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28 Jul 2026 13:56:47
Make of it as you will, rumours we are selling Harry Amass for £6m.
1.) 28 Jul 2026 15:02:45
I guess we'll be able to pay Rashy's wages for 4 months. :D
2.) 28 Jul 2026 15:29:32
I saw that earlier. Could be true, he had decent reviews last season, but missed the 2nd half. If they have had him in-house all pre-season and don't think he is ready for a couple of years at best, then move him on, with good clauses.
3.) 28 Jul 2026 16:29:13
He has a year left on his contract as well.
4.) 28 Jul 2026 16:41:16
I'm not sure we are selling him. The £6m figure quoted is what clubs believe he would be available for. Don't think we have received any bids yet!
Would be a shame as there was high expectation for him. The problem has never been ability, but physicality.
He was a big part of why Alvaro Carreras was sold.
Still, things do not always go to plan. Might be best for all parties if we get the right offer for us and him. As Ken says, make sure we have a good sell on clause, buy back and matching rights.
5.) 28 Jul 2026 16:49:26
I've read he's also stalling on not signing an extension. I imagine there's a bit of posturing from all parties going on. I expect, being 19, he wants assurances of 1st team involvement at some point and won't sign until he gets it, and the club won't guarantee that and making noise they're happy to sell if he doesn't sign.
6.) 28 Jul 2026 20:52:52
It will likely mean someone is coming in.
£6M might be the most he's ever worth. If he gets sold on, I'm sure we will get a buy back or sell on.
7.) 29 Jul 2026 07:07:12
Selling our younger players when there is a clear gap between their current level and what's needed for the first team is the way forward. As mentioned above, if there is a buyback involved, it's a no brainer. If the player develops to the standard required and we have the option at, say... £15m, then we would say we are getting a bargain, no?
8.) 29 Jul 2026 07:16:05
Will be good reason if sold.
9.) 30 Jul 2026 09:37:51
He's entering the final year of his contract and the club needs to decide whether to stick or twist with him. Either they offer him a long term contract with the view to him becoming first choice, or they sell him and buy the long term first choice option.
The problem is that we have a lot of inexperience in defence and down the left hand side. Which makes sticking with him a bigger gamble than it normally would be. If we had prime Rio and Vidic playing at CB and maybe a keeper who was in their late 20's then you stick with the young lad. But given we have a keeper with only one year worth of top level experience, and the likelihood that we'll have at least one of Heaven or Yoro playing at CB can we really bank on a 19 year old academy LB to cover for the likely injured Luke Shaw? That's very risky.
From the clubs perspective the ideal solution would probably be getting Amass tied down to a new long term contract then send him out on loan for another season while buying a top level LB to push Shaw into squad depth. Then Amass comes back to challenge the new LB next summer when Shaw's deal expires.
However, is that what Amass wants? Another year on loan while a new, probably expensive, LB comes in and has a year to establish himself while Amass is away on loan. Leaving him to come back to an established, top level LB probably in their early to mid twenties ahead of him and his pathway looking difficult into the first team on a regular basis.
Personally if his agent isn't looking at other options for him then they are failing to do their job. He has to put his career ahead of United having a solid back up plan, and I don't blame him for that. Which gives him very little reason to sign a new deal that could tie him down to a back up role for the next 3-4 years.
If he won't sign a new deal then the club have little choice but to sell him this summer and get something for him. That has always been our failing in the past, holding on to players until they leave on free transfer.
We also have Diego Leon who the club have faith in, while we aren't certain on where Dorgu will end up playing.
I expect that if the club are prepared to sell Amass then that's probably a pretty solid indication that we will sign a LB this summer. Lewis Hall is supposedly prepared to hand in a transfer request to push through a move this summer, although I wonder if that will change now that Howe has left Newcastle. As there are rumours of a falling out between the two of them.
The club will have a plan, with a bit of luck if we do sell Amass then hopefully there is a buy-back, first refusal, or a sell-on clause in any deal. Meaning that Amass can move on and continue developing in his career, while we retain the option to bring him back if that is the best option for us in the future, if not then maybe we make some extra money down the line when he moves on again (which is an almost certainty if he goes to a Championship club, as he will end up at a mid-level or even a European level club in the EPL in the future, I'm sure of that).
While as fans it's always disappointing to see talented academy graduates leave the club, in truth I think we all know that we are more likely to have a success over the next couple of seasons with LB options of:
Hall or Truffert, Shaw, Dorgu and Leon.
Than options of:
Shaw, Dorgu, Amass and Leon.
If Amass leaves then I wish him well and I hope that we maybe see him back at United one day as a top class first choice LB option. We have to remember that the reason that fan run clubs more often than not fail is they cannot take the emotion out of the decision making process. It's easy as fans to condemn the club for letting a top young prospect leave the club, but ultimately that might be the best decision for all involved given the context.
10.) 30 Jul 2026 16:25:11
It might be that he's just not good enough?
11.) 01 Aug 2026 00:42:49
Lucky for us all that Shappy has it all figured out. ?
22 Jul 2026 22:10:58
You may have missed.
Signings
Karim Cassim (16, midfielder): From City. A technical, goal-scoring central midfielder who has already featured for City’s U18s.
David Eze (16, midfielder): A tall, powerful, composed box-to-box player (often compared to a young Paul Pogba in style), England youth international/captain at U16 level, and highly regarded as one of the top talents in his age group.
He is set to sign professional terms when he turns 17.
Isaac Konde (16, winger from Liverpool) — Expected to join soon, but not confirmed as signed today.
1.) 22 Jul 2026 23:25:57
Do we sign the Colombian kid too yet?
2.) 23 Jul 2026 07:59:48
Yep, Orozco signed a week ago, I believe.
3.) 23 Jul 2026 09:35:46
What's even more impressive with these signings is that we are signing them from our main rivals, which for me speaks volumes about these players and where they see as best for their future.
On top of this, we are signing Tottenham's top talent as well.
I expect some fans will put a negative spin on these players' reasons for coming, but I think it's exciting and a good sign for the club.
4.) 23 Jul 2026 10:22:28
Let's hope that one of them comes through and breaks into the 1st team.
5.) 23 Jul 2026 11:20:22
Simo
That's the key. They get to circa 19 and can go either way, as we saw with Garnacho.
6.) 23 Jul 2026 14:17:33
We have not signed Cassim and Eze yet. We are hoping to do so, but it is yet to happen.
As for Orozco, I posted last week that he had signed. The intention with him is to play him in the U21s and watch how he adapts. A decision will then be made as to possibly sending him on loan.
There is clear intent from the club to continue investing in the academy, and, obviously, a couple of major successes now could potentially save many millions given how transfer fees are going.
7.) 23 Jul 2026 15:27:13
We have signed Eze and Cassim.
8.) 23 Jul 2026 16:57:05
There has been a clear intention since INEOS have bought into the club to focus on developing young players and bringing the best youth players to the club.
You've got these three lads who we are looking to sign, plus we've already signed Cristian Orozco and Tynan Thompson this window.
Plus, we've signed Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi, Sekou Kone, Diego Leon, and Enzo Kana-Biyik.
If we get those three over the line then that makes 10 youth signings. Even if only 2 or 3 of them prove to be good enough for the first team squad, then that will represent phenomenal value in the current market.
That doesn't include young players we have signed for the first team such as Yoro, Sesko, Lammens, Dorgu, and Andrey Santos.
Yet, that's also been balanced out well with signing players who are in their prime like Cunha, Mbeumo, MdL, Mazraoui, and Tielemans.
The only two signings I'd say we can categorically say haven't worked out are Ugarte and Zirkzee. Both signed in their first summer, mere months after taking over and with limited time to plan and without their men in and settled to run things. Even then, I can see the logic behind the signings, and neither will end up costing us significantly, we might even be able to break-even on those deals, or at least close to.
The thing I find very reassuring is just how little gets leaked now. With the exception of Sesko, we haven't had any long drawn out transfer "sagas", and I don't feel we have massively overpaid for anyone either. Very professional. Which is why I'm so calm this summer, why I didn't panic when deals for supposed targets never materialised. I just feel that they will get the job done and bring in the right players for the right prices.
9.) 23 Jul 2026 17:20:58
Ports, sorry, yeh my bad. Wrong info.
10.) 23 Jul 2026 17:55:47
IWOTB, don't worry, there is so much flying about, who knows what's happening at the moment. ?
18 Jul 2026 20:29:43
Here is a rumour for you
Tynan Thompson, an 18-year-old English footballer who plays left wing, left midfield. Born in London. A 6’2” England youth international. He is at Spurs, part of their U21 squad, and seen as very promising.
Reports indicate United are in advanced talks with Spurs over a fee, with Thompson having visited Carrington. A medical is reportedly planned if a deal is agreed.
1.) 19 Jul 2026 23:10:45
Is he any good???
2.) 20 Jul 2026 08:24:08
Wait to see the transfer fee, Eric. That'll tell you. It seems like that's how it works now!
3.) 20 Jul 2026 12:28:39
8m can't be any good. Tbf, the world has gone mad, he's not even played a 1st team game yet. It's no wonder a lot of these kids don't progress when they think they've made it at 18.
4.) 20 Jul 2026 13:14:42
Spurs received (or agreed to receive) a fee of £4 million guaranteed plus up to £4 million in add-ons (total potential £8 million) for Tynan Thompson.
The 18-year-old left winger has now completed a permanent move to Manchester United (announced July 20, 2026). Reports from reliable sources like The Athletic confirm United agreed to a £4m fixed fee + £4m performance-related add-ons (tied to his senior progress).
Tottenham retained a sell-on clause (reported as 15-20%), plus matching rights on any future bids.
This was a formal transfer because Thompson had signed professional terms with Spurs. The move was influenced by the player's and family's desire for a fresh start due to personal circumstances.
5.) 20 Jul 2026 14:40:14
My mate's dad is a Spurs fan and has followed them all his life, and he was telling me that there are concerns around Tynan and the people he has been associating with in London. Apparently, his mum is keen to get him out of the city and away from those influences.
I obviously hope none of it is true, because this lad has a serious chance to make it big.
The last thing we need is another Ravel Morrison situation. Tynan clearly has the talent — let's hope he has the right people around him to help him reach his potential.
6.) 20 Jul 2026 15:53:13
Reddevilfan, I'd look at it as a positive that his family can see his talent and are willing to relocate to support this. Yes, he's falling upwards moving to United, but having a strong, supportive family behind you is so important for young players.
Personally, I see the outcome being very different to Morrison, based on him making a move away from the potential issues, and he can really focus on his football now.
7.) 20 Jul 2026 19:10:32
I hope you are right, and the move works, but I would have thought that a totally focused young player would just make sure to stay away from negative influences in their locale rather than move city.
8.) 20 Jul 2026 19:38:43
I don't really buy that, Salford. If anything, moving away from bad influences shows you're serious about your career. It's all well and good saying, "just stay away from them," but that's a lot easier said than done when it's your everyday environment.
Top athletes change clubs, cities or countries because they know the people and environment around them make a difference.
That's not a sign they're not focused. It's a sign they're doing everything they can to give themselves the best chance of succeeding.
So I don't think moving says he's less committed. I'd say it's probably the exact opposite.
9.) 20 Jul 2026 21:02:59
You could look at it another way. He maybe don't want to move away from London and those mates, parents maybe forcing him to move cos see a gravy train... Who knows, let's just hope not another easily led teenager... and another wasted talent.
10.) 20 Jul 2026 21:58:23
Whatever his situation, we have signed a lad who has lots of talent and knows how to score.
I hope he sees this as progression in his career and becomes a first team player. In previous years, we have bought well from Spurs, and I'm thrilled with our transfer approach the last 2 seasons.
11.) 20 Jul 2026 22:37:44
Read that his family suffered a tragedy last year, and they felt that he needed a fresh start. I haven't seen anything to suggest that it has anything to do with the company he was keeping. All rumours, though, hopefully he settles and we see what he's all about. Hopefully he's another Ayden Heaven.
12.) 20 Jul 2026 22:48:37
I heard his father passed, and it's been a difficult time for his family. His mum has been the driving force in wanting a fresh start for the family in the north.
Supposedly a very good player, ready for some minutes.
Good luck to him and welcome.
13.) 21 Jul 2026 11:23:38
I don't think we know enough about his personal circumstances to come to any kind of meaningful judgement.
All we know is that, for whatever reason, his family feel he would benefit from a fresh start somewhere else. Hopefully, whatever unfortunate circumstances have happened in his life, he can use that as fuel to become a top player.
As they say, diamonds are formed under pressure. Challenges either make you or break you.
Let's just get behind the kid, and hope he kicks on and becomes the player his potential suggests he can become.
14.) 21 Jul 2026 21:29:18
Guess the club didn't fancy spending £68m on Summerville to be fair.
The market has gone mad. Rashford will be going nowhere.
10 Jul 2026 12:55:02
Further to my post earlier this week about Ederson having issues with his medical. Rumours continued today over his recent meniscus injury and the possibility of longer-term knee issues.
1.) 10 Jul 2026 16:13:57
If there's an issue, I think we have to pull out of the deal. We've seen it before, with Mount and Bailly, when there's an issue in the medical and how it pans out.
2.) 10 Jul 2026 16:18:50
100%. If it's not right, then it's not right.
If there is any doubt, err on the side of caution. That would be my view.
3.) 10 Jul 2026 16:21:43
If there is uncertainty, I hope they swerve him regardless of his price or potential. We've already got a growing list of players who miss too many games, including a couple who had well-documented issues prior to joining.
Let's hope the second medical is as thorough as possible.
If he flies through it, awesome - it's a good price for a solid player.
If it's uncertain, swerve and move on.
4.) 10 Jul 2026 21:05:48
I guess the people running the club have some sense after all. Ederson deal off.
29 Sep 2025 17:47:29
Whispers are that there has been a meeting today in which the club have defined a style of play which they have told the head coach he is required to play. That is a formation 433.
Who knows if true but if true it's a watershed moment, the club setting a direction is one point but what does it mean if they replace RA? Will the new incumbent be told to play 433? Does it rule out Glasner? Will RA resign if told how to play? Is any of this true?
Rumour site so there you go.
1.) 29 Sep 2025 18:29:07
I can't imagine it's true, it would be a ridiculously dangerous and stupid thing to do.
It's one thing to say the team needs to play a front foot, attacking style of play. And completely another to dictate to a coach/ manager what formation the team have to play. What next which players have to start?
You hire a manager to manage the team, it is down to them how they set their team up, ultimately they will live and die by the results they get.
We have ended up in the almighty mess we find ourselves in by having unqualified people making decisions about which they know very little, certainly not their area of expertise. It would be a shame after all the good work rebuilding the club structure behind the scenes only to start repeating the mistakes of the past.
{Ed025's Note - "it would be a shame after all the good work rebuilding the club structure" ?...when did that good work actually happen Shappy...i must have missed that..
2.) 29 Sep 2025 19:07:41
Interview with Glasner where he speaks about playing the formation he thinks best suits his players. 4-4-2 is his favourite but that doesn’t suit his players at Palace. Speaks very well about formation.
3.) 29 Sep 2025 21:38:40
It sounds plausible.
INEOS came in very strong with Game Model and committing to the club having an identity and style down to youth teams. That went quite with Amorim and the youth have remained successful without 3421.
It makes a lot of sense and means the players signed are for the club not the coach.
Shappy you’re coming across like a contrarian. What Redman says makes aligns with how many clubs operate.
4.) 30 Sep 2025 06:42:03
they would be incompetent if they allow this to continue. amorim is a fraud with nice words. get rid.
5.) 30 Sep 2025 08:53:35
Guessing you’ve seen the post from IndyKaila News on X.
Let’s hope he changes to a 433 but, given Amorim said he wouldn’t even change for the Pope, seems highly unlikely.
Results must improve though, otherwise his exit will be inevitable.
6.) 30 Sep 2025 09:24:18
Personally it feels like the narrative surrounding Amorim has changed, and a new manager will be in place soon. I have a feeling Liverpool will be his last game with a new manager starting after that as there is a decent run of games until new year.
7.) 30 Sep 2025 14:33:17
It feels like there is growing downward pressure on Amorim. While the directors will be reluctant to sack him, and admit they made a huge mistake, they also realise that things can’t continue like this. I wouldn’t be surprised to see interference with coaching decisions, or strong nudges towards a different play style.
However, if Amorim has proven anything, it’s that he’s stubbornly committed to playing his way. It might be a case that he would rather resign than change. But being a head coach, there is also scope for the directors to force his hand. Will be interesting to see how this eventually plays out. Regardless, I can’t see him still in the job by the end of the year.
8.) 30 Sep 2025 20:42:24
What I don’t understand is why are the youth teams still playing 433 and 4231 if the hierarchy hired Amorim to play this 3421.
Seems to me the structure isn’t aligned through the club which is another balls up.
9.) 30 Sep 2025 23:54:20
Or if that rumour is true could the club be trying to save £12m by getting RA to resign instead of being sacked?
10.) 01 Oct 2025 19:38:01
Why would anybody resign and walk away from £12m.
11.) 02 Oct 2025 22:08:49
Did RA not say he would just that, Eric? Or words to that effect at least.
12.) 03 Oct 2025 04:30:27
That’s his problem he is just words!
He says things and then blames it on emotion, in the heat of the moment crap
Great talk the talk man, but that’s all he got
Talks a good game.
Red Man's banter posts with other poster's replies to Red Man's banter posts
11 Sep 2026 07:48:20
I spent some time talking to a Newcastle fan this last couple of days and he loved Eddie Howe, gutted he left and said the OT job is too big for him.
I recalled to him that I saw Malcolm McDonald live in the black and white at OT. I believe it was circa 1972 and from the Stretford End I just have this memory he had incredibly bowed legs. Have you seen and noticed something unusual or different about a player?
1.) 11 Sep 2026 08:58:17
Yes Onana had very slippy hands.
2.) 11 Sep 2026 10:12:24
David Beckham had more hairstyles during his Manchester United career than we have won major trophies since Sir Alex Ferguson left.
3.) 11 Sep 2026 10:17:38
He also had sharp studs in his boots apparently. ?
4.) 11 Sep 2026 10:32:15
You could drive a bus through the legs of McDonald.
The thighs of Mark Hughes were pretty impressive.
The weirdest of all had to be the comb over of Sir Bobby Charlton.
5.) 11 Sep 2026 11:07:55
IWOTB, I was going to mention Mark Hughes's legs. I've never seen such big legs on a man! The joke at after-dinner talks from ex-pros like Lee Sharpe and Ryan Giggs was that opposition players have broken their own legs trying to kick Mark Hughes, and he never needed shin pads; his legs were tougher than the shin pads!
6.) 11 Sep 2026 14:11:01
Mark Hughes was my fav player for a long time. Big game expert too.
7.) 11 Sep 2026 14:47:37
Ports, Sparky was one of my all time favourites also. It was tragic what happened to his son recently.
Talking of thighs, see if you can find an old picture of the inimitable and true great that was Duncan Edwards. He had thighs to match Sparky.
Don't forget that was the 1950s when training was endlessly running around the pitch, eating steak and chips, yum yum, going to the pub and smoking 20 a day!
Although, I have to say, Duncan did not smoke or drink.
He was a clean living boy. Besty certainly did not use him as an example!
8.) 11 Sep 2026 20:28:37
I think it was Sheffield United away in the FA Cup when Sparky lost his temper. After being kicked all over, he lost it and kicked one of them up in the air. We loved Sparky on the terraces. He had big calves, and I think, away at QPR, they kept going through the back of him, but he was immense.
9.) 11 Sep 2026 21:06:54
I always felt he was one of us, although later found out he was a Chelsea fan. He typified a United player - tough, no-nonsense, never give up, and he scored some critical goals for us. Cup Winners' Cup Final and FA Cup semi-final spring to mind. Selling him the first time was scandalous.
08 Sep 2026 16:56:27
I supported the club for the 26 years between league titles, then I was there in 93 when the trophy was handed over, what a feeling. I felt the pain for quarter of a century but wonder if present day supporters understand and realise what it will take to win the league again. As I sit looking at 13 years to date, I recall being at OT in 93 and again in 2013 when the trophy was handed out. I thought in 2013 it could be a long time again because Moyes was a joke and said so on here.
I now read some of the stuff, I look at the thought process of fans, also at the club methodology and actually now wonder if it will be 26 years again. Berrada has said next year is the target, yet he can't seriously think that adding a couple of defenders next summer will deliver that. I look at Carrick and firmly believe he is not the answer, especially given how he is dealing with Rashford, his very Ole type friendly to players approach. I recall the mid to late 80's when SAF arrived and how he made the team everything. Tough but it was what Amorim started to do. Wilcox getting rid of Amorim was another shambles, then appointing the yes man.
To be honest right now it feels like a slightly better version of the Sexton years.
I wonder what year we could conceivably win the league again?
My guess we might do it before 20, I.e. 2033 but it's getting to the point where I might not see it, nor may I see another Champions League. It just doesn't seem that fans nor club management have any clue at how to deliver it.
We argue over Rashford, yet I believe SAF would have kicked him so far out of OT that he would never come back except in the Space Shuttle.
Be thankful if you saw a league title, even more a Champuons League, I am grateful I saw both live, but this shambolic mess without direction worries me.
What year can you conceivably see us winning the league?
1.) 08 Sep 2026 17:50:59
Right there with you, Red Man. We appear to be of a similar vintage. I honestly, at this moment in time, cannot see us ever being winners again. The current set up does not inspire confidence.
Too much has to change for there to be light at the end of our tunnel. We are in a really bad place, and I only see a rinse and repeat scenario.
2.) 08 Sep 2026 21:18:17
Three of us old farts then!
3.) 08 Sep 2026 22:56:23
I'm late 60s, born a few years behind some of you. Since I was 5, I've been an avid fan and have gone through ups and downs like every supporter from clubs up and down the country. I don't cry when we lose, and I don't go overboard when we've won. I enjoy supporting no matter who owns the club, and no matter how bad we are or how good we are.
Who owns the club is irrelevant, and I don't expect them to pay millions out of their own pocket to satisfy my emotional whims. Nor should anybody.
I'm not sure that we see many posts about United with the word "i" in it as often as that.
I'd say, if you are an ice cream, you'd lick yourself to death, Red Man.
4.) 09 Sep 2026 05:53:17
Good old Ken
Can be relied on to become personal if he isn't in control of the narrative.
You say basically you won't worry about us winning anything. Sounds like United is just a hobby you look at from time to time, so why bother coming on with an opinion at all.
Who owns the club is very relevant. You are always at that. How dare we say anything about the owners. Enjoy your 30 pieces of silver whenever they send it to you.
You therefore won't be bothered like most of us what year we next win the league because you live in Ken world.
5.) 09 Sep 2026 10:05:20
I'd like it to be soon. We will just have to wait and see.
Redman, football is a hobby to me.
What is it to you?
Do you earn your living from it? I know you think you know better than most people that play or manage, but you don't.
If you don't earn a living from it, it's your hobby.
You're over emotional about it.
In my life, I prioritise family, business and football in that order. I always have. I feel for anyone who prioritises football any higher than that. Golf overtakes football now, as I don't play football anymore. I still coach though.
6.) 09 Sep 2026 10:59:48
Ken,
Family, health, football, work, but United has been incredibly important to me. You never change your team. It's more an obsession to see us win the leagues and cups. It's more than a hobby. Am I over emotional? Not really, but years of ridicule at school have added a level of desire to dominate the league.
I don't think I know better than anyone. None of us have managed a Premier League team. I just put my opinion over, based on playing, watching, and work experience. It's an opinion, and I enjoy the banter of other people's opinions, which is why I come on.
7.) 09 Sep 2026 12:56:21
Oh no refman did someone tease you at school because your team were not winning ??? dear me and your still carrying around that with you approaching your 70's.
Watching football is your hobby your emotions make it an obsession as you don't control them when it comes to united.
In what other area of your life to you expect someone to pay 100'smillions out of their own personal pockets to fund your obsession?
8.) 09 Sep 2026 16:00:40
It's more than a hobby. I lived where there were lots of Liverpool, and particularly City, fans. Some of my family were supporters at Munich time. I was brought into the fold with stories of Edwards and others. Munich was a strong driver in the Manchester area, especially to those who experienced it, and that was passed on to me.
Dismiss that as you will, but as a Manc with family who were there and experienced the tragedy, it gave me a local and strong support, clearly beyond a hobby.
9.) 09 Sep 2026 16:38:42
The parasites you protect don't pay one cent for anything, not one.
10.) 09 Sep 2026 19:39:48
I protect?. ???
07 Sep 2026 07:21:15
You have to think Sesko was fully fit, but Carrick likes Rashford despite what he has done. Looks to me like Carrick is sacrificing Sesko, changing our formation to suit Rashford and even playing other players out of position to get him in.
Sesko won the game at Everton last year, outpaced them to get it. He also scored important goals yet is now sitting on the bench so Carrick can get Rashford on the pitch. Carrick also gave him the No9 shirt and, say what you like, that is symbolic.
Carrick dare not bench Cunha for Rashford because there will be a big reaction so he plays Cunha up front and out of position at the expense of Sesko just to get Rashford in.
We clearly lack a striker because of it.
If I was Sesko I would be fuming, bust a gut for the team last season, work hard in preseason to be usurped by a guy who didn’t want to be here, wanted to be elsewhere, insulted the shirt with his behaviour, earns so much and won’t take a cut to play elsewhere. How lucky for Rashford that he has a mate in the manager's office.
Sesko benched so the wayward disgrace that is Marcus Rashford can play is a huge, huge mistake for me by the manager.
1.) 07 Sep 2026 08:20:36
Sesko was returning from an injury. He has been building his fitness up. I think the club are just ensuring that he is fully fit, rather than rushing him back.
2.) 07 Sep 2026 08:32:59
Mad Hatter
I think it is more than that, it isn't just easing him back. It looks very like yesterday was a preference for Rashford. I think it's a huge mistake. I would have let him go on a free to get rid, quite honestly. Instead he is given preference by his mate.
3.) 07 Sep 2026 08:34:01
Rashford aside, surely you put a fully fit Sesko in instead of Cunha up top.
And you could argue Rashford has had more about him, so, other than not liking him (which Carrick obviously does), why bench him?
4.) 07 Sep 2026 09:43:22
Not sure why you are trying to create a one or the other narrative with Sesko and Rashford lol.
Rashford is playing on the left because he can actually hold his position and give us some width, plus he connects well with Shaw. We had a pretty clear problem last season with Cunha on the left because he naturally drifts in and congests the middle, not his fault, it's just his game.
Sesko missed the whole of pre season and is being managed into the season sensibly. He will probably start on Thursday, and then return to the bench for City when we will need a different type of forward up top.
Also, watching the start of the season, I don't think the issue with the team is the midfield or attack, tbh. We are conceding 2 goals a game atm.
5.) 07 Sep 2026 09:57:27
Redman,
I understand your frustrations. I am equally peeved off. Hopefully on Thursday Sesko starts. Utd need to start off their CL campaign with a win. Ideally, we should look to qualify before the BM and AM games.
Cunha isn't particularly effective up front.
He almost plays in a similar position to Bruno, as a sort of false 9, with Bruno being a 10. Sesko will always look to press and bully CBs.
Credit is due to Rashford, as he has been one of our better players so far. I think Sesko will thrive playing with him.
6.) 07 Sep 2026 10:37:32
Mad Hatter
For Sesko to play with Rashford, does that mean drop Cunha?
The summer should have been where the shape of the team was designed and worked on. We have a CF in Sesko, yet Carrick seems to want to play without one. They should have been working on the system with a CF, and bought a second striker to fit in the system when Sesko wasn’t fit. Instead, the manager has reintegrated the bad apple, changed shape, and it’s costing us.
Two goals a game conceded is a big problem, especially given the opposition, and we have to worry given City coming up.
Thing is, even with our defence, that isn’t good. Defend from the front has been around since I was a kid, a very long time, so when you have our defence, you need to keep the ball up front more and attack, but Carrick football is more poundshop Southgate.
7.) 07 Sep 2026 11:21:02
Based on current form, albeit only 3 games, I'd bench Cunha and start Sesko up top with Rashford on the left.
People may hate Rashford, but he's here and starting to play well.
8.) 07 Sep 2026 11:46:17
I don't hate Rashford, but I'm not sure it's great to have a guy who doesn't want to be there starting every game ahead of players who do want to be there.
9.) 07 Sep 2026 12:10:45
I'm not sure I understand the logic behind this. It feels a bit like a tinfoil hat conspiracy.
Sesko has been injured and is only just returning. Cunha played as Brazil's centre-forward in pretty much every game at the World Cup and is playing the same role for us at the start of the season.
Rashford has played well and looked threatening, arguably more threatening than Cunha.
Even if Sesko comes into the side, nothing Cunha has shown so far suggests he should be picked ahead of Rashford on the left.
I expect Cunha and Rashford will be rested against Sabah, with Dorgu and Sesko coming in. It will then be interesting to see who starts against Man City. However, if Sesko scores again, I think the front three will be Rashford, Sesko and Mbeumo.
10.) 07 Sep 2026 14:01:49
To me Sesko looks like an impact player.
{Ed025's Note - i was thinking a Championship player myself Sim0..
11.) 07 Sep 2026 15:37:04
I'm pretty sure Carrick has started with this formation in every game (front 3 with 2 wingers), so not sure the suggestion that Rashford is dictating a new shape stacks up.
However, I do see a few problems with the personnel.
1. Cunha was purchased as one of two no.10s for Amorim's system. He's perfect for that. Maybe Chelsea will be watching him!
2.
In a line of incredible centre-forwards over the past 30 years, we now have just one to choose from, Sesko, who is way off the level we need. He's young(ish), but feels like he's been around for much longer. I get no sense there's a great player in there, but hope to be proved wrong and see even a very good one as the season goes on.
12.) 07 Sep 2026 15:47:08
I suggested Osimhen but hey the idiots think 1 CF is ok.
Bilko, you get it. Anyone who has managed a team will tell you that putting in a Rashford, a malcontent who doesn't want to be there, ahead of a committed player is madness and bad for team spirit.
If Carrick drops Cunha (after playing him out of position) for Rashford then I will openly say Carrick Out and loudly.
13.) 08 Sep 2026 18:28:02
You're a weird one Redman. You actively hate Rashford for his own/off field antics from two seasons ago and in the next breath suggest osimhen.
14.) 08 Sep 2026 20:15:40
JBR,
I don't hate anyone.
However, in a team I recognise, you support the team members who got you here, the ones that got Carrick the job, not the one who sat in an Irish nightclub and couldn't make training and openly wanted to be somewhere else. You want Rashford, fine, Carrick, fine. Let's see where it goes.
06 Sep 2026 16:30:59
Having played Hull Ipswich and Everton we sit 11th, conceding an average 2 goals a game. Now already 5 points behind City making the derby rather important even at this very early time of the season.
Yes, very early. How is the confidence level of finishing top 5 under Carrick?
I think we will have to struggle to get 5th but it won’t be a surprise to some of us.
1.) 06 Sep 2026 16:37:51
Defence is shaky, attack creates hardly any clear-cut chances, and our expensive new midfield can't control games, subs are poor, in-game management poor.
Shaping up to be a loooong season.
2.) 06 Sep 2026 16:57:36
Continue to concede 2 goals a game, and we aren't winning many. Each time we score, we seem to sit back and invite pressure, with an inevitable result. We are architects of our own demise.
3.) 06 Sep 2026 16:59:12
I disagree, Cantona. Our midfield has had a lot of control in the last two games. But I agree that game management has been shocking. Our team wasn't prepared well for Hull, and making a defensive substitution late on today was idiotic. We have a good enough squad, but this nonsense of trying to hold onto single goal leads with the defence we have will kill us.
Really eager for the return of De Ligt.
Martinez today distributed the ball really sharply, but Maguire was incredibly slow in releasing the ball on the other side. It's destroying our tempo as teams are covering just one side.
We have the ingredients to have a good season, but today irritated me greatly as we'd have won with reasonable management. An entirely avoidable dropping of points.
4.) 06 Sep 2026 17:10:12
I personally said that mid table would be a good result this season. We haven't even started the two games a week period yet...
5.) 06 Sep 2026 17:28:58
Midtable would be a good result? On what planet? This squad isn't good enough to challenge for a title, but it should be finishing 3-6.
6.) 06 Sep 2026 17:30:50
Mid table looks accurate. Baleba needs to be 1 hell of a player if we are pinning our hopes of improvement on him.
Be interesting to see what calibre of defenders we can attract/afford if we don't qualify for Europe.
Considering most top players want Europe, and our finances are seemingly so bad we can't afford them this season. Not getting Europe will further cripple our spending power.
Long way to go, of course, but early signs are worrying.
7.) 06 Sep 2026 17:36:11
Ah lads, ease off the negativity. Had we seen it out a minute longer we'd have been 4th or 5th. I am as irritated by this result as I've been in a while, but this ambulance chasing way of viewing everything is a real downer. Keep it a bit level.
8.) 06 Sep 2026 18:07:55
"We haven't started the season that bad, to be honest."
That's his quote. Being level is fine, but this isn't Middlesbrough. I expect the United manager to say that it must improve, and, let's be honest, without being disrespectful, the three teams should not have resulted in only 4 points.
9.) 06 Sep 2026 19:06:53
I don't mean I'd be happy with mid table, and I agree, the squad should be delivering better. But 3 games and 4 points... Extrapolate that to the end of the season, and we would finish the season with 50 points. That would have been good enough for 12th place last season...
So, on this very real planet, mid table is a real possibility.
I've been negative for more than just this season. We got very lucky in a number of games during Carrick's tenure last season. Carrick continually shows the inability to:
1. Prepare a team to approach a game in any other way than plan A, which is the same every game.
2. Deliver solid in game management, or demonstrate any plan B.
10.) 06 Sep 2026 19:38:36
Groan. This page is getting to be almost at Everton fans' level of moaning.
11.) 06 Sep 2026 20:34:58
Eric,
Everton standard of points is something to moan about.
12.) 06 Sep 2026 21:15:27
Maguire is ruining the development of Yoro, who is being shipped out to play rb. ?
Yoro, whilst de Ligt is stealing a living in the medical room, should be starting alongside Martinez.
We have no pace at the back and can’t play a high line.
13.) 06 Sep 2026 21:42:20
Shaw and Dalot are as fast as any fullbacks, with Shaw regularly hitting 34kph, which is amongst the fastest fullbacks. Our left side, with Shaw and Martinez, played very well today.
14.) 06 Sep 2026 22:05:03
Let's forget about Shaw's positioning for Everton's first goal.
And Dalot's lack of positioning every game.
He was loaned to AC Milan years ago, who didn't want him on a permanent deal.
Yet here he is, 10 years later, still starting.
If anyone thinks Dalot and Shaw are players that don't need replacing, then standards have dropped much lower than I thought.
15.) 06 Sep 2026 23:54:21
Nobody has said that, Bolger.
16.) 07 Sep 2026 04:11:37
Tend to agree with that, Redman. No need to panic after 3 games, but I would prefer our young and inexperienced manager to be saying that we have not met the required standard. Pointing out the silver linings around our storm cloud is not the way to engage the fans.
He clearly didn't get what he needed in the summer. The players are undercooked, some had an extended break from the WC.
But one message he can send is that this is not okay. He is not happy. The team will stick together, but they have to be better. The fans do not need gaslighting.
We need Carrick to be the manager, not the interim manager, friend to everybody. He needs to remember that he has to be in charge, and the performance of his team is a representation of him on the pitch.
17.) 07 Sep 2026 07:11:12
What Carrick says to his Swiss and what he says to the press/public are very different things. He's managing it how he sees fit. Our fan base would pick apart any performance. If we'd have won 2-1, it would be the same.
18.) 07 Sep 2026 08:22:56
Dodgy
Agree. Carrick being friendly, like Ole was, will not get us anywhere again.
It's a shocking quote for a United manager. I cannot imagine SAF saying that or any of the top managers. Ok at Boro, but not here.
03 Sep 2026 07:25:05
As we mull over the ruins of the summer window, several points to consider
1) Wilcox/Vivell. Rumours persist that Vivell was ignored and overruled by Wilcox. One rumour was Vivell wanted Sangare Wilcox rejected and went with Tielemans. There are other rumours about disagreements on others as well again with Wilcox overruling Vivell. Wilcox overruling the analysts. One might speculate that Vivell may leave over this.
At that point, if Vivell resigns, it may be a good point for Ratcliffe to consider Wilcox's position. I would hope for the club to bring back Rangnick, who I think should have been listened to and experience used previously. Are the club that forward thinking though?
2) I suggested two things as to why the owners didn't have a good transfer window. One being dividends and the other being owner change. Just to be clear it's my opinion not fact as someone criticised me for. Dividends being announced in Feb makes sense, however a full sale of the club shouldn't be ruled out and that was another opinion I suggested.
Profit makes the club more attractive, means the parasites can try to hold a higher price for what might otherwise be seen as a loss making enterprise and financially flawed. Does Ratcliffe have the cash? Are INEOS capable but also do we want to be a subsidiary of INEOS? Not for me. We need a new owner who pays off the millstone debt and gives us a clean break and totally fresh impetus. For me we need INEOS, Ratcliffe and especially the Glazers out, something I will buy a bottle of expensive champagne for if it happens. I suspect that despite the bravado of the new stadium plans they have not cemented the funding and as a business, because of the millstone of Glazer debt, they can't borrow any more so will rely on other methods. Selling now or soon, perhaps next year makes sense and let someone else fund it. So fingers crossed for next year.
1.) 03 Sep 2026 08:11:19
Any organisation where there aren't disagreements at the top level will struggle to be successful.
The point of hiring people like Wilcox and Vivell is because they aren't "yes men".
Disagreement isn't a negative, as long as they can work together to come to the best solution. They probably have.
2.) 03 Sep 2026 08:48:10
Who exactly are you preaching this to, Red Man? We all agree the Glazers are awful. There may be issues with Wilcox, and I've posted the same, but it's based on rumours right now. But, you state so many things as facts that you just simply don't know are facts. And, your posts just push the same agenda point that we're not spending because of the ownership, and that has no basis in reality at all.
You're entitled to your opinion, but repeating the same one over and over and over doesn't make it any stronger, and just gets tiresome for the rest of us.
3.) 03 Sep 2026 09:07:39
I read the first line and thought, this will be Red Man. We all hate the Glazers, how they purchased the club, the money they have taken out, and the general incompetence. But every single day, the same stuff, we get it!
4.) 03 Sep 2026 09:16:41
If Bayern want Vivell, then that tells you that they think he is good at his job.
5.) 03 Sep 2026 10:16:20
Shappy
Usually, with disagreement at that level, especially if fundamental, one leaves. There is a rumour Vivell is wanted by Bayern, a well run club. If true, and his recommendations are ignored at OT, then we may lose him, to be left with Wilcox.
Don
"Who exactly are you preaching this to?"
Jeez, preaching. I wonder if some of you would rather sit here and talk about the nice third kit, or just nothing at all. Before this site & social media, we used to talk about this in the pub. How many times does someone have to point out this is a banter site, set up for people to talk about the club, to say what they are thinking, to engage with others. I remain respectful of others' opinion. I get you may prefer I disappear; it is an opinion.
Opinion, let's deal with that. "You state so many things as facts that you just simply don't know are facts." In my above post I actually say "Just to be clear it's my opinion not fact," as someone criticised me for. I speculate, extrapolate, use available facts, and based on what I see, express an opinion. Read or don't read, there is no game for several days, so let's just sit here and say 'ooh, what a nice kit,' or 'is that a new colour on the wall at the training ground, raining out again.'
AJH
Yup, it's me again. How dare I express my opinion? It's not like I am taking up anyone else's space, am I?
You guys have taken over from Angel; he used to be first to post to tell me to shut up as well. Unlucky. I rather enjoy the banter page.
6.) 03 Sep 2026 10:31:32
Red Man, I'm not trying to shut you up and I don't disagree with you, but you are like a dog with a bone
7.) 03 Sep 2026 11:34:56
AJH
I know, it's my nature and a trait that has taken me where I got in my career. Don't worry, when back at work I won't have time on my hands to post, plus it's all quite poignant right now.
8.) 03 Sep 2026 13:06:23
Red Man, I agree with some of what you're saying, but I don't see how it's constructive to make the same points over and over. It's like Nietzsche said, "If you stare too long into the void it'll stare back at you." It's not healthy.
9.) 03 Sep 2026 14:06:09
This is becoming way too philosophical, Nietzsche, on a banter board!!?!
Let's keep it light.
10.) 03 Sep 2026 14:50:46
And those who danced were judged to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ?
11.) 03 Sep 2026 15:00:51
No question that the debt, which originated with the LBO, has been a dreadful millstone. The club has also been incredibly badly managed since the departure of SAF and Gill. Others have big debts, like Spurs, but there's new stadium debt. We already have more, and we haven't redone the stadium yet. If it costs £2bn, as is projected, where's that coming from? How are we going to manage to finance £3bn in total debt, especially now with interest rates being high, and with little prospect of them coming down as western countries drown themselves in public debt.
Whatever our preferred outcome, and all of us would like to see the end of the Glazers, the club needs an injection of capital. Merely transferring stock ownership from one party to another is not enough.
If it doesn't happen, it's hard to see how we get out of this debt trap. Even if we all of a sudden start making profits, it's going to take years to whittle it down, whether or not some dividends are paid. Ineos have begun by doing what, unfortunately, was necessary. Without them, I think things would have been worse today. But Ineos is also heavily debt-laden, so I don't see how they will be able to arrange to put upwards of £500m into the club. And of course, if it's an injection of share capital, which is what the club needs, it will further whittle away the Glazers' control, in which case they might as well sell out completely.
12.) 03 Sep 2026 15:16:10
Sorry, Don, the actual quote is, "Avoid the void, or you'll be annoyed."
13.) 03 Sep 2026 16:48:11
It's one of my favourite quotes, Salford. A philosophy for life. DeGrasse Tyson's one, "The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you," is another classic.
14.) 03 Sep 2026 18:42:13
No harm intended, Red Man. I understand they were opinion based points, and pointing out that they were opinion and not fact is in my nature. I work in Risk and am studying Law, so I have a nature to be critical of things that could be misinterpreted as fact, especially in a world where there is so much misinformation - not that your intention is ever to mislead the page.
I'd rather see the same topic discussed over and over than a dead page, and people leaving because they can't voice their opinion.
15.) 03 Sep 2026 19:19:41
What a load of b******* and whataboutery.
We brought in 2 young midfielders with a lot of potential and one with a wealth of experience. Anyone who thinks we've done bad business on the midfield is delusional.
The 'management' don't have to agree and Vivells job is to keep providing lists of high quality candidates. Some will get signed. Some won't!!!
As for the idea of Rangnick coming back in... lol!!
16.) 03 Sep 2026 21:37:09
Post of the day imo, RD.
17.) 04 Sep 2026 01:44:03
Don Red, I rather liked my father's one-liner philosophical statement.
Never wash a window with a hard-boiled egg.
Totally nonsensical, but always said in a way which made me smile.
18.) 04 Sep 2026 07:38:07
Kurtis
No worries and good luck with Law. Risk is an area of business that is extremely important, so appreciate that.
Red D,
Not sure anyone said it was bad business in the midfield. By Shappys price definition, the other day we haven't signed a "top" midfielder. Looking at midfield, I am not sure we have the No6, the holder and destroyer, we perhaps needed. Baleba and Mainoo are probably the go to. Baleba will run, and I think he is a good player. They are going to have to screen for that centre of defence.
Overall window 4/10 midfield 7.5/10 but definitely not bad business.
If someone keeps suggesting players and no one listens, they will very likely leave. You hire people for your team because of their knowledge and skill, very demotivating if ignored. The question is how good is Wilcox? Looks like everything is on him.
Rangnick replacing Wilcox would be a good move but the owners won't do it because he wanted to bring change and he shone a light on the issues. Like Amorim they won't like it.
19.) 04 Sep 2026 10:45:59
Who says Vivell is being ignored? Andrey Santos is a player he put forward, as was Sesko, Lammens, Dorgu, Zirkzee, and Sekou Kone.
Hardly sounds like they aren't listening to him.
In fact, last summer it was Wilcox that preferred Emi Martinez and Vivell who favoured Lammens.
Did Wilcox over rule him then?
20.) 04 Sep 2026 13:37:11
If that's the case, bloody good job he is ignored...
Dorgu is good athlete, poor footballer.
Zirkee, total waste of time in epl.
Kone... not going to see much of him in United shirt this season.
Lammens, probably his best, but we are only judging so highly at the moment because look what he replaced...
Sesko... Another fingers crossed player that we hope and prey comes good, but big concerns with the injuries whilst so young...
So, I would say keep ignoring him. Wilcox too could go far as I am concerned...
06 Sep 2026 08:22:39
IWOTB
Some good points. I often felt the club were looking for ball players and didn't consider or even discounted the physical side. We seemed to emphasise youth changing positions to learn other areas, and ended up with jacks of all trades rather than master of one. I think on youth recruitment we have not actually looked and coordinated the positions we need for the first team. For example, it is many years since a true centre forward broke through.
I am interested in the two lads we picked up from City, one being a CM. But where is the CF? Generally there is a dearth of CF except maybe that lad at Villa. Fundamental change for the youth is needed. I read years back what City were doing locally and we were sitting back thinking we are United, if we are not going to spend big, they need to do far better with the youth.
03 Sep 2026 08:01:12
Having seen where he is at, they may have struggled to get him in at a reasonable level in the UK.
24 Aug 2026 20:14:51
TW
Thanks. Interesting, not a name I was familiar with. He is nearly 27 though.
09 Aug 2026 09:11:41
We were linked with Casado previously about a year ago if I recall correctly.
23 Jul 2026 11:20:22
Simo
That's the key. They get to circa 19 and can go either way, as we saw with Garnacho.
20 Sep 2026 10:17:59
I would put a clock up on the screen, take timekeeping away from referees, stop the clock every time they go down rather than have injury time.
20 Sep 2026 10:15:39
Bilko
Sir Jim Ratcliffe endorsed Labour (and specifically Keir Starmer) at the 2024 UK general election. He said he liked Starmer and believed he would do "a very sensible job" / "a very good job at running the country."
Thats a contribution to decline.
20 Sep 2026 08:27:25
Morning
I asked AI to assess when I saw those stats yesterday and here is the assessment
Here's how it lines up:
• Amorim raised the fitness baseline
He spent over a year pushing intensity, adding specialist support, and improving conditioning. That work created a higher physical floor than the one he inherited.
• Carrick benefited from that foundation
When he took over in January 2026, the squad was already fitter than it had been 12–14 months earlier. This allowed him to switch to shorter, sharper sessions without having to rebuild basic capacity from scratch.
• The short-term effect was positive
The change in training approach under Carrick is widely credited with helping produce fresher, sharper performances in the second half of 2025/26, contributing to the strong finish and top-four place.
• Continuing the same approach into pre-season appears linked to the current drop
The early 2026/27 numbers (especially the very low rankings for sprints and high-speed runs) are consistent with a loss of high-intensity capacity. While we can't say with absolute certainty that the shorter/sharper pre-season is the only cause, it is a reasonable and well-supported explanation given the pattern.
Amorim built the fitness base → Carrick refined the load for short-term gains → the same lighter approach into the new pre-season has coincided with (and likely contributed to) the intensity drop now visible on the pitch.
11 Sep 2026 20:28:37
I think it was Sheffield United away in the FA Cup when Sparky lost his temper. After being kicked all over, he lost it and kicked one of them up in the air. We loved Sparky on the terraces. He had big calves, and I think, away at QPR, they kept going through the back of him, but he was immense.
11 Sep 2026 17:22:50
Hi, Newname
They won't reduce their control, no reason to.
Hi, Ports
See above. I didn't start the chain, the first three posts were about the impact, so why shouldn't I respond?
When they allegedly needed money, they were enabled by Ratcliffe Ineos buying in.
Now, likely we will have to wait until they need more money again. It is not one shareholder but a number in the family, so consensus is needed, or enough at least. If they feel the squeeze, likely they will look again. Rumours were around in June that early 2027 may see that.