12 Jan 2026 13:08:48
We could spend days discussing Managers, ownership etc. Truthfully, we all know the problem and we all know the solution but sadly, that doesn't look like changing anytime soon.

I'd rather just focus on the football and what we pay to watch each week. For me, the biggest issue with this Manchester United team right now isn’t tactics, personnel, or even effort — it’s confidence. This team looks mentally fragile, and once doubt creeps in, performances dip almost instantly. What makes it more frustrating is that the underlying numbers tell a very different story to the results we’re seeing on the pitch.

Statistically, United are doing a lot right. We’re top of the table for shots per 90 minutes, top for shots on target per 90, and second only to Manchester City for expected goals. Those are the numbers of a team creating chances consistently. But football is decided in the boxes, and that’s where United are falling short. We’re 15th for goals per shot and 15th for goals per shot on target — a huge gap between creation and conversion.

Goals change games, and timing matters. United have to be more clinical in the first 15 minutes. When chances go begging early, you can almost feel the confidence drain away. Heads drop, the crowd gets tense, and that “fragile” mentality kicks in. Instead of controlling games, we start reacting to them. Fix the ruthlessness in front of goal, especially early on, and everything else — belief, tempo, and control — starts to follow. I've lost count how many games now we have created big chances early on but not scored. Dalot scores 1 of his 2 chances in first 5 minutes and we are having a different discussion today.

The foundations are there with this team IMO. Now it’s about mentality, composure, and being ruthless when it matters most. I hope whoever comes in can just generate some confidence in the team to help us get Europe next season then this will at least give us a platform for the the new manager to come in a take it forward as best they can within the environment Ratcliffe, Wilcox, Berradar and the Glazers have created.

1.) 12 Jan 2026
12 Jan 2026 14:16:37
You've hit the nail on the head ports with the fragile mentality we've had it all season that's why we have dropped so many points in games we should have won.

2.) 12 Jan 2026
12 Jan 2026 15:51:53
The same issues coming up with the same group of players which another manager has failed to get a tune out of.

Isn’t it strange that.

Every season the excuses come in, lack of confidence, players are fragile, poor them yet us fans who folk out thousands a season are the ones suffering.

It’s just a constant circle you could go back 14 months and I have probably posted this exact reply.

3.) 12 Jan 2026
12 Jan 2026 18:30:44
I've been saying this group of players (so come some go) has been mentally weak for a very long time. That is in part why most of them need to leave. We need to churn out the dross, now. Have a season of laying younger players if necessary. I said exactly that in the summer, just promote the youth and literally carve up the entire squad.

It was a golden opportunity in a world cup year to get rid of all the hangers on, every last one of them. The board bottled that too.
I said recently with the names we all know remaining in the squad we will be lucky to win many of the remaining game let alone a trophy.