Manchester United Banter Mobile

03 Apr 2026 15:25:52
On the Man United game at Croke Park, after the vist to Dublin fans were furious, they basically brought over a youth team, fans were not happy at all. Hopefully thry bring a full squad this time.

03 Apr 2026 19:38:59
Given it is part of preseason preparations, with fitness key in the process, then no doubt it will be a very strong squad. I am sure there will be some youngsters, but that is to be expected.

The club will be massively aware of the fact that this will be the first ever club game of football held at the ground, and also of the history attached to it, both sporting and political.



There is no way any kind of perceived disrespect would be shown.

02 Apr 2026 18:36:44
Looks like Barcelona will potentially not take up their 26m option on Rashford and who can blame them.
Played 28 mins in their last 4 games on bench for all r coming on in 2 of those games for a combined 28 min.
He got a few goals and assists early on but has been poor since turn of year.
If they don't buy I suppose we have 4 options
1. Loan him out somewhere else there is no way id loan him to them again.
2. Sell him elsewhere if he is agreeable.
3. If not agreeable for him to move elsewhere then I would not permit him to be involved with the squad and leave him in a Sancho situation completely exiled from the squad.


4. Which I don't think is viable would be to integrate him back in.
It was predicted he would do well early at Barcelona but imo it was also equally predictable that he would revert to type and become less impactful as times went on.
At 26m he should represent good value but sadly when you take his wages into account he is not worth that imo.
Will be interesting to see how this one develops.

02 Apr 2026 21:15:19
Barcelona may just be trying to get the fee down. I'm not sure of the legality of it, but, very obviously, if this is what they're playing at, we should tell them to p1ss off.
Rashford isn't willing to be humble enough to work on his weaknesses and be a team player, so I agree fully that integrating him back in is not viable.

I'd imagine if he drops his salary demands, we can get the 26M for him.

02 Apr 2026 21:41:09
Don't believe for a second Barca are doing anything other than trying to put the frighteners on everybody. They are just pressuring to try and get the price down.

If they do not want him, why have they discussed and agreed personal terms with the player and his camp? Flick is reportedly very happy with Rashford, not just for goals and assists, but also for his versatility and professionalism. Further, he has never caused any problems when benched or subbed off; this is appreciated by Flick.

Seemingly, Barca want to buy Julian Alvarez and Alessandro Bastoni this summer, and, given their well-known financial situation, they are desperately trying to save money to facilitate these deals. We have, apparently, told them the deal has been agreed, and we will not renegotiate and do not want another loan. So, pay up!

I have to say, I like the fact we are not just rolling over to their games.

There may well, ultimately, be some modification to the deal, but it has to be in our interests also.

I have no doubt, even if Barca walk away, there will be interest from other clubs. At the stated transfer fee of about £26m, and with the way fees are going, it is still a good opportunity for a club, and also his wages are not going to be at the level we are paying him.

We want the deal, Rashford wants the deal, and Barca want the deal. I am still optimistic.

We got our wage bill down £52m last financial year, and with Rashford off this year, along with other expected departures, a further decrease of £60m is on the cards. With Champions League money as well, it certainly improves our financial position. If we spend wisely this summer (as last year was), there is much reason for optimism.

02 Apr 2026 22:13:49
None of us on here are in the know enough to say whether Rashford can be integrated back into our squad. That's down to Carrick, or whoever the new head coach is, and Wilcox to decide.



All I know is we are in the market for a goalscoring left forward, when we already own one deemed good enough to be in the Barca squad, which is way ahead of ours right now.

03 Apr 2026 08:18:28
By whatever means, get rid. Otherwise, isolate him from our players. He has burned his bridges in my view.

03 Apr 2026 09:40:23
I'd agree, Fizz, he has burnt bridges with the majority of fans too.
I'd hate to see him back at United.

03 Apr 2026 20:26:52
I would take a bag of pegs.

01 Apr 2026 20:53:00
Can't just be me praying we don't chase Skelly for LB?

02 Apr 2026 08:45:59
As long as it is not Shaw.

02 Apr 2026 10:52:18
It seems Skelly's versatility is what's appealing to the club. I also think Arteta is opting for more physicality and experience, whilst trying to win the title, which has gone against Skelly.

I'm not sure Skelly would be my first choice personally, but he's a decent player with youth on his side, and I think our recruitment team now are looking into players better than they ever have in recent years, so I trust their judgment.

02 Apr 2026 12:34:40
I've seen him live several times and been very impressed with him. With Ports, versatility is a major selling point.

But I have no idea if there is any truth to the rumours.

02 Apr 2026 12:46:17
Skelley wouldn't be my first choice, but he's far from a bad choice.

He's a very good fullback, who has the potential to play in midfield if needed. As a fullback, he is fairly well rounded: good at 1v1 defending, great on the ball, good at driving forward with it, and creative when he gets forward. He's not great in the air (which is probably why Arteta doesn't play him as much this season), and that is his only real weakness. He's a full back who more naturally wants to tuck inside rather than bomb down the wing, although he is more than capable of overlapping. That probably ties in nicely with Dorgu, who as a fullback is more naturally a chalk on your boots kind of player, and would give the manager a nice balance of options.



However, he's fairly inexperienced, and we do lack experience both at LB (beyond Shaw) and potentially in the backline, with players like Lammens in goal, along with Yoro and Heaven possibly at CB. Given MdL, Martinez and Shaw's injury record, we could very possibly be going into games next season with three 19- or 20-year-olds in our back four.

Personally I'd hope for a more experienced fullback this summer, but I certainly wouldn't be unhappy if we sign Lewis-Skelley.

03 Apr 2026 23:51:23
I rate Lewis Skelly. Good player.

But this is a 19-year-old, England international and Arsenal Youth product. Why is he not playing, what's his attitude like, has he gone backwards? All very relevant questions.

He's big mates with Heaven, I've heard that from Heaven in an interview.

I really like the signing on paper, but I have reservations based on the open questions above.

01 Apr 2026 09:47:54
Looking at our potential player sales for next season.
Zirkzee Ugarte Casimero Rasmus all look like they are sure to go.
Rashford im hoping we get another loan at worst, maybe a sale somewhere. I doubt Barcelona will sign him.
Maguire and Mainoo look like signing new deals.
Onana who will take him? Maybe another loan or some Saudi club with vision difficulties might step in.


Bayindir will leave, im sure.
Shaw Dalot Maz Deligt Martinez Mount all likely to stay, but any of them could leave if an offer came in, im sure it would be considered for any of them.
Bruno. Will he stay or go? I think he will leave.
Who the manger will be is anyone's guess.
Busy summer ahead.

01 Apr 2026 10:47:23
I can see Onana just doing season loans now til contract up like Sancho. Think he'll be a pain in the backside to move on to be honest.

01 Apr 2026 10:49:00
I would imagine that the outgoings will depend on the coach's decision.

Maguire, for example, may not want to stay if Carrick goes, as he will not get his desired playing time. Carrick out, I say. 😂

But all joking aside, Tumble, I think your sentiment is correct. Most players will be, and should be, considered up for sale at the right price.



Busy and interesting summer indeed. I just hope the WC doesn't detract from getting the deals we have planned sealed sooner rather than later, otherwise we will be having players turn up on or after the season starts.

I couldn't stand another raft of the no time to prepare excuses!

01 Apr 2026 11:36:30
Sancho out of contract in 8 weeks. It will be easy to move him. Just open the door.

01 Apr 2026 11:41:27
Sorry, Ports, misread that. Yes, I think Onana will be a hard sell, same as Sancho was, but as I say, looking for a Saudi buyer. I wonder, will the unrest out in the Middle East deter players from going out there with their young families.

01 Apr 2026 18:00:05
In Wilcox, we trust??!

01 Apr 2026 18:13:23
Would be devastated to see Shaw starting next season.

01 Apr 2026 19:28:14
Sancho's that lazy, Ken. He might not go through the open door.

02 Apr 2026 00:29:13
I think a size 10 up the hole would force him through it Tim

31 Mar 2026 20:41:41
Watching the England hame and it pains me to say it, but Mainoo is not the player he was.

He does the simple things well, but he just does the simple things. No penetration, no drive, no pace, no urgency. When Japan scored, he was struggling to get back, their players ran away from him. He's in a 2 with Anderson who has shown much more pace and urgency.



I've been a huge fan and so want him to do well but there is something missing. Yes, it's an England friendly, but his performance reflects the majority of his games for United, neat and tidy but nothing more.

Can he pick it up? I really don't know.

31 Mar 2026 21:49:50
Yh, agree. Think there are some levels in his game he needs to unlock to become a regular starter for club and country. But, overall, think his return to the team has been a huge positive, especially defensively. His running stats are actually quite impressive.



Ideally in summer, we get a marquee signing as CM1 to replace Casemiro, who can start 50-60 games, and then a younger midfielder who's happy to start 20-30 games as the second midfield signing, who can swap with Mainoo.

31 Mar 2026 22:45:38
100% He is not first team starter next year. He needs to show signs of improvement in many areas to make the jump up.

{Ed025's Note - i have not seen that much of him Jimbo but he looked like a championship player at best tonight mate..

01 Apr 2026 04:52:16
Squad player for a mid-table team at best. Not his fault, as he was brought into the first team too early because of how crap we were.

Under-developed and lacks the physical traits to be a central midfielder. At least he can now improve his long-range passing considerably to be considered in a three-man midfield.



Having said this, I hope he proves us wrong, as it looks like an improved long-term contract is on the way because of recent results.

01 Apr 2026 07:18:19
I'm unconvinced that he's good enough. He also shows a distinct lack of desire to become good enough.

01 Apr 2026 08:48:57
He was a standout when he hit the scene, but he just looks lethargic now; as Fizz says, we're not seeing huge desire or energy. Being told you're crap for 18 months can't help, but he now has the manager's backing, and yet he is not grasping his chance.

There's a player in there, just not sure where he's gone.

01 Apr 2026 10:56:46
Think people are being a bit harsh on Mainoo, if I'm honest. He has only played 90 minutes 9 times this season, with long breaks between each game, and this has only been since January. I don't think it can be any surprise he's a bit off the pace. I don't buy into this good amount of rest time either. Players need and want to be playing regular games for match fitness and sharpness.

I think he's a great player and it's no surprise he's been a regular in the United team during this good run we've had. He brings balance and composure to the teams and keeps the game ticking over. Be a shame for people to be writing him off already.

01 Apr 2026 13:23:20
He's not the player he was, but are we really going to get rid of him? Cas defo leaving, and Ugarte seems to be a goner. What I've seen of Collyer doesn't instill confidence either. I can't see us buying three new mids, and with a new contract supposedly about to be signed, he'll be in the mix for a while, surely.

01 Apr 2026 13:56:21
Mainoo will be in the squad next season and will play plenty, is my prediction. Looks like a60 game season next year, so he will get plenty of football.
If we sign 2 players to replace Cas and Ugarte, that's 3 inc Mainoo plus youth for those 2 cm positions, it's still a bit light for a60 game season imo.


2 from Tonali, Baleba and Anderson would be ideal imo.

01 Apr 2026 14:15:04
AJH, Didn't I bring this up in Feb? To which you responded, 'I must have been watching something else.'

01 Apr 2026 14:38:50
Flip flop master dio.
Black one day white the next. Not happy when he is not in the team not happy when he is not the team.

01 Apr 2026 15:33:10
He started well, but has dropped off. I've supported him, and as a player, I loved him, but recently he's been underwhelming. But hey, all bow to you for seeing it early eh?

01 Apr 2026 15:59:25
I think the previous manager saw it early, and never called him crap at all.
He said he was a very good player, but needed to improve aspects of his game, and, like a lot of us, expects more from him.
Maybe he doesn't have more to give.


Maybe he does and hasn't quite got his rhythm yet, but he is not hitting the heights he did when he 1st broke into the team. Very common for young players. So I think we all agree he must do better.

01 Apr 2026 18:00:11
AJH, didn't we all support him as a player and still do. Being honest about a player's ability, and not being clouded by rose tinted glasses because players come through the academy, doesn't mean you're not supporting them.

It's just plain old honesty. If you didn't make sarcastic remarks because someone has a different view than your own, you wouldn't be called out less than 8 weeks later for aligning with that same view.

01 Apr 2026 18:19:03
At some point the player has to take responsibility for where they are. Right now I would say Amorim was wrong for picking Bruno in a midfield 2, but was right to expect more from Mainoo as a starting player.

He needs to look back to how he played when he first came into the team. He would take the ball past the first 1 or 2 players and open up space for his team mates. Starting attacks from deep by penetrating the first line of defense.

He rarely dribbles now when I watch him, and his passing can have woeful lapses of concentration. He has missed some great chances for assists, threading balls through.

We need 2 starting CMs, even if Mainoo is another one. A team cannot compete in Europe and league without a minimum of 3 top class CMs and 2 younger/back ups. Ugarte could be a back up, but really needs to go. So we need 2 top, and 1 backup signing for CM imo.

01 Apr 2026 18:50:49
AJH, you changed your tune? I said about Mainoo the other week, and you ripped into me.
We all want him to do well, but he's not good enough to be starting 11. Squad player in a 60 game campaign, sure, but that's it.

01 Apr 2026 19:53:39
Well Pspence, I am happy to change my view based on changing evidence. If I ripped into you, I apologise. Senor Malbec may have been involved.

Too many people have entrenched views and will not waver from them. I am happy to be proved wrong, and will hold my hands up.



I love Mainoo, I think he has great attributes, I just don't think we are seeing them right now. As someone has already said, maybe it's all the games, having not played for so long.

02 Apr 2026 00:36:54
He's just played a 1/4 of the season back to back how long do you think he needs? Maybe half a season a third of a season maybe?
Having a stable view is better than flip flopping every few weeks and reacting to every little nuance.
Countless times on live chat you chime in after 10/15 mins saying we are not playing well today.

crikey the players are hardly warmed up.i would say without doubt you are probably the biggest knee jerk reactor of all posters on here. Certainly in the top 3. More fickle than Mr fickle from fickle land.

02 Apr 2026 05:16:46
He simply didn't and still doesn't have the stamina and athleticism to either play in an Amorim-style setup, or, as we are seeing recently, Carrick's ETH 2.0 setup.

If he cannot be bothered to work on stamina and athleticism, then he will never make it in the EPL at a top 4 team.

If we signed, say, Tonali and Anderson, as is my wish, Mainoo is back on the bench.

This is simply because he does not have the attributes to play at the same speed as these two. He will actually become a weak link in the setup.

It is on him. I support him when he wears the shirt, and if he can improve on these issues, he can become a first-team starter, 100%.