It was only the first official Premier League football match away at Portman Road under the Amorim reign as manager.
The Reds were very lucky to escape Southampton with a 1-1 draw, despite scoring in the first two minutes of play.
Not until the final ten minutes of play did United revive a dead offense and start generating interest in all of us hopeful Manchester United fans.
But no.
Someone needs to give these lads a compass. Maybe it will point the way TOWARDS the opponents’ goal, instead of AWAY to their own goal. The fullbacks looked once up field, and unless someone was wide open (no one ever was) the ball would go backwards to the goalie who would promptly kick it to the opponents.
I once coached a little girls soccer team in Tucson, Arizona in the seventies and I used to tell them that “I don’t care if you can’t be 100% for every practice or game. Maybe you had a fight with your sister, or you just aren’t feeling right. If you only have 85% left in the tank, I will need all 85% from you.”
Those were my expectations.
Of course, they were only nine years old.
My own self expectations are usually over the top and unrealistic. But they are unrealistic to everyone but me.
Once I taught my squad not to flock to the ball as soon as they saw it, and how to keep passing and spacing lanes, we would go on to win all 10 of our league games.
But back to my expectations for the Manchester United Red Devils football club.
I don’t give a damn if you are having to adapt to a different system and formations that you are unfamiliar with.
The payroll of the starting eleven for Man U is about 200 million US dollars per year.
They sit in 12th place after today’s display of ineptitude and lack of effort.
What are my expectations for a friend?
Loyalty.
Not a long list.
This story sounds all too familiar: a manager from a foreign team does well and gets a shot at managing the Reds in the Premier League.
Names like Van Gaal, Ten Hag, and now (I hope I’m wrong), Reuben Amorim.
They all find the Premier League is a different level of football. If they can adjust and manage the egos of an international clubhouse of stars, they will get the keys to the castle and establish their own legacy.
But you don’t tie Ipswich Town to generate any positive belief.
What are my expectations for the squad next week in Amorim’s Old Trafford debut?
Very simple.
EFFORT.
PRIDE.
And it would not hurt a bit to see some semblance of a FORWAR FIRST offensive game plan, since the one employed today sucked.
Don’t get me wrong.
I am the most loyal Red fan you will ever meet, but I always call ’em like I see ‘em.
Go Reds!
Stay well.
