AZ Alkmaar 0-0 Manchester United: Four Things We Learned

Manchester United continue to disappoint. After numerous poor performances this season, another one occurs, as Man United drew 0-0 against AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, in Europa League’s second round of the group stage.

With this draw, Man United are level on points with Partizan Belgrade, who also have four after two matches, but have scored more goals than the Devils. After another appalling result, it is time to see what we have learned from it.

Solskjaer Does Not Have The Mentality For This Job

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time at Manchester United might not be looking to getting closer to end on a grander scheme, but it certainly does not look like he is giving the board any real reasons to keep him. He does not have the mentality for this job and he cannot get the best out of this squad.

To be very clear here – Solskjaer has one of the worst Man United squads in recent memory, especially of those who remember the last thirty or more years of this football club. This is a spectacularly poor squad, lacking in any real quality and style. Solskjaer’s post-match comments did not help either, further proving that he is not going to get the best out of this team.

After finishing the match without a single shot on target, he came out and said that this was a good away point against a team that beat Feyenoord 3-0 last weekend. For someone who quotes Sir Alex Ferguson so much, that was a very poor way of showing that this team has to perform at a much higher level.

Some managers, like Antonio Conte for example, would still not be happy with this team, but would definitely be able to get the best out of these players.

Playing Youngsters Is Just A Hiding Tactic

Yes, there have been a lot of injuries – which is a subject for some other time – and yes, Solskjaer is eager at promoting youngsters, but these days it looks like that is just one of hiding tactics for getting more time at the club. And to some extent, that makes sense. Solskjaer can expect to get more credit when it’s taken into consideration that he is playing so many academy graduates, but at this point it feels like that is the only reason for it. Without a certain style these players are going to jump into or any coherent way of playing will not be anywhere nearly enough beneficial.

Manchester United Should Have Lost This Match

Man United did not have a single shot on target and they mostly just did well enough not to lose. But had they lost, it would not have been undeserving. AZ Alkmaar players were disappointed after the match that they did not win and that speaks volumes. They had their chances and Idrissi was one of their best performers who could have given the Dutch side a much needed victory.

Williams Does Well On His Full Debut

Brandon Williams got his full debut against AZ, starting at left-back and he did well enough. He did not do anything that was going to make him standout and he even had that one situation when he did not pick a pass from De Gea, but overall, his willingness and bravery to go forward was nice to see and for him this will be a night to remember.

1 Comment on AZ Alkmaar 0-0 Manchester United: Four Things We Learned

  1. Ollie is the main problem followed closely by a talentless squad. He got the job playing great attacking, free flowing football. Probably by telling the players to just go out and enjoy yourself. Then when he became a real manager he froze. When he now had to give them a plan like a real manager, he had nothing and that’s what we’ve got, nothing. If they don’t pull him soon United could be flirting with relegation.

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