My opinion

First of all, great win yesterday. To be fair, it was pretty dull until Palace scored, but I guess that's why they say goals make games, and whatever happens in Lingard's career, he'll go down in history for that wonder goal.

But only hours after it happened, we were no longer talking about the Cup win, Whatever you feel about LVG (and I wanted him to be gone regardless of yesterday's result), I don't think it would have been that difficult, even in today's media obsessed world, to allow him to enjoy that win for one night with the players.

I know a lot on here were keen on Jose from the start. I admit I'm not one of them, but when he becomes our manager, it won't stop me wanting him (and therefore Utd) to get back to 'proper' winning ways. Of course Jose's previous record is a proven winner, although he did leave Chelsea in bad circumstances - the pressure really got to him at the end, and I just hope that it was a 'blip' and he needed freshening up, rather than a sign of a manager in decline.

I also hoped he's learnt a few things from the final few months at Chelsea. I know that Fergie use to have 'the world against Utd' mentality, but he mellowed and changed his style accordingly. I think Jose uses a similar approach, but without changing himself completely, I hope he reigns it in a bit - Jose and Utd could be a match made in heaven, he could find himself at a club where he has a more long-term strategy, and who knows, if things work out this could be his last club (because he's basically been everywhere else!!)

As for the squad, I've always felt that this squad of players isn't as bad as it has performed over the last 2 seasons. Of course it needs improvements, especially creatively, and no doubt Jose will bring in players, but I'm not sure it requires massive wholesale changes. I think what we do have is a lot of good solid players, but we need the addition of 2 or 3 really top class players to provide us with that magic when required.

I also hope Jose keeps faith with the younger players that LVG has brought through - something which Jose is not known for, but the likes of Rashford, Lindgard, CBJ, Fosu-Mensah etc have been the silver lining during LVG's reign, and at the very least should be active members of a squad, if not automatic first-choice. Our U21s have been successful over the last 2 years, so whilst not all will turn out to be first-teamers, there are obviously some gems there.

And whilst there will be players currently here who will be moved on, with a new manager some will find a new lease of life - I expect at least 2 or 3 to fall in the category of 'amazing when a new manager comes in, and he looks like a new player'.

As for what is expected, quite simply, we are Utd, so whilst we can't win the league every year, a title challenge should be expected every season. Even allowing for our 'transition' period, standards dropped far too much, and not even making top 4 is quite frankly ridiculous for a club of our stature. There's no doubt that during Fergie's reign, he was fortunate to be given as much time at the start as he was, but that was a different era, at a club starved of success for too long, and therefore completely different circumstances. In today's world, whilst we have to show some patience, there is a minimum acceptable standard, and we have dropped way below that in recent years. That is where LVG has failed.

As for Giggs, well that depends on Jose. Will Jose want to keep him, if yes, then I think Giggs would be wise to stay on, because I think he'll gain more from Jose than LVG. Giggs may feel it's time to move on, who knows, he may feel management isn't for him after all.

Ultimately I expect Jose to be a success - like him or loathe him, there is an expectation rather than hope that he will get the job done. Whilst being successful is the ultimate goal, I really do hope he gives our youngsters a real chance.