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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.
1.) 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.
2.) 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.
4.) 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.
5.) 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.
6.) 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.
7.) 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.
8.) 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.
9.) 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.
10.) 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.
11.) 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.
11 Feb 2026 02:36:40
I do hope we start Yoro against Everton over Maguire. Need pace in the backline to play a higher line. Can't break teams who are happy to counter otherwise, which is what I suspect Everton will do.
1.) 11 Feb 2026 06:05:21
I think Carrick fell into a bit of naivety naming the same team for all 5 games, yes they have done very well, but the very best make tweaks against different teams as required Carrick got a bit caught up riding a wave of the last 4 games, when alarm bells should have rang and a few tweaks should have been made, yes it’s hard to change a winning team but that’s what sorts the real managers from the pretenders….
Having said that hopefully he learns from it and we move on, we escaped with a point, now few tweaks for the next…. I appreciate what he got on the bench and squad is poor, but just a change is sometimes good enough.
I think him and staff will realise this and not follow the nativity of RA and never learn.
2.) 11 Feb 2026 07:08:25
With the drop off we have seen with subs it is hard to change a winning team, however with it being a short period since the Spurs game there was definitely a logic to mix it up.
Unfortunately as we keep saying the drop off in performances from the bench means that would have been a risk, however I think starting Sesko for Cunha might have been the one change with Cunha coming on fresh second half.
Biggest issue was once Sesko was on not getting enough crosses in, when we did they looked panicked.
However, 5 games on from Amorim we have picked up 13 points and are in the running for champions league, we would have all taken that at the start.
02 Feb 2026 09:04:14
Good win, and highlighted a couple of obvious gaps
1. Midfield quality drops massively without Casemiro. Need at least two top quality MFs this summer (assuming Ugarte goes, Mount can last half a season, Kone steps up, Bruno stays, Mainoo stays)
2. Maguire is a liability when playing a high line, which we will need to against 'lesser' teams. That said, if DeLigt is back, a quartet of Martinez, MdL, Yoro and Heaven is good for next season imo.
And as I then think of what would be a good window for us, if we can get two top CM and a top ST, while getting a lot of outgoings sorted, it'd be a good start. Defence (with the young keeper returning, and Amass / Leon stepping up) is ok, as is the wide areas and the 10s. We can be much much better with a midfield engine and a proper striker.
1.) 02 Feb 2026 10:45:17
AM2, I don't think we will be looking to spend big on another centre forward given we have just spent over £60m on Sesko, and there are so few top centre forwards available. I think we might be looking to add another versatile forward, ideally right footed, that can play on the left or through the middle however.
That would give us so many options and so much ability to change things during matches. At the moment I could see us targeting Ndiaye from Everton or Kevin Schade from Brentford, since they both fit that profile and already play in the Premier League.
That way we would we would have for example, Sesko, plus Mbeumo, Ndiaye, and Cunha who could play through the middle, potentially Zirkzee too, though I could see him leaving this summer. We would have Ndiaye and Cunha on the left, Mbeumo and Diallo on the right, plus Dorgu can obviously play on either wing. At a number 10 we would have several options in Cunha, Mount, and Diallo that would allow us to give Bruno the occasional 15 minute rest, not that he would be all that happy about coming off.
2.) 02 Feb 2026 12:25:30
I think we need at least one top class full back. Two CMs - to replace Casemiro and Ugarte. And depth in a couple of other positions.
3.) 02 Feb 2026 16:00:00
Good point Gilly. That makes sense.
DonRed - was commenting more on what I thought was the absolute minimum, wherevafter the midfield I feel a forward is more pressing than defense or depth in other places.
4.) 02 Feb 2026 17:49:08
I said many many times Deligt just can’t be relied on, too injury prone I was shot down by usual suspects, but what’s he been injured now 2 months, he never ever plays any decent percentage of games per season and now in a more physical league, Yoro just not good enough unfortunately and when I said Ugarte was rubbish the usual suspects were off again, how’s that worked out.
Apart from Bruno CASS Always been our best midfielder and many doubted him…. Once he went off yesterday we were poor
But what’s I must add, it’s surprising what a half decent manager can do with even our existing players, just shows how poor RA really was and had 14 months, far too long. await incoming! But facts speak for themselves.
5.) 02 Feb 2026 18:28:50
We are short a midfielder before anyone leaves. So if 2 leave we need 3 first team quality CMs. Plus youth to develop in the cup games (Kone? Fletchers)
6.) 02 Feb 2026 18:40:47
Midfield is priority. CAS going, Ugarte needs to be sold. 2 incomings
Lifting the quality of the starting FBs is second priority. Dalot and Shaw are not good enough, neither is Mazraoui or malacia. This needs attention. RB might be okay for another season as we have 4 highly rated RBs coming through (Leon, overy, kamason and helafu), so if they opted to offload Dalot or Mazraoui we have cover. LB is a serious problem, namely Shaw is in decline and post WC he has nothing to aim for, Amass is simply not good enough and needs a move permanently. What else do we have.?
Addressing the constantly injured or not suited
CB is third priority (you highlight Maguire as not quick enough, this was very very clear against Fulham, why he started I'll never know) hopefully Carrick learns from that and gives Heaven or Yoro a run out next time.
MDL is in need of a new home, too injury prone, same as Mount, time to move them on and be ruthless this summer.
Not worried about 10's wide players or strikes this summer as we have quality and players comj g through (Obi, Lacey and crew) would be concerned if we aren't moving on the likes of Zirkzee and Mount.
7.) 02 Feb 2026 18:48:36
Maguires performances against Arsenal and City justified his selection against Fulham.
We all know that he struggles playing a high line, but Utd have played far better having him in defence. Yoro has been off form and Heaven has played quite well.
Martinez was an absolute beast against Fulham.
8.) 02 Feb 2026 19:10:51
De Ligt starts for us when fit. He and Licha are by far our top CBs but his injury record is a concern. I'd stop a long way off off moving him on. I'm also perplexed at anyone writing Yoro off. He's 20 years old. Cop on a bit. He's still learning the game but has plenty of ability and shows he wants to learn.
I don't think CB is a priority position but our top 2 players have patchy injury records and Yoro and Heaven are young. It's unclear if Maguire will be here next year.
9.) 02 Feb 2026 20:34:54
Martinez is not a great CB either, ok he had couple of good games and decent on the ball but slows to snails pace with the ball if you watch him closer he is ok but not for a team who wants to win EPL in coming years, DeLigt waste of time McGuire still our best that shows how bad our CBs are
Overpaid massively on Yoro he shown nothing
Forwards and 10s ok lots of choices still could do with experienced striker.
Need number 2 keeper to push Lammens on
All you who call for Dalot to be gone did you see how poor Mazzaroui was when he came on against Fulham, that’s why Dalot is always in
Still a lot to do with this team/squad, but least something to cheer about in interim with clown RA gone, shame he did not take Ugarte with him.
10.) 02 Feb 2026 23:50:17
Jimbo, we can't be selling/losing Zirkzee, Mount, Ugarte, Casemiro, De Ligt, Maguire, and Yoro plus potentially 1 or 2 full backs in one window. We already lack depth in several positions, and we will (hopefully) be playing a lot more football next season.
I suspect we will sell Ugarte, though he might be kept as fourth choice to save some cash until next summer, and I think we will also look to sell Zirkzee. We will be losing Casemiro obviously, so whatever happens with Ugarte we will surely be looking to sign at least two central midfielders already, plus another forward and another defender than can ideally play several positions. That is already 4 new signings, with only 3 players in the current squad leaving plus those that are currently out on loan.
With that in mind, we can't afford to lose more than 1 or 2 more this summer since it will cost an absurd amount to put together a big enough squad to compete across 4 competitions next season. Depth is so important now so I think Mount, De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw, Dalot, Mazraoui will all stay at least another season, before we look to replace 3 or 4 the following summer.
11.) 03 Feb 2026 05:11:54
Gilly, I haven't mentioned Yoro going, he stays for me, but the rest absolutely need to go, for reasons mentioned. They are either:
Not good enough
Always injured
Don't want to be here
Leaving on a free
If we are not ruthless with these players, we will be bent over again and again.
Whoever said Maguire's performance against arsenal and city justified his selection is highlighting our problem as a club. You pick the best team to get you over the line.
It was asked pre game what Carrick should do. Two things were highlighted. 1. Cunha in for Dorgu, that worked and 2. Drop Maguire for probably Heaven.
We make it seem so simple to run this club, but I don't think it is too hard to select your best team to face an opponent. It is a squad game.
12.) 03 Feb 2026 05:44:28
German, even when we win you are Mr Negative! Yoro is 20 . De Ligt was our best defender until he got injured. Cunha, Brumo and Mbuemo "ok"? lol.
13.) 03 Feb 2026 08:22:24
Maze is a troll Redpaul. Best to ignore.
14.) 03 Feb 2026 08:38:33
Reality is that we have too many areas that either need upgrading or back up support and with a view that the club is aiming for the Premier League in the 27/28 season (thats not to say the club will not aim for this next year) we realistically have 2 summer windows.
I would expect the CB's to remain next year with Maguire getting an extension, this should give us enough cover and a unit to cope with cups as well as league assuming no major injuries. Heaven and Yoro could develop over the season especially growing physically.
Depending on the managers view of Dorgi I would expect us to bring in a full back with the aim to take over/offer cover for Shaw as he will need to have game time managed in a full season. Whilst I would like an upgrade on Dalot it maybe we have too many holes elsewhere to fill.
Midfield will need to bring in a replacement for Casimero, an upgrade on Ugarte with both leaving as well as an additional midfielder to give depth. Alongside Mainoo would increase high level competition
Attackers behind the striker will be interesting depending on what happens with Fernandes, if he stays we probably have enough with the players we have especially if Dorgi is viewed as an attacker. If not then maybe a left winger is looked at.
Striker position will need extra support especially as I expect Zirkzee to move on, whether we can bring someone through from the youth team or look at a low cost option from a premier league team as cover (Mateta at palace may be an option with his transfer falling through yesterday) .
The remaining upgrades can come in the summer of 2027 to round out the team especially if we have seen some success next year.
15.) 03 Feb 2026 10:36:48
Jimbo, can't get behind any of that. Drop Maguire for heaven?
16.) 03 Feb 2026 11:23:39
Don,
As much as I enjoy giving it to him I am enjoying everyone just ignoring it.
17.) 03 Feb 2026 15:50:41
lol…. Ignore someone who is more right than wrong at your peril
No one said Deligt is not a good defender WHEN FIT but that’s the problem he gets injured so much and always never a week or two that’s been the problem all career.
I would prefer him being CB compared to Martinez, Yoro or Heavan 100% but he is injured far too much for a youngish man and now in physical league will only get worse!
Maybe just for you GDS will list what been correct on, Ugarte Amorim, Yoro, Rasmus, Garnacho, Antony Onana, and before you jump on it, that was when you thought they were all fantastic
Even one of the Ed’s the other day said Martinez is poor CB, did not see you pile in on him.
You seem to have selective vision and hearing I am sure there is a medicine for that.
18.) 03 Feb 2026 19:08:55
Angel, I'm not saying Maguire wasn't the right choice for the likes of city and arsenal, if the cattle available for those games, Carrick nailed his selection. All I am saying, and I replied to someone's post pre game when we learned of Dorgu's injury asking about what changes were needed, is that for teams like Fulham, Spurs etc swapping out Maguire for a more mobile CB would be my direction.
I feel Heaven is actually ahead of Yoro currently, so he gets the nod in these situations. Maguire was exposed against Fulham, you cannot argue that. So would you persevere again with Maguire against? We had season after season of his howlers in these situations.
I will repeat what I have said before, I have been one of his biggest critics, but the way he has come back is elite mentality, something I have also said we are lacking, to that point I would not be against him having a rolling extension. BUT. he should not play in the games where he is exposed as a weak ess in the team. On the bench for Matchday to provide experience etc, absolutely.
What is you solution for this glaring weakness?
19.) 04 Feb 2026 07:18:38
Nobody has ‘piled on’ though have they, they’ve just ignored you and it’s hilarious.
05 Jan 2026 13:31:11
Lot of opinions on whether he should have been given more time and backing, and I don't have a strong pov there. But there needs to be visible change in the decision making committee of Wilcox and co, otherwise we will not be able to attract anybody even half decent.
Currently, the United job has all the responsibility without the authority, and no top manager is going to come into that environment.
20 Oct 2025 03:51:44
Couldn't catch the game other than the last few minutes. Had a question - how was Lammens?
1.) 20 Oct 2025 08:16:58
Very good.
2.) 20 Oct 2025 08:28:54
Was solid am2 claimed a couple of crosses one really good save from isak nothing he could do about the goal.
3.) 20 Oct 2025 12:24:38
Thanks folks. Great results ofc, and hopefully the start of a settled backline with a GK everyone trusts. I think that's going to be so key to building any kind of momentum.
4.) 20 Oct 2025 12:25:20
The best compliment I can give him at the moment is that he is composed, that composure translates to the defence who look more settled.
These are early days, but you can see green shoots.
5.) 20 Oct 2025 12:33:58
Also did brilliant to close the angle on what looked a sure goal for Salah. Very fast of his line and a big punch from a corner when Van dijk was well positioned.
6.) 20 Oct 2025 17:01:30
O made that point on the chat caolan. i'd was very good keeping. He was out like a flash in his face. Went noticed by the commentator but I think he did enough to rush salah.
I like what I've seen from him to be honest.
30 Jul 2025 20:43:27
Would prefer Watkins and spending more on GK and CM. But more importantly, hope this is sth RA is on board with.
20 Jul 2025 03:29:04
Agree with your assessment Ork. Think he will do well, and hope he does well - will make him more valuable for Barcelona or someone else at the end of the season.
If we can get Rashford and Sancho off the wage bill, along with some cash for Sancho, that's an extra 50m or thereabouts for the club. Given where we are, while not ideal, i'd say it's good business.
On a separate note, am quietly optimistic about Antony leaving - at least both him and Betis want each other. He may be hoping for an outside chance of Bayern, but looks like they will get Diaz.
Fingers crossed at least these 3 happen, and hopefully that gives us the flexibility to go for a GK and ST, while getting more out the door (at least Garnacho, Malacia, Bayindir) and sorting out some more loans for the kids.
18 Jul 2025 08:54:25
Just amazed at the responses treating this as a done deal.
17 Jul 2025 02:35:06
Hmm. The media narrative is always biased to make Utd look incompetent. for all we know the deal has been slow because Brentford kept changing the ask/ shopped around with Spurs/ anything else.
As such, not sure if this is the club being a shambles without knowing the full picture. but I'd be more than happy if the club publicly (and that's important) walked away from the deal.
11 Jul 2025 12:29:48
Highly doubt it. Much more likely that this is more PR from Rashford.
03 May 2026 13:38:01
New name, assuming the player was on a 5 year contract, wouldn't the math be 25m a year and not 35?
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.
19 Apr 2026 12:30:07
Only saw the hls, unfortunately, but happy to see Heaven get the start. Long been a believer in his ability. Hope he nails that spot. And here's hoping we get a run going and finish third, and not just target CL qualification.
31 Mar 2026 03:56:01
imo we need a more proven manager, otherwise the risk of regressing again the next season is very high.
Good enough options for me would be: Enrique, Ancelotti, Tuchel, Simeone. 1 is easily the standout. 2 and 3 are unattainable. 4 I dunno. Fair questions on how much he is paid and if he will ever leave Atletico.
That means we should pretty much go all out for Enrique.
Nagelsmann is an interesting option if none of these work out.
Carrick has the makings of a good manager, and maybe someone to consider in 5 years or so.
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.