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14 Aug 2025 11:54:01
Looks like collyer going on loan to West brom
Good for him hope he does well.
1.) 14 Aug 2025 14:11:45
Best idea for him at hopefully a top championship club. Will either mean he comes back ready to compete or we are able to sell on.
Good luck to him.
2.) 14 Aug 2025 15:30:34
Even more depleted in central midfield then. Surely there has to be another coming in.
3.) 14 Aug 2025 16:13:37
If you believe Cameroonian media outlets, then there is ballons!
4.) 14 Aug 2025 16:42:32
Even before Collyer we were light in midfield, maybe not from a numbers point of view, but certainly in terms of the quality needed in that area.
We would have Casemiro, Ugarte, Mainoo, Bruno in his likely new role and then from youth we would have Kone when he recovers. All for 2 spots. Bruno is a guarantee starter, so it’s one more needed. Unfortunately none of the others have the skills or talent required. So a new player is definitely needed.
I would say there is 0.1% chance of Baleba happening due to the £100m+ valuation.
Seen Wharton mentioned recently, but I’d imagine Palace will have a similar valuation. So probably another with zero chance.
Guess it’s down to whether the club want to go with a player way down their list of targets or wait it out until next season.
I’m hoping they break the bank for Baleba, but I’m not hopeful.
5.) 14 Aug 2025 18:54:08
Why zero chance fall guy have you been listening to the back of fag packet know it alls on here about we have no money!
6.) 14 Aug 2025 20:19:21
While I'd like to think that Collyer going on loan must mean we are signing a midfielder I sadly expect that it was always the case that one of Collyer or Kone would go out on loan to get game time this season.
We play with a midfield pivot, meaning there will only be two places up for grabs. Which without European games reduces the amount of rotation we need to make.
We have Casemiro, Ugarte, Bruno and Mainoo nailed down as the four senior options. Really we need one youth option who will play under 23's most weeks but can come into the first team squad for some games to cover for injuries.
They seem to have made the decision to keep Kone with the squad and develop him in house this season. They seemed to come to this conclusion while on tour, which makes sense that a couple of weeks after we've got back we are hearing about loan deals being lined up for Collyer.
That said I still think we will sign Baleba. I just think that one of Collyer or Kone was always going to go out on loan regardless this season to get the senior game time they need.
7.) 14 Aug 2025 20:54:14
Didn’t say zero chance. Almost zero though.
It’s been widely reported that Brighton will want north of £100m. Although this is unconfirmed it’s likely fairly true based on what Chelsea paid for Caicedo.
They don’t have to sell so are unlikely to reduce the price.
United aren’t going out spending that kind of money this window.
21 Jul 2025 17:36:44
Looks like vietek and Harrison are both leaving on loan again. Really important for young keepers to get experience.
There was some suggestions on here that they play a part of our 1st team squad this season. I for one am glad that's not happening i hope they both get good game time and start learning their trade. Its the one position that we rarely young kids get experience in the epl.
1.) 21 Jul 2025 17:50:05
It was clear they both need loan time, no way we can stick a rookie in goal, Chido needs to go loan too, he not ready to be our number 9 1st or 2nd choice.
I know some think pick the kids, but really probably only 1 maybe 2 might be good enough.
They need the experience I would say the same with Leon too, he is not Roberto Carlos like he thinks, quit yet.
2.) 21 Jul 2025 19:49:11
Agree on obi but not Leon he had been playing mens diurnal for a year so a bit ahead. Only saw him for 45 min but he looks very aggressive and maturity in his play beyond his age.
Wide areas are also easier for younger players in a lot of cases.
3.) 22 Jul 2025 00:40:50
Are you already suggesting Leon has an attitude issue? Why does he think he’s roberto Carlos?
4.) 22 Jul 2025 09:44:14
I don't think anyone was seriously suggesting that the academy keepers be first choice, just given a run out in pre-season to see if they could be a squad option if needed.
Although I fully agree that they are much better placed having a loan for a season and playing mens football regularly.
Chido in an ideal world would also be better off with a loan, but with a dearth of options at the club then he will probably get more chances here this season then he probably should at this stage.
Diego Leon has been playing senior football for a while and is far more ready than the others mentioned. Like Ken said playing wide is also easier for young players with less pressure. It might have only been 45 minutes but he does look more ready to play at this level than Amass does. So I can understand why the club are looking to loan Amass and keep Leon.
Ultimately all youngsters will have rough edges to their game that needs rounding out, and they will make mistakes. How they learn from them ultimately determines the player they become.
We have a lot of talented young players in our first team squad, players like Yoro, Heaven, Fredricson, Dorgu, Leon, Mainoo, Collyer, Kone, Amad, Chido and Højlund.
Not all will make it at the highest level, even the ones that ultimately do, will make mistakes along the way.
We need to get behind them and support them rather than tear them down, I can assure you they will do that enough by themselves. We forget what it was like to be a young man trying to find his place in the world, second guessing ourselves, and repeatedly going over our mistakes. Even the ones who portray confidence bordering on arrogance are internally questioning themselves.
I also think that this modern world of social media only amplifies the negatives around people and their actions. Which given the way the younger generations are glued to their phones probably makes it that much harder for young footballers who will likely see a lot of the negative options on them that float around social media.
I do know of a couple of young EPL footballers whose management team around them ban the player from all social media for 3 days after they play any senior game to protect them both from the negatives and the hype that tends to follow. To give them space to reflect on their performance themselves and with they're coaches to form their opinions before they get influenced by the views on social media.
As fans as supposed "supporters" we probably should think before we type in frustration. Will our anger and negativity have a positive effect if the young player reads it? Probably not, in reality it'll probably have a negative impact. Especially if it is one of thousands saying the same thing.
Players in their mid-twenties with over 200 professional games under their belt should have the emotional maturity and experience to handle criticism and to be able to put it in context. Teenagers or lads just entering their twenties will likely not yet have that emotional maturity or experience.
Maybe imagine that if the player was your son, how would you want thousands of people to react, and what would you want them to say about a poor performance from him? Then maybe respond like that.
The best advice I ever received was "a wise man stays silent when angry" as words said in anger cannot be taken back, and often cause irreparable damage.
5.) 22 Jul 2025 21:34:23
German how do you know what Leon thinks?
6.) 23 Jul 2025 06:32:00
Ken the same way you seem to know how we all think!
7.) 23 Jul 2025 21:40:53
Great to see you can read and write Shappy :-)
I was one of those who suggested lifting some youth to the first team, and also supplementing with a Lammens or Garcia - with the view that both Onana and Bayendir were being shipped out - that isn't the case now it seems.
For those who can't read - try to read between the lines and you may be less obtrusive in your responses.
8.) 24 Jul 2025 10:37:40
Jimbo, I think at the end of the season there was a lot of unknowns around our keepers.
Heaton was out of contract, Bayindir showed himself to not being up to challenging Onana. While Onana continued to struggle (although I do feel that it is being overstated/ hyped about how much he has struggled) .
Under such circumstances where we could have lost all three first team keepers it made perfect sense to bring in two new keepers and promote an academy keeper to be third choice. However, that isn't what has happened.
While I don't think Onana is anywhere near as bad as he is being made out, he will need replacing. The trouble is that we won't be able to move him on this year. Partially because of his high wages and the fee we paid for him means we need a significant fee for him. But also because the hype in the press and on social media about how poor he's been will have put off any potential buyers.
That's something we don't consider enough as fans, but what we say about our players online does reverberate across the football landscape more so than a lot of other fan bases. We are partially responsible for creating the narrative around our players and that narrative will impact potential buyers for our players.
This was definitely the case when it came to selling Mason Greenwood. The noise out fans made around him and the whole situation only added fuel to the fire which definitely impacted other clubs who were looking at him. We helped create the negativity around him that made fans of other clubs not want him to sign for their club which definitely put some teams off as they didn't want the public backlash from their fans.
Look at Nicolas Jackson for example, he's a very good player, but one who struggles with one aspect as a striker. Yet the majority of the negativity around him online doesn't actually come from Chelsea fans. As such they will still be able to get a good fee for him (more than they paid for him) . Now if he'd been at United for the past couple of seasons he'd probably be spoken about in a similar way to how Højlund has been. Which would make it almost impossible for us to sell him for even what we paid for him let alone a profit.
We want to sell Højlund, but can anyone hand on heart say that if they were in charge of another club and having heard what United fans say about him that they would be interested in signing him?
Ultimately some signings work out and others don't. United fans have a habit of writing off every one that doesn't as the biggest flop in history and speak about them like they aren't even Sunday league level.
Yet in reality a lot of our "flops" in recent years have gone on to be successful elsewhere.
I suspect many of Onana, Antony, Rashford, and Højlund etc will have very successful careers when they leave us.
Yet all have been spoken about by United fans as if it's a miracle that they ever managed to become professional footballers.
With Onana now unlikely to leave and with Heaton signing a new one year deal it looks like Bayindir will be the only one to leave. With us looking to sign a higher quality keeper to come in and challenge Onana for the No.1 spot. Which gives us no room in the first team squad for a young academy keeper, so it's best they leave on loan.
With a bit of luck the new keeper we sign this summer steps up and takes Onana's place and then he moves on next summer. Probably along with Heaton retiring. At which point with two keepers leaving we sign one and promote one of the lads who have hopefully had a good season on loan this year.
9.) 26 Jul 2025 05:51:04
It’s not the fans so much, but the Manager and RA in this respect as devalued his own players considerably, TBF no one pays much attention to fans ramblings when they are buying or valuing a player, but they certainly do to a fellow professional (manager) when he says they have crap attitude, not good at this or that, that certainly devalues a player, did he think he was adding millions to there value with such naive remarks!
RA not helped himself here.
18 Jul 2025 17:42:47
Amass left out of pre season tour. Either a loan or full sale incoming. Leon is impressing in training apparently.
1.) 18 Jul 2025 18:08:53
Not really a surprise.
I like Amass, but he does seem to lack that physical edge for the EPL - hopefully he just goes out on loan, maybe that could bring out that extra level.
For the sake of his career though, in light of how quickly Leon is settling and showing, he needs regular minutes.
Best of luck to him.
2.) 18 Jul 2025 19:19:22
Send him to Blackburn and toughen him up ? i like him, there's talent there.
3.) 18 Jul 2025 20:27:24
Sell him with a few clauses inserted.
4.) 18 Jul 2025 20:40:32
He's going on loan I believe.
5.) 18 Jul 2025 21:16:59
The last young left back we sold has ended up at Real Madrid….
6.) 18 Jul 2025 21:26:38
I'd imagine a loan, he's got talent, he's just a little lightweight right now. He needs to grow into his body, that'll take time.
7.) 18 Jul 2025 21:48:39
I think that’s fair Shappy. He looks too small right now. Some adult first team action elsewhere will sort that out.
8.) 19 Jul 2025 03:20:58
If I was a betting man, I would say Leon will have cemented his position as LWB by Xmas. Dorgu will be understudy. Come next summer, the conundrum will be do we stick or twist with Amass/ Dorgu. 3 into 2 doesn't work.
9.) 19 Jul 2025 10:05:35
He is not going to be sold, a loan to a Championship team is the intention.
They want him playing regularly, he needs this to happen as physicality is his issue, not ability.
He is still highly regarded at the club. Indeed one of the reasons Alvaro Carreras was allowed to leave was that the club felt that Amass had a higher potential ability ceiling. Also, it needs to be remembered that Alvaro requested a transfer and the club would not want to keep a youngster who expressed a desire to leave.
10.) 19 Jul 2025 11:02:01
That's a bold statement to make about a player you have never even seen play before jimbo.
11.) 19 Jul 2025 11:39:25
Very bold statement, whilst I agree Dorgu will only be understudy, it’s something to say that’s to a player we never ever seen play regularly in the EPL, but of course the kid talks like he is Roberto Carlos just hope he can back it up. But to imagine he will be first choice is a stretch by Christmas… hope it’s right, but I think maybe wishful thinking more than reality.
12.) 19 Jul 2025 21:27:24
Ken/ GSC, he is competing against Dorgu who looks lost at times.
They will fight it out, but he looks the part, and talks the talk.
We will see by Xmas.
13.) 20 Jul 2025 01:40:45
Dorgu was the best player today, hopefully a sign of things to come now he’s settled, the kid is a workhorse.
14.) 20 Jul 2025 09:53:04
I think some people have been very quick to right Dorgu off. He was highly rated when he signed, and he clearly has all the right qualities to be a very successful signing.
But joining a club in January makes it very hard to for a player to be instantly successful. Vidic and Evra had a pretty poor start to their United careers after joining in January. While they also had the luxury of joining a very good United side full of quality players and under arguably our best ever manager. They were also several years older than Dorgu with far more experience to lean on and help them early on in their United career. Even with all of those extra benefits they still struggled, and arguably had less of an impact in their first 5 months as United players.
Dorgu looked very good yesterday. He is now more settled at the club, he is having a pre-season with us, getting to grips with the tactical demands from the manager, settling better with his teammates and building those on field relationships.
I think he'll have a very good season with us. Obviously he'll make mistakes from time to time and his performance levels will not be consistent, as you'd expect from any 20 year old. He'll cement his place as the first choice LWB this year.
Luke Shaw looks like he'll be played at LCB, which makes the most sense for me. The wingback positions is the most physically demanding position on the pitch, and while Shaw's skillset looks well suited to the role, we know his body doesn't stand up well to the physical demands at LB let alone the more demanding wingback role. Maybe playing LCB is his best chance of actually staying fit, although I feel that might just be a fools hope.
Amass will almost certainly head out on loan, he needs to play regularly at senior level to develop his physicality. He's a little on the small side, but the real problem is he doesn't know how to use his body at this level. His small stature should give him a lower centre of gravity and make him harder to push off the ball, but he doesn't know how to use his weight correctly right now and is getting bundled off the ball far too easily. A year in the championship should do him wonders.
Diego Leon impressed yesterday in spells, but was clearly still getting to grips with the club and the increase in speed and the physical demands in Europe compared to South America. I think he'll stay as the understudy to Dorgu this season.
Next summer depending on how both Leon and Amass have done the club will have a decision to make about whether to let one leave either permanently or on loan, or maybe both and look to buy another LWB if neither show that they have what is required.
Dorgu though I'm fairly confident will have shown himself to be a very good player for us by this time next year.
15.) 20 Jul 2025 16:08:39
Why do supporters try to judge players and likeness them to another from a past era. it’s quite pathetic If Dorgu becomes half the players Evra and Vidic was it will be something and we have to be fair he not looked great so far, I seem to remember someone mentioning Shaw was world class!
I know supporters love the romance of kids breaking through, some were even saying one of them for GK and Chido for striker neither are ready yet that’s quite clear
I still say pound to a penny, Dalot will be RB number 1 choice and Dorgu was only bought for back up
We need to buy some Pace and some experience, for CB Midfield and CF, they are all necessary 100%.
16.) 20 Jul 2025 21:50:43
I been told by a relative that Preston want him on loan for the season, good club, good fans have good links to all big clubs in NE.
17.) 20 Jul 2025 23:10:53
GSC your above post implies Dorgu is backup to Dalot. they play on opposite sides of the pitch fella.
18.) 23 Jul 2025 17:42:26
You need to read up on Dorgu and his favoured position from his own words.
Dorgu can play left or right, in fact states he prefers right, but I did not imply back up to where, just he bought to be a back up…simples.
23 Jun 2025 22:10:31
BBC reporting we are in advanced talks with al nassar for casimero. No figures mentioned. Maybe a gift for ronaldo signing his contract. Selling him for 10.m +And saving 18m on wages would be a dream result.
With the new financial year kicking in i think it likely we will see some sales and income coming in from 1st July.
They in turn will help unlock some expenditure. Should be a very busy 21 days.
1.) 24 Jun 2025 02:10:56
Kinda torn on this one. His best days are clearly behind him, and his wages far exceed the value that he adds to the team, but he at least cares about winning. He tries his best week in week out, which is more than can be said for most of the players at the club.
Obviously, we take the money, but there are plenty of players I’d rather see leave than Cas.
2.) 24 Jun 2025 06:01:08
Exactly Redseven, Cass is total professional, mind you you don’t get to win what he has without being…. Plenty I like to see shown the door before him, money side of it, is no concern of mine, too many people get hung up on the £££s the club don’t have no concerns about taking ridiculous money for me to attend, travel, buy a burger buy a pint, so why should I care about there finances, they employ accountants to do that…. my concern is a winning team.
3.) 24 Jun 2025 08:43:00
Casimero has been a great professional whilst with us and offers nothing but 100% and as we saw last year still can perform. However, we need to get legs in the middle of the park to allow us to play Fernandes or Mainoo in there so I am okay with him going, get wages off and bring in another player.
Would be happy with a midfield rotation of Fernandes, Mainoo, Ugarte, New signing, supplemented by Collyer and the youth players.
4.) 24 Jun 2025 09:15:06
People are hung up on the money though German because it impacts what the club can and cannot do within the transfer window. I don't think any of us have the greatest grasp on FFP and PSR but we do know the club is not in the best position financially so any sale of a player on high wages and any bid from Saudi you hope comes in over the odds is going to help with what the club can do in the window which leads to having a winning team, hopefully.
5.) 24 Jun 2025 16:25:15
Midfield of can’t pass a ball 10 yards headless chicken Ugarte and no legs or mobility Mainoo, with Collyer back up will be awful, as seen last months of the season Cass kept them all out the team, so that would be a step backwards imo…
so missing 25% of your games is good? Oh great….
6.) 24 Jun 2025 23:23:50
Maze would you get of your cross mate. It's not just the odd post you parade negative on it's everybody's Post. I hate to read anyone's posts because I know that when a good healthy debate opens up. Your odds on to project gross negative attitude into it.
Go hustle on the LFC page cause your the biggest and darkest cloud with nothing positive
SNIYGNGTS.
7.) 25 Jun 2025 06:26:02
Red villain, sorry did not realise there was much to be positive about, please enlighten me with all the positives with United, so I can have a party!
Easy answer skip my post or you the woke brigade and people can only comment if it’s all nice and fluffy comment…. get in the real world not the fluffy woke 2025 world.
8.) 25 Jun 2025 21:37:04
2 proven PL players whos runs in the first 5 games of the season had a higher workrate than most.
A manager with a pair of steel ones that has seen what we have been saying for ages
Finally the dead wood and the badd eggs are getting the boot
That's all the positives I need to be happy
Add a GK and real CF and I'll be F. Ecstatic for the season
Ps I've just got the black jersey for a £10 And it's perfect so get in.
04 Dec 2024 13:47:10
Seeing quite a few links to clubs looking at dalot.
That would be a great result for us if we could sell him.
A very average player not suited to a wing back role at all long term imo. Really poor crosser of the ball and suffers from severe concentration lapses.
Always gives his all but so did ralph milne.
1.) 04 Dec 2024 14:06:02
Ken,
I agree with you. The club needs to raise their standards aswell. I do believer others should leave before Dalot. However, Utd could do with the money, if the PSR rumours are to be believed.
2.) 04 Dec 2024 15:26:09
Psr rules are all changing MH. I've a lot less concerns around that going forward.
3.) 04 Dec 2024 15:38:46
When he gets into high positions up the pitch, his head explodes. If we could get an upgrade, would be great.
Not unhappy if he stays as a backup though.
4.) 04 Dec 2024 16:09:20
Decent back up angel but if we can get good money for him it might pay us to sell.
5.) 04 Dec 2024 16:34:49
It's almost unbelievable so many clubs want him, given he is cr4p. Maybe they see something in him.
6.) 04 Dec 2024 16:55:48
He's not crap Tony, far from it. But I believe we need better as first choice.
7.) 04 Dec 2024 17:18:33
He is decent back up at best i'd agree so if someone wants to buy him for 20m plus I think it would be a good deal for us.
He is good back up for Portugal. He has good attributes and would do well I'm sure.
Does he possess the attributes needed to play rwb for our manager I don't think so.
All the noise could be him angling for a new contract. If the coach thinks he fits the system he will get one i'm sure. I don't see him being happy if not regular starter once the team settled down.
8.) 05 Dec 2024 11:20:17
We need Davies.
9.) 05 Dec 2024 12:06:55
Steve Davis. snooker loopy.
10.) 05 Dec 2024 15:57:43
I wonder will anyone sign rashford ajh but you think he is crap so obviously not.
11.) 05 Dec 2024 18:57:45
I don't think Rashford is crap ken, I think he has amazing ability. However, his application and effort is poor and his head seems elsewhere, he's had long enough to fix it but doesn't seem able to.
12.) 05 Dec 2024 21:39:49
I agree. He just shirks any physical contact and work.
I really think he should move for his own good. I'd like to see him excel elsewhere but I don't think he has the drive.
13.) 05 Dec 2024 21:46:56
Far more valuable and problem assets in the squad than Dalot.
Tumbleweed!'s banter posts with other poster's replies to Tumbleweed!'s banter posts
19 May 2026 19:04:21
Southampton expelled from play offs. Middlesbrough reinstated. Who'd have thought?
This will probably be appealed.
Thankfully a firm stance against cheating.
1.) 19 May 2026 20:01:17
Let's hope the lads from Boro haven't been on the lines at an end of season bash......
08 May 2026 01:16:40
A not too impossible situation could arise where 6th place gets CL football.
If Villa win the Europa League and finish 5th then 6th place also qualify.
If Villa win it and finish 4th then 6th place goes into Europa League.
I think Villa are likely to finish 5th and likely to win the Europa League. What a chance for the likes of Bournemouth Brighton or Brentford. Or a last gasp chance for Chelsea which I don't forsee.
1.) 08 May 2026 07:39:09
Or Everton!! I hope it is Everton as I bet on them getting too 6. ?
2.) 08 May 2026 09:19:26
I have a funny feeling it'll be Brighton. What a story that would be.
3.) 08 May 2026 11:19:59
I'll put my support behind Fulham. They have Bournemouth tomorrow, which will be significant for either side. If they get the win, they have Wolves away and Newcastle at home.
4.) 09 May 2026 07:34:54
Is that correct? I thought the extra place is only created if Villa finish 6th and they have to enter the competition as Europa League winners. Only the top five qualify for the Champions League.
5.) 09 May 2026 09:48:48
Grim, yes it's correct.
06 May 2026 23:39:17
Carrick has done very well results wise there can be no arguments there. That is a very big tick in his favour.
There is one thing that has stood out to me since his arrival and it can often be over looked. He appears to be a terrific man manager. The Squad appears totally unified and I've seen him after games with several players after games. He appears to have their total respect. That does not come easily nor should be taken lightly.
He has shown a bit of steel by practically cutting the likes of mount zirkzee and ugarte out sending them a clear message but still keeping them 'onside'.
It can be argued that this is a honeymoon period and can rightly asked if Carrick has the ability to move then up a level after a summer recruitment drive?
I strongly believe that the club should entertain and get deeply into discussions with a couple of other strong candidates before deciding on who to make permanent manager.
I don't consider Carrick the ex player when I look at him I have zero emotional attachment to him or his coaching team.
He has ticked 2 out of the 3 most important criteria for me.
1. Results. Can't be faulted.
2. Man management and squad unity, effort, belief, desire. Imo can't be faulted.
3. Entertainment, style of play, game management, attack minded. Brave decision making, excitement etc (hard to define). For me this is all well below par. There are mitigating circumstances like thin squad, poor options so i'm not sure that we can set up to attack and our players suit counter attacking play.
So some great green flags for Carrick and some pretty big red ones. Lots of reservations big gaps in his cv etc.
He has been impressive with the media and is media savvy unlike ole who had me cringing everyone he opened his mouth.
All candidates will have question marks but Carrick has the players behind him and that's one of the greenest green flags you could wish for. Players like playing for him and are finding ways to win.
He has made himself a legitimate candidate and has thrown down the gauntlet to the director's asking them to find someone better if they can.
1.) 07 May 2026 08:19:13
We're scoring close to 2 goals per game. That's 76 per season, which no team this year has managed to achieve. We have also shipped too many, which actually makes for more entertaining games, or more nail-biting ones, depending on one's perspective. Kind of just like the old days. Ferguson's United always gave up chances.
In the last few games, Carrick has shown a good awareness of what's going wrong and made adjustments to fix it, like reorganizing at half time v. Brentford when Mbuemo and Dalot were being completely bamboozled. He cannot be blamed at all for Liverpool coming back into the game. That was all on the players. The overall game strategy was good, and, but for two dumb errors, we should have won that game going away. But we came through in the end, which speaks to his faith in what he's doing and the attitude of the squad under his leadership.
The squad is thin and he doesn't have many good options off the bench, but, on the other hand, he has benefitted from a very light schedule.
It needs strengthening and deepening. We all know this, and, obviously, so do the powers that be. My concern would be Mbuemo and Dalot's dips in form, at least in terms of goal-scoring. You are right, and I've mentioned this before, that Mbuemo in particular seems to suit a counterattacking team (as obviously did Wissa). My other concern would be an over-reliance on one player's creativity. Bruno seems extremely durable, but whether he can keep it up over a 60-game season remains to be seen.
I don't find the lack of experience argument particularly convincing. Ancelotti, Pep, and Mourinho were all without much coaching experience when they were given their breaks. I would have been championing Iraola, but I think it's going to be very hard not to give Carrick the job, as long as the players don't decide they've done enough and bottle the last 3 games.
2.) 07 May 2026 10:53:21
Careful, boys, you'll give Red Man a heart attack.
3.) 07 May 2026 11:16:21
AJH, its important to recognise the good elements of what Carrick has done so far.
imo it is equally important to look at other options.
All options, including Carrick, will have positives and negatives.
Someone else could blow their socks off during discussions.
Carrick, imo, has shown some really good qualities. I dont know, and in fact nobody knows, if he can do better with better players over time, but that can be said of any candidate.
Red Man will acknowledge that nobody could have done better than Carrick over the last 4 months. Thats not to say that nobody can do better than him going forward.
There are no guarantees.
To say he will fail and thats its an emotional appointment if they make it is simply not true.
If he is appointed it will be because they have seen a lot more than we have.
His man management has been outstanding, imo, and that cannot be overlooked.
Players are playing for him, and that is more than half the battle.
Im not sure at all if Carrick can move up to the next level, but there are not many serial winners in the running.
We have had serial winners in LvG, Jose, and etc., but none of them could get us competing for the league.
4.) 07 May 2026 11:45:46
I meant Amad Diallo, and not Dalot! Dalot never had that much form to lose.
5.) 07 May 2026 14:23:54
I agree with your post, Ken. I am just ribbing Red Man, who has been very clear in his view. I am struggling to see an exciting available candidate right now, Iraola perhaps, but can he handle the United effect? I suspect Carrick will be appointed shortly.
6.) 07 May 2026 16:03:16
I can't see past Carrick now. I don't think it needs to be overcomplicated either. Offer a 2 year contract and review again. Some will throw out the "and waste 2 years" or "send the club backwards for 2 years" statements, but personally, I don't think this will happen.
Can't guarantee it, but no more than people can guarantee it will happen.
The only thing I can see as a possibility for delaying the appointment, and that may result in a different manager, is if PSG win the European Cup and Enrique decides he wants a new challenge?!
04 May 2026 01:02:03
Now that we have secured cl football as a fan from a football perspective turns to 3 key questions.
1. Who will the coach be? No idea and I've no strong opinion on it yet. i'd like to see who they will talk to.
2. Who will they sell?
Definite squad members next year imo will be lammens shaw maguire yoro heaven mainoo amad cunha mbeuno sesko.
Cas ugarte zirkzee rasmus bayindir rashford vitek I think will all be sold /released /loaned.
I think we would be open to break even offers on others like mount dalot maz martinez de ligt if offers came in that made sense i think the club would consider them strongly.
Obviously not all will be sold but perhaps 1 or 2 from that list.
3. Who will we buy? Taking into consideration the proposed definite leavers above.
2xcm 1lw 1cf. 1gk would be required at a minimum. Plus maybe 1 or 2 coming through from the academy to play some meaningful game time. Amass lacey even JJ.
Plus replacing any of the possible exits at rb for example if either maz or dalot were to leave.
Or cb if martinez were to leave.
The answers to the questions are very Co dependent so can't be answered in isolation.
Very interesting summer ahead.
1.) 04 May 2026 07:51:36
As you say, a very interesting summer ahead.
2.) 04 May 2026 09:32:07
With the absence of any obvious replacement manager, I expect Carrick to be confirmed once the season is over.
Ultimately, this rebuild is not about individual names, it is about building a balanced, functional system, starting with replacing Casemiro.
The usual suspects are obvious: Anderson, Baleba, Wharton and Tonali. With Mainoo now central, the focus must be on balance.
Anderson and Wharton both overlap too closely with Mainoo stylistically, while interest from City will inflate Anderson's price, and I cannot see us getting involved in a bidding war.
That leaves Baleba and Tonali, and of the two, Baleba offers the intensity and ball-winning that Mainoo lacks. He is the more natural fit, and likely the simpler deal.
Replacing Manuel Ugarte is more about depth. A Mateus Fernandes profile offers long-term development, while Joao Gomes brings immediate Premier League reliability. I wouldn't be surprised if either of those become targets.
Further forward, United did well last summer, and the forwards look effective now. A player like Mateus Mane, who is younger and can provide options off the bench, would be a great addition.
Up front, the priority would be a striker who stretches defences, but they are expensive, and I don't see an urgent need if both Mbeumo and Cunha can play in that role.
In defence, consistent injuries to Licha and MdL may force another signing. If an offer arrives for Yoro, I think United would consider it, especially with Heaven clear ahead in progression. A Premier League-proven option like Marcos Senesi would add immediate reliability.
The academy remains a question. While talents exist, how many are ready now to make the step up to men's football? Carrick's reliance on established players this season might not be viable next season with the number of games we hope to play.
3.) 04 May 2026 11:20:12
The manager question is the one that seems to dominate the discussion right now.
I'm neither for nor against Carrick. I think, from the outside looking in, he has done a good job. If the club decides to stick with him, then I'll back that decision. Like many fans, I also have a few reservations or unanswered questions about him as a manager (which, to be fair, I'd have over any manager we hire).
Where most fans differ on the manager front tends to come from the basic fact that we are all basing our opinions off of less than 20% of the information needed to make that decision.
Firstly, there is a subtle difference between the best manager available and the right manager for the job.
Ultimately, we are best off hiring the right manager for the job, even if others on the surface look like "better" managers.
Again, some of us are basing our opinion on who is the right manager on who we feel is the best manager, often on things like what they've won, who they have managed previously, or their perceived style of play, etc.
Yet all of those things need to be taken in context.
For example, would Pep have won all the titles and accolades he has at City if the people running the recruitment hadn't managed to get him the players he has ultimately had? How much of his success should also be attributed to those who gave him the conditions he had to be successful?
Finding the right manager is about finding the right piece of the puzzle; it might not be the biggest piece, or the fanciest piece, but it will be the piece that brings the rest of the image together.
As fans, it's fine to have an opinion on things like who the manager should be or who we should sign. But ultimately, there is so much we don't know about the whole process, or what is actually required, that our opinions carry very little weight. The important thing is, regardless of who we hire as fans, our job is to get behind the new manager even if he isn't our preferred choice.
Personally, I think player recruitment this summer is far more important as to our long term success than who we hire as the manager. But like I say, that's just an opinion.
28 Apr 2026 20:54:56
Half time in the CL final PSG v Bayern.
It's like watching a different game to the robotic EPL. End to end 2 teams attacking to win. Brilliant attacking technical ability on display. Some suspect defending but primarily down to great attacking play.
Dodgy pen at the end of the half.
Often a second half can see the pace slow a bit, hopefully more of the same though. A great advert for football so far.
1.) 28 Apr 2026 21:08:04
Tbh Ken, I'm gutted. I've got HBO Max but not Prime, so I can't watch tonight's game... Instead, I'm stuck with Arsenal v Athletico. ??♂️ Seems like I'm missing a classic!!
2.) 28 Apr 2026 21:39:29
I was going to post the same, Ken. It demonstrates exactly why some of us are anxious about the results-are-all-that-counts mentality and about ignoring how negative our football has become.
If we're to bridge the gap to these two teams, we need to have a much more proactive approach.
Both teams are so well balanced, a joy to watch, and a blueprint for what we need to follow.
3.) 28 Apr 2026 22:02:14
Cracking game of football. Both teams went for it, could have been 8-8. Neither sat back at any stage of the game, they backed themselves to get more goals.
Side note, can't see Enrique wanting to leave that squad, they're quality.
4.) 28 Apr 2026 22:13:55
I dunno, Mumbles. I think he definitely stays if they win CL again because he can set a record with them then, but it's not impossible if they don't.
5.) 28 Apr 2026 23:17:44
Well, it didn't slow down. Super stuff. Players that are not afraid to take risks. Players that don't have the life and soul coached out of them. Players that put an emphasis on skill and technique. Players that make you jump out of your seat.
The EPL is all brawn over brain. Very competitive athletes.
There are some exceptions, and some really great players, but due to the culture of the game in England, they don't get to flourish and showcase their skills as much.
In Europe, even the best EPL teams often come out on top, but not often do they produce the most entertaining play.
6.) 28 Apr 2026 23:26:39
We need fewer games, I think. The EPL has so many closely matched sides that everyone is at 70% throughout. Only Man City have aimed at having the players peak for the latter part of the season - because they can. An 18-team EPL would help.
But, some reduction in CL games, too. I'm not inclined to compliment US sports, but they are much more aware of the spectacle, and there has been very little change in their main sports on the number of games over the years.
7.) 29 Apr 2026 10:08:58
You're absolutely right, Ken. The Premier League has shown that if you're an athlete first, footballer second, you can succeed.
There's more than one way to win a football match, but there is something wonderful about watching two teams go punch for punch.
5-3 last night, and Enrique brought on Barcola for Doue, hoping his face could get in behind Bayern. It didn't pan out, but there wasn't a thought in his head to bring on another defender. His first thought was how he could hurt Bayern and get another one.
8.) 29 Apr 2026 15:15:35
Last night was the best game of football I've seen in years. It was a shame that it wasn't the CL final. There was constant end-to-end action. It was like being back at school, playing footie at lunchtime, all about scoring goals, regardless of the actual score.
Those two teams set the benchmark for football last night!
14 May 2026 00:00:30
We do need someone on the coaching staff with attacking intent. Bringing different skills and perspective. We have a lot of defensive minded coaches.
I agree that who he surrounds himself with will make or break him.
A shrewd appointment in that regard will help no end.
The biggest thing he had in his favour is the camp looks united and the players like playing for him.
All we can do is look for the positives and hope he can answer the negatives as time goes by.
I've never had such a neutral feeling. I've been hugely optimistic with previous appointments and hugely critical of others, but with this one I feel it can go either way and I'm prepared for either scenario, tbh.
I see things he has done very well and other things not so much.
I don't see it as an emotional appointment in any way. Or a comfy one.
I do see it as cautious but calculated.
There are big questions he still has to answer, but he has answered most so far and he can only answer others as they arise.
I see leadership qualities in him and he has proven to be a fast learner so far.
I'd say the odds are against him as it's such a difficult job, but he has earned the respect of most, if only for his results, so I will be all in and full of hope if he is given the job.
13 May 2026 17:54:43
Or even October, Grim!
Angel, McKenna was too, you're right. He can cut it in the Championship, but not the Premiership. All we can do is wait and see and hope.
13 May 2026 14:59:46
If that's who they appoint then we just have to get on with it.
I've very low expectations from Carrick, but I'm full of hope.
I'm not against him.
Angel, anybody could prepare a list of managers who have failed to step up as well.
Carrick was a coach under Ole, so there is a direct comparison.
Very low on expectancy, and confidence high on hope, but you never know.
If it doesn't work out, we fire him and go again, simple as that.
03 May 2026 15:29:53
I'm not sure they can do that, Fizz.
There is the option of canceling his contract mutually.
He has shown a huge amount of disrespect to his team-mates, coaches (several), and the fans by not putting in maximum effort and doing his own thing.
He has decent ability, no doubt, and will get his share of goals and assists at Barcelona as a good squad player.
That does not command 300k pw at Barcelona, so if he wants to play there he should accept that and reduce his demands and get paid for the role he is playing. He will play a squad role there, and that's probably 100k pw. At a push.
I get he doesn't want to give up his big contract and you might ask why should he? Well, if he wants to sign for them he can only demand what squad/rotation players are paid. He can't command superstar wages.
I've read he is prepared to take some sort of reduction, but perhaps he needs to go deeper to make a move happen.
I can see it dragging on all summer with him going back there or elsewhere on loan.
Our permanent coach may want him to stay and trust him to rebuild a few bridges.
If our permanent coach wants him to stay, then that's something sceptics like me will have to accept and hope he can regain fans' trust and respect.
I hope and I'm confident that he won't be here next season, but I'm not confident that we will get the ideal terms.
For me, it is a no brainer deal for Barcelona at 26m if they can get him down to 150k pw. They can really easily freeze him out if he is not doing great and flip him on in a year and get a profit without the buying clubs facing a 300k pw wage demand.
03 May 2026 00:22:18
Vitek will be sold.
20 May 2026 00:12:12
City achievements par for the course? Mumbles, they won 4 EPL in a row, a treble, and numerous domestic cups. No other manager has won his total in England over the same time period.
The financial cheating will tarnish, and possibly erase, those on-pitch achievements, and rightly so.
20 May 2026 00:04:54
Agree, Eric. But they have great attributes and are playing in different eras, so not comparable.
19 May 2026 23:20:48
If there is a sniff, they will throw the kitchen sink at it imo. But there are limits. Forest will not be a pushover.
But, ultimately, it will be up to the player.
I think Pep moving on will not do us any harm.
I think we will get him, but it's more wishful thinking than anything else.
19 May 2026 22:51:09
Thankfully, just about every high profile player that played with him and against him say otherwise, Newname.
If that's how you remember Keane, that's your prerogative, but people who know a lot more about football than you remember him differently, and rate him higher than you do.
Bruno is outstanding at certain aspects of football, no doubt about it. Keane was outstanding at certain aspects of football too. Keane has many regrettable moments and a lot more fantastic moments.
An outstanding leader and serial winner. If I was in a dressing room, I know who I would want to follow down the tunnel every week, leading our team, and that would be Roy Keane.
I'm quite sure that if you ask any United player, past or present, if they had a choice of playing under Captain Keane or Captain Bruno, the vast majority, even present players, would choose Keane, as the team would have a better chance of winning.
19 May 2026 19:28:11
Well, Southampton rightly got banned and a points deduction, Fizz. Let's hope the EPL have the same cahunas.