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26 Mar 2024 20:24:05
Mainoo started tonight and looking comfortable. Dunk however not good enough. Chilwell likewise.

 2


27 Mar 2024 08:04:00
Oddly I thought Mainoo looked far more used to and adjusted to international football than half the England team despite it being his first start and only having 15 minutes of previous experience.

While I'd much rather he not go to the Euros and him being given the summer off, he does look like he should be starting for England not just in the squad.

For a player his age, and with his body still growing for the long term good and to avoid him potentially getting injury prone in his mid-twenties he needs to have his game time managed and be given regular breaks.

At this stage in his career I'd rather he not play for England. Unfortunately the kids talent and more importantly his temperament is undeniable, and he is showing himself to be one of the best players for club and now country.

I'm so looking forward to watching this kid develop and grow into a top class player.

 4


27 Mar 2024 10:11:04
He definitely looked ready for international football and I would be surprised if Southgate does not put him in the squad. Reality, he is likely to be a sub as Southgate will not be able to get out of his own way and pick Henderson.
We need to ensure that Mainoo can get some rest next year and I would not be surprised if we keep Casimero for another season to help with that whilst bedding in his long term replacement.

 1


27 Mar 2024 15:50:25
I never usually watch friendlies but tuned in to watch once i saw he was starting. imo he was englands best midfielder and what even more impressive is he has only been in this team for a week or so.

 2


27 Mar 2024 16:50:23
Same here Ahmad re int' friendlies. I did the same and agree, he has a real presence, particularly for one so young. Hope he is managed properly and allowed to grow physically and progress his game.

 1


27 Mar 2024 17:40:46
Fizz

Was thinking exactly the same thing hope they manage his playing time as he is still developing physically. Its short term thinking imo if they play him 50/ 60 games. Need to get a squad that allows guys like him breaks and proper recovery time.

 2


27 Mar 2024 20:52:25
Ahmad just a few days ago you said “Southgate will never start Mainoo”. Has this changed your opinion of Southgate?

 1


27 Mar 2024 21:50:45
What I saw was the Mainoo gave England another dimension, a balance I haven’t seen before across the midfield and the connection with the forwards. Someone who really complemented Bellingham and Rice. It is a more forward facing set up, that doesn’t suit Southgate’s basic premise of don’t lose. If Southgate sees it, plays more progressively then England could be interesting in the next tournament. He has to get over the don’t lose aspect, see the balance I saw last night. Yet I suspect he will be drawn to don’t lose mentality and play someone more defensive with Rice. Personally I would also have given Cole Palmer time last night on the right, missed a trick there for me, looks a real talent to me.

 1


28 Mar 2024 13:16:30
Wazza

In what terms? Southgate will go back to being conservative when the euros are on. he might do it in a friendly with a depleted squad who had so many players pull out or injured but remains to be seen in a tournament. Henderson will start if he is healthy and fit imo. For united as a manager no thanks.

 0


28 Mar 2024 15:20:46
Southgate even mentioned in his post match interview that they are a lot more open defensively with mainoo, odd thing to say! Such a negative coach!

 0


28 Mar 2024 17:49:20
Watched the game on my phone just to see how he got on. I was watching NI tank the Scots on my grown-up screen 😁.

 0


26 Mar 2024 19:15:16
Mainoo starting tonight, buzzing to see him rice and bellingham. Could be the start of a mf trio for the next few tournaments.

 2


21 Mar 2024 19:55:22
40 years ago tonight I was in the Stretford End. It was the night Maradona, Schuster and Barcelona came to Old Trafford, two nil up. The unbeatable Barcelona. What a night for anyone lucky enough to be there, noise levels like you never heard. Robson, Wilkins Stapleton. At half time the announcer said you have all been great in the first half but we need more and we gave more. We talk about the buzz of Sunday, that game 40 years ago was unreal. How is it 40 years.

 8


22 Mar 2024 08:28:10
What a player Robson was. Omg .

 3


22 Mar 2024 09:39:35
Robson IMO is our greatest ever captain and CM. If he'd been fit, England would have won the 1990 World Cup, I am sure of it.

 2


22 Mar 2024 10:13:50
You see all these greatest ever United teams and Robson is rarely in them, whuxhbis ridiculous as he was a colossus. I know he was at the end of his career but it was great to see him involved when we won the title in '93.

 3


22 Mar 2024 12:12:43
Without doubt my favourite united player of all time. He is a throughly nice man too. We have a pair of his new balance boots he gave my son after a uniteds ledgends game which I got to play in for 80 mins in Dublin.
I was fortunate to play with my hero even though I was 41 and he was well past his best I was like a schoolboy that day.
I had the same opportunity to play with Beckham sharpe parker parlour May and the great Zidane in Beckhams charity day in the o2 arena but even playing with Zidane didn't give me the same buzz as playing with robbo.
He was just awesome and even then still had an aura about him that made you sit up and listen to whatever he had to say.
He epitomises everything about Manchester United for me.
Never say die and fight till the end.

 5


22 Mar 2024 18:16:21
40 years? 😳. I wasn’t there but remember the occasion well but, 40 years! Time goes so quickly.

 0


23 Mar 2024 07:04:03
Wow ken, what an experience that was!

I got to play in an 11 v 11 at Wembley last year and that was something else, but no superstars like that, wow.

 0


23 Mar 2024 07:40:28
AJH - it’s a generation thing.

I saw a ‘greatest ever Liverpool team’ a few days ago, with nobody from the pre-Klopp era except for Jamie Carragher.

Let’s be honest, half of this Liverpool team wouldn’t get into their 80’s sides, and Carragher wouldn’t be anywhere near it. Just like none of our current side would get into our great teams of decades gone by.

People don’t know what they don’t know. If it wasn’t their time it’s not relevant to them, but it’s their opinion so let them have it.

 0


{Ed077's Note - Carragher doesn't get in the Klopp Liverpool team either.}

 4


23 Mar 2024 12:05:36
Great days angel. I was younger in the Beckham, m got to semi final beaten on pens.
The legends weekend was great. I apentt about 30 min signing autographs after the game. I've no idea who the kids thought I was but I just played along. 🤣
I never got to play in the new Wembley but played in the old one and at Ot and ethihad campus and I've refused to pay with Liverpool legends a few times due to lack of interest. But played for celtic legends a couple of times.
Sadly only the golf days for me nowadays as I'm well over the hill.

 0


19 Mar 2024 16:31:19
Mainoo called up to the main England squad.

 0


18 Mar 2024 22:05:44
Ed002 are we interested in manu kone and quilindschy hartman.

 0


{Ed002's Note - No.}

 0


18 Mar 2024 11:32:37
hi ed02,

will ETH stay at we win the fa cup?

 0


{Ed002's Note - I expect him to leave in the summer.}

 3


18 Mar 2024 12:13:43
Madness IMO.

And realistically, who is out there to replace them?

 4


19 Mar 2024 10:45:54
Agree, Angel, manager needs until Christmas next season at the very least. I would give him atleast the whole of next season personally.

Looking forward to see how he can develop this young team, and potentially drip feed in one or two more academy players next season.

 0


19 Mar 2024 14:32:16
Personally if it was my decision I'd give him another year for several reasons.

Firstly, all things considered I think he's done a decent job so far. He's had a lot to contend with and has done better than anyone since SAF at dealing with those issues.

Secondly, I'm not convinced that there is someone who is definitely better, available, and willing to join us right now.

Finally, with so much change going on behind the scenes it is probably prudent to get all the house in order and the right people into the right roles above him. Let the settle in and learn the lay of the land before a decision is made on the manager.

The question has to be asked if Berrada is on gardening leave and unable to work for the club currently, and Ashworth isn't in place then who is making the decision on the manager if not the CEO or DoF?

Can we be certain it's the decision that those two would agree with and would the new manager be the person they feel is best suited to the role.

As for the issues under EtH most of them can be put down to structural issues at the club and how we have been run. We have seen that with a well run club and the right structure in place he can take a team with young or lesser players and get them competing with the best teams in Europe like he did while with Ajax.

If United were similarly well run with a good football structure but with the ability to bring in better players then why wouldn't EtH be able to get us competing for the biggest honours like he did with Ajax previously.

However, it's not my decision and whatever decision the club makes I'll back. I'm not sure which way they will go, most likely to bring in their own man is my guess.

 6


19 Mar 2024 15:41:16
Some good prospects on the way over next couple of years.
It's been a long time since we have had a keeper breakthrough to claim the position. I think Mark Hughes the last top cf and cb has been a long time too.
Garnacho is doing really well and mainoo I hope both of those will inspire the others.
A squad of 16 or 18 top class players backed up by 6/ 8 really talented academy players is imo about ideal. It's about what city have.
It will take a few years to get there but it's very achievable with the youth we have coming through.
Looking forward to seeing how it all develops.

 0


19 Mar 2024 19:54:20
I’m in the stay camp and always have been. He’s lost his way this year, but there is a good coach in ten Hag, despite his demeanour, and think he can get us playing good football if the recruitment etc is taken out of hands and he concentrates on coaching. Sacking another good coach feels like madness to me.

I hope Ed is wrong on this occasion, and I hope even more it’s not Southgate or Potter.

 4


16 Mar 2024 16:17:26
Teden Mengi has developed really well and is looking very good at Luton. Wonder if we have some sort of clause or did he leave on a free? Can't remember. We really need numbers in defence with potential impeding departures of Evans, Maguire, Varane and Lindelof.

 0


16 Mar 2024 20:51:41
This is an example of the club not holding on to a player too long and thus low/ stunt/ hinder their development.

Realistically the cream of the crop from the academy should be getting chances in the first team. Those who are 50/ 50 about whether they will be good enough should be first heading out on loan, then/ or being sold with a buy back clause of some kind.

Keeping them "just in case" doesn't suit anyone.

 3


17 Mar 2024 07:48:08
You can’t afford to have more than 1 young academy CBs in your team. If he had been roasted by Haaland like Luton were, but was wearing a Man Utd shirt then the impact on him would have been catastrophic. Kids need space to develop. Good move for all.

 2


17 Mar 2024 09:39:54
Agreed Shappy.

For example, Ed Woodward should be renamed Justin Case for this very reason.

 1


14 Mar 2024 13:58:03
You just have to look at Garnacho and his work rate compared to Rashford even if things aren't going your way you need to at least work hard, but I'm not seeing, time to cash in l thunk too.

 4


14 Mar 2024 21:47:25
I don't know anything about Rashford's private life (nor should I) but something seems off with him recently.

His lack of effort over the past 6 months is out of character. He has never lacked effort before, he didn't lack effort last season.

He has the talent, and has previously shown the work rate and attitude needed. So what has changed?

 8


15 Mar 2024 06:12:00
There is too much money involved for you to find out Shappy.

 1


15 Mar 2024 18:28:48
Wazza, I'm not interested in finding out. I believe everyone is entitled to a private life.

My point is that from the outside looking in it looks to me as if something has happened to cause a shift in Rashford's demeanour and application at the club.

I don't need to know what that is, hopefully the people who need to know do, and they are doing what needs to be done to try and support the lad and help him get back to his best.

If that isn't going to be possible at the club, for whatever reason, then it would be best for all involved for a parting of the waves.

 7


15 Mar 2024 22:55:02
I guess he'll be off to the Red Sea then, Shappy.

 2


16 Mar 2024 09:28:41
Who cares what's going on in his private life. Either he can do the job are he can't.

As we can see; he can't so time to say goodbye and bring in someone else who can.

 1


16 Mar 2024 11:59:05
MancMan, I think that is an overly simplistic view and one that will not encourage the best players in the world to want to join Manchester United.

Everyone struggles with something at various points in their life, and that will ALWAYS impact that persons working life and performance at work.

We also have to appreciate we are dealing with young men, often still boys who are not mentally and emotionally mature, while in terms of players from the academy not even physically mature.

Rashford was 17 years old when he was thrust into the spotlight at Old Trafford. He was never afforded the opportunity to grow up and develop into a man in private. He wasn't afforded the same anonymity to make mistakes and learn from them as most of us have been.

The club have benefited from his performances at such a young age, so the club have a responsibility to offer support to him to help him through any struggles he is having in my opinion.

We can't just throw people away like a discarded crisp packet the moment they don't provide us with the level of performances we desire. Especially when that player has had to make sacrifices to their personal development for the clubs gain.

Rashford has in the past shown a great attitude and work rate, he has been a dedicated player and a model professional. He would take a personal trainer and chef with him on his summer holidays to make sure he was in peak condition upon his return to pre-season training. He is a great ambassador for the club, home grown, local academy lad who has reached the top of the game. He has shown great moral fibre in standing up and fighting for those who don't have a voice during the C.V., making sure children didn't go hungry. He is someone the club and the fans should be proud to call one of us.

His demeanour and the drop in his application this season is in stark contrast to his past 8 seasons with the club in the first team. There has to be a reason for that.

Last season he scored 30 goals across all competitions, to find a player who can contribute 20-30 goals a season will likely cost us 100m+ and is not guaranteed to succeed at the club. While we might be lucky to be able to sell Rashford for 75m at most in all likelihood.

That means we would have to invest more money in finding a replacement than we would get from selling him, while there is absolutely no guarantees that any replacement would be better than Rashford at his best.

Given the sheer number of positions and the huge cost this would come to this summer it seems foolish to add replacing a player who at his best is arguably our best player, at a further cost to us unless absolutely necessary.

It's clear from his recent interview that he has a great deal of affection and love for the club. So I would imagine he'd be willing to try and do what is required to stay and be a success at the club he loves.

While Ole was not a great manager, maybe Rashford needs someone who can put an arm around his shoulder. Someone he trusts, can confide in and will respond to their advice. Someone who can help him through whatever is currently weighing him down. Because if we can get him back to his best then we will have a homegrown, local academy lad who can score 20-30 goals a season and be one of the best players in the league.

Not every player performing badly needs to be solved by selling them and signing a shiny new replacement. Especially those who have shown they can perform to the required level in the past.

Obviously this is a view from the outside looking in and there are a number of caveats to this. For example, if the player doesn't want any help, or if the problem cannot be resolved, or if there are other issues with the player. All things that would change how this should or even could be handled.

My view is that in a summer where we will need to make massive changes to the squad, signing 2-3 defenders, a couple of midfielders and a couple of attackers before even considering replacing someone like Rashford. It just makes much more sense to keep him and try and help get him back to his best rather than pursue a time consuming and costly process of selling and replacing him.

 7


16 Mar 2024 15:06:55
Great Post Shappy, I have thought the same about some players. These are young men and not commodities. I think sometimes a coach or someone in the club needs to look beyond football to help some players. Rashford got a lot of hate for going to Belfast but was it really so bad. Best done that every week and he's a hero. Agree with everything you posted there.

 0


16 Mar 2024 19:06:16
While I sort of agree with you shappy to a certain extent I also don't like the constant way footballers can sometimes get a pass because of this or that!

The flip side is everything is fine in his private life and he’s just gone big time and is not working anywhere near as hard as he should, that can also be very possible. Why do we have to look for excuses, I’m telling you now football clubs will have umpteen professional staff members who will be on top of all things players need to deal with outside of football, so ultimately his job is to turn up on a match day and deliver, work as hard as he possibly can to win that game . He isn’t and needs to improve . If I performed as half heartedly as he does in work I’d be gone .

 1


16 Mar 2024 20:56:12
I get that Chris, and it could very well be that his head has gone without there being a real issue to cause it.

Maybe he just signed his big new deal and felt he doesn't have to work as hard anymore.

My point is more that something has happened/ changed as he was never a lazy player before and he was always seen smiling and laughing with his teammates.

He has seemed sulky and sullen all season, rarely if ever smiling, while at the same time his application on the pitch has plummeted.

That seems to suggest something has happened. If it was just the application I'd be inclined to agree that he's just switched off after getting a huge new deal. But his demeanor and change in how he appears emotionally would suggest that it's something a little more than that.

 6


17 Mar 2024 04:56:02
How many excuses for players do you think fergy made? He got rid of world class players because he didn't think they were right for the team anymore.

Beckham, stam, van nistelrooy and others all left because fergy made the tough call and they had to go. The club backed him.

Now managers say a player needs to go and the club keeps them for financial, or marketing reasons.

 0


17 Mar 2024 12:20:16
Dodgy, that has certainly been true under the Glazers, It'll be interesting to see if that is the case now INEOS are running the football side of the club.

You mention Stam being sold, but SAF has stated many times since that he made a mistake in selling Stam when he did. Proving that it can be a mistake just moving a player on without several people making the decision about whether it is best for the club.

 4


17 Mar 2024 20:03:26
Shappy, there's a direct correlation between Rashford's form and his relationship status with on-off girlfriend Lucy Loi down the years.

 1


14 Mar 2024 11:12:29
I hope this PGS rumour is true that they are looking at Rashford as there top target in the summer.
Not only do we get rid of a player that can't be ar*ed putting in the effort we also make around 70-80 million pounds pure profit as he has come through the united ranks.
I will drive him to Paris myself.

 7


14 Mar 2024 11:38:14
Personally I’d keep him - he’s obviously having a tough time personally right now, and a replacement is going to cost us more. We’re all so quick to dump people when they struggle, especially our academy players who we build up then knock down with the same enthusiasm. It’s pretty grim.

On paper, ignoring the off field antics, a forward line of Rashford, Greenwood (if he does come back) and Rasmus with support from Garnacho, Antony and maybe Amad is pretty exciting in my opinion.

 2


14 Mar 2024 12:06:22
Unfortunately I don't see Greenwood being kept Eric.
I would keep rashford for another season he usually does well in his 1st year under a new coach.
But a big offer might appeal to him as imo he would do well and the experience would be good for his personal development. Not enough English players go abroad imo.

 0


14 Mar 2024 12:25:42
Rashford has been brilliant for us at times and then downright awful. Symptom of the club maybe but as with some other players the rumours you hear about attitude etc are not always good.
He can't play CF so LF is his true position.
We need some major improvement and I would not be surprised to see a winger come in (like an Olise) and Rashford actually starts being marginalised out of being a nailed on starter and not sure how he would react to that (could we see a Sancho situation) .
Might be time to maximise his value if PSG are actually interested. personally would be happy with a Ramos swap deal (probably not likely) and letting him and Hojlund split the CF duties. Especially if Fernandes stays as they have a good relationship/ link at international level.

 0


14 Mar 2024 12:36:19
I have no problem with players having bad points in there career even bad seasons but it's the can't be ar&ed attitude i see from Rashford week in week out.
I wouldn't keep him another minute if i had a chance of getting rid.
See Ya!

 6


14 Mar 2024 13:18:06
I get that point of view too Sim.
I have no idea if there is any truth in PSG making a bid or approach.
But if they do they it's likely that they have been given encouragement to do so from this within rashfords camp. I don't they will be suckered into another wild goose chase like they did before.
I would have no objection to selling him due to the reason you state above.
I think he would do great and I think it would be good for him and for his personal development.
As for Greenwood possibly doing well and it coming to bite us in the ass I don't belive in that at all.
We can only get what we can for him. He is not doing well for us so it's the right decision to sell him if he goes on to do well good for him. I'm sure if we do sell at a reduced fee that we can include done sort of sell on clause.
If getafe could afford in region of 20m and we get in the region of 50% of any profit on a sell on fee then that's the sort of deal I'd be looking to achieve.

 0


14 Mar 2024 14:58:33
For me it's a no-brainer.

He should be at his peak right now and, unless his conditioning is CR7 level, wear and tear might well become a problem for him.

Irrespective of opinion on whether or not his runs are actually purposeful and/ or productive, he does do a lot of sprinting.
How much longer has he got before his hamstrings start becoming properly troublesome?

 0


14 Mar 2024 16:15:58
I'm not sure he has ever had a hamstring issue and I can't name too many players that get washed up at 26 with hamstring issues . I can't even think of any sprinters rugby players or athletes in general who suddenly start getting hamstring issues just because they sprint a lot.
Generally I don't think hamstrings are a problem unless you get them early on like Owen did.

 1


13 Mar 2024 11:02:10
Ed002 you said that a date for eth leaving could well be after 30th June due to a new financial year beginning in July.
Couple of questions relating to that if I can.
1. Do you see this date being relevant for any other new employees such as Ashworth, or possibly freedman or wilcox etc?
2. If changes can't be made until that date, is that not a lot later than ideal?
Thanks.

 1


{Ed002's Note - 1. Possibly but the situation is different with Ashworth.
2. They can be made but it will cost the club more.}

 2


13 Mar 2024 11:26:49
OK thanks for the response ed002.
Can you elaborate on the Ashworth situation difference?
I understand if you'd rather not.

 0


{Ed002's Note - It is unimportant.}

 2


13 Mar 2024 11:33:24
OK thank you ed002.

 0


 


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