Manchester United Banter
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05 Apr 2026 09:57:11
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Why United Should Consider Bringing Back James Garner
05 Apr 2026 13:46:07
He was available on a free this summer if we had approached him, but we didn't, so he signed a new contract 6 weeks ago and will stay at Everton.
05 Apr 2026 16:02:01
Maybe Ken, or maybe he signed a deal to make sure Everton get a fee for him.
He is from Merseyside, so could well have family connections to Everton. They also gave him his chance, and he might be one of the few players who has some moral fibre.
His deal that ran out this summer, I believe (according to press reports at least), had a one-year extension that the club could trigger.
So they could have unilaterally extended his deal. Maybe a new deal, with a gentleman's agreement or even a buy-out clause, was agreed. Who knows.
Ultimately, my post wasn't really tied into the likelihood of him signing, just that I think he'd be a very shrewd signing given his skillset and our need this summer.
05 Apr 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, What a Manchester City Punishment Could Change
04 Apr 2026 19:39:14
Must be so much fun on the Liverpool page 😅😅😅. The tables have definitley turned. Slott forever 😅😅😅.
04 Apr 2026 21:29:57
Everyone writing them off against PSG, be like them to get a result! That lot in Europe are a different animal! Hope not, mind u, a nice hiding would be lovely by PSG. 🤣
04 Apr 2026 22:51:59
Liverpool had several chances to score against City and failed to take one. Salah has lost that edge which made him a great player. Offensively, overall, though, I think they are OK.
In defence they are not settled at all, and that's where their problems lie.
City have been rebuilding and will be the team to beat next year if Pep stays.
They are playing with confidence again, and Cherki and Semenyo have really boosted their creativity and attack. Guehi is taking his time to bed in, but is a solid performer and a very good defender.
04 Apr 2026 17:44:10
Further to the thread the other day, I've read this week that there are rumours regarding Simeone's situation at AM.
14 years there and he has done a terrific job breaking the strangle hold of the big 2 and been very competitive.
But a new leader of the club is rumoured to want to move in a new direction and new ideas.
His contract expires in 2027.
I wonder if we made an approach to him, would he be interested?
04 Apr 2026 18:56:00
I do like the idea of a Simeone team, but the fact he can't speak English is probably too big a hurdle?
04 Apr 2026 20:10:37
Simeone has been great at Atletico, transforming them into a consistent powerhouse behind Barca/Real. However, it does feel like his style has been found out, and is not getting the results it did a few years back.
That being said, with the way Arsenal are winning, and the lack of real flair/attack this year in the Premier League, he could come in and do a good job, with a new team and league invigorating him.
That being said, he is not for me, and I would sooner us look elsewhere, and not sure his want to control everything fits with the leadership structure.
04 Apr 2026 21:32:21
The fact he would wind up opposition managers, players and fans regularly makes me interested to see him in the OT dugout... Could you imagine. 🤣🤣🤣
04 Apr 2026 21:41:45
If he leaves Madrid he will end up at Inter Milan imo.
05 Apr 2026 00:09:38
He definitely wouldn't take any crap from any prima donna players.
Question is whether some or all of Utds players are mentally strong enough to play for such a manager.
05 Apr 2026 11:05:00
Salford, I think we know the answer to your question.
05 Apr 2026 11:21:40
I'm completely open on the next United manager.
We've tried everything in the years since Fergie. Massively experienced (Van Gaal, Mourinho), up-and-coming next big things (Amorim, Ten Hag), former players (Solksjaer, Carrick), Moyes (don't actually know what category to put him in, but it was a disaster). They've all had differing levels of success. Mourinho was the 'biggest' success with a 58% win ratio.
Can't say any of them created a team that was anywhere near as exciting to watch as the United we know, but to be fair we weren't stylistically great in Fergie's final few seasons.
I've got hugely excited by Eric and Ruben's United and both were awful for whatever reason you want to put on it. In every case, poor transfer strategies and over expectation has foiled each of them.
I do feel Carrick will 'deserve' it if he gets us CL, but worry what will happen the first time a massive European giant comes to OT and turns us over due to his inexperience.
Nagelsmann is intriguing, but a few red flags - he's with Germany, so again won't be hands on to get a pre-season, and maybe he's just another hip manager like the last few.
05 Apr 2026 12:12:04
I'm not sure Simeone is a good fit for United. For me, he just feels like a Chelsea manager if he came to the Premier League. Someone may be able to tell me, but I don't think he was ever on the list of contenders for Bayern when they changed manager, or Liverpool when Klopp moved on, or even to replace Slot? Like someone has said, he would seem ideal to go to Inter after Atletico.
The structure of United is changing now, with recruitment etc. Vivell and Wilcox are being very active in this area, so we need an individual who could work effectively in this structure. I just can't see Simeone being that person personally, but that will be what the club will explore with him if conversations happen, I guess.
05 Apr 2026 13:49:45
Jd123, really? They got on all right with Fergy. 🤣🤣🤣
05 Apr 2026 13:49:46
That's the stitches structure he works under in Madrid. They hand 2 people the roles Wilcox and Vivell have at United.
I don't know enough of either dynamic to say they are exactly the same, but in terms of positions, both are identical.
05 Apr 2026 14:44:11
Oh right, I didn't realise, Ken. I thought I read somewhere that he has quite a big say in transfers, etc. Would certainly be an interesting appointment if it came off.
05 Apr 2026 14:58:49
I don't think England and the EPL would be his 1st choice. I agree with those that tip him to go to Italy. Taking over the intl team, I think, is also a possible option for him.
05 Apr 2026 16:23:04
I'm a fan of Simeone in the same way that I'm a fan of Mourinho. They have a dogged, aggressive style about them, they also tend to play well (upto) being the underdog which definitely plays towards the British psyhe of supporting the underdog.
Their teams will run through brick walls, battle for every ball and play with an infectious aggression.
That said I don't think either are well suited to being the Manchester United manager, just as I don't think either would be a good fit for Barcelona either.
There are some clubs where winning is not enough, but you need to win in style, within a club identity.
Both Simeone and Mourinho are pragmatists, they spend more time training their players on how to disrupt the opposition than they spend on trying to create a front foot style to outscore the opposition.
Some managers approach coaching and tactics with the mentality "if we can stop the opposition from scoring then we have a great chance of getting something from the game", while other managers approach football with the mentality "how can we score more goals than the opposition".
I'm not saying one approach is better than the other, but I am saying as a fan I prefer to watch football played with the latter approach over the former.
I'd rather watch a game where my team is trying to score and play on the front foot, that is what I find entertaining. Rather than watching my team try and defend and disrupt the opposition, eking out a 1-0 win from a set piece.
For my money Simeone would have us playing like Arsenal under Arteta, and maybe he'd win a trophy or two doing that. But I watch football to be entertained, and the only thing I find entertaining about this Arsenal side is watching them bottle trophies.
Not all great managers are a great fit for every club. We need to move away from chasing the biggest brightest name available and instead focus on the best suited candidates, both on and off the pitch.
Just last summer it looked like there was a straight choice between Emi Martinez and Senne Lammens as a new keeper.
Martinez on paper is the big name, world cup winning option. But he is also prone to a clanger, while his antics can be disruptive, he is also potentially (or soon to be) on the decline.
The club instead scouted a young player who had all the attributes we needed for our team, his skills, demeanour, and personality all fitted what we needed better than Martinez.
We chose to go with the option that met our specific needs over the big name proven option (who in hindsight also had a few potential issues for our team).
Personally I think Simeone has spent a few years too long at Atletico Madrid, he got comfortable and comfort is death of progress. I think he needs a new challenge and for me I think his style is perfect for Serie A. Somewhere like Inter Milan, Napoli or Roma and I think he'd be a legend with them.
04 Apr 2026 13:26:21{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, What a Manchester City Punishment Could Change
04 Apr 2026 15:22:57
Agree.
City are also proposing the largest ever shirt sponsorship £1B over 10 years with Etihad.
Apparently it's being reviewed to benchmark against the going marker rate.
Common sense should prevail, and this will be more drag and friction for them.
Price of football, fellas, predict 40-60 point deduction for City.
04 Apr 2026 18:04:05
Embarrassing that football has not dealt with this swiftly and strongly. Everyone knows they are at fault. How can it possibly take this long? Dish out the penalty and let them serve their punishment and move on. It is a complete joke that we have one of the top teams in world football still competing at the top table, with this hanging over them.
Is it a footnote to every victory and trophy? It is better for City to clean the slate. Maybe they just want to wait till Guardiola has gone and then deal with it as quick as possible.
04 Apr 2026 21:06:38
That being said, he doesn't speak English.
05 Apr 2026 16:40:59
Who, Ajh?
Simeone? Daglish? Guardiola?. 😆
05 Apr 2026 16:43:24
Yeah, I replied to the wrong post, Simeone.
04 Apr 2026 10:28:58
I know we have had lots of discussions over the next manager, whether Carrick should stay or bring in someone new; however, maybe we should just accept that Bruno is the de facto manager who makes all the decisions at this club, both on and off field, so let’s stop messing around and install him as the player/coach.
04 Apr 2026 15:27:53
90s are back in fashion. Why not? Gullit and Vialli did better as player-coaches than full-time managers.
If we're talking hypothetically, and considering the way football has changed, it could be a genuine innovation.
The Director of Football signs the players and sets the play style.
Coaches coach, and perhaps the captain could work more like cricket, making on-field tactical, reactionary changes.
Who's the best player-coach ever?
What current players in the EPL could be a player-coach/manager?
04 Apr 2026 16:11:29
Kenny Dalglish was very successful as a player coach.
I don't see that set up happening in football Ur.
In general, I prefer the players play, coaches coach, and managers manage approach.
05 Apr 2026 16:55:55
Kenny Dalgliesh is the best one, accepted.
04 Apr 2026 00:14:53
Bold prediction but I think over the next 3 years it will be Arsenal and two of Liverpool, Utd and Villa.
It’s not bitterness at all but I think Man City are going to have some challenges ahead of them. Pep will leave in the 12 months or so. That alone is huge. Haaland looks to be making noises plus the 115 issues. It’s going to be tough.
Spurs are out of the equation for a while.
Chelsea will do what they do, come and go as they change managers and players. At best I think City will land here, at worst they’ll be rebuilding after relegation.
Utd and Liverpool will depend on transfers and mangers, Villa look like a steady ship.
Anyone else got any predictions for the next few years?
04 Apr 2026 09:49:15
There doesn't seem any obvious team that will dominate over the next few years, as we have seen in the past.
Maybe a period of several different clubs all winning the league, which I think is a good thing for everyone.
If you want an outlier, go for Wrexham getting a European place within two years of being promoted.
04 Apr 2026 10:07:25
As much as I hate to say it, Arsenal have a very strong squad, and having been admirably patient sticking with Arteta and the program, now look like they will be around for some time. They also have some excellent young players coming through, including, obviously, Dowman. However, we might have said the same about Liverpool last season, but after spending £400m+ they are a pale imitation.
As far as City is concerned, they will likely avoid any serious penalties. They also have wads of money behind them, so if they choose well, they will remain contenders for the foreseeable future. Villa are over performing for their resources. With decent management, we should become a perennial contender again, but I don't see us ever getting back to becoming serial league winners again.
04 Apr 2026 10:26:24
Given that it's currently set to be the 5th of 6 preseason games planned this summer then I would expect us to play most of the first team squad we have available for at least half the match.
We might be missing some players who played in the latter stages of the World cup if they are given extra time off to recover, but I would expect with it being 10 days before the opening EPL game that we will want to play the majority of the first team and make sure they are up to speed.
Depending on who are manager is they might also want to play their strongest available 11 as they start to try and set their style/tactics into the team.
I'm actually really pleased to see the club make a sensible choice to play their preseason in Europe this summer, rather than going on a money spinning trip to the US or Asia.
From the outside at least it looks like our preseason plans are being focused on our footballing objectives rather than our financial ones.
We don't have a deep squad, and we will probably have to play as much as 50% more games next season. Along with a lot of our squad probably playing at the world cup for at least part of the summer break.
Potentially as many as 17 of our squad could go to the world cup (Mount, Shaw, Yoro, and MdL are the ones where their country has qualified, but for one reason or another they might miss out). Of our first team squad who won't play a part in the world cup we have Sesko, Mbeumo, Dorgu, and Heaven (who could be but has never been called up even for a friendly as of yet).
While players like Cunha, Dalot, Bruno, Maguire, Mainoo, and Martinez are all playing for teams that will likely make the quarter finals at least. With Zirkzee, Lammens, Amad and Mazraoui playing for sides that could also make the latter rounds depending on the draw.
Maybe with it being in the US they could have chosen to have preseason there it could save most of the squad from having to travel back and forth. Yet with it being played across all of North America and Mexico there will potentially be more travelling at the world cup than usual.
I applaud the club for choosing to be practical this summer and have a tour around Europe, both reducing the amount of travelling, and allowing the new manager time to settle in with training at Carrington, while also preparing the players for a season where will be travelling around Europe mid-week. It seems like the club is being run by football men and not accountants for the first time in over a decade. While it's still a long way back to the top, I do feel that we are at least on the right path now.
05 Apr 2026 16:19:14
Arsenal's biggest issue will be player retention.
The likes of Saliba and Gabriel, for instance, are a level above Arsenal and will head to Spain.
03 Apr 2026 15:25:52
On the Man United game at Croke Park, after the vist to Dublin fans were furious, they basically brought over a youth team, fans were not happy at all. Hopefully thry bring a full squad this time.
03 Apr 2026 19:38:59
Given it is part of preseason preparations, with fitness key in the process, then no doubt it will be a very strong squad. I am sure there will be some youngsters, but that is to be expected.
The club will be massively aware of the fact that this will be the first ever club game of football held at the ground, and also of the history attached to it, both sporting and political.
There is no way any kind of perceived disrespect would be shown.
02 Apr 2026 22:24:05
The club have announced that as part of this summer's pre-season we will play a friendly against Leeds Utd on 12th August at Croke Park in Dublin.
Apparently, this will be the first time ever a club football match will have taken place at this venue.
Quite an honour!
This will be a real opportunity for all you Irish lads to watch the boys on your home territory.
03 Apr 2026 00:52:56
I'm not sure people will realise what an honour it is and how historic an event it is. Truly remarkable. I'm so pleased.
03 Apr 2026 10:24:46
Absolutely, Ken. Croke Park is an extraordinary venue, and having a game like this there is a huge step for the GAA and for Ireland in general, given the history there.
03 Apr 2026 13:19:25
There will be some serious trouble for that game. Dirty Leeds are supposed to be bringing thousands & with Utd's Irish following, I suspect there will be major trouble.
03 Apr 2026 14:32:37
No, there won't.
04 Apr 2026 10:29:00
I doubt it, and, besides, I'm sure the Irish authorities are, unfortunately, due to their turbulent political history, well versed in dealing with crowd trouble. You'd be foolish to travel there with the intent of causing trouble.
04 Apr 2026 12:11:32
Dumb post shappy we don't have trouble at big sporting events in Ireland.
Voted best traveling fans at every competition we ever qualified for.
Fans in ire rugby and gaa sit with other fans from opposing teams even at international level.
Ignorant post.
What turbulent political history? You mean the history of having your country invaded like Ukraine or Palestine and standing up for you freedom?
Tell me what crowd trouble the Irish police are used to?
04 Apr 2026 12:47:19
I assume you're on a wind up there, Shappy. Crowd trouble is hardly ever a thing here. There sometimes is trouble for refs at GAA games, but fan vs fan trouble doesn't happen. Even when the English hooligan group tore up Landsdowne Road around 30 years ago, it was entirely one sided.
It always strikes me as incredibly sad how much football fans miss out on because of needing to be segregated. Gaelic games and rugby games are so much more fun to go to because of how much the fans mix.
04 Apr 2026 12:48:07
Ken, what I'm saying is the Irish authorities have recent history in dealing with far bigger issues than some drunken ejits at a football match.
The Irish fans always do themselves proud wherever they go, and I don't think anyone is suggesting that if there was to be any trouble at this game that it would be the Irish fans. It's the traveling English fans, who, it is being suggested, could cause trouble.
All I'm saying is, given everything Ireland has dealt with, that it would be foolish for English fans to try and start trouble over there.
I certainly don't want to make this into a political debate.
I accept that I am woefully ill-equipped to discuss the intricate details of the problems that have happened in Ireland. I'm just highlighting that they have dealt with far worse than some drunken football fans trying to start a scrap.
For what it's worth, I don't think any of the fans who would look to start trouble will likely travel to Ireland for a pre-season game anyway. Certainly not in the kind of numbers that would actually pose a serious problem. I'd imagine 90% plus of the stadium will be filled with local Irish fans taking the opportunity to watch Manchester United without the expense of crossing the Irish Sea.
04 Apr 2026 13:26:42
I read Shappy's post and didn't interpret it that way at all, lads.
Not ignorant or dumb, Shappy. Thanks for the follow up post trying to clarify it, but there was no need at all.
04 Apr 2026 14:34:49
I hear Shappy, and yes there are eejits here too that can cause trouble, but as sporting fans on a mass scale, there is a completely different feel to what you experience in other countries when you go to major sporting events.
There are more issues with minor and junior parochial club games, to be honest.
The history surrounding the venue is worth a read, and intl matches were played there during the rebuilding of Lansdown Rd rugby too.
But the fact that 2 English teams are playing there is breaking new ground, and is most welcome, and a huge step forward that would be welcomed by the vast majority of the Irish people. It's hugely significant and great news.
04 Apr 2026 16:13:07
I'm sure it'll be a great event and will only be positive for Ireland. I might look and see if I can get a ticket. Being the summer holidays, I could take a few days off to enjoy the Emerald Isle.
02 Apr 2026 18:36:44
Looks like Barcelona will potentially not take up their 26m option on Rashford and who can blame them.
Played 28 mins in their last 4 games on bench for all r coming on in 2 of those games for a combined 28 min.
He got a few goals and assists early on but has been poor since turn of year.
If they don't buy I suppose we have 4 options
1. Loan him out somewhere else there is no way id loan him to them again.
2. Sell him elsewhere if he is agreeable.
3. If not agreeable for him to move elsewhere then I would not permit him to be involved with the squad and leave him in a Sancho situation completely exiled from the squad.
4. Which I don't think is viable would be to integrate him back in.
It was predicted he would do well early at Barcelona but imo it was also equally predictable that he would revert to type and become less impactful as times went on.
At 26m he should represent good value but sadly when you take his wages into account he is not worth that imo.
Will be interesting to see how this one develops.
02 Apr 2026 21:15:19
Barcelona may just be trying to get the fee down. I'm not sure of the legality of it, but, very obviously, if this is what they're playing at, we should tell them to p1ss off.
Rashford isn't willing to be humble enough to work on his weaknesses and be a team player, so I agree fully that integrating him back in is not viable.
I'd imagine if he drops his salary demands, we can get the 26M for him.
02 Apr 2026 21:41:09
Don't believe for a second Barca are doing anything other than trying to put the frighteners on everybody. They are just pressuring to try and get the price down.
If they do not want him, why have they discussed and agreed personal terms with the player and his camp? Flick is reportedly very happy with Rashford, not just for goals and assists, but also for his versatility and professionalism. Further, he has never caused any problems when benched or subbed off; this is appreciated by Flick.
Seemingly, Barca want to buy Julian Alvarez and Alessandro Bastoni this summer, and, given their well-known financial situation, they are desperately trying to save money to facilitate these deals. We have, apparently, told them the deal has been agreed, and we will not renegotiate and do not want another loan. So, pay up!
I have to say, I like the fact we are not just rolling over to their games.
There may well, ultimately, be some modification to the deal, but it has to be in our interests also.
I have no doubt, even if Barca walk away, there will be interest from other clubs. At the stated transfer fee of about £26m, and with the way fees are going, it is still a good opportunity for a club, and also his wages are not going to be at the level we are paying him.
We want the deal, Rashford wants the deal, and Barca want the deal. I am still optimistic.
We got our wage bill down £52m last financial year, and with Rashford off this year, along with other expected departures, a further decrease of £60m is on the cards. With Champions League money as well, it certainly improves our financial position. If we spend wisely this summer (as last year was), there is much reason for optimism.
02 Apr 2026 22:13:49
None of us on here are in the know enough to say whether Rashford can be integrated back into our squad. That's down to Carrick, or whoever the new head coach is, and Wilcox to decide.
All I know is we are in the market for a goalscoring left forward, when we already own one deemed good enough to be in the Barca squad, which is way ahead of ours right now.
03 Apr 2026 08:18:28
By whatever means, get rid. Otherwise, isolate him from our players. He has burned his bridges in my view.
03 Apr 2026 09:40:23
I'd agree, Fizz, he has burnt bridges with the majority of fans too.
I'd hate to see him back at United.
03 Apr 2026 20:26:52
I would take a bag of pegs.
04 Apr 2026 09:52:16
Not sure Rashford wants to come back. He seems happy at Barca, and I'm sure a deal will be done.
Can you imagine him sulking around OT again because the move wasn't made permanent. Not good for the squad.
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