Will the worst defeat in United's history force Amorim to change his system?

Grimsby Town playing in League Two, the Fourth tier in English football afflicted the worst defeat on the biggest club in the world, Manchester United. Grimsby led 2-0 for much of the game and United threw the kitchen-sink to level it, only for penalties which was all square till the 12th spot kick. Cunha missed his kick which would have taken United through, then Sesko who suffered cramps took the 10th kick and ultimately Mbeumo missed his to hand Grimsby their deserved win. Shocking was United performance in the first 60 minutes; out-run and out-thought which was to many an utter disgrace.

Even more shocking was the over-emotional outburst from Ruben Amorim which suggested he might throw the towel once again at the Manchester United board. He initially said "It’s not about the result. In the penalties, I was not thinking about the penalties to go to the next stage. I think the way we played, the way we faced the competition – when everything is so important, I think the players spoke really loud about what they want today." Further he added "I am shocked. In the moment, we make a lot of changes, and we tried to fight a lot of things. When we have these moments, we need to show up. If we don’t show up, you can feel that something has to change and you’re not going to change 22 players again." It sent the fans and media into meltdown.

Against a League Two side United were playing 3 at the back against their 1 striker which easily led to being out-muscled and lose control of the game from midfield. On top of that Andre Onana made another howler to concede the 1st goal at the near-post and was poor at attacking the corner for the second. United should get Emiliano Martinez the World Cup winner with Argentina to be their Number 1 but instead are trying to buy relatively young Sanne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. Old Trafford potboiler will crush not allow any development. United need their spine to be like Schmeichel, Bruce, Pallister, Keane, Cantona to protect and nurture the team for the like of Giggs and Fergie's Fledglings to bloom.

Will this harsh lesson make Amorim change his stubborn stance to play 3-4-2-1 system? In 4-2-3-1 United can offer cover to defenders and have an extra body in midfield to allow the team to be competitive. It's not ideal but allows the players to have a fighting chance to draw or perhaps enjoy a rare victory. Once Amorim has his players in all positions he can switch back to his preferred system later. Question is Amorim has steadfastly defended his stance despite very poor results in his tenure. If the shock at Grimsby makes Amorim become more pragmatic on what works and what does not, he can survive this nadir else there can be only one outcome out of despair which is the sacking.

United as a club nor the fans want another managerial change but if results do not improve it forces their opinion to change. Oliver Glasner is the leading contender with Mauricio Pochettino keen to fulfil his dream of managing Manchester United after that 'lunch with Sir Alex Ferguson'. New manager may not have funds to get players of his choice as transfer window closes soon.

Meanwhile the sales of Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and potentially Anthony or Sancho might raise enough cash for United to get a stop-gap midfielder before the window shuts on 1st September. High cost of Baleba, Hjulmand rules them out. Lucien Agoume and Hayden Hackney provide promise at affordability while Adrien Rabiot at 30 and available at 15 million Euro's is a surprise development or will Christopher Vivell conjure something from Bundesliga? All eyes on Amorim for now.     

Solskjaer under renewed focus as United aim to halt three match barren run

Manchester United have not only failed to win their last three English Premier League matches but also failed to score; 0-2 at Anfield, 0-2 to Burnley and 0-0 to Wolves both at Old Trafford. As a result they have not been able to close to the gap on the fourth position presently held by their next opponents Chelsea whom they face on Monday night. Ten points separate ten chasing teams below the fourth spot and based on worst start since 1989 United are certainly not the favourites to clinch it.

Two different stories emerged recently linked with Molde, Solskjaer's former club. The desperation to land a striker meant Solskjaer turned to his own ex-business partner, friend and agent Jim Solbakken whose associates deal with both Joshua King and Odion Ighalo. United had signed just one player in keeper Anders Lindegaard from Solbakken under Sir Alex Ferguson and now this deadline day transfer does raise concerns as the tenure of Solskjaer at Cardiff City paints a grim picture of a manager unable to come to terms with task at hand. Solskjaer to his credit has avoided the mistakes in recruitment that was a catastrophe at Cardiff City which included three Norwegian players who were also Solbakken clients. The second issue was the case of Solskjaer persisting with a player Babacar Saar while awaiting trial. Whatever the issue with Glazers handling of United they as a club will not like to be associated with an entity under cloud. Will that lead to Tommy Docherty like situation all over again remains to be seen.

The media adviser of Ed Woodward the ex-reporter for tabloid The Sun, Neil Ashton was spotted at Griffin Park where Mauricio Pochettino was also in attendance to watch Leeds United play. Rumour-mill was in overdrive coupled with above stories to paint a doomsday scenario for Solskjaer. That pressure was eased greatly by the news of UEFA banning Man City from Champions' League for next two seasons and a fine of 30 million Euro's which means that if United were to finish fifth they could still play in Champions' League next season thus saving Solskjaer's job. Europa League Cup has too many good teams left that makes a United win improbable. The English FA should also investigate if the titles won by Man City since the take over by Sheikh Mansour are legitimate. The 2011-12 win by City over United on goal difference under Sir Alex Ferguson and 2017-18 win by City over United with a massive 19 point difference under Jose Mourinho. Twenty times league Champions might become Twenty two! This ban reminds of the early days of last century wherein an alert United under shrewd Ernest Mangnall lured City's star players Billy Meredith, Sandy Turnbull who had helped them win the 1904 FA Cup were banned subsequently to aid the Red Devils win their first League and Cup titles in 1907 and 1908.

Solskjaer has three wins and a draw against Chelsea including the opening day 4-0 win of this season and earlier beat an under strength blues at the Bridge in the League Cup. United have a chance to do a double over their bogey team in Premier League for the first time since 1987-88 when it was the old First Division. Solskjaer confirmed he will not play Scott McTominay, Eric Bailly or Timothy Fosu-Mensah nor long time absentee Paul Pogba and of them the loss of McTominay will be huge that might tilt the match in blues favour. Marcus Rashford is out injured.

Usual back five, Fernandes-Fred with Pereira-Mata-James and Martial likely the starting XI. Ighalo off the bench for his debut as Martial moves to left in the second half. Thus far Solskjaer has played all his signings straight into first XI to underscore his point about poor quality of the side he inherited - Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes. Without Rashford to run in and supply a pass or a one-two, Martial seems aloof hence Solskjaer will be tempted to start with Ighalo and revert Martial to left of front three. Ighalo will push Martial to deliver or step-in himself. Greenwood in his breakthrough year has exceeded expectations whenever has has come off the bench while he is still in his developing years in terms of physique to start the match.

First match of this season and the first match after the first winter break, both against Chelsea! This break isn't like the international one where players disperse to national teams and then lose focus on return to their respective clubs but instead its renews the focus with training sessions away from media glare like United's at Marbella, Spain. Solskjaer got his wish in January transfer window with two signings and not Frank Lampard that increases the expectations despite the blues shrewdly signing Hakim Ziyech for the summer instead of comparatively costly and inexperienced Jadon Sancho. United need to learn and tie down their overseas targets now for the summer thinking ahead especially how slow they negotiate a player transfer. Commercial deals do not take that much time given Woodward's specialty! That once again proves the need for a Director of Football at United.

Hope Tommy Docherty is present to watch his two great sides battle it out as he hasn't been invited to Old Trafford since 2014. United are six points behind Chelsea and if they lose this match top four will be almost out of sight increasing the pressure on Solskjaer that Luke Shaw tried to deflect on players.

With Ole's blueprint starting to work Poch will have to wait longer

Sir Alex Ferguson met Mauricio Pochettino towards the end of 2015-16 campaign in May, 2016 but Manchester United ended up appointing Jose Mourinho instead to succeed Louis van Gaal. That was perhaps due to the presence of Pep Guardiola at City who had been rivals with Jose Mourinho in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. Many die hard fans questioned the decision as the football philosophy of MUFC and Jose Mourinho are poles apart, although he remains the most successful manager since retirement of Ferguson with Europa League, League Cup trophies and finishing 2nd their highest position since winning the Premier League in 2012-13.

Pochettino will always be admired for bringing the best out of young players under his charge and adopt a Gegenpressing style to play that's trending atop tactical pyramid of football coaching with Jϋrgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola leading the charge from their German Bundesliga stints where it was initiated by Ralf Rangnick with limited success.

With the turnaround by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer there is no risk to his position at the moment. The lack of depth in midfield and absence of backup striker things can go wrong quickly with a few injuries and rub of green going against, but as demonstrated by the Norwegian that his vision is for the long term and in line with the traditions of this great club where he is a legend from his playing days. If and when MUFC do consider a change of Manager the Argentine Pochettino will no doubt be amongst the short-list based on his excellent work at Tottenham Hotspur. That opportunity looks beyond this 2019-20 season and maybe next. Not winning a single trophy is a lacuna where the likes of Brendan Rodgers takes a lead but the context of taking a mid-table club to be a consistent top four side aided by excellent recruitment team under constrained budget cannot be ignored.

Solskjaer has beaten Chelsea twice and Leicester City once, drew with Liverpool and thereby shown big match temperament but what afflicts the side is to turn up against the mid table opponents especially away from home. Getting a midfielder and/or a striker cover in January transfer window and return from injury of almost nine players will ease the task and continue the upward momentum of MUFC. Two points and seven positions being the difference between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's MUFC and Jose Mourinho's THFC both of whom will be chasing the elusive fourth spot, and that march just got a lot harder with a direct top 6 opponent making managerial recourse. MUFC host Tottenham at Old Trafford on 05-December just two days before the Manchester derby. That game should encourage the World Cup winner Paul Pogba to regain his fitness and form to deliver a world class performance for Ole's reds irrespective of transfer rumours.