26 Mar 2026 23:20:12
Incredibly proud of the Norn Iron lads tonight. Young team with lots more to come I hope. The World Cup dream is over this time, maybe in 4 years time. 🤞🙏
2
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26 Mar 2026 21:48:59
Watching the ireland game, and what a blast from the past it was to see Robbie Brady coming on. Wasnt even aware he was still playing!
0
26 Mar 2026 15:47:30
With Ramus Hojlund's comments today, I was just having a look at Hojlund and Sesko's shots and goal numbers. It's a shame he's so adamant on leaving as we're going to need at least 2 strikers next season and he would be a great and also cheap option.
Sesko - 147.2 mins per goal in the league and 202.6 across all comps
Hojlund - 218.5 mins per goal in the league, 160 across all comps
As an example, Igor Thiago has 141.3 mins per goal in the league and 122.2 across all comps.
I think the fee for Hojlund is somewhere around the £35m which isn't going to go very far in the current market.
0
26 Mar 2026 17:59:21
Goodbye and good riddance, imo.
I don't dislike the guy, he tried hard, but it's time to move on, imo. A non-loss-making fee has been agreed, in fact marginally profitable if they take up their option, which they will, by all reports.
In fact, Rewz, if they take up their option, the club have no choice.
2
26 Mar 2026 18:23:57
Rasmus is just not good enough for the EPL. I'm not sold on Sesko either, if I am honest. I think we desperately need an experienced striker with pace, but more importantly I would say Carrick is not exactly sold on Sesko either...
Not even sure the players are sold on Sesko. They don't seem to look for him, that's for sure.
Ok, he has potential, but you need someone for that potential to learn from.
1
26 Mar 2026 18:48:59
Sesko is doing OK. When he gets a team playing to his strengths, he will do even better. Yes, it would be good to have another more experienced player alongside /to interchange with him.
2
26 Mar 2026 19:43:26
I think Sesko is far better than Rasmus. Tough 1st season for him, he is improving, and we do need another striker. Playing Mbeumo out of position is not working for him or the team.
3
26 Mar 2026 20:28:12
I think Premier League football doesn't suit Rasmus. I would say he isn't top class in Italy, too. A decent player and a decent guy, but not what we need. Sesko, I think, is better, although he needs improving if he is to make it here.
1
26 Mar 2026 21:10:55
I have Sesko to be Golden Boot next year if we fix our midfield!
0
26 Mar 2026 22:07:31
I must be watching a different Sesko to some. Under Carrick, he's been brilliant when called upon. 5 goals in 280 minutes, almost 2 goals per game.
4
27 Mar 2026 00:18:20
Striker position needs players to play to their strengths. Very difficult to play J. A team that is struggling a bit. Fergy told his players to find the striker or they wouldn't play. Sesko is doing alright. He is scoring goals and growing into this new high-pressure role.
I like how he is progressing, and, slowly, J producing him has worked better than Rasmus being played as the only option, with Noone behind him.
Sure, Sesko will be better again next year. Fast, good control, good in the air, scores with both feet. What is not to like?
2
27 Mar 2026 04:12:22
I have to admire your optimism, Jimbo, but one thinks that might be about as safe a bet as your United to win the Premier this season.
Might be better just giving the money to a charity, because the chances of you cashing in are very, very slim. Did you get about 10,000 -1?
0
27 Mar 2026 05:45:14
I haven't put it on yet, but I will, and will drop United to win the league in there also for a third leg.
1
27 Mar 2026 12:05:08
Why is Sesko better than Rasmus?
Rasmus scored 16 goals in his first season, and flopped in his second season. It's far too early to say that.
Sesko hasn't exactly set the Premier League on fire. He's had a run of games where he has come off the bench and scored.
0
26 Mar 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - BlueNose1878 has posted a new article entitled, Everton Still Need a New Starting Centre-Back
0
25 Mar 2026 16:14:06
A lot of hype around Jim Twaites and his dead ball abilities. If anyone has any knowledge about the lad can you tell me is he far off the 1st team?
Thanks.
1
25 Mar 2026 17:12:30
Yes, he is a long way from the 1st team.
0
25 Mar 2026 17:42:07
He's a good player but very slight. Plays a bit like Scholes and Beckham, Ward Prose. Good player, and a good striker of the ball.
He might get minutes in 27/28, but an excellent prospect either way.
1
25 Mar 2026 18:58:24
He is Bruno's replacement understudy.
0
25 Mar 2026 19:24:35
He's a very good player, tidy on the ball, but has only recently turned 18. He stands out in pretty much every match he plays as being ready for a step up. I'd expect him to go on tour in the summer, train with the first team next year with the idea to get minutes in 27/28.
Investing in the academy is hopefully going to work wonders.
If we can get 2 or 3 first team players coming out of the academy and then some very good players that we can make money on, we will be in a great position to be able to spend on the top class experienced players we need. Looking at the kids coming through, they feel like some of the best we have had in a long time; it's exciting.
2
25 Mar 2026 19:35:05
Rdf, he is technically gifted and has excellent dead ball skills, he has scored a few terrific goals.
Having watched him play a good few few times I think the following scouting report I came across sums things up pretty well!
''Jim Thwaites is patiently waiting for his chance in Manchester United's academy, so is it a matter of time before he breaks through?
Manchester United producing talented midfielders is something most of us have known for decades.
Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Nicky Butt are just three names who spring to mind, but there is a new kid on the block who is beginning to catch the attention of those attending some of United's academy games this season.
Arise, Jim Thwaites, a diminutive number six who can operate in tight spaces and has the dead ball specialities much like Becks did across his career. Want to know more about him? Read on as FourFourTwo delves deeper in our latest scout report.
Having progressed through the ranks at Carrington, Ruben Amorim acted with haste to call up young Thwaites to first-team training within weeks of being in the building back in November 2024, proving that it isn't only fans who are taking note of a wonderfully gifted footballer, with Erik ten Hag also a big fan of the youngster. Having been troubled with injury so far this season, it would be a crying shame if the Red Devils' academy side does not go on to claim FA Youth Cup glory, with the 18-year-old expected to play a huge part in those aims.
Yet to make his senior bow, Thwaites is having to wait patiently for his chance, but continues to impress onlookers who are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of his footballing credentials. A wonderful number six, the teenager is press-resistant and has dead ball capabilities beyond his years, having whizzed a catalogue of free-kicks into the top corners for Manchester United youth teams over the last few seasons.
Press resistance: Given his small frame, Thwaites is more than happy to receive the ball under pressure and jink one way and dart into a space of green. Almost eerily similar to how Pedri does so, the 18-year-old has already mastered the art of beginning the move and transitioning the ball through the offensive lines.
Line-breaking verticality: Academy football often can be scrappy, but Thwaites is always looking to belt a long pass into a wide man to help get the game moving forward for the Red Devils. Having the likes of Goodwill Kukonki, Noah Ajayi and often Shea Lacey to aim for is handy, but Jim does so with ease and it is a staple of his midfield game he has already seemingly mastered.
Dead-ball specialist: Against Manchester City in the U18 Premier League recently, Thwaites had been on the pitch for only a matter of minutes before he found the top corner with precision from a free-kick. Almost like Beckham was in his youth, Thwaites is able to generate a ridiculous amount of power and precision from tight angles, and Darren Fletcher's side has benefited no end from his special abilities this term.
Tenacity and turn of pace: Again, we expect Thwaites to still have another growth spurt, and this will be crucial if he is to make it at the very top level. What cannot be understated already is his tenacity in midfield when nipping in to win the ball back as soon as half an opportunity arises. A serial 'pocket-picker' if you will, the teenager then also possesses the right amount of acceleration to get away from his man in tight spaces and get the game moving in his favour.
Thwaites's areas of development
Senior experience: Manchester United produce players consistently, and as Kobbie Mainoo did, when you get your chance, you have to take it. Tyler Fletcher, Jack Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse and are all names currently ahead of him, and Thwaites will have to do well in order to make an impression if he is to be given an opportunity.
Bulking up in size: Thwaites needs to bulk up in terms of stature, and I would say this is his biggest task in order to make it at the very top of the professional game.
Aerial ability: Standing at only 5ft 7, Thwaites could be hindered if he is to come up against a big, powerhouse central midfielder who can bully his way past him in the middle of the pitch. Time will tell whether he does have another growth spurt, but again, you feel it may need to come sooner rather than later.
Thwaites has to make an impression over the summer, you feel, and not get stuck into poor loan moves like Ethan Wheatley, Ethan Williams and even Joe Hugill have done over recent periods. He has all the qualities to make it, but the competition is so high at Manchester United that he will have to excel when he gets his chance to even be considered in the conversation moving forward.''
Hope you find useful Rdf, he will definitely have to bulk up physically to move forward but he has only just turned 18 so, for his sake, fingers crossed.
4
25 Mar 2026 21:51:06
I think he'd need either a change in the current meta or a sudden growth spurt to ultimately make it with us, unfortunately.
He's hugely talented and an intelligent footballer, but he's tiny for a midfielder in the modern game. He doesn't have the size, pace, or power that pretty much every side in the league has in their team.
Unless we see a shift away from teams looking to dominate physically to a more technical style that becomes the predominant style within the league, smaller players like Thwaites, and like Angel Gomes before him, will struggle to really make it in the EPL at a club looking to be challenging at the top of the table.
2
26 Mar 2026 12:43:09
All the attributes, but needs to work on the physical side of the game.
A good prospect.
0
25 Mar 2026 13:17:03
To commemorate Mo Salah's departure from Liverpool at season's end, the club will be retiring the penalty spot at Anfield. 😂🤣.
7
25 Mar 2026 14:06:04
We'll have to retire both penalty spots when Bruno retires, so.
1
25 Mar 2026 19:25:00
No jokes allowed, Fizz. Fun police is here.
4
25 Mar 2026 21:53:04
Announcing it mid-season, and potentially de-railing Liverpool's title defence, really lacks class. If Liverpool don't retain the title this year, I suspect a lot of fans will place a lot of the blame on Salah announcing his exit mid-season.
1
{Ed025's Note - i think Liverpool,s title defence was derailed about 4 months ago Shappy, they are hopeless at the moment mate..
1
25 Mar 2026 23:01:05
Only the small-minded ones will.
I think it's a good move by the club. 2 horrible cup ties coming up, the league is over, it's derailing nothing, and it might have a real positive effect.
I doubt any proper Liverpool fan would blame anything negative on this announcement.
2
26 Mar 2026 07:44:52
I saw that GDS2 lol.
1
26 Mar 2026 12:43:41
Fizz, that was funny for you. 😂
0
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
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
3
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.
3
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.
1
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.
3
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.
0
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.
3
25 Mar 2026 17:52:56
I like Abromvic a Dagestani Manc.
We need some squad players from you: the Butt, O'Shea, Brown, Fletcher. Excellent players, but even better rotation options.
0
25 Mar 2026 19:00:06
We have some quality time there, it needs to be managed, and see what we can churn through. A scattering will do as third choice for a number of positions for the next season.
0
25 Mar 2026 19:28:41
Ken,
I'm sure Lacey knows, himself, he let the situation get the better of him with the silly 2nd yellow. He's not the first or last to do it, many much more experienced, but he will hopefully learn from it. His performances when he played were actually very promising, he's direct with an end product. Hopefully he continues his development and stays clear of further injury.
1
25 Mar 2026 20:36:33
Lots of injuries as a younger lad. I hope so, GDS2.
His sending off was dumb, and I hope he will learn from it.
He is only 18, and is a good player. I think he needs a season on loan, and see where he is at after that.
Still a kid, and needs to improve a lot. Let's hope he does.
1
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.
1
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.
3
24 Mar 2026 05:27:46
Neither will be at the club next season, don't bother yourselves on such nonsense.
3
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.
2
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.
0
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.
7
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.
2
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.
3
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.
1
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.
2
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.
2
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?
0
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.
6
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.
4
23 Mar 2026 16:21:38
Please no!
4
23 Mar 2026 21:07:48
I'll pass on that. Thanks.
3
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.
2
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).
2
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.
0
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.
1
24 Mar 2026 13:55:43
Why do you think Newcastle will go for someone else, Eric?
0
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.
2
25 Mar 2026 16:34:22
I think you'll find Howe will stay put, and they won't be firing him.
0
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