02 Feb 2026 09:04:14
Good win, and highlighted a couple of obvious gaps
1. Midfield quality drops massively without Casemiro. Need at least two top quality MFs this summer (assuming Ugarte goes, Mount can last half a season, Kone steps up, Bruno stays, Mainoo stays)

2. Maguire is a liability when playing a high line, which we will need to against 'lesser' teams. That said, if DeLigt is back, a quartet of Martinez, MdL, Yoro and Heaven is good for next season imo.

And as I then think of what would be a good window for us, if we can get two top CM and a top ST, while getting a lot of outgoings sorted, it'd be a good start. Defence (with the young keeper returning, and Amass / Leon stepping up) is ok, as is the wide areas and the 10s. We can be much much better with a midfield engine and a proper striker.

1.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 10:45:17
AM2, I don't think we will be looking to spend big on another centre forward given we have just spent over £60m on Sesko, and there are so few top centre forwards available. I think we might be looking to add another versatile forward, ideally right footed, that can play on the left or through the middle however.

That would give us so many options and so much ability to change things during matches. At the moment I could see us targeting Ndiaye from Everton or Kevin Schade from Brentford, since they both fit that profile and already play in the Premier League.

That way we would we would have for example, Sesko, plus Mbeumo, Ndiaye, and Cunha who could play through the middle, potentially Zirkzee too, though I could see him leaving this summer. We would have Ndiaye and Cunha on the left, Mbeumo and Diallo on the right, plus Dorgu can obviously play on either wing. At a number 10 we would have several options in Cunha, Mount, and Diallo that would allow us to give Bruno the occasional 15 minute rest, not that he would be all that happy about coming off.

2.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 12:25:30
I think we need at least one top class full back. Two CMs - to replace Casemiro and Ugarte. And depth in a couple of other positions.

3.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 16:00:00
Good point Gilly. That makes sense.

DonRed - was commenting more on what I thought was the absolute minimum, wherevafter the midfield I feel a forward is more pressing than defense or depth in other places.

4.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 17:49:08
I said many many times Deligt just can’t be relied on, too injury prone I was shot down by usual suspects, but what’s he been injured now 2 months, he never ever plays any decent percentage of games per season and now in a more physical league, Yoro just not good enough unfortunately and when I said Ugarte was rubbish the usual suspects were off again, how’s that worked out.
Apart from Bruno CASS Always been our best midfielder and many doubted him…. Once he went off yesterday we were poor

But what’s I must add, it’s surprising what a half decent manager can do with even our existing players, just shows how poor RA really was and had 14 months, far too long. await incoming! But facts speak for themselves.

5.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 18:28:50
We are short a midfielder before anyone leaves. So if 2 leave we need 3 first team quality CMs. Plus youth to develop in the cup games (Kone? Fletchers)

6.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 18:40:47
Midfield is priority. CAS going, Ugarte needs to be sold. 2 incomings

Lifting the quality of the starting FBs is second priority. Dalot and Shaw are not good enough, neither is Mazraoui or malacia. This needs attention. RB might be okay for another season as we have 4 highly rated RBs coming through (Leon, overy, kamason and helafu), so if they opted to offload Dalot or Mazraoui we have cover. LB is a serious problem, namely Shaw is in decline and post WC he has nothing to aim for, Amass is simply not good enough and needs a move permanently. What else do we have.?
Addressing the constantly injured or not suited

CB is third priority (you highlight Maguire as not quick enough, this was very very clear against Fulham, why he started I'll never know) hopefully Carrick learns from that and gives Heaven or Yoro a run out next time.
MDL is in need of a new home, too injury prone, same as Mount, time to move them on and be ruthless this summer.

Not worried about 10's wide players or strikes this summer as we have quality and players comj g through (Obi, Lacey and crew) would be concerned if we aren't moving on the likes of Zirkzee and Mount.

7.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 18:48:36
Maguires performances against Arsenal and City justified his selection against Fulham.

We all know that he struggles playing a high line, but Utd have played far better having him in defence. Yoro has been off form and Heaven has played quite well.

Martinez was an absolute beast against Fulham.

8.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 19:10:51
De Ligt starts for us when fit. He and Licha are by far our top CBs but his injury record is a concern. I'd stop a long way off off moving him on. I'm also perplexed at anyone writing Yoro off. He's 20 years old. Cop on a bit. He's still learning the game but has plenty of ability and shows he wants to learn.

I don't think CB is a priority position but our top 2 players have patchy injury records and Yoro and Heaven are young. It's unclear if Maguire will be here next year.

9.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 20:34:54
Martinez is not a great CB either, ok he had couple of good games and decent on the ball but slows to snails pace with the ball if you watch him closer he is ok but not for a team who wants to win EPL in coming years, DeLigt waste of time McGuire still our best that shows how bad our CBs are
Overpaid massively on Yoro he shown nothing
Forwards and 10s ok lots of choices still could do with experienced striker.
Need number 2 keeper to push Lammens on

All you who call for Dalot to be gone did you see how poor Mazzaroui was when he came on against Fulham, that’s why Dalot is always in

Still a lot to do with this team/squad, but least something to cheer about in interim with clown RA gone, shame he did not take Ugarte with him.

10.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 23:50:17
Jimbo, we can't be selling/losing Zirkzee, Mount, Ugarte, Casemiro, De Ligt, Maguire, and Yoro plus potentially 1 or 2 full backs in one window. We already lack depth in several positions, and we will (hopefully) be playing a lot more football next season.

I suspect we will sell Ugarte, though he might be kept as fourth choice to save some cash until next summer, and I think we will also look to sell Zirkzee. We will be losing Casemiro obviously, so whatever happens with Ugarte we will surely be looking to sign at least two central midfielders already, plus another forward and another defender than can ideally play several positions. That is already 4 new signings, with only 3 players in the current squad leaving plus those that are currently out on loan.

With that in mind, we can't afford to lose more than 1 or 2 more this summer since it will cost an absurd amount to put together a big enough squad to compete across 4 competitions next season. Depth is so important now so I think Mount, De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw, Dalot, Mazraoui will all stay at least another season, before we look to replace 3 or 4 the following summer.

11.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 05:11:54
Gilly, I haven't mentioned Yoro going, he stays for me, but the rest absolutely need to go, for reasons mentioned. They are either:
Not good enough
Always injured
Don't want to be here
Leaving on a free

If we are not ruthless with these players, we will be bent over again and again.

Whoever said Maguire's performance against arsenal and city justified his selection is highlighting our problem as a club. You pick the best team to get you over the line.

It was asked pre game what Carrick should do. Two things were highlighted. 1. Cunha in for Dorgu, that worked and 2. Drop Maguire for probably Heaven.

We make it seem so simple to run this club, but I don't think it is too hard to select your best team to face an opponent. It is a squad game.

12.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 05:44:28
German, even when we win you are Mr Negative! Yoro is 20 . De Ligt was our best defender until he got injured. Cunha, Brumo and Mbuemo "ok"? lol.

13.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 08:22:24
Maze is a troll Redpaul. Best to ignore.

14.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 08:38:33
Reality is that we have too many areas that either need upgrading or back up support and with a view that the club is aiming for the Premier League in the 27/28 season (thats not to say the club will not aim for this next year) we realistically have 2 summer windows.

I would expect the CB's to remain next year with Maguire getting an extension, this should give us enough cover and a unit to cope with cups as well as league assuming no major injuries. Heaven and Yoro could develop over the season especially growing physically.

Depending on the managers view of Dorgi I would expect us to bring in a full back with the aim to take over/offer cover for Shaw as he will need to have game time managed in a full season. Whilst I would like an upgrade on Dalot it maybe we have too many holes elsewhere to fill.

Midfield will need to bring in a replacement for Casimero, an upgrade on Ugarte with both leaving as well as an additional midfielder to give depth. Alongside Mainoo would increase high level competition

Attackers behind the striker will be interesting depending on what happens with Fernandes, if he stays we probably have enough with the players we have especially if Dorgi is viewed as an attacker. If not then maybe a left winger is looked at.

Striker position will need extra support especially as I expect Zirkzee to move on, whether we can bring someone through from the youth team or look at a low cost option from a premier league team as cover (Mateta at palace may be an option with his transfer falling through yesterday) .

The remaining upgrades can come in the summer of 2027 to round out the team especially if we have seen some success next year.

15.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 10:36:48
Jimbo, can't get behind any of that. Drop Maguire for heaven?

16.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 11:23:39
Don,

As much as I enjoy giving it to him I am enjoying everyone just ignoring it.

17.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 15:50:41
lol…. Ignore someone who is more right than wrong at your peril
No one said Deligt is not a good defender WHEN FIT but that’s the problem he gets injured so much and always never a week or two that’s been the problem all career.
I would prefer him being CB compared to Martinez, Yoro or Heavan 100% but he is injured far too much for a youngish man and now in physical league will only get worse!
Maybe just for you GDS will list what been correct on, Ugarte Amorim, Yoro, Rasmus, Garnacho, Antony Onana, and before you jump on it, that was when you thought they were all fantastic

Even one of the Ed’s the other day said Martinez is poor CB, did not see you pile in on him.

You seem to have selective vision and hearing I am sure there is a medicine for that.

18.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 19:08:55
Angel, I'm not saying Maguire wasn't the right choice for the likes of city and arsenal, if the cattle available for those games, Carrick nailed his selection. All I am saying, and I replied to someone's post pre game when we learned of Dorgu's injury asking about what changes were needed, is that for teams like Fulham, Spurs etc swapping out Maguire for a more mobile CB would be my direction.

I feel Heaven is actually ahead of Yoro currently, so he gets the nod in these situations. Maguire was exposed against Fulham, you cannot argue that. So would you persevere again with Maguire against? We had season after season of his howlers in these situations.

I will repeat what I have said before, I have been one of his biggest critics, but the way he has come back is elite mentality, something I have also said we are lacking, to that point I would not be against him having a rolling extension. BUT. he should not play in the games where he is exposed as a weak ess in the team. On the bench for Matchday to provide experience etc, absolutely.

What is you solution for this glaring weakness?