japanarab wrote:

I reckon they're just meaning the "Jim McLean way".

I think you're right. 

​But getting away from the clubs 'soundbites' or intended meanings....I am more interested to know what YOU guys would consider the 'Utd Way'.

​I know what it was when I was growing up but want to hear others opinions first before I wade in.
 

It's open to interpretation and depends on what era you first started following united.

Key things to me are:

1. Bringing through youth players, and giving them the time to make mistakes because the long term benefits are worth it 
2. European nights at Tannadice under the flood lights with the place jumping
3. In general, playing pass and move football on the deck. In general as McLean's teams knew what ball to play and when, and Levein/Houston teams were successful playing more direct football.
4. Sad to say but cup finals are a core part of united for me. Amazing days in 94 and 2010, other days of absolute heart break which are still painful decades later.  
 

Jim McLean said there were only 2 kind of players - attackers and defenders and everyone on the park had to work their socks off. His teams got the ball forward quickly and used width to cross into the box. His teams pressurised opposing defences and didn't mess about at the back but cleared their lines. 

Nowadays we have  at least 5 midfielders and ball playing defenders who love messing about instead of doing the right thing.

japanarab wrote:

I would consider it as (on the park) fast counter attacking football with a good blend of youth and experience. An excellent youth system with a good few ready to make the breakthrough each season. Off the park, a good team spirit, not getting taking for a ride over transfers, well run.

This

It's open to interpretation and depends on what era you first started following united.

Key things to me are:

1. Bringing through youth players, and giving them the time to make mistakes because the long term benefits are worth it 
2. European nights at Tannadice under the flood lights with the place jumping
3. In general, playing pass and move football on the deck. In general as McLean's teams knew what ball to play and when, and Levein/Houston teams were successful playing more direct football.
4. Sad to say but cup finals are a core part of united for me. Amazing days in 94 and 2010, other days of absolute heart break which are still painful decades later.

And this. The ability to first and foremost, try to play fast attacking football on the deck, using wingers and being dangerous on the counter attack, but also being able to mix it up with a target man (Dodds, Dunc Ferguson, Mixu, Brewster, Daly) who can get knock-downs and get on the end of crosses.




Watch this from 8 mins.  The move is absolutely breathtaking.  The Utd Way.  (We'll ignore the fact we missed the chance at the end and actually lost the game).


The Utd Way 




 

Last edited by lifesanocean (26/6/2018 12:49 pm)

BTW how good was that game compared to what we see in our game now - big crowd, great atmosphere and both teams just attacking each other.

TheShed wrote:

“What is the United way?”

A myth created to try and keep the support onside.  Nothing more.

 
Exactly. There is no "united way"

For me it's a mix of all of the above.

1) A focus on youth development with one or more young players a season in the squad. ON MERIT, not due to some quota system.

2) Attacking football, though I'm open as to how it's played. Direct, passing I don't care particularly. So long as it's forward thinking and somewhat effective.

3) Challenging  for cup finals and Europe.

I do somewhat agree with other posters in that I think 'The United Way' is just a soundbite from the club to get fans back onside. While Thompson remains there will continue to be question marks over how genuine this effort is. Furthermore, one might question whether Martin and Laszlo have the ability to carry this task out, regardless of their sincerity.

I've often though Laszlo cared about the club and results. But so did Ray and so did Mixu. Doesn't mean they could turn the ship around. Is Laszlo the man to bring back 'the United Way'? Probably not if we're being honest and polite.

Goodie Conway 2 wrote:

I don't really care what the actual way is but what I'm encouraged by is MM's recognition that there hasn't been one at all since Houston left and the need for some sort of strategy, off the field in particular.

I know there's the feeling that it's all just talk but recruitment so far has been stepped up with the appointment of the head of Finance, the scouting changes and reserve team positions, not to mention the recent advertising of Bar management positions. This says to me that things are being put in place to give the club some structure and purpose. I think what happens on the park will be an outcome of a more stable and assured DUFC infrastructure that is in place for the long term, not just until the next manager is sacked.

 

Agree.  Even if the cynic in your thinks there is no "United Way" and it is simply to keep fans on side, at least there appears to be some kind of vision and plan now rather than the club just drifting around rudderless.
 

Morphman wrote:

For me it's a mix of all of the above.

1) A focus on youth development with one or more young players a season in the squad. ON MERIT, not due to some quota system.

2) Attacking football, though I'm open as to how it's played. Direct, passing I don't care particularly. So long as it's forward thinking and somewhat effective.

3) Challenging for cup finals and Europe.

I do somewhat agree with other posters in that I think 'The United Way' is just a soundbite from the club to get fans back onside. While Thompson remains there will continue to be question marks over how genuine this effort is. Furthermore, one might question whether Martin and Laszlo have the ability to carry this task out, regardless of their sincerity.

I've often though Laszlo cared about the club and results. But so did Ray and so did Mixu. Doesn't mean they could turn the ship around. Is Laszlo the man to bring back 'the United Way'? Probably not if we're being honest and polite.

I think Csaba deserves an opportunity to have a bash at it with his own squad, without his hands being tied behind his back.
 

smedDUm wrote:

Yeah, good posts.
On October 20th (ICT @ Home) we'll have played our first round of 9 league matches and 4, 5 or hopefully 6 Betfreds.
Shabba has 4 months to be hero or zero.
We should have a fair idea what's happening by then.
 

 
No we won’t. We’ve had more than our shares of false dawn decent starts (top at Christmas twice). We’ll no find out until we play the 2nd half of the season and the last 4 have all been mince including Csaba’s efforts last year

If Csaba wants to create he could worse than follow the example of South Korea who worked their socks off, got stuck in, supported their teammates, cleared their lines and entertained their fans  and despite only having 24% of the play and already out of the competition managed to beat the reigning world champs.

What Csaba wants to bin is his increasingly discredited poser football which is past its sell by date. What’s the point of 76% possession and making 800 passes with 96% accuracy if your not going to go near the box and finishing bottom of a supposedly weak group

Last edited by annanarab (27/6/2018 6:29 pm)

I think there should be a United Way. It would provide clarity to players, managers and coaches of how we play. It should help recruitment as we only appoint/sign those willing to work this way leaving those with differing ideas free to pursue their ideas elsewhere. This could provide the continuity we are so gladly lacking. With wee Jim’s team I never feared going to play the Ugly Sisters home or away and was confident of our chances against the Dons, Jambos, the Fun and I always expected a run in Europe. Contrast this not expecting to beat the likes of Falkirk, Dumbarton etc