13 Aug 2025 16:10:04
The new shiny season is almost upon us, and excitement is high!

I've just been watching some old videos of Rooney and Ronaldo playing together, they set each other up for so many goals. It also brought home just how far we have fallen. It wasn't overnight, it was a drip drip drip of poor purchases and continual Manager changes. We went from Vidic and Rio, to Smalling and Jones. We lost Ronaldo, Tevez, and Rooney, and never replaced them.

I think when SAF left, and our first purchase was Fellaini, the signs were there. Moyes was a poor appointment and Woody blundered about with no clear strategy. I liked LVG but it's easy to forget how truly awful the football was. Then Jose, a bad fit and a Manager perhaps on a downward trend. I swear he could start an argument in an empty room. However both he and Ralf called out the mess but nobody was listening.

Then Ole, who initially broke records for winning streaks, only to then do the opposite. I know he splits opinion but he didn't get the players he wanted and whilst the Ronaldo return was sentimental, it wasn't the right move.

ETH started well but it soon went pear shaped, I'm interested to see how he does elsewhere, same with Ole.

So here we are, a shiny young Manager, with a clear vision, and some exciting signings. Football people now in place who seem to getting stuff done, a new state of the art training facility, and (hopefully), a clear strategy. I like RA, I like the way he talks, his manner and the no nonsense approach to the disruptive players. But he needs to make progress this year. I have a few hopes for this coming season.

1. I want us to score a lot more goals; we've signed 3 players who should do that.

2. I'd like us to show fight and resilience, and go toe to toe with teams.

3. I'd like RA to occasionally think about whether a different system might work for a specific game (I doubt this one will happen ?) .

4. But most of all, I want to enjoy watching us, as for too long it has been hard work.

UTFR.

1.) 13 Aug 2025
13 Aug 2025 17:35:47
And we never replaced the likes of Scholes, Keane, Giggs or Cantona with equivalent talent.

2.) 13 Aug 2025
13 Aug 2025 17:50:07
Tony, Totally on point, Agree 100%, shame I'm too old to know what UTFR means!

3.) 13 Aug 2025
13 Aug 2025 18:06:43
Think it would be difficult to replace talent like that, remember we got to watch a golden era at United. My kids will never see the dominance Fergie achieved, so we have to be grateful.

Hopefully Amorim gets the time to have success and a few league trophies.

4.) 13 Aug 2025
13 Aug 2025 20:42:01
noticme, Up The F#£%*&g Reds.

5.) 13 Aug 2025
13 Aug 2025 21:04:51
Grim you are right. We were privileged to watch the greatest stars playing for the greatest manager for so many years. Such a period of dominance is extremely rare and as fans I think it's fair to say we became complacent about such success.

6.) 13 Aug 2025
13 Aug 2025 23:37:21
I don't think RA changes formation much. He is a manager with a system and makes many small tweaks within that system, but in no variation does it look like 442 unless mcguire is asked to play up front or right wing again in the last few minutes!

Totally agree about the goals. Let's face it, we are a simple bunch. Goals bring joy and galvanise the fanbase. More goals gives a chance for more wins. Mistakes are less costly when they don't cost you the game.

More joy this season please!