25 Mar 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective
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24 Mar 2026 19:07:04
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective
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24 Mar 2026 10:06:30
At the start of the season, I was excited about at least seeing a couple of kids kicking on, either with us or on loans. There seemed to be a few names that seemed promising - Kone, Amass, Leon, the forward from Arsenal, Lacey, the Fletcher twins.
Doesn't look like anyone has really broken out though. What are people's thoughts on youngsters that we may see making a place for themselves next season?
PS - not counting Yoro and Heaven as they had already had the season before to break in. I continue to be optimistic re both of them btw.
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24 Mar 2026 11:45:09.
Lacey should definitely get some more game time next season, especially if Amad and Mbeumo don't up their game next season.
Assume Chido Obi will get a chance next season if we let Zirkzee go without a replacement.
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24 Mar 2026 14:28:42
That bunch will do well if they get 100 1st team games between them.
Not sure about Leon. I wouldn't think the Fletcher boys will make it at United from what I've seen. Amass, I don't think so. Kone, possibly; he needs time to fill out a bit. His loan, at a low standard, has not gone great.
Lacey, I'm not sure about. Talented, but often injured, and his red card was stupid, but he is young, so that can be overlooked to a degree. I'm not convinced by him, based on what I've seen of him over the last couple of years.
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24 Mar 2026 14:44:12
Lacey and Gabriel look like the two that may break through and get a few appearances next season, in my opinion.
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24 Mar 2026 17:58:41
Lacey and Amass were probably the two that people were talking about the most a couple years ago. I don't think they are physically or mentally ready yet for regular first team football, though a full season on loan in the Championship next season could be hugely beneficial, and they might manage to become decent squad players in the future. I think Kone is a fantastic talent, but again I can't see him making an impact for United until the 27/28 season at the earliest.
Jack and Tyler Fletcher are both good footballers, but I don't think they will be playing Premier League football on a regular basis any time soon. They would probably be best served spending at least a couple seasons in the Championship before having a crack in the Premier League.
They are probably a similar level to James Garner, perhaps a level below, and Garner only really became a fixture in the Everton side at 22/23 years old.
I've not really watched Leon enough, but it is his first season in England, and he's still very young. He would also probably benefit from a season on loan in the Championship, otherwise it will be very difficult for him to adapt to the physicality in the Premier League.
There are a few others that are very much worth watching in the youth sides. Gabriel is the obvious name, but I suspect he is 2/3 years away from being ready given his stature and age. Noah Ajayi, Jim Thwaites, and Godwill Kukonki are probably more likely to get a few games next season.
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24 Mar 2026 19:58:51
Youth development is not linear. Sometimes a player needs to take a step back before they can take the next step forward. Sometimes the most promising youth players fizzle out, or just never make the step up.
In the modern game being a talented footballer is not enough, you need to be an elite level athlete as well. Sometimes players just never develop the physicality to compete in the modern game. There was definitely that worry with Harry Amass, intelligent, technically gifted, but had a small frame and could easily be bullied. He had a great loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday, and definitely developed his ability to fight it out with grown men down in the Championship. He was one of their best players and if you speak to their fans they all love him. The club made the decision though to recall him and send him back out to Norwich so that he would get another experience but for a team that plays a more aggressive, front foot, attacking style of play and who were looking to try and finish in the play-off places. In essence something more similar to what he would be expected to do at United (albeit at a lower level in the Championship). Unfortunately not long after joining them he's picked up and injury that has kept him out for a while, with the club opting for him to complete his rehab with Norwich (with the club closely monitoring) as they feel he'd still gain value experience overcoming this new adversity away from the club.
He's filled out and grown a couple more inches while he's been away, and I wouldn't be totally surprised if he had a bit of a breakthrough next season, especially if we don't sign a LB. He is still one to keep an eye on.
Diego Leon has struggled a bit with the move to England, he will need more time to settle and adapt.
Shea Lacey is the other one along side Amass who probably has the best chance of the players in that age group of breaking into the senior team. Although he has had a couple of injury issues as well as a personal family issue recently that has maybe slowed his progress.
The Fletcher twins I think will need a couple of good loans before they are really ready to see if they can step up to the senior team.
We also have Vitek and Harrison as two highly rated young keepers, but to be honest I don't think we are likely to see a goalkeeper break through from the academy into the first team. The position is too important and the club are never likely to fully trust a youth team keeper to play enough games to continue their development. The best chance we had was with Dean Henderson, but even then the club wasn't prepared to give him the chances he needed to continue to develop. Personally I'd keep loaning them out or maybe even sell them but include a buy back clause.
There are some younger lads in the under 18's who might develop, but it's a long route and there is plenty that could derail them.
The important thing is that the club ensures there is a pathway into the first team squad for our academy players. Unfortunately this season due to the record low number of games we will play without European football, and getting knocked out of the cups early there unfortunately hasn't been enough game time to give the youth the chances we would like. Our squad still needs a little trimming of players who aren't at the required level, along with bringing in quality first team players.
Ideally we should have 18 outfield players all of which are good enough to start without the level of quality dropping. That then leaves 3-4 spaces for the best academy players to train with the first team and to get onto the bench for some games, start to get 10 to 15 minutes now and then to prove themselves. Occasionally you might get a situation where there are a few injuries in one position and an academy player gets an opportunity to get a run of game and take chances to prove themselves. But we should never be in the situation where we are planning to rely on a untested youth player to HAVE to play 10-15 games a season.
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25 Mar 2026 02:39:49
Be nice to see a manager put some of these players on for 10 mins to give them a go. Getting 10 seconds at the end of the game gives them nothing other than a brief taste. Lol, how Lacey did when he came in.
Bristling with energy and attacking intent, he lit up the game.
First barrier for these players is for a manager to trust them and throw them into the deep end.
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25 Mar 2026 08:51:25
Yes, Lacey got sent off when he came on for acting like a teenager. He let himself down badly. I hope he learns from it, it showed him in a bad light, imo.
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24 Mar 2026 02:15:21
Napoli now look odds on to make the Champions League next season and Rasmus seems to be scoring fairly frequently, so I expect that sale will go through. As for Rashford and Onana, I have my doubts.
Maybe a club other than Barcelona will step up for Rashford, but I suspect it's going to be extremely hard to get rid of Onana permanently. On the other hand we might get both of them back.
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24 Mar 2026 04:35:53
Barca will sign Rashford, they like him, and he did well enough there. Tbf, he is ridiculously cheap by today's standards.
Onana, well, who the hell would want him? Although Shappy might stump up a few quid for him, I remember him saying he was one of the missing parts of the jigsaw, along with Sancho and his intricate play.
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24 Mar 2026 05:27:46
Neither will be at the club next season, don't bother yourselves on such nonsense.
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24 Mar 2026 08:59:09
I doubt Onana will want to sit on the bench or even be 3rd choice GK. I imagine a deal with Trabzonspor can be done.
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24 Mar 2026 08:59:56
We do need to reinforce our forward line with one more player in my view.
If Carrick stays, don't underestimate Rashford coming back if Barca don't want to cough up the reddies.
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24 Mar 2026 09:13:28
There's no way back for Rashford, I think he burnt his bridges. Strolling around, appearing uninterested, and then talking about how happy he is now he has left. Good luck to him.
If Barca don't want to stump up the cash, I am sure there are others who will pay what is a bargain fee.
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24 Mar 2026 09:45:27
Rashford and Onana may go down the Sancho route of back to back loan deals until their contracts run out.
That way we cover the wages and get a small amount of cash in the form of a loan fee and the loaning club doesn't need to put them on a long term contract.
Either way, they won't be here next season, agreed on that point.
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24 Mar 2026 12:30:46
Rashford will get sold imo, as the asking price is reasonable and he has done somewhat well at Barca.
Onana, now that is a different level of incompetence as a player combined with high wages and a bad attitude. I'd be happy if we just get rid of his wages with maybe a nominal fee.
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24 Mar 2026 14:47:56
Barca haven't got the 25 million to buy Rashford. I think they will ask for another loan deal and probably get it, because that is the club where Rashford wants to end up.
I don't think we could sell Onana to a Sunday League pub team for a fiver. Absolutely shocking keeper.
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24 Mar 2026 18:53:22
Stitched up completely on Onana. Grossly overpaid for Onana and Anthony. Neither was good enough, and we got our pants pulled down big time.
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25 Mar 2026 03:35:00
Barca have not got 25m... Of course they haven't. You've been reading too much press. We haven't got any money either, but managed to spend 250 million last year and seasons before... Don't let all this 'got no money' hogwash go to your head...
For a team with no money in Barca, they seem to do pretty well.
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23 Mar 2026 15:01:18
Genuine question from myself. If Eddie Howe were let go by Newcastle this summer should he be in with a shout of the United job? Seems to be growing disquiet around him and there’s rumours that the Saudis may look to go in a different direction. What’s everyone’s thoughts on him as a possible candidate?
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23 Mar 2026 15:17:17
No chance, but I'd give him the Liverpool job. Don't rate him, don't like him. Wouldn't touch him with a bargepole.
I can only hope our management feels the same.
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23 Mar 2026 15:21:19
I would prefer not to have him. Nice guy, but I'm not really sure he'd be any better than Carrick. We either need a hugely experienced manager who has won it all, or just stick with Carrick. I don't see the point appointing someone like Howe, in my opinion.
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23 Mar 2026 16:21:38
Please no!
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23 Mar 2026 21:07:48
I'll pass on that. Thanks.
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24 Mar 2026 00:53:29
You look at that Newcastle team which has one of the best midfields in the league, arguably the best right and left backs in the league, and good players like Gordon. Eddie Howe isn't exactly doing all that well; he really isn't good enough.
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24 Mar 2026 02:27:33
Will pass. In addition to what people have already written above, his experience with Newcastle suggests he is not someone who will be able to live up to even higher scrutiny and expectations at United (compared to Newcastle).
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24 Mar 2026 07:23:04
That's a resounding no then. 🤣 I do think Eddie is a decent coach, but not to the level we need to take us where we want to go. It does look like a parting of the ways at Newcastle is inevitable, as they just seem to have gone stale.
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24 Mar 2026 09:01:17
I see Eddie Howe at Villa if Unai leaves them.
I think he's a great coach, and perfect for Newcastle, but I think they will move for a new manager in the summer.
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24 Mar 2026 13:55:43
Why do you think Newcastle will go for someone else, Eric?
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24 Mar 2026 14:09:33
I also think Newcastle will part ways with Howe. He's gone very stale, the club is not really moving forward. I admit they are poor up front, but have the best midfield in the league. I just think they need a new manager lift. Time for him to move on, just not to us.
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22 Mar 2026 17:02:54
As we head for squeaky bum time, things seem to be getting clearer.
Arsenal and City will battle it out for the title, I think us and Villa will finish 3rd and 4th, or 4th and 3rd, with Chelsea and Liverpool fighting for 5th. Villa have Tielemans back, which will pick them up, whilst both Chelsea and Liverpool are wildly inconsistent. I'm calling it.
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22 Mar 2026 17:25:49
Villa to finish top 5 and win Europa League, so all teams in top 6 end up with Champions League.
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22 Mar 2026 18:13:49
I don't think it works like that, DSG. If Villa finish in top 5 and win the Europa League, then 5 teams go to the Champions League, not 6. Unless Liverpool wins it and doesn't finish in top 5.
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22 Mar 2026 18:39:59
Isn't that how Spurs plus 5 teams ended up in this year's Champions League?
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22 Mar 2026 19:04:05
I agree with that ajh, although I'd argue that the return of McGinn is more vital to Villa than Tielemans. We still have to play both Liverpool and Chelsea, though, so it will depend on how those go.
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22 Mar 2026 19:47:08
It was because Tottenham finished outside of top 5, DSG.
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22 Mar 2026 20:48:27
From the Mirror:
"If Villa were to finish fifth in the Premier League and win the Europa League, then another spot could be awarded to English clubs for the Champions League."
"Villa finishing fifth would see all of the top five qualify for the Champions League, whilst sixth could also earn a spot in the competition thanks to the extra place being given to England for their coefficient ranking."
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23 Mar 2026 12:06:18
You are probably right then, DSG. My mistake.
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23 Mar 2026 12:27:53
As I understand it, if Villa win the EL and finish top 5, the 6th placed team will get a CL spot.
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23 Mar 2026 12:50:53
Agree, I think the top 4 will finish as it currently is.
Reckon City will win the big head to head with Arsenal, but the Gunners will come out top overall.
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22 Mar 2026 07:26:47
I am concerned by what was clearly something very wrong with the refereeing on Friday night.
Referee Stuart Attwell and VAR Craig Pawson were the same referee and VAR who wrongfully disallowed Martinez's equaliser against Burnley, another 2.2. The Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel said that Martinez's goal should not have been ruled out by Stuart Attwell.
I understand Friday was Attwell's first game since he disallowed Martinez’ goal at Burnley. (Please correct me on that if I am wrong).
Attwell has officiated 24 matches involving United across all competitions. In those games:
1. He has issued 2 red cards to United players, compared to 0 for opposition players.
2. He has shown 46 yellow cards to United players, against just 8 for opposition players.
The glaring error of not awarding the penalty on Amad cost us the win.
I was sat with an opposition fan who does not like us and he gives us nothing, yet he said it was an absolute stone wall penalty and that we had been done. This looks like incompetence to the point where I actually think we should be worried there is real systemic anti United bias. A letter from the club complaining is a start but on this occasion the decision was so bad in that it should have been a penalty, could have been 2.0 but because of that error became 1.1
I actually believe we should ask for the game to be replayed and Attwell never to referee our games again. Yes it sounds extreme and some if not most will dismiss it, yet the only way we are going to force a change in referring is by addressing such huge errors with drastic action.
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22 Mar 2026 09:02:23
Red Man, he also missed/ignored Walker's stamp on Dorgu in the Burnley game too. I feel like you. You can accept mistakes by refs, but now we have VAR and they still make the same mistake. It's really hard to feel like it's not cheating.
He was so quick to get the red card out as well for Maguire. No time for thought, no discussion with the "assistant referees". Ultimately, I'm not livid with that decision, but the speed of it and ignoring the Amad one just makes zero sense IMO.
I think teams should be allowed to name 3 refs at the start of the season they do not want refereeing their games. I have said for years now that refs should be made to stand in front of the camera after the game and explain their decisions. They're full time, well paid professionals now.
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22 Mar 2026 09:38:56
I might add, I'm not sure about the game being replayed, although I get your point, but I am glad Carrick came out and questioned it. It feels like our last few managers have just accepted poor decisions by refs and let it slide.
We need a manager who's prepared to take a fine, but call it out and put pressure back on refs. Klopp and Guardiola have both done it, and it does make a difference. SAF was the best at it.
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22 Mar 2026 10:42:05
Ports
If you look at the reaction by some commentators and ex Ref Mike Dean, there is a clear bias. It is almost like, you got the decision under SAF, when you get done now, ha, you deserve it. How many referees feel like that?
With Attwell, it has to be said he was poor more than once to the level where you have to ask, are there underlying reasons? On Friday there was clear error, that surely VAR should have corrected, a decision where you can 100% bet if it had been Liverpool or City they would have got the penalty. So there were two errors, the referee and the coward on VAR.
It cost two points. Don't even mention asking where 9 minutes came from!
I rarely rage about referees in posts as much as this, but Friday was unacceptable and I am concerned there is an underlying systemic bias against Utd, highlighted by the 'it's finally retribution' attitude shown afterwards, that needs to be stamped out. We should not have to sacrifice any manager for a fine. Maybe we should take a lead from others and threaten legal recovery action against the PGMOL, especially if we miss Champions League by a point.
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22 Mar 2026 12:16:46
In the Amad one, I think the ref cannot see the contact from his position, Ahmad's body blocking his view. However, for VAR not to intervene is criminal.
The PGMOL need to look into these stats for officials, when dubious decisions and cards lie far outside their norms.
I think most teams have at least one ref who fits this criteria.
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22 Mar 2026 12:21:40
The biggest issue from Friday was the fact VAR said the Amad one was not a penalty, but the Maguire one was. I suspect it was because they scored, but there is really no excuse for such blatant inconsistency.
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22 Mar 2026 15:46:37
I can't agree with replaying games. That would open up a whole can of worms and be farcical.
Yes, crazy decision, and standards are getting worse, but replaying games is nonsense and unrealistic. Where would it end... So do we now go back to the AFCON and replay that farce too?
Sadly, we have to grin and bear it.
That is the reality. I think conspiracy theories are a bit childish, too... they are just not that good a standard, refs are far better in the Champions League. But they also get it wrong, and you would expect VAR to get it right most of the time!
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22 Mar 2026 23:02:30
I think it was as simple as the ref not having the cojones to give two penalties to the away team.
Bottle job.
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23 Mar 2026 07:02:51
Nou,
"The ref"? No, both refs? On-field and VAR?
I think the PGMOL needs to give Utd assurances that the clear anti Utd bias is not going to continue. By that, I am talking about the reaction comments showing clearly what too many are thinking. It's underlying and underpinning the situation. It has to be stamped out. Friday was a disgrace for the referees' body.
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23 Mar 2026 15:09:11
Just to be clear: the Amad decision was probably wrong, and the Maguire decision was most certainly right. The offense was almost identical to the Cunha incident when we were awarded a penalty, except the Bournemouth player would have been through on goal, whereas Cunha was not.
Shirt pulling is ubiquitous, and should be a foul every time. It's completely unnecessary, and it shouldn't even matter if it's impactful or not. The game would be better for it being stamped out.
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22 Mar 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - BlueNose1878 has posted a new article entitled, Everton Finally Look Like a Proper Unit
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21 Mar 2026 22:50:35
Given the way teams are struggling to achieve peak performances after European games, it would seem that if we make it into Europe, which is almost certain one way or another, the club is going to have to invest quite substantially in not only improving quality and replacing key players like Casemiro, but also increasing squad depth.
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21 Mar 2026 23:36:47
It's mission impossible, Newname. To have a good team and squad depth, we need 10 players and we are not going to buy them. We have a lot of players that can't play 50 matches per year, such as de Ligt, Mazraoui, Shaw, and even Sesko; we don't know if he is capable of that. Then we have Casemiro, who will leave; Bruno, if he stays, we don't know if he can play 2 matches per week without dropping a level; Ugarte probably will leave.
Even if we buy 5-6 players, we will not be perfect. Actually, we must be very careful and lucky: first, all the new players to bed in well, and second, to find 1-2 gems from the academy for (at least) squad depth.
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22 Mar 2026 02:55:45
Was just thinking the same. In addition to the academy, I hope we can utilise the free agent market well. Even players who come in for a couple of years to add depth and help youngsters.
I would go all out for Senesi at the very least (Rudiger, Goretzka and Vlahovic were other names I thought of, but all seem to have questions re fitness and injury prone-ness).
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22 Mar 2026 06:14:36
The academy will be key to any short term success, and the potential for sustained success. We need too much churn with not enough cash in our pockets to do it in one season via the transfer market.
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