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17 Sep 2026 21:26:48
Watching Palace against Lech Posnan and Wharton is soooo good. Head an shoulders above every other player times two.
Seems to stroll but covers a lot of ground and he sees passes nobody does and delivers so accurately. If he scored more goals he would be even better. Almost a scholes and we should be signing him.
17 Sep 2026 21:21:38
As mentioned bringing in Conte and there would be carnage because he does not take prisoners. In one sense it's exactly what we need but I have two reservations
Firstly that he doesn't usually bed in younger players from the academy and secondly if he feels the club won't back him after several months he might easily walk away leaving us in an even worse mess
Would Wilcox and the others be able to put their own egos aside and do what Conte wants?
1.) 17 Sep 2026 21:39:30
Conte and Mourinho are very alike. Immediate dividends, lots of money spent to get there without much investment in youth, and it they burn their bridges in season 2-3. It doesn't seem a ride United would go on but what a ride lol :D
If anything does go pear-shaped in the next month I guess it's Eddie Howe isn't it? Just hoping perhaps in vain that those good vibes Carrick had in the tail end of the season can return. We weren't playing well, but the results were there which is a decent enough sign. It's quite staggering to see what's happened in a short space of time.
I have never felt any ill-will towards Rashford but his return has definitely mixed up the balance somehow.
I look forward to seeing how Baleba can affect this team. Seems to be a lot of resentment towards Tielemanns on here. I was excited by his signing but he's looking off the pace at the moment. Not sure what Santos brings other than potential and another body in the ranks. Should probably have kept the cash in the kitty for the January sales IMO.
2.) 17 Sep 2026 22:01:46
Howe?? Won nothing his teams played ok but not a lot more than that.
Disagree Spenno about Tielemans. He is used to playing in a well coached team where each player knew his role and took responsibility unlike this current United team who are a team of individuals who often lack fight.
3.) 17 Sep 2026 22:05:15
I really hope it's not someone like conte. He wouldn't last the season before walking out in a strop.
Eddie Howe is ok, but not great. He had Newcastle playing some high tempo football, but not sure he can lead a team to the top. But that might be ok for a few years as United are light years away from the top at the moment.
I'd prefer they went with someone who can build something. Amorim was almost right, and I think if he didn't try and play 3 at the back and say some silly things he might have done a little better.
I reckon someone like Sebastian Hoeneß would be worth looking at.
4.) 17 Sep 2026 22:51:13
If your the board/owners and your choosing Howe you know they lack ambition. I don't think he's the one imo. They will take the easy option. 1-2 years back in the same position.
5.) 18 Sep 2026 10:09:55
Oh I don't fancy Howe either Salford. But the pool is quite shallow. The days of secret meetings between Fergie and Pep regarding his successor are long gone. I think I'm probably on the shortlist!
6.) 18 Sep 2026 10:42:18
The problem many fans suffer from is allowing their emotions to rule their head. Getting frustrated with performances and allowing that frustration to cloud their judgement. Wanting a manager who'll come in and "take no prisoners" almost like it's a punishment for underperforming. Some might even feel a level of satisfaction when a player gets booted out of the team or falls foul of the new manager.
However, that rarely works in modern football, and even on the rare occasions that it does, it doesn't last long.
We might not like it, but modern footballers are pampered, and they typically don't respond well to the stick. It's the carrot that gets the best results. Going too hard on them always results in either forcing a player out (typically for a big loss, which effects your ability to replace them), or you cannot move them on and they contribute to a negative atmosphere in the dressing room bringing the rest down with them.
While I'm not happy with the current performances, I think we still need to give the management team more time to try and find a solution. Because ultimately if they can't find the solution, then it's unlikely someone will. You might get the dead cat bounce, but it'll soon slip back. In truth they probably will struggle to find a solution. We know the squad is incomplete and there are clear weaknesses in the squad that are difficult (maybe impossible) to work around and perform at the level we want/expect.
It's a process, and we are not complete yet. Which is something we need to keep in mind when judging current performances.
7.) 18 Sep 2026 11:35:13
Welcome back Shappy.
I don't want any manager to take no prisoners for the sake of it. I do want a manager who will not allow players to continually misplace passes. I want a manager who will make sure that the players fully understand the positions they are supposed to be in especially defensively and call them out when like on Wednesday our defence was all over the place.
I want a manager who decides on a way of playing that should suit the players he has available but how he wants to play and then is not afraid to ditch the biggest earners /stars if they don't perform
And at the very least I want a manager who demands fully concentrated effort with no slacking for 90+mins a game every game.
I also want a manager who stands up to the board and makes them understand what has to be done to get United back to the top table.
8.) 18 Sep 2026 13:47:36
Good post that Shappy. I am not a fan of Conte either.
9.) 19 Sep 2026 08:38:18
If we want someone to come in and kick ass then just send Keane into the dressing room.
Conte is a knee jerk reaction to a poor start to the season, but we aren't the only ones having a poor start so let's not get too excited.
10.) 19 Sep 2026 12:21:15
Salford, I've never really been away, I've read the posts daily, but with it being the first couple of weeks back to work (I'm a teacher) it's been incredibly busy and I've just not had the time to post as much.
I think what we have to try and remember is that we don't know what the manager and his coaching staff are doing behind closed doors. The comments he makes to the press and in public are almost definitely different to those he expresses behind closed doors.
You sometimes see fans wishing the manager would "speak out" in the press, whether that is against the owners or the higher ups at the club, or to publicly call out a player. But we forget that the manager isn't a fan like us, he is an employee and he has to conduct himself in a professional manner.
Employees are legally bound to act in a certain manner that doesn't negatively affect their employers.
The problem is that in football is a very emotive sport and we often get players and managers say something in the heat of the moment. Which leads us to expect them to be brutally honest all the time.
For all we know Carrick might be bring his concerns to his line manager or even to those higher up. But his job is to worry about what is happening on the pitch, it's is Wilcox's job to try and provide him with the players he needs for that, and it is Barrada's job to make sure the club is spending within our limits and not financially hamstringing ourselves.
Each man has their own area of expertise, and a different remit for their role. Just like any management chain the people below aren't privvy to the bigger picture that those above them have and are working within.
Carrick might highlight what players he needs, to Wilcox to play the way he wants/needs the team to play. Wilcox has to factor in not just what Carrick wants, but what the squad needs both short and long term. He not only needs to try and give Carrick the players he wants, but he has to think beyond this season, and how the squad will take shape in years to come.
That might mean not spending on a player that Carrick wants now because we have a youth player who can fill that role over the next couple of years, and instead considering the problems further down the line that Carrick isn't (and shouldn't be) thinking about right now. Maybe several players who play in the same position have their contracts end at the same time and to avoid a massive issue in a years time Wilcox might look to bring someone in now who Carrick doesn't think is vital for this season.
Barrada then has access to a bigger picture than Wilcox, he has to factor in what money can be made available for transfers and wages, while also considering existing commitments. For example this summer we didn't spend the reported £170m-ish on Tielemans, Balaba, Santos, Thompson, Orozco and Darlow. The payments for they will be spread out, some going out this summer, some at future dates.
But we also have large fees going out on players we have already signed, many of which were before the current management team took over. He also has to factor the other spending the club are committed to. All the incomings and outgoings. Yes spending more on the first team squad right now might bring better performances and results this season. But it could create bigger problems down the line once we are committed to that spending.
Ultimately fans tend to want revolution at their club, quick and immediate results with wholesale changes. Yet that nearly never works, and even when it does it tends to sow the seeds of its own destruction which will bloom further down the line.
Clubs need to evolve if you want to be able to get to the top and stay there. Look at the clubs who have been successful over the past decade.
Man City spent money, but they also had a plan to adapt and evolve, they hired a managers who would look to play a particular way so that when they managed to get their dream manager in the squad was built to be able to adapt to his style. Unfortunately, Pep had evolved his style quite a bit by the time they signed him and they made wholesale changes to that squad, but even then that was spread over a three year period. They also broke the rules at least 115 times to be able to do it as quickly as they did.
Liverpool hired Klopp who built on some of the principles that Rogers himself installed. Then over a 3-4 year period they rebuilt the team before they could truly succeed. There were times under Klopp in the first year or two where some questioned him and what he was trying to do. Liverpool would play with such intensity that the players were exhausted by the 70th minute and they regularly dropped points to conceding goals late in games.
Arteta at Arsenal was in some quarters considered a joke until last year, he was able to grab an FA cup with the team Emery built when he first took over, then 4 years with no trophies as the club dismantled and rebuilt the squad. They won the title last year, were strong in Europe (something they've never really been before) and they are the overwhelming favourites this year in the league and amongst the favourites for the UCL.
All three teams took 2-4 years to dismantle and rebuild the squads, and they did not become the all powerful teams they became overnight.
We are in a process, and it's a process that if done correctly shouldn't be derailled if we are forced to change manager. Which is why I'm calm about the whole thing, disappointed obviously with recent performances and results, but I'm not losing my head over them.
Last summer we brought in Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo in attack, add to that Bruno for the shirt term, and Lacey for the long term. Along with Amad and Dorgu who should hopefully develop into top class players and we look like we won't need to make wholesale changes in our forward line over the next 3-4 years. Sesko, Lacey, Amad and Dorgu can develop, while Mbeumo, Cunha and Bruno shoulder the bulk of the goal scoring burden. Rashford and Zirkzee will probably leave and ideally we would have a more experienced head at CF to help Sesko grow into the role. But that's probably the only areas we could do with spending/upgrading/replacing.
This summer we spent in midfield, and with Baleba, Mainoo and Santos all being 22 or younger we look settled in midfield for the foreseeable future. Add Tielemans and Mount as more experienced options, and the possibility of young lads like Kone, Orozco, the Fletcher twins or Thwaites breaking through from the academy we look well stocked. The only issue is that maybe we lack a little experience in there, if Mount leaves it would be good if we could get a more experienced player in to replace them for the short term while the younger lads develop and gain come consistency.
We now have an attack and midfield that should improve over the next couple of seasons without having to spend much if anything on it.
The problem area now is defence, and they say that attack wins games, but defence wins titles.
We have a couple of young lads in Yoro and Heaven who look to have what it takes to make it to the top. But we have to remember that defenders peak later than attacker's and midfielders. Their position relies more on experience, communication, and unity/teamwork, all things that take time to develop in players. In truth they are probably 3-4 years away from really being ready to command a first team place.
What we need is top class first choice players who are available more often than not. If you could wave a magic wand and make it so Martinez and MdL wouldn't be injured for the next 2-4 years then you solve the issue instantly. But that isn't going to happen, and we probably need to replace them when we can. Martinez, Shaw and Maguire all have their contracts end next summer. So we will be forced to address defence then. We also need to sort out the fullback positions, with none of them good enough.
So when we consider that Carrick has a squad without any fullbacks who are good enough, regularly injured CB's with young players who are 3-4 years away from really being ready to be relied upon regularly at CB as the only real cover in that position.
A midfield that is entirely new and trying to find the right balance, while also in truth probably a couple of years away from being the kind of dominant midfield you would expect at a title challenging side.
And a forward line that are trying to cover for everything behind them and finding the right balance early on as some players recover from injury, and others trying to find their rhythm after a world cup interrupted summer and pre-season.
No team has had more shots than us so far this season, but we aren't quite hitting our stride yet and are not converting enough of our chances. But the underlying numbers are encouraging.
Maybe when Baleba is able to get into the team we can start to find a better balance in midfield, but I still think that will take a bit more time.
However, until/unless we are able to get MdL back fully fit and playing regularly, we will continue to struggle in defence and give up too many chances. Even when he is back and fully fit he will only be one of four defenders and the other three will continue to be inconsistent either due to not being good enough, inexperience, or due to struggling with fitness.
As the season progresses my prediction is that we will score well, and the midfield will become better as the season progresses, but that we will continue to see us give away too many goals and be too easy to score against. That won't change until we bring in 3-4 new and better defenders, regardless of who the manager is.
11.) 20 Sep 2026 14:23:53
You certainly made up for lost time with that one, Shaps ?.
23 Jul 2026 16:31:48
I am trusting the Utd management to make good signings and am happy to be surprised. But my biggest concerns are we still haven't signed another striker or creative player. Anything happens to Sesko/Bruno and we are in trouble.
1.) 23 Jul 2026 18:30:44
They are obviously key players, but I do think we have some options if they weren't available.
A front four of:
Mbeumo, Amad, Dorgu,
Cunha.
Isn't awful, for example. The problem, though, is that the bench wouldn't be that inspiring: Mount, Lacey, Thompson, Zirkzee, and possibly Rashford.
I don't see us signing someone who can cover Bruno, but we do need another ST who can cover for Sesko, meaning we aren't playing someone else out of position when he isn't available.
I'd be happy if we could get Mateta for 25-30m. EPL proven, good experience, and it would allow us to play in a similar way with either Sesko or Mateta. It would also free up Cunha to play instead of Bruno if we needed.
2.) 23 Jul 2026 19:32:47
Contrary to popular belief, I'm no Rashford fanboy, but if we can't sell him, we ain't buying a new forward, and he will cover the CF position too.
3.) 23 Jul 2026 20:05:08
Eric, if Rashford plays to his potential, he could do well, but will he?
Shappy, Mateta is a big lump and will hold up play to allow players to join attacks, but he is far from clinical with his finishing. None of the other four we already have are replacements for Sesko and able to lead the line and guarantee 20 goals a season playing on that role.
They are all best at coming inside off the wing.
If Bruno is injured, who is so creative? Mount is, but too often injured. Santos and Tielemans will create, but nowhere near the level of Bruno.
4.) 23 Jul 2026 20:46:07
Salford, one of the problems with our players is that they're far too willing to defer to Bruno instead of trying to create themselves. If Bruno gets injured or is rested, other players will have to grow a pair and step up.
I don't care if it's Cunha, Amad, Tielemans, Mount, or whoever. The rest of the squad needs to start taking some responsibility for creating chances.
5.) 23 Jul 2026 21:47:08
Seriously, are you saying Sesko is clinical? Far from it, in my opinion, and he is still injured; shin problems at his age are not great either.
We 100% need an experienced striker.
6.) 24 Jul 2026 00:00:50
I don't think Sesko is clinical, but he is better than Mateta. He's still young and will get better. I agree we need a more clinical one, but who? I would take Vlahovic on a free if he is available. He has played at a high level, and is built for our league.
7.) 24 Jul 2026 08:59:19
I personally think we will see a much improved player in Sesko this season, assuming he stays fit.
He has a season in the PL to get adapted, and looks like he has been working on building strength.
We definitely need an extra striker, whether that is a loan, a cheap older player, or, as some have said, we use Rashford (not ideal) if he is not going anywhere.
Plenty of time still in the window, and most clubs still have to do the bulk of their business.
8.) 24 Jul 2026 11:06:13
Sesko for me has got so much to learn, he seems to lack a striker's intelligence. If you watch him in a game, Bruno and Casemiro were forever telling him where to run, where to be, etc. If someone has to tell you that in a match, it's too late. Strikers make their living on instinct, coupled with shin problems at such an early age, and now not being taken with the squad currently is concerning.
Yes, he may get better, but we can't take a huge gamble with just him as striker, and not much coming through either that appears to be fancied. We 100% need an experienced striker with pace. Hopefully Sesko can learn lots from him.
Mbeumo was poor at number 9 last season, don't see Cunha being much better at it either...
Just hope the club got a plan, better than the other non plans coming out of Manchester!
23 Jun 2026 18:14:12
Eds. Any truth in the online rumours that Mateus prefers to go to Spurs or is it just the usual make up a headline in the summer.
{Ed001's Note - as far as I am aware, he has made no such decision at all. Seems like clickbait.}
1.) 23 Jun 2026 19:05:13
The West Ham itk joyfully said that Fernandes really wants to move to United, but seemingly we are quite a distance away on fee.
2.) 23 Jun 2026 21:10:20
Thanks Ed
{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}
3.) 23 Jun 2026 22:59:55
His agent, Jorge Mendes, is a very clever man, briefing the media to get United to pay the full fee.
4.) 24 Jun 2026 11:32:49
Why would Mendes care what fee was paid? If anything, it makes it less likely his client ends up at United, which means way less exposure for sponsorship and image rights.
5.) 24 Jun 2026 13:06:09
The higher the transfer fee the higher the agent fee in general. Sometimes agents are also paid by the selling club for sorting the deal. If you're getting 20% of the fee (10% from each buyer & seller), then, as an agent, you're likely to try to get the highest value.
6.) 24 Jun 2026 22:05:31
85 million for a player who has been relegated two years running and not been a stand out in either team.
Ridiculous how he's been priced at that.
Move on, let Spurs have him.
Rather get the lad from Bournemouth.
7.) 24 Jun 2026 22:20:54
I'm with you, Bolger.
8.) 25 Jun 2026 13:23:50
Scott is a good player. Mateus Fernandes looks to have really extraordinary potential, though. I said it elsewhere: if we were paying 70M for him (60M+10M add ons), I suspect most would view that as good value. To then say 80M or 85M is a massive overpay doesn't seem very consistent to me.
I'd also chill out on it a bit. I hope we get him, but if we don't, I'm liking some of the other names we're linked to. Like Scott. Or Nmecha. Or Wharton.
9.) 25 Jun 2026 13:45:53
Of all the mids at the World Cup, I'd be keen to see Nmecha at Utd. He would be a great addition, imo.
10.) 25 Jun 2026 15:45:18
Wharton would be interesting for me. Not sure how he's not made that England squad. Great passer of the ball, and sets the tempo well. Something we've not had since Carrick.
11.) 25 Jun 2026 18:10:00
Carrick used to sit a bit deeper than Wharton. I tried to watch him as much as I could towards the end of last season. Some of his passes were very incisive, but I never felt he dominated midfield.
12.) 25 Jun 2026 18:51:40
He's 22, Salford. He'll only get better. And I think that's just where Palace played him, their 3-5-2.
13.) 25 Jun 2026 21:18:07
Unfortunately for Wharton, he just didn't have the vibes that Jordan Henderson brings to the squad. Good midfielders are ten a penny, but if you find someone with good vibes, you've hit the jackpot.
14.) 25 Jun 2026 23:04:11
Stiller and Frankfurt would be a good buy.
15.) 26 Jun 2026 08:28:59
Do we have to buy all of Frankfurt? Some parts aren't that great.
16.) 26 Jun 2026 11:40:53
The thought of Mainoo and Scott against an elite CL midfield fills me with terror.
17.) 26 Jun 2026 12:04:18
Mainoo was outstanding towards the end of the season, and there are rumours that Carrick may play a 3, so I think it would work.
18.) 26 Jun 2026 21:58:02
AJH, how would you see a 3 working? Bruno and Cunha surely both play, and presumably Mbeumo.
19.) 27 Jun 2026 05:26:15
I've no idea, Don, just a rumour I read. It would give us more control up front, but reduces the attacking threats.
20.) 27 Jun 2026 09:25:52
Upfront? I meant in the middle.
21.) 27 Jun 2026 16:00:31
For 80+ million, let him go. We could get a much better player for that outlay. He's not a bad player, but never in a million years an 80 million player. 2 relegations in 2 seasons. Not the winner we need. I'd take Camavinga or Tchouameni over him, and likely for less money. Wharton would be a better option for similar money.
22.) 27 Jun 2026 17:48:12
I don't think Tchouameni would be cheaper, and I suspect there'd be higher wages and signing on fee.
23.) 28 Jun 2026 09:14:55
Maybe Spenno. But undoubtedly a better player than Fernandes.
24.) 28 Jun 2026 19:01:12
Eric, that very much depends on what the manager wants that player to do.
Touchi is better at some aspects of the game and very weak at others (highest level context).
If Carrick wants that type of defensive midfielder, he is one of the best. But if he wants a player to control the tempo, good range of passing, then there are many better than Touchi at that.
The problem with football fans is we all want what we want, and compare what we get to what we imagine it should be like.
It's about what Carrick wants from his no 6.
If he wants someone in his own mould then Touchi is not it.
But if he wants a Makelele type then Touchi is that.
imo, Touchi is an old school 6. Ederson is primarily that type of player.
Fernandes is not as good a player or as strong defensively but plays the 6 role differently, as did Carrick himself. He can also play 8 or 10.
I think both are very good players, very different.
Touchi is excellent in his way. Fernandes has the potential to do the same in his way.
Ideally you'd take both. ?
25.) 28 Jun 2026 21:35:56
Time will tell, hopefully, Ken. We've not made a signing officially yet.
26.) 29 Jun 2026 11:26:44
For the record, Eric, I'm not a fan of Touchi and there are others id personally prefer to both of those, but that's irrelevant. It's what Carrick wants. Kone from Roma is more suited to the EPL than Touchi, imo.
I'm hugely impressed by the young Moroccan lad, but he is only a kid and not ready for the EPL for another year at least.
id like to sign him and loan him back to Lille for another year, which is their request, I think, but we don't have the money for that.
I like Bruno at Newcastle, Baleba at Brighton, and Scott. Fernandes looks like he is about to blossom too. So I think we will get at least one of those, id be hoping for 2.
27.) 29 Jun 2026 21:50:14
Bruno G at Newcastle would be fabulous. Huge fan of his.
28.) 30 Jun 2026 18:22:07
Well, he's signing for Spurs. £85m is a ridiculous fee. A relegated team doubling their money on a player they had for one season. Plus, his willingness to join Spurs says a lot about his ambition.
29.) 30 Jun 2026 18:50:14
He's dead to me. ??
30.) 30 Jun 2026 20:06:49
3 relegations in 3 years incoming. That must be some kind of record. ?
31.) 30 Jun 2026 20:42:59
There does indeed appear to be something in that rumour. ?
32.) 01 Jul 2026 11:37:23
Brendon81,
That would be funny!
21 Jul 2025 21:22:07
Is it true that Rashford has signed but may be banned from registering and so unable to play? If so what's the point of him signing?
1.) 21 Jul 2025 22:06:11
Its a possibility he might not get registered.
I don't care what the point is as long a he is gone.
They couldn't register olmo until jan last year in la liga.
They have sold a few so it might not happen this year. It is the reason Williams didn't sign because they could not Guarantee his registration would go through.
2.) 22 Jul 2025 09:17:06
Whether they register him or not they still have to pay his wages.
3.) 22 Jul 2025 11:06:51
Barca’s financial challenges continue to impact their ability to register new players. Rashford has agreed to a wage reduction to help free up space on their wage bill and comply with La Liga’s financial regulations. However, Barcelona may still need to offload current players to create enough room to register him.
A similar issue occurred last season with Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, whose registrations were initially blocked due to Barça exceeding La Liga’s salary cap.
The Spanish Sports Council temporarily allowed their registrations despite La Liga’s objections, and although La Liga appealed the decision, the court upheld the CSD’s ruling, allowing Olmo and Víctor to play for the remainder of the season.
La Liga maintains that Barcelona violated financial fair play regulations by failing to meet the 1:1 salary-to-revenue ratio required for player registrations.
4.) 22 Jul 2025 15:34:48
Funnily enough I think that would be karma biting him in the ass.
5.) 22 Jul 2025 18:26:16
Do you seriously think this not already been addressed! Yes it happened last seasons, but now players and agents are aware of this potential problem, it amazes me you think this been overlooked…. unbelievable.
6.) 22 Jul 2025 19:05:22
German, Tebas recently warned that Barça still lacks sufficient cap space to register new signings like Joan García or Nico Williams, sales or salary savings were needed, that is why the Williams deal fell through.
7.) 22 Jul 2025 19:06:33
German I realise that there must be a point but what I was trying to get at is how they can sign knowing that there is such an issue. For example do you think Rashford would be prepared if nec to sit on the sidelines for six months if nec before his registration was allowed.? Or more cynically do Barcelona just have the clout or connections to flout the law?
8.) 22 Jul 2025 21:33:21
German, its the reason Williams didn't sign. He was not guaranteed to be registered it bairns last season to olmo.
They have sold a few but according to their league they still have to do more to comply.
Im sure they will but there is no clearance from la liga yet.
So you are right agents and players are aware Williams and his agent were aware and decided not to take the risk.
9.) 23 Jul 2025 06:31:13
Oh so Williams said oh I would have signed for Barcelona but now I just go and stay where I am and whilst I am at it, I will sign a 10 year contract…Williams and his agent just flirted with Barcelona to get a 10 year huge contract, the papers have jumped on same bandwagon about he could not be registered
I can’t get my head around why you think it’s only the press in U. K. who go after United and make every story be sensationalised it happens in every country towards there biggest team, having lived in spain for considerable amount of years I would say it’s much more vicious in Spain and you also have to remember it’s very political, you are talking effectively 2 countries within 1
Rashford will be registered, Rashford will play and Rashford will do very well.
10.) 23 Jul 2025 18:41:01
It’s a matter of public record that Nico Williams’ agent approached La Liga to inquire whether Barcelona would be able to register the player in the event of a transfer. La Liga reportedly informed them that Barcelona would need to resolve certain financial limitations before being able to do so.
Subsequently, Barcelona lodged a formal complaint regarding that approach. The exact nature of the complaint hasn’t been made public in full detail, but it’s understood to relate to the way Williams’ camp sought clarity on registration viability.
This suggests that there was genuine interest from both sides, but also that Williams’ camp were not given a positive answer.
{Ed077's Note - Barcelona need some FFPR room in both transfer and wage funds. Remember all the trouble they had to actually register OLMO last summer ? Have they even gotten the green light to register Garcia (new GK) they signed earlier in the window? They can cry all they want but Nico and Bilbao (and the actual people involved) were right to seek clarity and assurances on the viability of the whole deal before completing it, in my view at least.
11.) 23 Jul 2025 19:30:31
Of course they were right to do so. They did check with the league as the league have gone public on it. i'm sure they will sort it before the end of the window and have given rashford their word. But I'm sure they have olmo their word last year.
12.) 24 Jul 2025 10:13:14
Ed077, I don't think William's camp did anything wrong in speaking with the league over Barcelona's ability to register him if he was signed. They were after all working in their clients best interests. They had probably seen how Olmo spent the first half of last season sitting out as he couldn't be registered and they didn't want the same thing to happen to their client, especially with it being a world cup year.
I'd imagine Barcelona's annoyance is based in whether the league disclosed anything specific about Barcelona's financial position. Which if they did then I think Barcelona have a right to complain about private details on their accounts being disclosed.
It's a tricky situation, and without knowing exactly what happened it's hard to judge the situation. Like always we probably only know about 20%, at best, of what has actually gone on.
Either way Williams not joining them has probably worked in our favour as they definitely wouldn't have signed Rashford if they got Williams. While him signing a new deal also works in our favour as it makes it less likely that Barcelona will go back for Williams next summer when Rashford's loan has ended, which should increase the chances of them making his loan a permanent move if he's successful there (which I think he will be) .
The biggest issue we will have now is if Rashford is successful it'll be constantly used as a stick to beat us throughout the season. Much like his mild success at Villa was.
Ultimately Rashford is a good player, and is actually one of our best. The problem is that the relationship between him and the club has broken down to the point where the only positive solution for both parties is a parting of the ways.
As a fan I'm not really interested in whose fault it is, I expect both parties have to share a proportion of the blame. It's just sad that one of our own has got to the point where he has to leave despite being fairly successful with us (he is our 11th all time leading goal scorer, and he did it during a real downturn in our history) .
He is at least three times the player Antony is, and Antony was very successful at Real Betis in Spain. So I'd imagine Rashford being a better player and playing in a much better team in La Liga will do very well. And I genuinely hope he does. The only positive he can provide us now is by showing off how well we produce players. Which hopefully creates more competition for our players and inflates the money we receive for them.
{Ed077's Note - shouldn't the clubs FFPR situation be open information? Afterall their financial reports are publicly posted ?
Salford7's banter posts with other poster's replies to Salford7's banter posts
18 Sep 2026 11:37:03
Rashford back in the England squad suggests that Tuchel feels he is playing decently enough.
1.) 18 Sep 2026 13:20:37
Rashford was in the England squad for the WC too. Mainoo in the England squad too. Doesn't suggest anything imo. Mainoo is over rated atm but has potential to be very good.
2.) 18 Sep 2026 17:00:32
Mainoo is the only one who can actually pass a ball.
17 Sep 2026 22:42:53
Wheres Shappy?
1.) 18 Sep 2026 00:14:40
He's been typing since yesterday, about to hit send!
2.) 18 Sep 2026 08:42:23
It'll be a cracker when it comes!
3.) 18 Sep 2026 09:41:31
Dodgy and Keefy ????.
4.) 18 Sep 2026 10:12:47
Him & Ken planning the next assault. oh wait they are both quiet. strange that!
5.) 18 Sep 2026 12:07:17
Why it isn't as bad as people think - Part 1
A novel by Shaps Shaplewprth, coming this international break with a foreword by Jamie Carrigher.
6.) 18 Sep 2026 12:32:16
Ive posted everyday jsu. Why would i be quiet?
7.) 18 Sep 2026 14:02:38
I don't always agree with Shappy but he is here in the good and bads. He is a good and a positive voice. He chooses to see things from a more positive perspective and you can't blame him.
10 Sep 2026 22:19:44
That was as comfortable a game as Utd will ever get.
When they speed up the passes they look so much better.
Defensively the usual deficiencies weren't punished and City will obviously be a very different proposition. I like Amass but he really needs to fill out physically as he was easily knocked off the ball.
Thought Yoro and Martinez were OK.
My biggest conundrum is Zirksee. Clearly a talented player. Very nimble and high football intelligence but how do you accommodate him and at whose expense?
Overall good night and let's hope the team builds in confidence.
1.) 11 Sep 2026 13:40:52
Don't think we need to worry about Zirkzee. I like him as an option from the bench and pleased he's sticking around a little longer.
01 Sep 2026 23:07:21
City have bought very well. I was watching the documentary on Pep last night.
I was saddened for us as Utd fans but impressed too to see how considered and forward thinking the City board were and how they used indicators to get the players they needed.
No stupid signings. No knew jerk reactions. Just a proper pathway forward where they identified who had to leave and the best players they could sign to get them back to the very top.
More importantly they wanted to sign players and give them a few years to reach maturity and peak performance.
People here say that by comparison of respective midfielders etc we have not done so badly with our signings this summer. The bitter truth is that City have signed potentially elite players who should get a lot better.
Also it's clear that the difference between winning titles is often down to marginal differences. That costs.
The extra £150m or £200m they spend is the difference that means they win the tight matches when it counts.
Marginal gains adding up to a substantial win.
They are building and so are we but they are a lot further ahead of us.
Aston Villa have lost so many good players but they too have a good managememt team and a top manager. I think they have recruited very well. Liverpool signing Barcola could be huge for them.
Spurs have signed good players (paid way over the odds but still good players). I know it was only against Charlton but when they click they will be dangerous.
Going to be a very intense season. Let's hope Utds players decide to play with real intensity.
Like most Utd supporters I wish we had signed a left back and a striker.
But.
We do have a talented squad which if they play to their potential should surely be good enough to get a top five place.
Being realistic there is no way we could compete for the title this year but the building blocks are slowly being put into position to enable a really good try in a year or so.
1.) 01 Sep 2026 23:36:42
Agreed, Salford. I think not buying a fullback (I'm not as pushed as some about whether it was a left back or right back; I'd have liked both) is a big error. I'd have had a fullback as a much higher priority than a third midfielder. But it's an opportunity for Amass that he couldn't have expected, and maybe Kamason can try to push for games.
Another forward was also high up, but that was assuming Rashford left. Since he's still here - and I have big reservations about him - we are well stocked in the forwards.
2.) 01 Sep 2026 23:39:22
A year or so. ??
3.) 02 Sep 2026 00:21:32
Berrada said that he aims to have United winning the title next year. It's extremely hard to see that being even a remote possibility, let alone this one. We've replaced Casemiro with Baleba, and added more depth in midfield. That's good but can we say that the personnel we've acquired are a match for Anderson, Enzo and Bouaddi?
If Rashford is intent on being at his best again, then I think even without an another CF we have plenty and varied scoring threats. The glaring weaknesses at the back remain however, and if it's true that it's defence that wins titles then it's hard to see us really winning much. If we look at last year, Arsenal let in just 27, we conceded 50. Is that gap going to be closed? Judging by the first 2 games, no way.
As far as the back line is concerned it appears that the club is looking to develop Yoro as a right back alternate. Judging by how Morgan Rogers tore him up last year against Villa I'm not at all convinced that this will prove to be a successful strategy. But let's say, hypothetically it works, then we have Yoro, Dalot (who can play both sides), Shaw, Mazraoui (who can play both sides) and possibly Amass. As for the others, Shaw had a good season but he can't play every one of 50 or more games, Mazraoui really wants to go off and be an imam, Amass is unproven and Dalot has his moments but is always an accident waiting to happen. I suppose Dorgu could also step in to the LB position too, or maybe Carrick will switch to 3 at the back with wing backs on occasion. Maybe he'll be forced by circumstance to do so. At least we won't be relying on an aging and slowing Casemiro and Bruno to control the midfield so it might actually work better. If we do go that way then Amad would make sense on the right. This brings us back to Yoro. He looked awful when he was dragged out of the RCB position to mark/contain a speedy winger.
Like everyone else I'm extremely disappointed that we haven't made any real signature acquisitions, particularly at the back. I really thought we would spend much more than we have. There was plenty room under the squad cost rules to do so, and given the revenues lost for failure to qualify for the Champions League, it seemed like there was every good reason to do so. Most of us understand that the decade plus of complete mismanagement by the Woodward regime has pu the club in a difficult position, but that said, this extremely parsimonious approach creates an enormous risk of ruining the good work that was done by Carrick and the team last year. Let's hope we're wrong.
Given what's happened this summer I'll consider getting to Champions League play off rounds and qualifying for the competition next year will be an enormous achievement. Any better than that will amaze me.
4.) 02 Sep 2026 01:49:58
Enzo hasn't exactly pulled up any trees at Chelsea and is desperate to play for Madrid. Bouaddi is a kid who's had a few good games. They have overpaid for them both. I'm happy with our midfield now.
5.) 02 Sep 2026 08:22:09
Utd could only spend so much due to the SCR and not being able to move players on. They worked within their limits, and tried to loan in Balde. The player wasn't too keen, according to reports, and Baeca wanted a full sale.
Hopefully Amass or even Leon can step up. It will be important to force both players a chance, if only to rest Shaw. However, I'd imagine Dorgu will drop to LB instead.
6.) 02 Sep 2026 11:47:57
Hatter, SCR allows us to spend 70% of revenues. The club will bring in £700m at an absolute minimum this coming year, so the cap would allow £490m. Last year, our SCR was around £350m, apparently, and it's not going to have changed that much. There was plenty of room to spend another £150m.
The reason we only spent a little over £100m net was down to choice brought on by self-imposed financial restrictions, with the intent of lowering the debt, probably to assist in future financing for the new stadium.
22 Aug 2026 22:48:17
Ipswich up next and Enciso will be licking his lips about playing against Shaw.
1.) 23 Aug 2026 00:11:26
Were we more vulnerable down the lb as opposed to the rb side? Both goals came from the rb side, and Lammens made two excellent saves from chances created on the right.
I'm not advocating particularly for Shaw, but there were plenty of players who played a lot worse than he did.
He was not the reason we lost. This negativity around him seems to me to be totally out of proportion, especially since he actually had a pretty good season last year.
2.) 23 Aug 2026 01:09:05
I agree, it wasn't down Shaw's side that we had the problem. Mazraoui was up against two and didn't get help to close down the cross, and Maguire was caught in no man's land several times. Maguire did well in an attacking sense, but he just doesn't do the parts of the job he's supposed to do well enough.
It's great that de Ligt and Martinez are both in full training now. We need both back on the pitch asap.
3.) 23 Aug 2026 01:36:34
It was slabhead. People advocated for him to stay for his 'experience'. If that is him passing on his experience, I fear for the future players that are learning from him. I've said a million times. We needed to be ruthless and literally churn at least 14 players out of this squad this summer. We failed. End of story.
4.) 23 Aug 2026 08:10:34
Neither full back prevented crosses. Said it on live chat; they didn't stop crosses. A lack of fitness to get out to them, or tactics. It happened so often that the full back stood off, it looked tactical.
Almost looked like: let them put the cross in, we will win it back and break down the middle.
What was shocking is that nothing was changed by Carrick at any point; it just carried on all game.
5.) 23 Aug 2026 08:17:32
We lost to two crosses that our centre-backs failed dismally to clear. We lost because, as a team, we were miles off it.
My point about Shaw is that he doesn't have the legs anymore, and Enciso does. If given space to run into, Enciso will run past Shaw easily.
6.) 23 Aug 2026 09:13:03
Salford
Yet Wilcox and Berrada have still not got a lb in, something obvious for months.
7.) 23 Aug 2026 09:31:48
Years, Red Man, not months. ?
8.) 23 Aug 2026 09:53:40
JBR
Agreed, and we have known it, but instead of buying quality they have scrimped. Buttner, Malacia, Dorgu and others, then sold one for peanuts to Benfica, who they then got £50m for, and now we are beyond desperation point. Other clubs know it as well, with days left.
9.) 23 Aug 2026 12:23:13
Wilcox and Berrada have been here years? Who knew?
10.) 23 Aug 2026 12:22:25
Its about fixing our squad in stages.
You can either spend three summers signing a mixture of defenders, midfielders and forwards each summer and try and implement them with the existing players as you go. Or you can dedicate each summer to fixing one area of the team at a time. Both ways have their merits and their challenges.
We seem to have gone for the latter, addressing forward areas last summer, midfield this summer, and defence next summer.
Which means two things for this season.
Firstly, the early part of the season the new midfield will be finding their feet, learning how to play together, finding the right balance and midfield identity. But once they click we should start to dominate/control games much better. Personally I think midfield is the hardest part of the team to rebuild, as it's key to the teams identity and how it functions. Until we get it sorted we won't be as good in attack, and potentially be more exposed in defence. Certainly we will be less consistent at both ends of the pitch.
Secondly, if we aren't going to be making significant changes to defence this summer then our defensive frailties will remain. We know we need fresh blood in both fullback positions. Shaw is our only proven LB, and his injury record is horrific. While Dalot is a solid squad option, and Mazraoui was more of a short term patch. We also know that in the heart of defence we don't have consistency. MdL and Martinez are actually a great duo who complement eachother and offer us a great platform to build from. But both suffer with injuries and miss a lot of football. Beyond them we have Maguire, who is a solid squad option, but has clear weaknesses to his game, and two very young CB's in Yoro and Heaven. Who due to their age will be inconsistent. Some games they will look great, while in others they will look a liability, sometimes they might even look like both in the same game.
Our problem in defence is that two things underpin a good defence, experience and consistency. You can attack as individuals and score in football, but you have to defend as a unit to make sure you don't concede. That is why consistency is important, the same players playing week in, week out, so they know each others game. They know their strengths and weaknesses and how to cover for eachother. While that experience, means that when mistakes happen, which they will, they know how to deal with it.
With out CB options it is highly unlikely that we will have enough experience and consistency to build a strong defence. The best we can realistically hope for is that the game time afforded to Heaven and Yoro this season will help speed up their development, and get them closer to reaching their potential.
20 Sep 2026 06:01:26
Howe??? Decent but not good enough. He presided over a shambles at times at Newcastle. His three best players wanted out. Isak Tonali and Gordon. They obviously weren't convinced by him. Jury is out on him nice Guy that he seems to be.
Why waste more years consolidating. Try now to get a top top manager and spend the time doing a proper rebuild giving him the chance time and players he needs.
19 Sep 2026 21:46:52
Spot on the best teams always have dominant players who drive them forward.
18 Sep 2026 11:35:13
Welcome back Shappy.
I don't want any manager to take no prisoners for the sake of it. I do want a manager who will not allow players to continually misplace passes. I want a manager who will make sure that the players fully understand the positions they are supposed to be in especially defensively and call them out when like on Wednesday our defence was all over the place.
I want a manager who decides on a way of playing that should suit the players he has available but how he wants to play and then is not afraid to ditch the biggest earners /stars if they don't perform
And at the very least I want a manager who demands fully concentrated effort with no slacking for 90+mins a game every game.
I also want a manager who stands up to the board and makes them understand what has to be done to get United back to the top table.
17 Sep 2026 22:01:46
Howe?? Won nothing his teams played ok but not a lot more than that.
Disagree Spenno about Tielemans. He is used to playing in a well coached team where each player knew his role and took responsibility unlike this current United team who are a team of individuals who often lack fight.
17 Sep 2026 09:19:31
Disagree about Tielemans. He is an excellent player and his ex team mates and manager at Villa said so.
Until the defence is sorted out the attack and midfield cannot function properly.
Last night look at his stats and you can see how well he did. Stats don't always tell the story but he def put a shift in and tried hard.
Santos was not great but playing in front of that back four who were all over the place didn't help his cause nor did the fact that Utds front players (Lacey aside) didn't hold up the ball or work hard enough to retain or get it back when dispossesed. It meant he was constantly on the back foot trying to cover two or three players movements.
20 Sep 2026 10:24:14
It's not just brexit.
Poor governments ie poor management
Weak leadership
Self interest first
no real vision
no idea how to manage expectations
no idea how to run things properly
not willing to make necessary decisions
not willing to suffer short term pain for long term gain
In short the trajectories of the country and club seem very much aligned.
19 Sep 2026 21:47:52
Agree JBR and it was against their second string.
17 Sep 2026 22:07:51
Agree GDS2. Young players need an established pro to talk then through games and play either side of them in defence.
Also helps to have a strong keeper and I didn't see Darlow organising his defenders. We all remember Schmeichel and Edwin VDS bollocking players when nec. Even top feisty defenders like Bruce Pallister and Rio.
Not sure Yoro has the positional awareness to be at right back.
17 Sep 2026 16:46:14
Excellent post.
17 Sep 2026 09:48:32
But who else can play in his position? Maz not great Yoro but still raw? Amad is out and a waste of his attacking talent. Any of the u21s ready to step up.. I haven't heard so.
It may be that the best way til we get decent full backs is to play three at the back with four in midfield who should aim to control the game.