Manchester United Banter
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26 Apr 2026 12:05:20
I see we're rewriting the Amorim narrative, I saw someone say that he would have got us to 3rd, yet Carrick is achieving pretty much 1 more point per game than Amorim did.
More importantly he has played a back 4, played Bruno as a 10 and restored Mainoo to the team, none of which was rocket science, all of which has had an impact.
Let's be clear, I don't think Carrick is the answer, but an inexperienced coach tweaked formation and selection and now we are third. RA seems like a lovely guy, but he was obstinate in his refusal to see what was in front of him, particularly Mainoo, who has yet to hit the heights but is light years ahead of Ugarte.
He shipped out some problem players but he refused to budge on his style or formation, although rumours are he had agreed to change it before he was sacked, we will never know.
It is possible to think RA and Carrick are both the wrong guys, it doesn't have to be an either or.
If you are still banging the RA drum then I respect your opinion, but I just don't see it.
Carrick has moved us up the table and pretty much guaranteed ECL for next season, even Bruno has expressed surprise at our position, but he is uninspiring and inexperienced, and the football is not great.
When Moyes got the job we talked about him not ticking any of the boxes such as actually having won something, European competition experience, track record of success, the 'right' kind of football, developing young players, Carrick misses most of those as a Manager, as do many others, and other than Enrique, I really do struggle to think of someone who would excite me.
Simeone speaks no English, Nagelsmann was laughed at by the Bayern players, Iraola looks great, but it's a big step up, Poch was once the next big thing but not any more. Mourinho anyone? 😬.
26 Apr 2026 12:57:05
It's just such a disingenuous framing. We had an entirely new forward division. The back 4 stuff is just your preference. It is immaterial. There are positives and negatives about every formation. You don't call Carrick stubborn for sticking to the same formation and style. The main problem under RA was that Licha wasn't fit. So Bruno was in the middle. We see the same issues with Carrick when Licha is out, and we can't progress the ball. I agree that he should have played Mainoo in CM earlier, but it is not blazingly clear to me that Mainoo was ready to start regularly.
Under Amorim, we created more chances and had a higher xG per game. We had a lot of luck go against us. Under Carrick, it has been the opposite. We've benefitted from a lot of luck, and it's undeniable our style of play has become far less open.
We moved up 1 or 2 places. That's it. And we could still finish 5th, so that'd be no change in position than under Amorim.
I can point out numerous flaws under Amorim. Mainly, he should've tried Mainoo more; his subs needed to be more proactive, etc. But I thought he was adapting. But I'm disinclined to discuss that way because you, (and a few more), are putting forward a narrative that ignores all the positives that were so obvious to the rest of us.
Maybe it's best to leave RA out of it and focus on the future, but that means not constantly making out like RA was incompetent, etc. I think we are in a much better position because of the decisions he made (loaning out Sancho, Antony, Rashford last year, leaving him with pretty much no attack in order to rebuild last summer, etc).
26 Apr 2026 12:59:45
Anybody saying RA would have done this, that, or the other is as daft as saying he wouldn't.
Neither can be proven, so it's just people trying to defend their previous opinions of when he was here.
I think he did some good things, put us in a much better position before he left in many ways, and made some silly mistakes, and now he is gone.
As for the next choice, Carrick has done well in terms of results as an interim.
I don't think it's enough to give him the job without serious consideration to several other candidates.
I've no preference at this point, but I'm hopeful that other candidates will be strongly considered.
I'm sure that the way things went and ended with RA will have shaken their confidence, but imo it's a time to be patient and brave for our management.
I hope they don't make a knee jerk decision.
Time for cool heads.
26 Apr 2026 13:11:15
I think Poch could be a really good fit for us. He's a nice balance of tactical adaptability and motivation. Seems like he's very good at managing players' egos, and has a non-abrasive personality. I liked what he did with Spurs, despite not being able to keep key players.
With the right coaching team around him, he could work.
Carrick has some of his personable traits. The big difference is that he has a coaching team that is more suited to a defence-first approach. Poch brings something more balanced.
26 Apr 2026 13:27:53
I like Poch, Danny, but he seems to have taken a strange direction.
Don, I know we disagree on this, which is fair enough, but I have no issue with someone being stubborn if they are returning 2 points per game. I'm not fully down on Ra, I absolutely do not think he is incompetent. I pointed out he was rejigging the personnel; I just didn't see where he was taking the team. And, as a lifelong United fan, the formation didn't sit well with me, but that's personnel preference.
And the Carrick-lucky, Amorim-unlucky framing, I'm not sure that stands up to scrutiny given some of the bizarre decisions we have seen lately.
As Ken says, it's done now so we have to look forward, still lots to be decided. It will be interesting to see where Ra goes next and how he does.
26 Apr 2026 13:54:15
Fair enough, AJH. On the lucky vs unlucky, I should point out that this is a more statistical view I'm taking. In that area, if a team constantly underperforms xG, a sizeable amount of that can be attributed to luck, and vice versa. It's obviously not all of it, but it's something that can be modelled to get a fair proportion. It's why I harp back (probably too much) to xG, as it gives a reasonable way to try to understand what is genuine improvement and what is luck. And it tells the clear story that Carrick has done better than performances warranted, and Amorim the opposite. In almost all cases, we see regression to the mean, i.e. in the long term, results correspond to average performances. So I'd expect Carrick to do worse than he is now, and expected results to upturn under Amorim.
What the actual true contribution from either, like Ken said, is not clear, since we don't have enough of a sample for either.
No doubt I'm inclined to give more leeway to Ra because of the change up in the forward division. And don't forget we started the season with Onana in goals, and then Bayindir. We've seen a clear improvement from having a competent keeper, but Lammens also needed time to settle.
I appreciate you saying the formation stuff is personal preference. Like yourself, I really hope we take the right decision with the next manager. I don't think Carrick is the right choice, but I'll back him if he is chosen.
26 Apr 2026 15:42:33
The football world has gotten a lot bigger over the last two decades. With money pouring in and billionaires and literal countries buying clubs, we now have a new wave of clubs with huge ambitions who want to get a seat at the top table.
The flip side is that the pool of elite managers simply can't keep pace with a growing list of rich clubs. Also, the competitiveness of top European football means time isn't a luxury managers are afforded.
Onto our own situation, I don't think we're at the level for an elite manager (like Enrique) to come in and succeed.
We probably need a Carrick to grow the team for another couple of years before we can challenge against the best clubs in Europe.
I'm not a fan of the board and the directors, but they have done well transfer-wise. Probably the 60th time writing this sentence on here over the years, but we're probably 2 or 3 decent windows away from getting close.
I'd let Carrick keep going, slow and steady, to hopefully improve. If he can't win trophies, hopefully he leaves the squad in a better place than he found it, then we push for a coach that has experience of getting over the line.
26 Apr 2026 16:59:21
Mumbles, I think there are signs he won't take the tough decisions we need to progress. Maguire's contract extension, for example. He's 3rd or 4th in our CB pecking order, but plays more often due to injuries to others. We don't win a league with him starting regularly. Another example is his comments about possibly reintegrating Rashford.
The Maguire one I partly understand, especially if he signed on the understanding he'll be backup and on a very reduced salary. But the Rashford comments are the type of player-first approach we've suffered from for years.
25 Apr 2026 00:52:22
Pep was 37 when he got the Barcelona job, Ancelotti was 36 when he got his first major coaching assignment. Carrick is 44. He's definitely not too young for the job. Like Pep when he first started, he knows the club inside out. For me, given the dearth of great managers out there likely to be available, he's got to be the leading candidate at the moment.
He's done quite well considering the overall quality of the players he's inherited. Could Pep or Carlo win the league with this squad? I don't think so. Arteta? Absolutely not. I like the idea of building some continuity around Carrick, not as manager, but as head coach.
25 Apr 2026 10:56:25
I'm not sure I agree. Apart from a couple of games against City and Arsenal, the performances have been pretty poor.
He's got some results, but not always deserved.
In the last few games the players have looked slow and shown a complete lack of energy.
Is that down to the laid-back training?
Not saying Carrick would be a disaster, but you need the best you can get in every position, including head coach. And I don't think Carrick is the best out there.
That being said, I think he will get the job full time.
25 Apr 2026 11:08:16
We have definitely regressed in our play under Carrick. Too many are swayed by short-term results and the first couple of performances. But we've had a lot of luck, and most of our performances have been quite poor. It is entirely reminiscent of when Ole was hired. It would be an awful error to ignore the signals.
The raw facts are that we're 3rd, and were 5th when he took over. We had the best xG for most of the season before Carrick came in, and now are 4th.
So, it's indicative that we have become less attacking. It has helped in getting results, but it has meant the patterns of play being established have largely gone. I don't want to be too negative. He came in and helped results because he understands the league better, but I just don't see that as being enough to hand him one of the biggest jobs in world football.
There are plenty of good coaches out there.
25 Apr 2026 11:29:18
Forget about what Carrick has done or not since he arrived at Utd.
Utd need a Head Coach.
Is Carrick the best coach available? Would he even be considered if starting from a blank slate?
I don't think so.
25 Apr 2026 12:34:12
I think he is going to get it donred.
I would never let the decision to give Ole the job sway me in my mind that Carrick isn't right for it. I think they are two very different characters, and two very different managers.
I would prefer someone like Enrique, maybe even look to Iraola, as I see him as an excellent coach who has already proven he can cope in this league.
But, the powers that be will know their own mind, and I have to trust in the process when it comes to the footballing decisions.
Yes, RA was a mistake, but I believe that Ratcliffe and co are allowed a couple of them until they get it right.
Most important right now, is ensuring that recruitment is correct and that they get a better balance in the squad, because that is really going to help whoever they choose to be manager.
25 Apr 2026 12:50:22
We disagree on RA, Angel. I think he vastly improved the squad and put in a really improved style of play. We were absolutely dreadful when he arrived. He was part of really improved recruitment. He needed to adjust to the league, and should have done so quicker, but every sign pointed positively with him imo.
He would still be in the job if he were less emotional.
I agree with the rest of what you said though.
25 Apr 2026 13:42:36
I know DonRed, but I just cannot look past his results, style of play, and, most importantly, his reluctance to use a talent like Kobbie. Overall, the positives were few and far between, and the facts and stats speak for themselves.
I don't think he is a bad coach, far from it; he just wasn't right for this club at this time, and it will be seen as a mistake regardless of our opinions.
By the way, you are probably right about that, and I think if he was a bit more mature, less emotional, he may have done a lot better, but this wasn't the right time for him.
He may very well have done well, but elsewhere.
On recruitment, I think it's quite clear the signings are not based on who the coach is. I think the club are very motivated to have a style of play at the club and then buy the right players, and the manager may have a slight say, but that's all it will be.
25 Apr 2026 16:49:44
I agree with DonRed on RA. If we're talking about building continuity, we should have ridden it out with RA, because I do think the long-term would have been positive.
Can anyone see Carrick being manager for 3 or 4 years? I think the answer is no - I haven't seen anything to say he isn't one-dimensional, except for the bizarre selection choices against Leeds.
Even against Chelsea, where we left with everyone singing praises and feeling positive, they hit the bar 3 times and we had one shot on target. That's not grinding out results, that's just luck, and it has to break at some point.
25 Apr 2026 17:09:59
Does he even need to 'get it'? Unless he wants it and will walk without, keep him until we get who we want. Whoever that is. Whether it's by going to get someone, or waiting until they're available.
If it's supposedly a club structure, and he's the coach, then he'll follow the club approach.
25 Apr 2026 20:40:30
So Carricks age at 44 now means he is suitable, heard it all now. His CV is totally and completely inadequate but hey he isn't too old.
Some point the United emotional nonsense where ex players suddenly are seen as above world class managers because they know the club, needs to stop.
Carrick isn't good enough, is a poor choice. However, It's a good choice for the Glazers and SJR because the United fans are easily emotionally led and let's the owners
26 Apr 2026 06:07:44
If new reports are to be believed, you'll all get your wish that it's not Carrick.
Southgate being lined up with Carrick and Holland as coaches for next season.
26 Apr 2026 06:16:25
Forget everything I said and get Carrick signed up. Southgate is the last person we need.
26 Apr 2026 07:53:11
Southgate would be another error. Monumental error. The Glazers just want profit and their dividends back, SJR allegedly wants success, but to me, appointing Carrick, or worse, Southgate, is a terrible error. If they appoint either, it would be clear they are utterly clueless.
The answer is we need to get the Glazers and Ratcliffe out of the club. Now, before they condemn us to mediocrity.
26 Apr 2026 07:58:57
I very much agree with DonRed, jd123, and Red Man re RA.
Carrick and Holland are Southgate.
26 Apr 2026 08:02:35
Carrick can obviously handle the current team and the squad as it is right now.
Can he rip it up (what it needs) and build a title winning team within 12mths?
Maybe.
He wasn't my first choice post Amorim; it wasn't even my 10th choice, but he was selected, and he has, as it stands, got us to third and on the cusp of UCL qualification.
Amorim would also have achieved this, but that is besides the point.
I would like the names to be put on the table so we can see who is being considered, highly unlikely, but I would love to know who is in contention.
26 Apr 2026 12:25:17
The names post World Cup would presumably include Nagelsman, Pochettino, along with Hoeness (who I think is a really strong shout). Enrique is the dream, but that seems very optimistic, if PSG win the CL again this year, I can't see him moving. Iraola and Glasner would both have to rank higher than Carrick too. Possibly Maresca too.
Going further afield, Thiago Motta had a bad experience at Juve, but they were a shambles and he was very highly rated before it, so he may be one to look at. I can imagine Carrick being considered in a second tier of options, but there are plenty in that first tier that wouldn't require large compensation fees.
24 Apr 2026 21:42:06
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new player profile about, Andy Robertson
24 Apr 2026 10:22:26
Seeing De Ligt back on the grass, good news but had me thinking how bad the summer transfer windows were under ETHs time in charge.
Window 1:
Licha - injury prone but good player
Casemiro - Expensive but overall worth it all things considered.
Antony - Useless
Window 2:
Onana - Calamity
Hojlund - In over his head
Mount - Waste of Time and Money
Window 3:
De Ligt - Crocked
Zirkzee - Underwhelming
Ugarte - Useless
Mazraoui- Steady.
3/10 - 30% at a push successful recruitment rate.
24 Apr 2026 10:40:04
It was a disgrace, wasn't it?
24 Apr 2026 11:17:56
Yep, agreed, Jimbo. Not really blaming Erik ten Hag, although there was that weird thing with the SEG agency and Keith Voss.
My point is more around how sometimes we are probably better off not making a signing than signing someone for the sake of it.
Would the club have been any worse off if Mason Mount didn't join and we didn't sign someone lol?
Something to think about this summer imo.
24 Apr 2026 13:14:39
If you read Laurie Whitwell's insight into those windows, it was a complete shambles how we operated. The players we and he wanted against the players we got, and how much was paid for it.
There definitely seems to be a change in recruitment since Ratcliffe has come in.
I think Licha, Mount, de Ligt have been unfortunate. They are good players, but haven't been on the grass enough.
Maz, I think, has been good for us to be fair, and now needs a good run in the team, but I wouldn't have many complaints with him.
I like Zirkzee too, I think he is a very good player, but not what we needed at all.
But like I said, it seems to be running a lot smoother and this summer is so important. Whoever the manager is, we need more quality on the pitch and we need the money on the pitch. We are looking at 60 games next year.
24 Apr 2026 13:23:41
I would definitely be looking at getting rid of Mount. Absolute waste of space. It's irrelevant if he's a good player or not, he can't stay fit, end of.
24 Apr 2026 14:55:31
Can the club even break even with Mount if they were to sell him? A loan with an option to buy is a more likely scenario.
24 Apr 2026 16:25:57
Mad Hatter, probably not when you consider his injury record and the obscene amount of money he earns.
24 Apr 2026 17:25:17
I don't know Mount's length of contract, probably 5 years with an option for a further year, so we would have a book value of about 20m at the end of this season, and an exposure to about 20m in wages over the next 2 years. So we would need a fee in the region of 30m to break even after costs, pay off, etc.
I like Mount. All the coaches he has had speak about him in the highest of ways.
But he just can't stay fit.
2 big questions are, will a club be prepared to take a risk?
Will he move to a lesser club and what financial sacrifice is he prepared to make?
So a loan with an option to buy and a contribution to his wage is a possible outcome.
If the right deal can't be struck, we can only hope he stays fit next season. If he was fit and available, he would be a good asset in a 60 game season imo.
I could see a club like Newcastle or Villa taking a risk on him. I think Newcastle will have to wheel and deal a little this summer.
I usually don't enjoy the transfer windows at all, and I doubt I'll enjoy it from a United perspective with the endless title tattle and links to nowhere. But I think there will be a lot of clubs selling and buying on a bigger scale than usual, so I'll enjoy that. Throw in the WC delays into the mix, it will be carnage.
{Ed025's Note - i say put him up for sale at 50p and hope you get an offer Ken, terrible player even when fit mate..
24 Apr 2026 18:22:04
I feel for Mason. There's a very good player there.
24 Apr 2026 18:43:03
Mason Mount reminds me of Jesse Lingard. Except, he can't stay fit.
24 Apr 2026 18:12:22
Terrible player even when fit 😂😂 I mean he is definitely not that ed025.
{Ed025's Note - im afraid he is Angel mate...imo of course
24 Apr 2026 19:46:29
Good player for me when fit, but therein lies the problem. It's been too long since he has proved he is good.
It's hard to see a move coming. Sick notes usually tend to hang around due to lack of better options.
24 Apr 2026 21:40:29
I'd happily sell the lot.
Licha, with a heavy heart, is not it.
24 Apr 2026 22:39:20
You can not be terrible to play at that level, mate. Hyperbole at its finest right there.
{Ed025's Note - why do you think Chelsea could not wait go get rid of him?, him being injured so much has helped UTD no end if you ask me Angel mate..
25 Apr 2026 07:05:05
I dunno, Angel.
There have been a few shockers over the years and not just at United.
25 Apr 2026 11:36:16
You don't know keefy? That he's terrible or not? I mean come on, he's not a terrible player. Come down sunday league and I'll show you some terrible players lol.
Ed, I like him. It's his injuries that hold him back and that's why Chelsea couldn't wait to get rid of him. I mean Chelsea have really done well with their recruitment 😂
{Ed025's Note - i thought he was awful at Chelsea Angel and i cant for the life of me understand why you ever went in for him mate..
26 Apr 2026 03:11:23
No Angel, that's not what I meant at all. I meant there are some shocking players that have milked a few seasons out of the EPL.
26 Apr 2026 06:11:14
I don't agree Mount is an "awful" or "terrible" player, but I have absolutely no idea why we bought him, and here we thought he was supposed to play?
26 Apr 2026 06:30:46
He was Chelsea's player of the season for two years before he join United though Ed. The reason why Chelsea sold him was because he didn't want to sign a new contract with them so instead of letting him leave on a free, they sold him. Ultimately though, he can't stay fit after moving to United so he is an overall poor buy
{Ed025's Note - its all about opinions Drac i suppose, i have never been a big fan myself mate and i just go on what i have seen with my own eyes, availability has to be a major factor and his injury record makes me class him as a dud..
24 Apr 2026 08:01:12
I watched the U18 Premier League Cup final on Wednesday night. We lost on penalties to Palace.
We were ahead 1-0 and had so many chances to finish the game. JJ and Chido were both very wasteful, and as so often happens, we were sucker-punched in added time, made worse by it being a dodgy decision. Albert Mills was sent off for a last man foul, which started a long way from the area but carried on into the box.
The ref gave a penalty. The sending off was correct, but with 2 mins left we would have likely held out but for the ref giving a penalty.
A disappointing night, we should have been out of sight, onwards and upwards to the FA Youth Cup final.
24 Apr 2026 10:02:26
Ajh, as we know, Jj is considered the most talented, but I'm always impressed a lot by Thwaites, Healfu and, more recently, Ajayi. It's a very good bunch of players in that group, and I'm hopeful a handful might make it here.
24 Apr 2026 10:41:16
Thwaites is absolute class.
24 Apr 2026 13:23:32
Agree, Jimbo. He looks a very good player. Now he is a few years younger than Kobbie. 😉
25 Apr 2026 06:20:07
Love it, angel. 😁
I see Thwaites as having the potential to sit in the 10 spot quite nicely. He should be sat in the first team next year, learning from the best in the business.
25 Apr 2026 12:25:18
He does look a good player, I must admit, but it is very hard to tell how they might fit in the senior team.
Most importantly, we need 2 excellent CMs for next season. It means we can bed the younger players in nicely for cup games, cameo appearances in the league, etc.
That way, it will help players like Thwaites succeed.
This summer's window is so bloody important, I know I keep banging on about it, but 3/4 signings of quality are really going to push us on and help whoever the manager is succeed.
23 Apr 2026 17:47:34
Hypothetically, if Spurs were relegated, which of their players would you want utd to go for?
Van De Ven, Porro, Palhinha?
A fit Kudus or Kulusevski?
Solanke/Richarlison?
Not many names jump at me as making us better.
23 Apr 2026 18:46:46
Kulusevski is the best if that bunch, but is coming back from injury, and his best position is Bruno's one.
Honestly, after the past two seasons, I wouldn't want any of their players at the club.
23 Apr 2026 20:35:43
Gray is the only one that has shown any fight.
23 Apr 2026 21:23:04
Wouldn't mind Djed Spence.
23 Apr 2026 22:36:56
Archie Gray is the only one who I'd seriously consider if Spurs go down.
I saw him play for Leeds a few years back, and it was obvious that he was going to be a great player.
Van De Ven is a player I'd actually avoid. His positioning and defensive reading of the game is terrible.
Probably because he can rely on his speed to dig him out, but he's already started to pick up a few muscle injuries. I wouldn't be surprised if he's pretty much finished by the time he's 28, struggling to make 100 appearances in a top flight league after he turns 28.
24 Apr 2026 00:43:04
Loads of good quality players at Spurs.
Not many have played well this season, but I think there are lots of players there that would enhance our squad, or a few others, and play better at a new club.
Bergval and Gray would both do well at United imo. I'd argue Solanke is a better cf than Zirkzee. Spence is at least as good as Dalot imo.
Romero looks like he has been trying to get sent off in games, and, while I'm quite happy to have a bit of a loon at cb, he seems to be all over the place.
Porro is better than Dalot and Maz imo.
It will be interesting to see how many they can sell or have to sell. Not all players will be sold, obviously.
Perhaps the likes of Bergval and Gray will be kept, as they will be on lesser wages and are still very young.
{Ed001's Note - loads? There is one - Kulusevski. The rest are not good quality.}
24 Apr 2026 05:34:22
What if West Ham go down....
I'd be trying to snap up
Diouf
Fernandes
Disasi
In that order.
{Ed001's Note - Disasi is on loan from Chelsea why not try and snap him up anyway?}
24 Apr 2026 06:20:57
I think we should be trying to sign Fernandez anyway, he looks like he could make the step up with a bigger team.
24 Apr 2026 07:24:04
Agree Ed001, he has been class since his loan. Same as the other two players. All three would improve our team.
{Ed001's Note - I don't think he is a good player, he is very limited and just suits the way Nuno sets the team up to sit back and doesn't let his defenders get on the ball. You tend to give your defenders the ball at times and want to play football, he would just revert to being 'Disaster' like he was before.}
24 Apr 2026 08:39:00
Not seen enough of Fernandes, but lots of noise about his potential, especially as maybe the 3rd CM brought in to be part of the rotation next year. Personally, I like Gomez at Wolves as this option, and think he would add quite a bit to what we have.....
not hard from the current crop after Casemiro/Mainoo
Always thought Van de Ven was decent, and maybe has just lost his way and not been well coached.
24 Apr 2026 09:15:27
Wouldn't look at any Tottenham players. I'd be looking at Wolves players before Tottenham, to be honest!
24 Apr 2026 09:21:29
Ed interesting that you single out Kulusevski alone, don't you think Kudus is as good a player?
Also good shout on Desasi, I believe same, he is played to his strengths.
{Ed001's Note - Kudus has a crap attitude, very much plays for himself rather than the team. Shame because he has great ability and I love watching him but he is not helpful to a team looking to win trophies regularly. Bit like Fernandes at West Ham, the ability is there but the attitude is wrong. Fernandes is great when things are going well, but when it is going badly, as he showed for Southampton and at West Ham initially, he just throws his arms up in the air and stands around hands on hips. Even when it was him giving the ball away, he would be too busy stropping and flouncing about like Kevin the teenager to chase and work and attempt to win it back. I hate to see that and it is not conducive to a team ethic.}
24 Apr 2026 17:17:30
Jarred Bowen. Only one I'd take.
24 Apr 2026 18:24:55
I'd take Porro. A full back that can actually score and assist.
25 Apr 2026 12:27:12
Eric, I have said for years, if I ever saw a United player, Bowen is the one. What a player, and person.100 percent all the time and we have lacked those over the years.
We need to ensure that we are buying food characters, fighter, workers as well as having that quality. Bowen ticks all those boxes.
Ed001, I agree, Kulisevski is very good but I have a sneaky suspicion they may look at someone like Van Der Ven
25 Apr 2026 23:11:32
Totally agree about Bowen. Can not understand why a bigger team than West Ham has not tried to buy him. He is a model pro.
Always puts a shift in. Scores and makes goals. Never gives trouble. Team player and skilful.
23 Apr 2026 17:10:57
What are people's thoughts on United taking on Maresca as manager?
He had a pretty good record at Chelsea and his style of play could suit Utd, although he would need better midfielders and fullbacks to make it work.
23 Apr 2026 17:29:50
Too much like Amorim; can be overly rigid, sticking to his system even when it does not suit the game, and his in-game management has been questioned.
That is not to say he is a bad coach. I think he will do well on the continent with a team that suits him, or he will end up in Manchester, just on the other side.
23 Apr 2026 17:37:52
That's a big fat no from me. I don't want Carrick either, but think it will be him.
Enrique would be the choice, but don't see him leaving PSG.
Not exactly a great bunch to pick from.
23 Apr 2026 20:36:28
I'd be violently sick across my laptop.
23 Apr 2026 21:16:34
I'd rather s*** in my hands and clap!
23 Apr 2026 21:52:31
It's going to be Carrick. There would have been some serious links or leaks if they were truly looking at anybody else.
To be fair to them, it's a tough situation. If they go with Carrick and he fails, they will get blamed for not choosing someone else.
If they choose someone else and he fails, they will get blamed for not sticking with Carrick.
Just have to hope that whichever way they go, the chosen one does alright and at least stays in and around the top 4 next season.
23 Apr 2026 23:08:31
So that's a No then? 😂
24 Apr 2026 08:18:10
I couldn't have put it better than Peter Griffin. 😂
23 Apr 2026 14:07:49
Pretty tough run in for us. All of the teams have something to play for at the moment, although Nf may become much more relaxed if they're out of the relegation battle. Technically any of the teams down to 12th could pass us if they win all their games.
Which of course they won't. And we lose all ours. A big performance on Monday would be great, but somehow one feels that this club will keep us all on tenterhooks for a while longer.
23 Apr 2026 17:37:17
We aren't suddenly going to lose all 5 games, and even if we did, we would likely still finish top 5.
23 Apr 2026 17:45:14
We have Brentford, Liverpool, Sunderland, Forest and Brighton.
Brighton have Newcastle, Wolves, Leeds, United.
Bournemouth have Palace, Fulham, City, Forest.
Chelsea have Leeds, Forest, Liverpool, Spurs, Sunderland.
Brentford have United, West Ham, City, Palace, Liverpool.
Of those currently outside the CL places, I think we have one of the better run ins. As you said, beat Brentford and only Brighton can catch us really.
23 Apr 2026 20:37:45
We also have something to play for....
23 Apr 2026 23:57:55
It would be some party if we lost to Brighton on last day, safe in 3rd, and they snatch 5th.
24 Apr 2026 09:29:20
Ken, I know it would go against the spirit of competition, but if we have 3rd or even 4th secured and Brighton need a win to get 5th, I'd love to have Ugarte, Malacia and Onana back for 1 game, all start!!
24 Apr 2026 11:35:03
Nah I don't like that thought, Ports. I remember Liverpool beating Blackburn on the last day of the season in 95. We just couldn't do our part and beat West Ham to win the league.
Be professional, but I wouldn't cry if we lost in those circumstances.
23 Apr 2026 13:28:29
Listening to Enrique in the lastest PSG press conference, he is going nowhere soon, already planning for next season with PSG. Think Chelsea will go for Iraola so we are sticking with Carrick or going for Naglesmann, I don't see too many options out there.
23 Apr 2026 15:23:20
If the club stay with Carrick, they are incompetent. That simple.
This, no or not too many options other than Carrick, is total nonsense.
23 Apr 2026 16:39:53
Appointing Carrick would be short sighted. I think he was an excellent choice for interim coach after Amorim because he is very light on tactical instructions when in possession. With the players clearly unhappy with the way Amorim overloaded them with instructions, Carrick gave them the freedom to play without the fear of not doing what the manager wanted.
This has worked to an extent. The first month was an attack playing without freedom and innovation. The problem is that everything in our attack hinges on Bruno, and, in the long term, we need a manager who is capable of striking a balance between allowing players a bit of freedom and coming up with different strategies to create chances that don't come through Bruno.
For me, Carrick was exactly what we needed to get Champions League this season. However, he hasn't shown enough to prove that he's the right person to get us back challenging for titles. The most damning thing is that the longer he has been in charge, the worse the performances have become. There's nothing to suggest that the early form was more than a post Amorim bounce.
23 Apr 2026 17:52:21
Chelsea were going for Filipe Luis, I heard, and Iraola is off to Spain as his family is homesick.
23 Apr 2026 20:39:57
I thought they had a slight interest in Silva also. Don't rule out Lampard.
23 Apr 2026 21:57:05
Fabregas has also been mentioned.
23 Apr 2026 22:39:44
Alright Red Man, I'll bite. Name me ten serious options who we could bring in who are definitively better than Carrick and who are available this summer and willing to join?
23 Apr 2026 23:31:50
Iraola
Naglesmann
Simeone
Emery
Pochettino
Allegri
Conte
Enrique
Id take all of those over Carrick.
24 Apr 2026 06:58:24
Shappy
Why ten?
We only need one manager.
12 days above has a list of better options; there are many more.
Carrick has no CV, and only the emotionally trapped United fans, who cannot see the danger here, are pushing the Carrick bandwagon. He is one of our own. Nonsense.
If SJR appoints Carrick, then it is his Moyes moment.
The club goes backwards for 12 months, pending the idiots at the top realising there is no real vision, just Southgate football.
Let's be honest. I am now worried that if they appoint Carrick, I may not live long enough to see us win the league or Champions League again. It would be that stupid by Ratcliffe.
24 Apr 2026 10:04:29
I don't know what will happen with the manager job. I think, on the surface, for some fans, it will feel like a Solskjaer decision, but I do think circumstances and personnel within the team are very different now. No more Lindgards, Pogba's, Martial's, or Rashford's. We have a lot better characters around now, and more experienced coaching staff around also, and also a more structured, more football experienced hierarchy.
But, I do think the transfer window is more important than the manager decision this summer. I'd take a good transfer window with Carrick manager over a poor transfer window, but a more experienced coach.
24 Apr 2026 10:24:34
Ports
We need a leader as a manager. Carrick isn't it.
I was 13 years younger when the idiots appointed Moyes. If it happens again with Carrick, they get the club they deserve. Pathetic lack of decision making.
24 Apr 2026 13:08:18
I agree with Red Man on this one.
There are plenty of managers out there that can do a very good job.
24 Apr 2026 18:30:10
Comparing Carrick with Ole is a bit silly.
Amorim cleared out a lot of the bad 'uns.
Totally different circumstances.
23 Apr 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Kloppo05 has posted a new article entitled, Why Slot Feels Wrong for Liverpool
23 Apr 2026 16:05:57
Nooo, Slot is great for Liverpool. Stick with it, lad, he's doing a fine job. 👍
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