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12 Aug 2024 21:24:10
Sander Berge left out of Burnley's squad for their first game of the season this evening.
Seems to suggest that there is something in the rumours of him leaving. Will it be to ourselves, or to someone else?
1.) 12 Aug 2024 22:06:16
He’s also missed most of pre season with the same injury that kept him out of tonight. Nice try Shappy!
2.) 13 Aug 2024 07:53:27
Romanoesque!
3.) 13 Aug 2024 08:58:48
Be a shame to not keep the trend of signing injury prone players going!
4.) 13 Aug 2024 11:45:59
Wazza, where did you hear he is injured, I've scoured the internet and not found any mention of him being injured. The Burnley manager didn't mention him as being out injured.
5.) 13 Aug 2024 12:47:50
He has not played any pre season due to injury so was not considered last night and it was reported at the match last night that he was left out due to that reasoning.
6.) 13 Aug 2024 12:50:09
Shappy, Parker said so, and confirmed it's what has kept him out of some pre-season fixtures.
You can't have Googled too long as it's the first thing that comes up when searching Sander Berge injury.
"He picked up an injury in Spain. He had a bit of discomfort in his quad. It's not a big injury, it's quite a small injury to be honest with you. "
Nice clickbait though!
7.) 13 Aug 2024 13:33:59
Wazza to be fair I searched last night and that article you've quoted was published at midday today, 15 minutes AFTER I posted saying I hadn't seen anything to say he was injured.
From what I read he was expected to be in the squad and wasn't, which seemed suspicious. As it was he is injured, so that's that then.
12 Jul 2024 18:16:32
Sancho back at the club and training with the first team.
Apparently talks between Sancho and EtH have taken place and they've agreed to draw a line under the situation.
He will now be available to take part in pre-season games.
Is this a case that Sancho has realised his options weren't as good as he thought?
Or is this the player and the club doing what is needed to push up the offers to facilitate his move away.
I guess we'll see what happens over the next couple of months.
1.) 12 Jul 2024 19:28:08
If true, my opinion of ETH has gone up a little. Sancho still has a long way to go.
2.) 12 Jul 2024 19:55:26
Or sancho has realised this board ain’t getting rid of another manager for players and he’s having to knuckle down
Still hope he’s gone tho.
3.) 12 Jul 2024 20:02:32
2 adults in a room, having a chat.
It's surely a bit of both, no offers and ETH drawing a line, giving a clean slate to align with the current mood of the club. Everything is new.
I hope he can put his head down and make the best of his second chance at the club.
4.) 12 Jul 2024 20:08:07
Hopefully just the club strengthening their position, and Sancho isn’t smart enough to be any the wiser.
5.) 12 Jul 2024 21:17:13
Well this is interesting. People can and do have the right to change their minds. He’s better than Antony who Ed said was available for transfer, and with Greenwood on the way out and likely Pellestri too, makes sense for him and Amad to compete.
Plus he can play 10. Why not let bygones be bygones. If he wants to come back and show the form he shows in Dortimund then awesome for both parties.
6.) 12 Jul 2024 21:41:06
I’m in the get rid camp. Glad they’ve come to an amicable cease fire, but a Leopard doesn’t change its spots and he’s still the petulant kid that fell out with the boss in the first place.
7.) 12 Jul 2024 23:45:46
I would suspect that the big boys “suggested” that ETH needed to sort it out between them both as well as Sancho realising he was damaging his chances.
I am also in the out basket.
8.) 13 Jul 2024 06:24:10
I don't really care about the detail of what has happened and him being back and no issues with it. The realty is he has been poor for us even before the spat under previous managers barring the odd game and not sure he can cut it at united and hence selling him would be ideal.
9.) 13 Jul 2024 06:54:52
Agreed Ahmad.
Beyond what happened, he’s not very good and needs to be moved on.
The laziness and ego are part of his personality, people don’t change.
10.) 13 Jul 2024 07:10:46
As Ahmad said he has been at the club three years now, hasn't set the world alight has he?
Maybe the wages are putting people off, clearly he has the ability and mentality as we saw at Dortmund, unfortunately the consistency might never be there and he is destined to sit the last few years of his contract out at United.
I guess this doesn't help our PSR and getting some of the big wage earners out.
{Ed001's Note - when was this fabled Sancho ability shown at Dortmund? If people had actually watched him play, instead of reading his PR bull, they would have known he was terrible there except when coming on very late as a sub. Even then, it was more down to rank amateur defending that he got decent stats. He is so far up his own backside that he can lick his own tonsils and will not achieve anything until he grows up.}
11.) 13 Jul 2024 09:20:52
Absolutely spot on Ed001. People saw highlights of that game against PSG and couldn’t see past it. He was no good for Dortmund, couldn’t hold down a starting place, and his G&A numbers were as poor there as they’ve been for us. That’s without mentioning his attitude and mentality.
The last headline I read started “England International Jadon Sancho…”. PR nonsense.
12.) 13 Jul 2024 09:44:51
I will still be surprised to see Sanchi still with the club once the window shuts.
However this allows for him to show what he can do in pre season, see whether he can reintegrate with the new coaching structure.
Would not be surprised if he still moves late in the window.
13.) 13 Jul 2024 10:11:47
We dropped a bomb buying him, and now we are paying for it, no one will pay the money we want or the wages either so to get rid we are still going to end up subsidising his wages.
Not surprised they made up, there wasn't really a choice, it doesn't look good on Sancho but neither does it on United. I rather suspect that's all parties are working together to find a solution that will involve him playing elsewhere next year.
14.) 13 Jul 2024 10:19:39
Absolutely bang on the money Ed001. Bang on it. Get rid asap.
15.) 13 Jul 2024 21:34:15
Get rid. Bad attitude and not good enough anyway. Not worth the hassle.
16.) 14 Jul 2024 07:25:17
Ed 1 is totally correct here. It’s total PR spin, because even though I know he’s not a great player, and all my Cory fan mates say the same, my mind still thinks he should get a (yet another) chance. It’s brainwashing. He’s done nothing positive of note since he joined the club, and Italian and German leagues are far more suitable for him than the rigours of the Premier League.
Being him back, get him training and fit, sell him for maximum value. Smart move by the club.
If he does stay, he now has to win back over the fans too who frankly want rid.
03 Dec 2023 12:53:13
Heard a rumour today that United and Barcelona are exploring the possibility of swapping Sancho and Raphinha initially on loan, but with a possible view to it becoming a permanent deal if it works out.
If there is any truth to this then I think its a possible deal that could work out for all parties.
United and Sancho need to part ways, while Sancho probably doesn't want to take a step down/ backwards.
United really need someone who can lock down the RW spot, and Raphinha was one of the best RW players while at Leeds.
Unfortunately for him it seems Xavi doesn't quite rate him, despite him playing well when called upon.
Stylistically I tend to think that Sancho does fit better in a side like Barcelona and Raphinha in a side like United.
I'd be pretty happy if the club managed to pull something like this off, what is everyone else's view?
1.) 03 Dec 2023 15:28:02
I mean I’d be delighted if we can pull that off. But I can’t see it.
2.) 03 Dec 2023 21:44:52
Sounds like a computer game transfer to me.
3.) 03 Dec 2023 21:52:43
Would rip your arm off for that deal but it’s all pie in the sky.
4.) 05 Dec 2023 01:58:03
We could do with new negotiators, or they might come back from Spain with a bunch of Rapini.
5.) 05 Dec 2023 09:07:03
Shappy
Wishful thinking. Why would Barcelona do that. He will end up somewhere in Italy as that's generally the league players end up when they don't work out in PL. He is not good enough for any of the top 3/ 4 teams in Spain and unaffordable for any in the next tier.
Its one of those players who will be hard to shift unless we take a bath on the transfer.
6.) 05 Dec 2023 21:09:51
Rumours today it’s Rashford ??♂️.
7.) 09 Dec 2023 20:22:57
I’d be happy if Rashford went tbh along with Sancho. The pair of ‘em aren’t bad players, as long as they get their own way. We aren’t currently in a place where we can carry talented babies though, so I’d get radical and get rid of the pair.
08 Jul 2023 14:41:19
DDG is gone, club just wished him well and said goodbye on Twatter.
1.) 08 Jul 2023 14:49:36
Great servant, but right time for MU and himself to move on, some of the replies made my blood boil though, clearly not fans but even still. he's got my respect and wish him well in his next venture.
2.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!
He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)
Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?
3.) 08 Jul 2023 15:43:50
Our best player over the last 12 years, gutted he is going but it is the right time for him and the club.
4.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!
He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)
Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?
{Ed002's Note - David De Gea (G) If Mr Mourinho stays at Roma, then perhaps interest. Perhaps someone in Spain or the Middle East. Manchester United have a list of potential replacements but want a new contract.}
5.) 09 Jul 2023 07:07:25
Good time for both parties to move on. Clearly looked very uncomfortable under ETH’s system. That being said, a brilliant keeper for us over the years. Wish him all the best. Italy seems an obvious move in the absence of decent Spanish interest - or of course Saudi!
28 May 2023 09:30:51
Heard a rumour this morning that United might look at Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, as well as closely monitoring the situation with Ryan Gravenberch.
Bayern yesterday sacked their CEO Oliver Kahn and their Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic, possibly opening the door for some players to leave who might have been intending to stay under the previous regime.
Pavard would be an interesting option, capable of playing both CB and RB he'd be a very good option.
Gravenberch too has great potential but just can't get the game time he needs with players like Kimmich and Goretzka ahead of him.
1.) 28 May 2023 09:50:18
Think Ed002 said that Pavard is reluctant to consider us because he wants to play primarily as a cb.
2.) 28 May 2023 11:30:14
A RB who can also chip in at CB is a good shout, as is Frimpong.
I think Bayern have a number of players who should be of interest. I assume the Mount thing has legs and if so that would probably kill off any interest in Gravenberch and De Jong, and what of Sabitzer.
3.) 28 May 2023 12:13:02
Interesting thread this and might have legs as we know Erik likes players who can play multiple positions to limit the impact of injuries in the squad.
4.) 28 May 2023 13:25:20
Back in February, it was reported that his expected fee this summer could be £26.8m because his contract is up next year - that would amount to a bargain.
That said, it's likely that Bayern would still want more than that for a versatile defender approaching his prime.
The problem is that he wants to play CB and there can be no assurances offered by United that he'll be first-choice ahead of Varane.
He can play RB, but he might be reluctant about coming to a club where that could be his only consistent option.
That does also render Barcelona as a questionable option given that the superior Kounde is already playing RB to accommodate other players.
Personally, I'd expect him to move to a Serie A club.
5.) 28 May 2023 22:50:42
We really need to be looking at Gravenberch. I’m not sure if he’s even available but if he is and a a low price it’s a no brainier. Le fee is another player I hope we take a look at.
6.) 30 May 2023 10:44:36
varane missed 14 league games, went off 6 times, efl only played 90 mins in the final missed 4 games and subbed off once. Class act but never been consistantly fit for games throughout his career. Any cb coming in would get a minimum of 25 games a season if fit/ available.
Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts
04 Aug 2026 16:28:24
Hey Ed's would it be possible to post this url here to the FPL Manchester United Rumours league I've created.
Many thanks.
03 Aug 2026 19:48:41.
I've set up the Manchester United Rumours FPL league for this season, the joining code is:
2muz93
Best of luck to all this year, let's see who has the best football knowledge. ?
1.) 03 Aug 2026 22:35:55
Just give it to Ken already. ?
03 Aug 2026 15:12:52
A lot of people complaining about the speed in which we are reinforcing the squad, so what does our squad depth look like:
GK: Lammens, Heaton, Darlow, Bayindir, Vitek.
RB: Dalot, Mazraoui, Yoro, Kamason.
CB: MdL, Martinez, Yoro, Heaven, Maguire, Shaw, Mazraoui.
LB: Shaw, Dorgu, Amass, Leon.
CM: Mainoo, Tielemans, Santos, Mount, Ugarte, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Thwaites.
RW: Mbeumo, Amad, Lacey.
CAM: Bruno, Cunha, Amad, Lacey, Zirkzee.
LW: Rashford, Cunha, Dorgu.
CF: Sesko, Zirkzee, Cunha, Mbeumo, Rashford, Obi.
Now we often say squad depth I mm is about having two good options for every position.
When all our players are fit we have that. The issues we have are based around availability, and the quality/suitability of the depth.
There are question marks over the fitness of Shaw, MdL, Martinez, Ugarte, and Mount.
While we still don't know whether Dorgu is a winger or a full back, and we need to resolve the Rashford situation.
That makes it clear that LB is the highest priority next this summer, as it means we are covered in case of Shaw getting injured as well as allowing Dorgu to play more as a winger if Rashford was to leave.
Without anyone leaving next priority position is probably midfield again, due to Mount's injury record and Ugarte's situation.
Beyond that it will be what happens with Rashford. If he stays then we don't need to sign either a LW or a ST, even if Zirkzee leaves. However, if Rashford does leave along with Zirkzee then we will need another ST.
CB is the position I don't think we will sign anyone for this summer. Maybe that bites us in the arse, but ultimately we can't do everything this summer.
The problem with CB is that really before we sign another one we need to offload one of MdL or Martinez. Otherwise we will just be blocking the pathway for Yoro and Heaven (who both need to play to develop and improve).
In an ideal world both stay fairly fit next season and next summer while both Yoro and Heaven make good steps forward in their development. Meaning we can let Maguire leave next summer and sign a replacement, maybe two if one of MdL or Martinez leaves.
That's more or less what I expect to see happen before the window closes.
A LB and another midfielder signed. Then depending on whether Rashford and Zirkzee leave we might get another ST in.
1.) 03 Aug 2026 18:26:14
We don't need any LB or another midfielder, or depend on anything to buy another striker.
We need a top quality LB, a top quality CM, and a good second striker, perhaps experienced, who can support Sesko and play 20 games. Score goals.
We don't need to fill up an average squad with average players; yes, squad depth is important, but it's more than just having two players for each position, it's about standards of the first team.
We need to buy quality that goes into the first team and drives up standards. That will create more squad depth.
2.) 03 Aug 2026 18:40:48
Red Man, I get that. But we live in a world where a top LB will cost 60-70m, where top midfielders are going for 100m, and where decent strikers cost 50m.
Do you really think we've got another 220m to spend?
So, the question is what position can we sign top quality in, and then, if we can, improve the other positions with whatever cash we have left.
Maybe we can get Lewis Hall in for 65m. But add that to the 90m we have already spent and suddenly we are up to 155m spent, with maybe another 45-60m left at most (which would still take our spending to around 200m).
Can we get a top class midfielder AND a striker for under 60m in total? Probably not without spending on gambles or well scouted, lesser known players. You know the ones you were b1tching about being "budget" options.
Is it better to spend all our money even if a big chunk of that is potentially poorly spent on gambles, or, if we can't afford to buy all of the players we want/need, is it better to keep the money to spend in January or next summer on the right targets?
3.) 03 Aug 2026 20:02:43
They need to spend the money this summer. Putting it off again will just mean the team falling further behind.
Not spending it this summer could potentially lead to a really poor first half and calls for Carrick to go. The team managed to get through the last half of the season with only 1 game a week. There will be more this season, and the team can't afford to drop off a cliff as soon as one or two players are missing.
Mbuemo is not a striker. The team needs somebody up there when Sesko can't play, which, sadly, seems to be quite often.
And Shaw is highly likely to get injured again, and even when fit, he can't go up and down the pitch all game to offer the team any width.
With Cunha on the left, there is no width, as he drifts inside. The full back needs to offer that.
And I agree with many, the team need another body in the midfield. The squad isn't really any better off in terms of numbers this season. Cas and Ugarte are out, and two in to replace them.
There are a lot of names on the squad list above. But, if we are honest, not many would get into the teams fighting for the title or Champions League.
4.) 03 Aug 2026 20:21:07
Shappy,
£90m spent? What's the net spend? I read £37m. We still need to shift others.
It seems people tell us not to talk money until it suits them to argue we can't spend to buy what we need. The Glazers must be rubbing their hands.
Champions League football. No more money excuses this summer.
5.) 04 Aug 2026 11:39:46
Fallguy, not spending is better than spending badly.
Obviously, we all want the club to spend and bring in a few more players, but it needs to be the right players for the right money.
The club is still suffering from poor spending in the past, because poor spending doesn't just waste money now, it hinders our ability to spend in the future.
So far, the club has spent very well this summer. That offers a bit more leeway in spending a bit bigger on further signings this summer, but not enough for the club to just be silly.
If the club blows the remaining money on a Sancho 2.0, that's going to have the same effect as what you described happening if they don't spend. Except it will be worse because we'll have spent money we could have used in January or next summer, added to our wage bill, and tied a weight around our necks in terms of PSR.
24 Jul 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, United's Squad Balance and the Left-Side Dilemma
23 Jul 2026 20:24:28{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, United's Squad Balance and the Left-Side Dilemma
1.) 23 Jul 2026 23:13:52
Is Amass ready to take a squad place? I'm guessing, like many, he is being very closely assessed during pre-season training and friendlies?
The club may wait a few weeks longer before committing to another left back purchase.
2.) 24 Jul 2026 07:16:16
Eric, Amass was good in the game against Wrexham, and personally I think he's probably ready to be our 2nd/3rd choice LB option.
However, I have absolutely zero faith in Luke Shaw's ability to stay fit.
Historically, his most injury-free seasons have been those leading up to a World Cup. It's almost as if he's working harder to make the England team.
By contrast, his most injury-impacted seasons have typically been those after a World Cup.
How many games will he actually be available for next season (the final year of his contract)? There is also the chance that we might need him to cover at CB.
If Shaw is injured, then that leaves Dorgu and Amass in the squad as our LB options. Again, this is a personal opinion, but I feel like Dorgu is far better when played further forward as a LW, not a LB.
Amass might be ready to be our 2nd choice LB and start 10-15 games next season, but with Shaw's injury record and Dorgu playing further forward, he might have to start 30-40 games.
That's throwing him in at the deep end without armbands.
It's very risky.
I'd prefer us to sign a top LB, such as Truffert, who can be first choice, with Amass as the backup. This would give him the opportunity to bed into the first team without the pressure of having to perform as a title-challenging LB in his first season as a first-team regular. Then Dorgu can play further forward, and Shaw can be squad depth, covering LB and CB, if he's fit.
I have high hopes for Amass, but youth development means having a structure and a pathway for them, not just throwing them in and hoping they immediately step up. Youth players need to be able to be rotated in and out of the line up more than senior professionals. Their bodies are still developing, and they need more rest to ensure you don't overwork them and risk long-term injury issues. They need taking out of the firing line sometimes after sub-par performances. There are some games that just aren't suitable for them at their current stage of development.
Can we guarantee that we can do that for Amass next season if the only real option to play instead of him is Luke Shaw?
3.) 24 Jul 2026 10:40:57
The unknown here is how much Dorgu is really going to play at left wing.
In reality, he has only played 3 games there for us, I think: City, Arsenal and Brighton. 3 goals and an assist in those three starts, mind, so he was clearly productive.
But are we really going to say he's a converted forward now on the evidence of three games, two of which we clearly played in a lower block to best utilise his pace on the counter-attack? Is he still going to be a useful forward against teams that sit back and we have to make the game?
If he is now a converted forward, then we need to sign a left back.
If he can play 20-25 games as a left back, I think we can potentially not sign a left back this summer and be okay.
4.) 24 Jul 2026 10:45:14
I think we should be looking at bringing a LB in, with the intention that the secondary cover is either Shaw or Amass, with hopefully Amass growing as the season goes on to allow Shaw to be moved on. At this point, I have not seen enough to think Amass can take Shaw's current position as the 1st LB.
Hopefully, this season we will have a lot of games, so there are enough games to go around for everyone, especially as Shaw can cover CB if needed.
5.) 24 Jul 2026 12:35:30
Hopefully, Shaw not being picked for England will benefit him and us. He has had a good break, and presumably will be wanting to show Tuchel that he was wrong.
6.) 24 Jul 2026 12:37:42
Shaw is not good enough to be first choice left back.
Shaw cannot play two games a week.
Shaw is highly likely to have an extended period out injured in the year, just based on what we have seen these past 10 years.
We either need to develop Dorgu into a left back, when he looked more effective further forward, or we buy a ready-made first choice left back.
At some point, we do need to start acting like a club that is being aggressive and trying to win the league.
If we save money and make do and scrimp and save, it will be a long season ahead.
Long way to go yet. I would expect a left back to come in, and would be surprised if a left wing came in.
A second striker is probably dependant on Rashford and Zirkzee leaving.
A third CM signing is likely, but Ugarte getting injured was probably not in their plans. His wages should be covered by his international federation, so maybe it won't block something from happening.
02 Aug 2026 11:15:33
I think they've made the smart move to add some great experience to a very young squad for practically nothing in today's market.
I'd have loved to see Welbeck come home for a couple of years to help Sesko progress and add some experienced cover.
I assume we never really got involved, as I'd assume Welbeck would probably have chosen us over Chelsea if he had a real choice.
This means our club has other plans. I think they've earned the right to be trusted, and for us to wait and see what pans out.
If we get someone like Watkins for a reasonable fee, then letting Welbeck move to Chelsea unchallenged doesn't seem like such a bad idea. Let's see how the entire window pans out.
30 Jul 2026 10:12:07
I would be very surprised if JJ Gabriel doesn't go on to become a top player, how high he goes though will be down to his mentality, the ability of those around him to keep him grounded, and a little luck.
Having the ability to play in the EPL and being physically ready for the demands of playing in what is probably the most physically demanding league in Europe if not the world is another thing entirely.
His body is still growing, and that makes him more susceptible to injuries, which can both derail his development, as well as potentially risking his long term fitness. Lots of players who started playing regularly at a younger than average age (in top flight mens football) end up having injury issues from their mid-twenties onwards.
If you look at our squad we have Shaw and MdL who were both regulars at 17 years old, both struggling with fitness. Michael Owen and Rooney are others who started picking up injuries and saw a drop off in performances in their late 20's. Jack Wilshere was another, as was Francis Jeffers, Jack Rodwell and James Rodriguez.
JJ will need protection and guidance to ensure that his development is optimal to allow him to gain experience, grow as a player, and protect his body as it develops. As well as being shielded from the risks of fame and fortune while he's too immature to handle it. He will need a good group of people around him, family are great, but young lads have a tendency to rebel against their families during their teens and early 20's. That is a time where they tend to value the opinions of their friends more than that of their parents and older more experienced adults (especially those in positions of authority). Sir Alex was very good as pairing young players up with a first team player to act as a mentor, to be a confidant, a role model. He would make sure they shared hotel rooms on trips, have lockers next to eachother etc. Hopefully there is someone Carrick can pair JJ with who can be that mentor and role model in the first team. Someone to be a voice of reason when the risk of fame and fortune threatens to pull him off the path.
I expect he'll get some minutes during pre-season, and maybe even some in the first team this season (most likely in the cups, or maybe a few sub appearances towards the end of the season in the EPL). When he does get games expect the media hype to be crazy with hyperbole, which for a lad who hasn't even sat his GCSE's will be difficult to deal with.
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.
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.
23 Jul 2026 16:58:40
This season's blue away kit is, in my opinion, the best kit we've had in a long time.
It's the closest I've come in around 15 years to buying a replica kit.
04 Aug 2026 08:29:55
I think lb is now the biggest priority, Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Antonee Robinson, Adrien Truffert, and Maxim De Cuyper are probably the best options available.
Then I think we'll move for a third midfielder. Carlos Baleba is, I think, the club's top choice, but they won't overspend on him (or anyone). I think, with what we have signed already (Tielemans and Santos), along with Mainoo, what we lack is a physical, athletic midfielder. Other options could be Tyler Adams, Manu Kone or Sander Berge, who both offer EPL experience as well as having the right profile.
Given we have Mainoo and Santos, it makes sense to bring in someone who has a little more experience.
Beyond those two positions, I don't think we will sign anyone else unless we see players leave, and Rashford and Zirkzee will need to leave before we bring in another forward.
I also doubt we'll bring in another cb unless someone leaves, despite the obvious injury concerns.
03 Aug 2026 18:45:28
I highly doubt it. The reality is the women's game is a long, long way behind the men's team. Pretty much every single women's team runs at a loss currently.
Clubs need to cut their cloth accordingly. There is little to be gained by investing heavily in the women's team other than kudos and moral standing.
The prize money and the gate receipts just don't add up to enough to justify heavy investment.
Which is a very different situation to the men's game that generates billions each year.
03 Aug 2026 18:40:48
Red Man, I get that. But we live in a world where a top LB will cost 60-70m, where top midfielders are going for 100m, and where decent strikers cost 50m.
Do you really think we've got another 220m to spend?
So, the question is what position can we sign top quality in, and then, if we can, improve the other positions with whatever cash we have left.
Maybe we can get Lewis Hall in for 65m. But add that to the 90m we have already spent and suddenly we are up to 155m spent, with maybe another 45-60m left at most (which would still take our spending to around 200m).
Can we get a top class midfielder AND a striker for under 60m in total? Probably not without spending on gambles or well scouted, lesser known players. You know the ones you were b1tching about being "budget" options.
Is it better to spend all our money even if a big chunk of that is potentially poorly spent on gambles, or, if we can't afford to buy all of the players we want/need, is it better to keep the money to spend in January or next summer on the right targets?
02 Aug 2026 11:46:32
I think Ken is the kinda man who likes to take the contrary position sometimes, especially when people are very adamant about something with very little knowledge to make the judgement on.
He's also been in business at a high level for many years, and as such he has a little more understanding than most about how large multinational companies operate. So while not a perfect comparison to our football club, he will have a slightly better idea about how the people running the club will be thinking, and how they will look to operate.
The biggest issue I think is the extremism that modern society seems to demand. Like everything is binary, yes/no, agree/disagree, good/bad, etc., when the reality is that pretty much nothing is binary, with everything often falling somewhere between the two extremes.
The INEOS takeover, for example, some people want to oversimplify it into either they are amazing or they are awful. Maybe that is because it suits their agenda, or maybe they are a little bit simple and they don't understand nuance.
The truth is, as always, somewhere in the middle. INEOS will do some things that really benefit the club and the fanbase, both short and long term.
They will also do some things that work against the club and fanbase.
They've improved the running and structure of the club. We now have subject matter experts working in each area of the club, with clear parameters around their role. This has led to much clearer and more professional running of the club, as seen by the reduction of leaks around the club, as well as the improvements in recruitment.
Is it perfect? No, it probably never will be. They got the appointment of Dan Ashworth wrong, and they were wrong to keep Erik ten Hag in their first season (although the logic behind it made sense). They will make mistakes, but we have to remember not to throw the baby out with the bath water when judging how they are doing, and we also need to give it time and not react in the moment.
While the new stadium and how they manage season tickets is a little more questionable, only time will tell if they are making the right decisions there.
You don't have to be employed by INEOS to be able to see both sides, just someone who can be more impartial in their viewpoint. Someone who can see both the good and the bad, and, more importantly, knows when they cannot make a sound judgement either way.
02 Aug 2026 11:26:19
Sangare, I think, will be a very good player who'll end up moving to a bigger club in a couple of years' time. At this moment in time, Brentford might be the best place for him. A good size, well-established EPL club that is settled and well run. It's the ideal place for him to adapt to the EPL with less pressure and expectations, but at a club that won't stop him moving on to a bigger club in a couple of years' time.
I thought he'd be a savvy signing for us as a cheaper alternative to some of the other names. However, he's still very much a developing player, and someone who'll need to play regularly if he is to reach that potential. Would he have got that with us? Given we have both Mainoo and Santos as younger, developing midfielders, do we really want to add a third player in that category, or would it make more sense to sign someone who's 25+ who offers something different to what we have as a more experienced, rotation option who is pretty much at their peak and doesn't require development.
As for Mount, his quality has never been in question, just his fitness. Sometimes players get over their injury issues, and sometimes they don't. Having heard about Giggs and his injury issues in his late 20s, and the changes he made to his lifestyle (yoga) to help him overcome them, acts to highlight that players can get beyond those issues and continue to play well into their late 30s if they are prepared to put in the work.
Likewise, players can do things that hinder their ability to stay fit, such as Bale and his insistence in playing golf despite the evidence suggesting that it was causing him to pick up more injuries.
Sometimes it can be simple changes to your lifestyle, reducing or stopping doing something, or starting to do something else to help.
What I do know, though, is that if Mount can stay fit then he will be a huge asset to us this season.