach, but England is too rough. The cards in Eriksson's hand, the quarterfinals are the bottom line. He also only got a passing grade. This is not "good" but a thief. If you do well and work hard, England should reach the semi-finals at least once. But Erikson is a veteran and is content with passing grades. McLaren's failure and Ericsson's passing are two different things.

Ole finished in the top four for the first time. The truth should have been revealed before the final round, but in the end, thank God and thank everyone. The second top four, catching up with Liverpool and Chelsea mid-season, the referee helped with a penalty kick. When they were in a stalemate with Manchester City (the difference between the two sides was 4 points in the 20th round), they tried every means to lose to Sheffield United at home, with 2 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss in 8 rounds. Manchester City Mercedes-Benz hit the line ahead of schedule in 9 rounds. Ole has nothing more to do than use "undefeated away games in the Premier League" to cover up its shame.

This round, Leicester City took off this fig leaf.

Don’t blame Ronaldo for Manchester United’s loss, good cards will test Solskjaer’s level

Some coaches can win a Grand Slam if given a handful of bad cards. A more common example is that he listens as soon as he starts his hand, or moves forward every time he reaches out his hand. While others are waiting for the inlay, he is already looking left and right, just waiting for his fingertips to touch a familiar pattern. But until others put their cards on the table, this guy was flying around early, and he didn't wait for the good news of harvesting rice. This kind of coach is only destined to lead a weak team and put together a group of weak soldiers and generals.

Ronaldo's return to Manchester United has brought hope and joy to the fans, but has posed a difficult problem for Solskjaer - how to use this veteran, when to use it, and where to use it? Manchester United lost completely to Leicester City. The goals scored by Greenwood and Rashford were the only bright spots. But you ask again: There is nothing wrong with Ronaldo for both goals. Isn’t it unscientific?

Greenwood's goal is the result of his recent head-scratching and desperate shooting. Scored one goal in 6 attempts, good luck. Rashford is a label. Hiding in the opponent's defense, staring at the last defender, as soon as the backcourt teammates send a long pass through "Road No. 1", he immediately starts to use his absolute speed to eat up the opponent within 30 meters, making him a pair with the goalkeeper. one. Cristiano Ronaldo is good at both routines. When he was young, which one would he dare not to shoot? How many of his opponents can he compete with defenders in the 30-meter dash? Here’s the question: You already have the talent to do these two things, why bother jumping on the bandwagon and welcoming Ronaldo back? Ronaldo's current strengths are experience, aura and finishing touches. Has Ole made corresponding arrangements to maximize his strengths?

Since facing Huang Qian in the Champions League, Ronaldo scored a last-minute winner. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score for 2 consecutive rounds and had very few shots. At the last moment of the round, he kicked the ball and made the home team fans laugh. In the last round against Everton, Ole made him a substitute, which caused great controversy. Fortunately, Manchester United did not lose. Cristiano Ronaldo looked displeased when he came off the field, and even had no intention of paying attention to Townsend, who came forward to ask for the game jersey. After the game, news broke that Ferguson criticized Ole's formation.

Ole replaced Ronaldo and Sancho at the same time in the 57th minute. The timing was very un-Ole - most of the substitutions took place after an hour. The cards are kept until the 100th minute. Why do we need to make substitutions first when our own team is in the lead but the opponent is still weak? Not only did the double substitution not bring the expected results, Everton equalized in less than 10 minutes. With nearly 30 minutes left, Everton should have scored a goal, but Mina was too hasty and DeMarre Gray failed to score.

It is normal for most coaches to live a "hard life", and there are only a few clubs that can afford big-name players. This is also the reason why they must understand the business thoroughly and study tactics painstakingly. Once the environment changes, or big names come one after another, many people cannot hold on. In this case, what is tested is not only business ability, but also people management skills - how to let people with extraordinary abilities integrate themselves into the greater self?

The Marquis of Del Bosque is a type who can only eat delicacies. He may be the only head coach in history who has everything in his hands. Does he need advanced theoretical knowledge? No, the big names know what to do. What he wants to do is to make the kings willingly contribute to the collective. Before Cavani, only Pogba, Matic, Jones and Smalling under Ole had won the top five leagues in Europe, while Mata had won mainstream trophies outside the league. This may explain why Ole has repeatedly tolerated Pogba's illness and his nonsense; he has basically renewed Mata's contract even though he is basically not using it.

The joining of Cristiano Ronaldo and Varane disrupted Ole's original plan (if there was one). Without Ronaldo, Manchester United will still focus on quick counterattacks, with Greenwood in the center as an arrow, Sancho as the right wing to be responsible for transportation, and Rashford (Martial) on the left with Luke Shaw and Pogba on the ground. penetration. If it were this routine, Manchester United's situation wouldn't be so embarrassing. I have been chasing Sancho for two years, aiming to solve the problem of insufficient cross quality and breakthrough from the right. Varane replaced Lindelof with the intention of improving the air defense capabilities of the backcourt.

Suddenly it was reported that Ronaldo was going to Manchester City, and Manchester United suddenly panicked.

Athletic.com revealed that Ole took the initiative to propose to sports director Murtaugh to compete for Ronaldo, and it was quickly recognized and approved by the club's senior management. Let's look at it this way: If people like Ferguson and Ferdinand actively promote Ronaldo's return, Ole, as the head coach, has no response at all. Isn't it too disrespectful? Ole's actions catered to the wishes of the higher-ups and fulfilled the wishes of his mentor.

After completing the public relations, Ole may not have any plans to use Ronaldo. Putting him on the front line is the most worry-free and at the same time the laziest way. First of all, Greenwood was unhappy with the whole situation. He takes the ball and shoots it himself, which is a silent protest. Without Ronaldo, Ole's 4231 still has room for flexibility. With Ronaldo, it will be difficult for him to play what this formation should have. The main point of 4231 is to pull players who appear to be on the wings into the center (this is also the reason why many teams have players reverse their feet), and form an offensive combination with the offensive midfielder and center. The fullbacks become wingers at this time, and the two defensive centers The scene returns to the role of the classical avant-garde.

After Ronaldo returned, Manchester United never did this once. In addition to beating Newcastle, they only won against West Ham United in the next four rounds, and had to rely on the opponent to mess up penalty kicks. The narrow win over Villarreal in the Champions League was another personal performance. Telles's volley was a good shot and good luck. Huang Qian failed to defeat Manchester United in the first half, leaving a foreshadowing of the reversal.

Before Ronaldo returned, the author had already pointed out: Change to three defenders. Only this formation is suitable for Ronaldo. The coach and formation must always be changed.

Text | Lin Liangfeng

Editor | Fat Cat