03 Aug 2026 20:34:03
Whilst I see posts arguing there is no money, not enough money, cannot buy the quality and arguing we buy lesser levels to make up the squad numbers, I am reminded of a story told by SAF in 1993 when he said he was underlining his own buying strategy.

Steve Coppell rang him over a valuation of Nigel Martyn who he wanted to buy and the Palace chairman didn’t agree with the valuation.

SAF told him to ask his Chairman “Are Palace a big club or are we small time?” Coppell got the money.

So Ratcliffe, are United a big club or are we small time?

1.) 03 Aug 2026
03 Aug 2026 20:52:07
The latest reports are we are trying to sign Lewis Hall. We will still finish this window with around about 200-250 million spent, like we do nearly every year, red man.

We'd all like to be signing an Anderson or one of the other £100m+ signings, but unfortunately, due to how much work we need, I don't think it's prudent to spend around about half your budget on one player.

2.) 03 Aug 2026
03 Aug 2026 21:44:47
Latest rumours suggest we will buy two more players:

Baleba gathering pace.
Hall or Salinas for left back.

3.) 03 Aug 2026
03 Aug 2026 22:53:03
Would be very happy with Baleba and Hall, Eric.
I'd be ecstatic if we also target an RB and a CB, but I have come to the conclusion these will be addressed next season.

4.) 03 Aug 2026
03 Aug 2026 22:34:26
This is the same SAF that was linked and tried to sign Shearer, Hirst and Le Tissier before signing Cantona and then Kluivert, Batistuta and Salas before signing Yorke.

Red Man, I think you're more bothered about spending Glazers money than actually becoming a successful football team again.

5.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 01:06:38
Let's see how we are when the window closes. I know watching teams around us spend a bomb doesn't look good, but really we've only "lost" out on Fernandes, and that was the right call. You can't be signing a player that would come in on double the wages of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko.

Holding our cards close to our chest might work out.

Howe wouldn't have let Hall go, but now the dynamics have changed, and that deal looks possible.

If we went out and filled the 3rd CM spot and Tchouemeni becomes available when Rodri moves, we'd be kicking ourselves.

All ifs and buts, but if the window closes and we're short in a lot of positions, panic away. But some patience is needed.

6.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 06:52:51
Ports

Spending the Glazers' money? They have not put one cent into the club, so we wouldn't be spending any of their money. None.

However, there is no excuse whatsoever not to buy the players we need to compete. The only blocks are from the owners, who likely want profit and dividends.

Does the club really believe all the claims of poverty will enable them to pay less?
Three players and three first-team star players, maybe two stars and a back up striker. 18 days, and the clock is ticking.

7.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 08:01:32
I think the issue is that the fan base are turning into accountants and apologists for the club.

It is not so much about why we did not get this player or that player. Or why we have not spent 100m.

We, as fans, need to expect the club to deliver a winning team. There is a lot of work to do. Maguire, Shaw and Dalot in the back 4 show little ambition. The lack of a recognized second striker also shows little ambition.

Why is it that Utd can't sell players? Even young players have zero value.

Star players have zero value. Promising players like Zirkzee surely have some value?

There is time in the market, and I won't be judging the window until it is closed. But we should also be putting pressure on the club to deliver a better squad. Extra European games will put a lot more pressure on the squad. We should be targeting cup wins this year, not first round exits.

8.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 10:25:34
I think Both Santos and Tielemans will be excellent signings for Man United. I was really impressed with Santos against Athletico on Saturday. Extremely calm on the ball, doesn't waste anything, and his forward passes through the lines were really impressive. He is always looking to pass forward to get an attack going. He is still only 22 years old and will keep improving season after season.
I think we got a bargain for 48 million pounds.


Tielemans gives you a bit of everything in midfield and is a proven Premier League player. Add Mainoo to that and Mount to that (for the 15 games a season he stays fit), I think that we have some good options. If I am being greedy, I would definitely want another midfielder and a left back. That, for me, would indicate a good transfer window. Lewis Hall and Tchouameni would be nice.

9.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 12:54:56
You mean 'there's no value in the market', SAF? The man who was happy to play ball with the Glazers in return for his 2m a year gig when he retired.

10.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 18:54:45
Bilko

The OP quote from SAF was from 1993 when the Glazers only cleaned our windows and didn't rinse the club.

Yes, and, as was said many years ago on here, SAF let the Glazers off. Possibly the horse issue, which brought it all on, made it difficult for him.

11.) 04 Aug 2026
04 Aug 2026 21:55:50
Possibly the 'being told he'd be looked after bit ' made it easy for him, being the greedy, grubby man that he is despite his whole trade Unionist, Socialist schtick