Manchester United Banter Mobile

01 May 2024 18:23:22
I know it's probably old news but other than moving the dugouts which is common knowledge. I learnt the other day that ETH changed the side the players line up on. Now I admit I am an old traditionalist but they lined up next to Stretford end "to be near the heart of the club" and Erik changed that. Why? To me that's just change for change sake and achieves nothing other than to remove a long tradition. Well as least as long as the new tunnel has been in use.

01 May 2024 14:16:37
Do we want Dortmund to win the ECL, possibly allowing them to purchase Sancho, who is clearly happier there than he will ever be at OT?

Despite his improvement and his participation in the semis, this comment rang true:

"He lacks the ease and confidence of his first spell at BVB, " says Gebhardt. "He doesn't dribble as often and he also lacks pace and loses the ball too often. " These attributes make him unsuitable for top flight football in the EPL.

What did we pay for him? £73m? which will now be written down to around £30m. Along with his salary, he'll be costing us c. £30m a year for 2 years if he comes back (assuming ETH is gone) . If I were Sancho I'd be prepared to reduce my salary somewhat in order to play football where I'm wanted and can contribute. It would put this unpleasant saga behind us all. Hopefully the new management group will be inclined to just cut their losses as best they can on this one.

01 May 2024 14:40:54
Shaw this is one of the things I’m most intrigued about with SJR coming in. He’s a minority shareholder, what will his views be on moving players on and how much weight will he hold on any decisions? Clearly we’ve held onto very average players for far too long, likely because we’re not able to find a buyer at anywhere near what we initially paid. Lessons need to be learned from that.

My thoughts on Sancho is that he should be told to find a new club. He disrespected the badge and clearly is a very poor example to youngsters given his attitude stinks.

01 May 2024 15:03:37
Couldn't care less who wins the cl and it will have no bearing on the purchase of sancho if BD win it imo.
Agree with wazza he should be sold.
But it's not that simple.
Let's hope we can find a creative way of doing a deal even if it means paying him for another couple of years.
Sancho and casimero are the 2 most costly in terms of losses that we will incur most others we should be able to turn a profit.
It might be another loan but either way I don't see him returning to play.
But if a new manager comes in and wants him he'll get a clean slate and support from me. As that will be a club decision.

01 May 2024 15:22:35
To be honest Wazza, he maybe a minority holder but he's seems to be clearing the executives out and getting his own guys in with Bell coming in as CFO and Blanc sitting in as CEO until Berrada comes in. Sure an Ed can offer more insight but seems like he has more control to do things than his actual shares suggest.

{Ed002's Note - It is not the case of the person with the most shares gets to control everything. What is happening is Jim Ratcliffe putting a new structure in place. With one exception it seems to be the right people to take the club forward. But there is going to be a significant streamlining of staff with a lot of redundancies and fans won't be happy about that.}

01 May 2024 15:59:56
Ed002 I think the business has required some streamlining and cost focus for some time.
I think redundancies are inevitable and necessary I'd like to think the fans can see that and the long term benefits. Reigning in and getting costs under control will lead to greater efficiency and investment where its required within the business.
Tough calls to be made all over the business but I'm sure they are designed to make the business more sustainable. Hopefully the fans realise that.

{Ed002's Note - I think 200 people will go.}

01 May 2024 16:46:21
Hi Ed, you say that the club is getting the right people in place with one exception. Is that someone who is already at the club or someone they’re looking at?

{Ed002's Note - Someone who has joined.}

01 May 2024 16:54:33
One exception Ed 👀 do tell.

{Ed002's Note - It is unimportant.}

01 May 2024 17:15:44
Big number but if that's what's required then so be it.

01 May 2024 17:36:35
I was surprised to look on the internet and see the club had around 1,100 employees. What on earth are they all doing?

If the club can be run with 200 people less than one wonders just how incompetent the outgoing administration must have been. Thank goodness the Glazers have finally ceded the running of the club to Ratcliffe's team --- not that there's any guarantee it will do any better.

01 May 2024 18:18:25
Have you seen how many people are behind each counter? 9 people to serve beers. Crazy! Streamlining that alone would save silly money.

01 May 2024 18:33:54
Ed002, do utd have significantly more employees than other major clubs - Chelsea, Liverpool, Madrid, Barca, City, Arsenal?

1100 seems an incredible number of employees for a football club. Are they all "working from home?! "

{Ed002's Note - it is not a matter of comparison but I understand that the ongoing review has identified that perhaps a reduction of ~200 staff is appropriate.}

01 May 2024 21:25:52
We have far more staff than any of the top six clubs, a reduction is probably overdue.

SJR has also stopped all chauffeur driven private cars which were being hired by all and sundry. All business and operational costs are being reviewed closely as surprise, surprise, there is deemed to be quite a bit of wastage!

I may be being presumptuous but I suspect the person ED02 feels is the one exception, is hiring Dan Ashworth over Paul Mitchell.

{Ed002's Note - No.}

01 May 2024 21:55:08
That is a huge layoff. It will hurt a lot of people. Even more hurtful when you look at what the players earn.

01 May 2024 22:20:02
O. K. ED02, sorry about that then.

01 May 2024 00:42:17
I'm going to stick my neck on the block and try to name 15 snr players who will be here next season on sep 1st.
Onana.
Dalot Shaw malacia.
Martinez lindelof big willy,
Mainoo mount
Garnacho rasmus rashford.
So that's 12 plus 3 from whomever we can't sell. Plus hopefully a few youth promotions.
You could perhaps see maguire stay instead of lindelof.
I've not included Bruno and included rashford as that's what I think will happen.
So of that's what we are left with some crazy stuff has to happen.
Find buyers and homes for those on loan
Fernandez looks done
Hannibal vdb sancho and Greenwood. pellistri
A few promises there.
We then need to find buyers and homes for
Maguire / lindelof mctom casimero awb ericksen amad Anthony
More than a few problems there also.
Then there is the job of filling that painfully thin squad.
2 x gk
2xcb
1xrb
3x cm
1xcf
1 x winger l/ r
Imo all bar 1 of the keepers all need to be capable of starting weekly.
If all of that takes place over the next 3 windows I'd be delighted.
It's totally impractical to expect it over 1 window given the restrictions and total restructuring of the management team.
So it will be a case of having to do what they can when they can but somehow improve what we have also.
It's a really cool project. It's not for the fainthearted and a wonderful opportunity for whomever they choose to coach. Be that eth or whomever.
It's a dream job.
Not without plenty of pitfalls and challenges but uts the opportunity of a lifetime imo for all concerned not just the coach. Wilcox and Ashworth too.

01 May 2024 07:21:44
Would have to take quite a few “hits” for most of that to happen Ken. But such a reality is needed.

01 May 2024 08:28:10
only guessing- maguire newcastle
awb palace in deal for elise
erikson brentford in deal for toney
casimiro saudi
varane saudi
antony struggling to get rid
as with rashford
bruno psg
lindelhof everton amad out on loan.
would be happy with that personally and i really think we will see a change in transfer policy with regard to getting shafted big prices as in the past.

01 May 2024 09:14:59
Let's hope the new negotiating team can be more ruthless than their predecessors. We've a history of overpaying and underselling (usually admittedly salary related to help the buying club) . If indeed Rashy and Greenwood are sold there's 2 x £100m players a couple of years ago now looking like £50-60m players. Sure there'd be much interest in both although all the top Prem sides look sorted on the left side in terms of Rashford. Chelsea?
Maguire similar. A decade ago he epitomised all a CB needed to be and Fergie would have had him. Jump forward to the version of football Guardiola has brought to the Prem and now everyone plays this high line. Villa would have been a shout but their line is higher than anyone's. Probably West Ham will come in again, although not all these CBs are going to leave.

01 May 2024 10:25:07
Spenno
Evans is out of contract
Varane is out of contract
I'm suggesting we will sell one of maguire or lindelof.
So which ones do you not see leaving?
Are we giving new contracts to varane or Evans?
Do you think we will keep maguire and lindelof?

01 May 2024 10:56:57
I think the writing is on the wall for Varane and Evans, who may even be retiring last I read.
5 CBs seems a solid pool to choose from with Martinez and a new signing (Todibo? Branthwaite? ) with Maguire, Lindelof and Big Willy duking it out but I'm sure all will play plenty. As we've seen it only takes an injury or two and all a sudden the first choice pairing is out.

01 May 2024 11:20:44
So you don't think we will sell any cb. Interesting.
Thank God you won't be in charge 🤣🤣.

01 May 2024 11:26:36
I think Jonny is retiring. Talk of him being considered for a coaching role at the club. He's a good, experienced professional, and a personable fella, so could be a good shout to work with our younger defenders.

01 May 2024 11:27:17
I think there is so much up in the air as to Manager, potential playing style/ ethos that the new structure will want to play, money available for transfers etc.
It could be that players we like are not going to fit and vice versa which makes it difficult to say who will be sold.
Personally I would like to see us retain Martinez, Kambawala and let the rest go. realistically we will need to retain at least one more unless we see another young player ready to step up.
We could be clever and look to bring in 2 CB's that be first team players with Martinez, then look at an older out of contract player that we could bring in as cover for a year (as we did with Evans) .

It could be we just retain Lindelof or Maguire as this cover player but I would like to think they have more desire at this stage of there career to go somewhere to play more.

01 May 2024 11:28:42
If two leave without being sold. what are you talking about, are you this obtuse?

01 May 2024 11:47:07
100% agree.
He would be a good influence around the club no doubt.

01 May 2024 11:50:24
Nothing to do with being obtuse spenno
You think we will not sell any of our cb that was a surprise to me.
I don't think we will retain all 4 still in contract. I'm surprised you do.
Perhaps it j it still your eagerness to disagree with everything with out thinking. 🤦🤷.

01 May 2024 12:07:25
You're a difficult one Tumble. I don't come here just to be difficult and try to be a pain in the rear end like you seem to. I won't bother having an opinion on anything you bring up.

01 May 2024 12:15:50
Think Maguire stays til the end of his contract. On massive wages which I doubt he’ll reduce, ruling out most of European clubs. If Moyes departs WH in the summer their interest will likely go with him. Maybe Saudi but doubt he’ll want to go there.

01 May 2024 13:22:48
Fuser he may well do. Its up to him really. He may want to play more.
Let's be honest if it were not for injuries he probably would have played a lot less this season.
The new manager might rate him higher who knows.
Either way I'd say one of maguire or lindelof will leave.
Maguire has 1 more year and we have an option to extend by a year so there are lots of options.
I think maguire will make his mind up based on likely playing time. If he feels he will get it he will stay I agree with you.
He has good character even if he is not Fleet footed🤣.

01 May 2024 13:27:45
Spenno if that's the way you feel that's suits perfectly. I won't be doing likewise.
I don't consider people not agreeing with me to be a pain in the arse, you won't agree with most people on most things. That's OK in my book.
If you put up arguments or opinions that folk disagree with have your say debate your corner.

01 May 2024 13:51:06
Spenno, I agree. He can start a row in an empty room. Obtuse is his middle name. PITA.

01 May 2024 14:35:33
Agree with Spenno and Fizz. Pain in the arse is right. Spenno don’t stop posting because Ken has nothing better to do than cause arguments. It’s like trying to have a conversation with the left-curved class clown who would start an argument in an empty box. Every thread ends up the same way.

01 May 2024 15:05:29
Wazza it's very simple you don't like people who disagree with you. Too bad.

01 May 2024 15:19:54
Keep it coming I love it😍.

01 May 2024 17:49:38
It’s nothing to do with that Ken, nobody is bothered if you have a different opinion. Every thread ends with you belittling someone. There’s no need for it.

01 May 2024 18:39:45
Well said Spenno, Fizz and Wazza.

Ken 'obtuse' Tumbleweed, take some time out buddy.

01 May 2024 18:37:43
Like calling someone a pain in the arse, great to see you at your hypocritical best.
Don't be offended there is no need for it.

01 May 2024 20:20:10
I'd rather not jimbob. I really do appreciate your touching advise. I'm happy out. Looking forward to a good summer some good footie on going to 6 or 7 games at the euros all is sunny in my garden. Little or no worries thankfully.

30 Apr 2024 14:55:25
On the announcement that all the squad is up for sale except some of the young players that have broken into the first team seems a case of a complete re boot .
Looking at the vast first team squad I see up to 36 players some obviously out on loan .
Contract end dates will be crucial as part of the exercise and previous years have proven difficult to move players on especially when they are on good salaries compared to other clubs but still in contract for a year or more.

I suggest that the exercise falls into three categories if my information is correct

Category A
Contracts or loan finish June 2024 .
Heaton, Evan's, Amrabat, Martial ( at last ) . Suggest at best we obtain £5m for Heaton .

Category B .
Contracts that finish summer 2025.
Lindelof, Maguire, Varane, Van-Bissaka, Erickson, Ahmad, Von -Beek, Mctominay, Hannibal, Greenwood . Suggest in the region of best £100m to £130m if all sold this summer .
This is the important category because many at present will attract some sort of fee but if we fail to move on this summer by following year they are able to walk away free!


Category C .
Various contracts that finish between 2026 and 2028!
Salaries range from £20k to £350k a week that includes some young players and then the likes of Casemero, Rashford, Fernandes, Anthony, Mount etc.
Difficult category this one not many clubs will be attracted to match salaries and offer MU the transfer price required .

Obviously some players in category B will possibly be offered one year extensions to try and safe guard the asset.

The new managerial team have a vast task to try and clear suggest up to approx twelve players then recruit possibly four automatic first team players so reducing the squad size.
Additionally as part of the mix the possibility of a new coach / manager with their staff if ETH is seen to run out of time.

What's everyone's view trying to take away any personal grudges on any certain players?

30 Apr 2024 16:53:58
The fox there has been about a dozen posts not dissimilar to yours.
I think the bulk of them my own included were pretty much aligned with your own.

30 Apr 2024 17:05:28
How’re you getting £5m for Heaton when he’s out of contract? 😂

Category B: barring Greenwood, Erickson and Mctominay all of them would most likely be sold at a loss in terms of PSR limiting the amount that Utd can spend regardless of what they sell for.

Given Utd couldn’t afford to pay the loan fee for Cucurella last season, any losses in terms of PSR sales will mean an even more limited budget this summer.

30 Apr 2024 17:11:00
The contract ending players will go but we will struggle to move any players on who could bring in decent money as we are already paying them too much.

Hope I’m wrong but think we will be stuck with a lot of them for at least a year or two.

30 Apr 2024 17:34:26
It's a situation that's been complicated by persistent and long term injuries, which themselves may or may not have contributed to lack of form. For example, would Rashford have been in quite such a bad slump if a fit Shaw and Martinez were operating behind him? Will Mount ever be fit enough to become the player everyone thought he could be, or have we simply bought a Phil Jones dud whose midfield potential, even if he regains match going fitness, has been far surpassed by the likes of Foden, Bellingham etc.

The new management team, with or without ETH, will presumably be limited by FFP in the amount they can spend. So, as much as one would like to see a general clear out, if the fees derived are as minimal and unprofitable as people expect, then the club is going to have to take a gamble on retaining more of the squad than they - and we - would like. They are not going to want to take too many book losses. They're going to have to concentrate on a few key building block purchases.

Whoever is making the decisions this summer, is going to start with their absolute priorities in a 2-3 year rebuilding process. To some extent, departures will have to be determined by the availability of replacements. There's no point in selling Maguire if his replacement is no better. and with Varane and Evans likely gone, retaining Maguire may be a necessity. It may also make business sense, unless a £25m+ offer comes in for him.

I don't think anyone anticipated quite how quickly Casemiro would decline from the player integral to last year's improvements to a slow carthorse this season, but I would imagine the club would love to move him on. It may be impossible given how salty and book value, as it may be with Antony. I don't see them selling Onana this summer either.

We'll see, but I think there's going to be a lot less activity than we or the club would like, and that, rather than the outgoings, it's the incomings that will be key to the rebuilding process.

30 Apr 2024 17:43:49
Fuser went would they be sold at a loss in cat B?

30 Apr 2024 18:00:28
Why? #.

30 Apr 2024 18:01:33
Tom Heaton: 38 years young and out of contract.

Man Utd - he’s yours for £5 million, will we shake on it?

30 Apr 2024 20:14:32
Keep Hojlund, Garnacho, Mainoo and Dalot for me.

The rest I'm not arsed about.

30 Apr 2024 22:34:24
Dalot - get rid. An absolute liability. Simply cannot defend. Prone to too many errors.

30 Apr 2024 22:56:05
Fuser all those should be sold at a profit on their book value with the possible exception of casimero who has problem a value on the books of 30m ish. We may not get7m for vdb which is his approx book value. All should generate a profit.
The homegrown will be 100% profit.
These number are not accurate and are for example / illustration.
If we sold maguire for 30m last year it would have generated a loss after all costs.
We could sell him this year for 20m and make a profit.

01 May 2024 00:50:56
Tbf tumble, most should be close to it. I just don’t think they have much value. West Ham are only linked with a £15m bid for Maguire. Lindelof, AWB, Amad, DVB are all £10m or less imo. Hannibal, Mctominay and Greenwood are pure profit and so is Erickson since he was signed on a free. Varane is a bit 50/ 50 should at least break even tbf, forgot he was signed back in 21.

01 May 2024 07:28:21
Strange how you come to that conclusion Jodler.

Dalot has 0 own goals and 0 errors leading to goal this season. He also has a better tackle success than Kyle Walker in a worse defence and over exposed midfield.

01 May 2024 09:48:07
Fuser varane is out of contract.

01 May 2024 09:49:05
Kurtis those stats are subjective and not true.

01 May 2024 09:52:51
Fuser there is huge value in getting the wages off in bit due you understand the psr very well or accounting but there are very good articles in it good read is your into it.

01 May 2024 10:27:07
I put my hands up and admit I had the wrong filter on for tackle success rate, but Dalot is still only 3% off Kyle Walker, level with Ben White and better than Van Dijk.

01 May 2024 12:18:49
Tumble I was going by what the OP posted saying his contract expired next year my bad.

01 May 2024 13:31:11
We had an option to extend for a year fuser. But didn't trigger it.
Big wages so I'm bit surprised. We are not exactly getting a great return for the cost. He is fragile and not available enough imo.

01 May 2024 14:50:44
and here's me thinking Dalot has probably been Utd's best player this season. He has a great attitude and he is always available. I think he has improved tremendously and at the age of 25 I think he can keep getting better.

01 May 2024 16:47:27
I'd agree manc.
Defo one of our better players imo this season. Still needs competition imo. the tactics are killing him and leaving him exposed but we'll get a proper manager soon and abandon that nonsense.

30 Apr 2024 08:53:22
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, West Ham United v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective