Manchester United Banter Mobile

30 Apr 2026 23:12:05
Against Brentford, in the second half we switched to 343. It was an interesting tactic and got me thinking.

Pre Amorim, the talk was of a cohesive structure, to get the club back to playing the way they have in the past. We appointed Amorim because there was talk of City sniffing around if Pep departed. That decision was premature. Amorim was not ready. We all saw that play out, and in part due to his stubbornness to not pivot from the 343, but also because we don't have the cattle for it.
There was no surprise that we let Brentford back into the game.

Back to the point of the post. I still believe we are heading towards this type of system, as we purchased players to suit it and I suspect we will continue that path.



As such, and I am liking this approach, I think having Carrick in place is okay, as we transition via transfer windows to a squad that is capable of playing this system. He proves some stability.

To that point, I don't mind who the manager is, providing we continue our ruthless streak in removing the deadwood, bringing in the necessary players and promoting the necessary youth.

Having a system in ace that allows players and managers to be replaced at ease is exactly where we should be at.

That is what gives me hope in the historical decisions, whether I agree with them or not.

30 Apr 2026 20:12:28
Have to say am pleased to see Kobbie has signed his new contract, 5 year term to 2031 with a probable option for a 12 month extension.

Seems his salary has increased from £25k per week to about £135k per week basic and bonuses of about £15k. Nice work if you can get it! I would be happy if someone would give me £25k a week.

To think that not long back he was pushing for a loan move to Napoli and we could of well of lost him permanently. Am not saying he is the ultimate definitive answer, but he certainly has high potential and I for one am very pleased we should see the fulfilment of that potential at O. T.

30 Apr 2026 22:03:12
He also looks like he's getting back to his best, and his best is pretty good.

30 Apr 2026 22:56:45
I am glad he has signed and come down from his initial reported 180k demands. He has the skillset to be one of our highest paid players, but I really want to see him kick on in terms of his mazy run we saw against Brentford.

It is a positive step, though.

Make no mistake.

Next, we need to get him a suitable Casemiro replacement to ensure it gives Mainoo the protection he needs to get the best out of him. It is why the likes of Baleba make a lot of sense, providing we don't get our pants pulled down by Brighton.

30 Apr 2026 15:47:51
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 34 - Quick Round Up

29 Apr 2026 22:29:57
It's a long way to go yet, but I do feel that this squad is showing the green shoots of a potential title winning team in the future.

Senne Lammens has been a phenomenal signing for us, he is already one of the best keepers in the league already (highest xG prevented in the league), and he will only get better.

Ayden Heaven in the last couple of games has shown just how much of an absolute bargain he was for 1m (3 weeks of Alexis Sanchez's wages). He looks like with a little polishing he could be a monster in defence for us for the next decade.

Kobbie Mainoo is playing himself back into the kind of form that got so many United fans excited when he burst onto the scene in the senior team.

Benjamin Sesko has also quietly gone about settling into English football very effectively. He has all the attributes needed to be a superstar, and even when his form in front of goal hasn't been great he still is effective for the team with his work rate and goal threat.

That is a spine of a team that if they all reach their potential (and I'm fairly confident they will) that could challenge for all the major honours.

Add to them Leny Yoro who I still believe will become a top player (settling into the EPL as a teenage CB was always going to be tough). Let's not forget that Saliba needed to spend time back on loan in France before he could come back and become the stalwart he is for Arsenal.


As well as Amad Diallo, who despite a slight down season from him looks like a future superstar.

That's 6 young lads who are all 3-4 years away from entering their peak years.

While there are other potentially great players in the Academy, JJ Gabriel for example, looks as close to nailed on to become a star as you can get from youth football.

I really like this side, I like what INEOS are building on the pitch, and I'm confident that they will continue to get more signings right over the next couple of windows than they get wrong.

The future looks bright.

30 Apr 2026 06:36:18
We still need to do a good job in the transfer window, and we, as fans, shouldn't expect a title-winning team so soon.

I would honestly be happy if we qualify for the CL next season, perhaps having a good run in some of the cups, considering the amount of games we will play and how thin our squad is at the moment.

30 Apr 2026 06:53:12
Shappy,

Yes, to a point. Heaven looks a real player to me, high potential, even Rio-level vibes. Amad is a concern, not seeing the development yet that we would expect.

They need to get the manager appointment right or we won't maximise the potential.

30 Apr 2026 08:35:26
I agree on some of the core pieces that we have in the team for the next few years. Heaven and Yoro look like they could be a quality pairing in a couple of years, but, likely next year, we need an older, reliable player alongside either of them. Hopefully fewer injuries in the back line, and we could rotate between these.



Lammens could mean we have the GK position locked up for the next decade, with still some upside development to come.

If we can get the CM positions sorted this summer alongside Mainoo, then we could have a real spine that could have us challenging for trophies.

30 Apr 2026 09:51:00
I think we are a rb and an athletic, combative cm away from having a challenging starting 11. If we get a cb and lb in as well, then a starting 11 you could argue would be favourites. To be real challengers, we need to be better with recruiting the squad players.

I've seen some of the criticism towards Carrick has been his use of substitutes during games, but to be fair, when you look at the bench, there is not a lot to turn to.

Ugarte? Zirkzee? Malacia? Mount? (I actually rate Mount, I just wish he could keep some form of fitness). Yoro is still learning his trade, Lacey is just coming into senior football.

Once Dorgu is fit, Cunha is fit, and you replace Ugarte, Malacia and Zirkzee, suddenly, when everyone is fit, the squad looks very healthy.

30 Apr 2026 09:53:11
Interesting piece, Shappy. I agree with almost all, but can you help me with my issue - Sesko. Maybe he hasn't had enough play, and it's just his 1st season, with me judging harshly, but .....
I really wish I see what you see, but so far I do not :( What am I missing, between his current displays and future superstardom. His performances so far remind me of players like Zigic, Jan Koller, Benteke; perhaps a step above Crouch and Carrol, but nowhere near Zlatan, Batigol, RvP, Ruud, Lewa, Kane etc.

I hate to say this, and hope I am wrong, but I think he will peak into a Giroud-class player.

And BTW Amad at 24 isn't that young any more and his progress has stalled.

30 Apr 2026 10:34:29
I'm good with a Giroud-class player, Mbd. 😂

I think he has looked great and is a massive upgrade on Hojlund. With even better players, I think he will easily grab 20+ goals a season. He's got 10 from 29 games already this season.

30 Apr 2026 12:17:44
Agree with a fair bit of that, Shappy.

I think we finally have a pivotal window for the club, for a number of reasons.
- (assumption here) CL football to help attract the best players.
- Opportunity to get rid of (most of) the random signings, either by selling or because of contracts expiring. That frees up a lot of spots and wages.
- The hope that some of the squad players we need to cope with a busier schedule can be found from the youth, provided we have a manager that's willing to take a chance, e.g.

Vitek, Amass, Lacey, and the continued progress of Yoro, Heaven, Amad, and Mainoo.

That should mean the club should, and can, go all-out to attract players that will improve the first XI. CM (at least 2, ideally 3), followed by full-backs, is the clear priority. Am hopeful there's budget for at least 5 quality signings, but a lot will depend on the owners' ambition. This window will tell us if we are happy competing for CL spots or titles.

30 Apr 2026 15:04:14
How many strikers in world football do you think are better now than peak Giroud was?? Not many!

29 Apr 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Crystal Palace - A Quick Liverpool Perspective