Manchester United Banter

11 Aug 2026 14:23:41
I'd be interested to hear what everyone would feel is a realistic and respectable finish for United in the upcoming season?

I am more of a reader of this site than a contributor but I'm getting the sense that there are a lot of fans who are not happy with the ambitions of the club? It's not everyone and there are some level headed and realistic fans but I'm really interested to hear where people think we actually are.

I get that we have a range of ages in the fanbase and some of us, including myself, have seen great success at the club. I get it's hard to see the demise over the last few years and the impact of the glazers but putting that aside, the reality is we are a top 8 side at best for me.

I thought we did really well last year finishing where we did and if we get anywhere close to that this year I'd be ecstatic. I see top 6 and qualifying for the latter rounds of the champions league as a great success. My view at present is we need to go right back to basics and get a team who can get into the champions league spaces each year before we consider anything. I do think it's optimistic for the clubs hierarchy to sell a vision of winning the league before 2030, but if we can establish ourselves as top 5 year in year out by 2030 I think we will be doing very well. Add to that a few trophies here and there and consistent showings in the champions league, then would I be wanting titles and upset with the current or lack of purchases we are making.

The reason I am posting this is I'm seeing people whinge about us not buying top class names and reintroducing rashford into the squad. I think the bottom line is we ain't a draw anymore. I'm not saying it's right as well and want rid of the glazers but we also don't have an infinite amount of money. Right now we need to be tactical with our purchases and over the last two windows I've felt the recruitment has been very good not only with first team talent but the amount of youngsters coming in. Particularly Heaven who looks to be a massive money maker. Yes we need more and we are desperate for full backs in my opinion but I think this is a huge positive in the last 3 years with a clear vision of getting players to reach the first milestone of getting consistent top 5. Only then can we buy big name players to get titles.

As for rashford, I don't know why he is still here, but he is and he's much better in the squad than out of it. I feel it's going to take another 3 years to totally bleed the squad of the players we no longer want I. e shaw, Dalot, rashford etc due to the stupid contracts that were given. Unfortunately we need those contracts to end to get rid of them but in the meantime buy players to add value, on reasonable wages and who will either be big players for us in the future or great squad players as they get replaced by those big marquee signings.

11 Aug 2026 16:30:38
Anywhere from 3rd to 6th. I'd have us likelier to be 3rd, as we've added two really good starting XI level options, and our forwards will continue their build up of understanding. Our squad will be pushed more, so I don't see us doing much damage in the bigger cup competitions.

11 Aug 2026 16:39:22
I think City and Arsenal will dominate, but the other places are up for grabs. I don't see Spurs as high as others do. They have been dreadful for 2 years, and a lot of new players will take some settling in.

We shall see if Iraola can step up. I'm yet to be convinced.

My hopes are we finish at least 3rd, compete for a cup, and, just as importantly, play good football.

11 Aug 2026 17:40:15
Adam

Depends on whether we buy the three players needed. If we do, I think we can look upwards in third and see. If we stay as is, 5th or 6th.

11 Aug 2026 18:10:09
Anywhere between 5th and 2nd, but much depends on how our rivals play.

For example, we could play poor football, scrape a load of 1 goal wins, get a lot of luck and finish 2nd because everyone else is crap.

Or, we could play great, exciting, entertaining football, win several games by big margins, get a little unlucky from time to time and finish 5th because other teams were also very good, had a shade more luck than us, and we just lacked a little experience and quality in depth.

Which of those two scenarios is the better season, and which would you rather live through?

For most, the first one, playing poorly but finishing 2nd looks better in the history books, and could be argued was the better season. But has it really moved us forward as a team, or do we just slide back again the following season when the luck abandons us and everyone else improves?

While I'd argue the second scenario is better for us and would be a better season.

Sure, results-wise, it looks a step backwards, but if other teams have had better seasons than last time out and we got a little unlucky, those things are out of our hands. While the team improving in how they play, and, as fans, us being entertained and enjoying our club again, that for me is a big factor when measuring success. It also moves us further forward as a team, making subsequent seasons more likely to yield success.

The issue with judging whether a season has been a success or not is made very difficult due to context and variables that are often overlooked or beyond our control.

11 Aug 2026 18:14:00
If we finish similar to last year in the PL, 3rd or 4th, I think that would be acceptable.

The bigger issue for me is the Champions League. Our last few entries into the competition have been awful under Erik ten Hag (thanks Onana) and Ole (managed to beat PSG away and still not get out of the group, remember that Demba Ba goal in Turkey lol).



If we don't get out of the group stage this time, now that it's even easier to qualify, I think that's a sackable offence in my opinion.

11 Aug 2026 18:53:10
It seems we all think top six then, which to me is our level then. That would be back to back seasons with European football, which puts us on a path of stability. I think we need to remember that the past two seasons we finished in 8th and 15th, both outside the major European places, and, if not for a very lucky FA Cup, would have meant Conference League.

Shappy, I actually feel finishing 2nd playing none expansive football would be a lot better this year than trying to get the team to play good football. If we were lucky enough to finish second, that would be a 3rd and 2nd place finish in two years, showing consistency and improvement.

At this moment in time, we need to build stability. We've tried getting a style with Amorim and both the board and fans couldn't let it happen. Right now, let's get the winning mentality back and then worry about attracting the players to play good football. Everybody hated Arsenal last year, but I guarantee they will be a lot more dynamic next season with that title behind them.

One thing is for sure, though. There seems to be a lot of positivity, if you ask that question, that we are a top 5 team. We seem to be moving in the right direction, especially from an 8th and 15th finish.

11 Aug 2026 18:54:59
We can win it, and we should be looking to win it.

11 Aug 2026 19:15:49
Banjoe

We should, but money in the bank, later for dividends, doesn't win leagues.

11 Aug 2026 19:55:14
That's probably true Redman, but I'm a hopeless dreamer. 😁

11 Aug 2026 21:02:38
We have spent nearly 2 billion in 10 years without winning a league, and Chelsea are the highest.

Money does not equal league titles.

11 Aug 2026 21:05:55
You know my answer!!
Champions.

12 Aug 2026 00:29:26
The only respectable finish for United this season is 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Anything less is going backwards. It's what I've been banging on about for the past few weeks. If the goal is to win titles, you need to improve every season.

With the current squad, I think we'll struggle to maintain 3rd, let alone push Arsenal and City.

11 Aug 2026 14:03:01
Let's all make arses of ourselves and have our best guess at what this season will bring.

Answer the following questions and test your sanity if you dare. 😂

Top four:
1. Arsenal
2. Manchester United
3. Liverpool
4. Spurs

UCL winner: Bayern Munich

FA Cup winner: Manchester United

League Cup winner: Man City

Manchester United player of the season: Senne Lammens

Manchester United best summer signing: Andrey Santos

Manchester United top scorer: Bryan Mbeumo

Three teams to be relegated: Ipswich, Coventry, Hull

Biggest surprise team in the league: Tottenham Hotspur (finish 4th).



Let's see how close we can actually get.

11 Aug 2026 14:38:44
I'll do a top 5 now that qualifies you for Champs.
Arsenal
Chelsea
City
Liverpool
United

UCL - Madrid
FA Cup - Chelsea
League Cup - Brentford
Biggest surprise - Coventry top half.

11 Aug 2026 14:52:46
Forgot to add.

Player of the season, Bruno.
Signing of the season, there's only two of them.
Top scorer Mbeumo.

Relegated.
Hull
Ipswich
Leeds.

11 Aug 2026 15:09:29
Top four:
1. Manchester United - It's happening!!
2. Manchester City
3. Arsenal
4. Spurs

UCL winner: Real Madrid - Jose's first season before it falls off.

FA Cup winner: Spurs.

League Cup winner: Man City.

Manchester United player of the season: Tielmans.

Manchester United best summer signing: Tielmans.



Manchester United top scorer: Sesko. Starting to think that we will not get Hall, so looking at Raum as FB option, and Sesko would love this.

Three teams to be relegated: Ipswich, Hull, Sunderland.

Biggest surprise team in the league: Manchester United ... 21 is coming!!

11 Aug 2026 15:19:53
Top 4.
United.
Arsenal.
City.
Chelsea.

FA Cup: United.
League Cup: United.
CL: United.

Relegated.
Hull, Ipswich, Coventry.
United player of the season: Bruno.
Best signing: Santos.
Top scorer: Sesko.
Surprise team: Spurs.

11 Aug 2026 16:43:00
Ken's been on the sherry.

11 Aug 2026 17:02:03
Not at all. I'm not putting money on it. But I go in to every game, hoping and expecting to win. If we don't, no skin off my nose.

11 Aug 2026 19:27:43
Utd
Arsenal
Man City
Villa
Liverpool
Chelsea

Bournemouth
Hull
Ipswich

UCL Utd
FA Cup Utd
League Cup Chelsea

Yeah, a treble and.

11 Aug 2026 20:44:34
Top four:
1. Arsenal
2. Manchester City
3. Chelsea
4. Manchester United
5. Liverpool.

UCL winner: Real Madrid.

FA Cup winner: Arsenal.

League Cup winner: Liverpool.

Manchester United player of the season: Bruno Fernandes.

Manchester United best summer signing:
Santos (not much choice at the moment).

Manchester United top scorer: Cunha.

Three teams to be relegated: Ipswich, Fulham, Hull.

Biggest surprise team in the league: Coventry.

11 Aug 2026 22:28:48
Feckin loopy juice on here. Love it.

Utd fill the board, 4 trophies.

Surprise team Arsenal, relegated for the first time in their history.

11 Aug 2026 23:59:37
Top Four: United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea.

UCL: Barcelona.

FA Cup: Arsenal.

League Cup: City.

11 Aug 2026 11:13:13
Call me harsh but Rashford really shouldn't have been let back into the squad at all, I mean why would you want to come back to an inconsistent environment anyway? 🤔

Also hampers our plans in the market, in my opinion, since the money savers will say he can cover upfront so no need for another 9 and 2 on the left wing pushes Dorgu further back so essentially have 2 lbs so again, no need to sign a lb.



Saw the clip of him jogging around against Luton I believe and it's infuriating! Was absolutely buzzing when Amorim got rid of him and now he's back. Best in class. 😂😂😂

Kalvin Phillips would still be a solid back up for us had we signed him instead of City! Or Tomiyasu from Arsenal!

11 Aug 2026 11:45:51
We have this knack of allowing players to be at the club longer than they should. It goes back to players like Phil Jones, Martial, Fred, etc.

We still have it now in the squad. The fact that players like Dalot are still here, I think it's his 9th season; Maguire his 8th season, Luke Shaw.

And I wonder why we have not won a title for so long. Too many players are kept for far too long, and Rashford is another one. Big wages, but him telling the club unless a big team come in he's not going. Players dictating when they leave; he will be another one that will leave on a free.

Do people remember the lack of effort this so called United fan put in.

Difficult to sell when he doesn't want to leave and his wages are one of the top earners.



But this squad is not good enough at all. We've signed two players in Teliemans and Santos.

We knew we needed 6/7 players. The recruitment team have been poor so far, and with the season about to start they should have already had the players in that were needed.

It's not about overpaying, the market is what it is. We needed players to be signed for the starting 11 and pushing to be in the starting 11.

Personally, imo we will struggle defensively as you can't trust Martinez and de Ligt to be fit. Maz and Dalot are not good enough, and Heaven and Yoro are very young.

It doesn't help when you can't make any sales. We've sold no one this summer. Hojland was agreed last year, and we've lost a few on free transfers.

11 Aug 2026 12:12:02
We sold Vitek.

11 Aug 2026 12:39:32
Ideally Rashford would be sold. That's no doubt what the club would prefer. But, since to date there have been no offers acceptable to both him and the club, the club has to try and reintegrate him. To freeze him out, simply destroys his market value completely. We'll end up having to loan him out for even less than his wages.

Everyone has their own opinions about Rashford. I don't think anyone is condoning his past behaviour, but the situation is what it is.

It's one of the club's own making.

Meanwhile, the subject has been done to death. Just wait and see. He may still be found another home. If not, he may end up being a +ve, or he may stink up the place. No one knows. In the meantime, this constant repetition of all the negatives is becoming extremely tedious. Please, think of something else to whine about.

11 Aug 2026 13:16:32
I hate to say it again, but the moment Carrick was appointed, it was clear we were back on the slippery slope to everything we have done wrong in the last 10+ years. The Rashford situation is the next major example, and I highly expect a poor start to the season to pile the pressure on yet another management change.

Perhaps Rooney could be next from the old stock to have his 6 months?

11 Aug 2026 13:23:30
The nattering nabobs of negativity are out in force this morning.

11 Aug 2026 13:35:32
Welcoming Rashford back, a poor influence, is a poor, weak decision. Reflects the difference between a leader in Amorim and a weak coach in Carrick.

Oh, if he stays, I suspect Rashford will have a few games where people will say he is back. Then, it will slip and old moody will appear.

It's also not what is on the pitch, it's the message they have given now. Poor all round. Should have been out the door a long while ago, no matter what it cost.

As for the happy clappy seal idiots saying give Cunha's 10 shirt to Rashford, it amply shows why we haven't been successful for 13 years.

11 Aug 2026 13:36:06
On Rashford, currently nobody wants to buy or loan him, so what are the options?

1) Don't integrate him back into the squad and leave him training with the kids while earning 300 grand a week?

2) Integrate him back into the squad, which gives us an extra option up top, either on the left or down the middle.



If United could get rid of him, they would, but they are stuck with him, so it's better to try and get some use out of him. He is more than capable of playing a role for us this year, and, who knows, might be useful.

11 Aug 2026 13:41:46
Personally, 300k for him to be in the reserves is money well spent to keep his attitude and laziness away from the rest of the squad. Amorim was doing a good job of removing the bad apples. The last thing we need is Rashford starting another infection in the squad.

11 Aug 2026 13:49:03
We haven't sold anyone of note that we should be selling.

Why's Vitek not been kept as back up, sold instead, and then gone and got Darlow on a free.

What's negative about wanting the club to show some ambition, "newnameoldideas"?

It's not a secret, when we get Champs football we don't invest in the team as much. If you're happy with the squad going into the season, that's your opinion to have.



Mine is the opposite, doesn't mean I'm negative.

Big PR made when Rashford was loaned out originally, how we were not having players like him around the club no more, bomb squad they called it, and now he's been allowed back into the team.

That's negativity there.

11 Aug 2026 13:50:22
I've got a rotten mouldy fish for sale, it stinks and will likely kill you if you try and eat it. Any takers?

What, no one wants it? I guess I'm stuck with it then.

Which about sums up our situation with Marcus Rashford. We can't sell him unless someone is willing to buy him. The only other option we have is to pay up the remaining two years of his contract (circa 15m per year, so around 30m) and pay him off to leave on a free.

We can't sell him if no one will buy him.

We can't loan him unless we have both a club prepared to take on the bulk of his salary, and he is willing to join them.

We could pay him off, but that effectively amounts to us spending the money we would need to buy a replacement to get him out the door, thus leaving us with no money for the replacement.

We can't force him to train with the academy/reserves, as his contract will protect him from that unless very specific criteria are met (which they won't be).

Besides, would we really want him sulking with the impressionable academy lads?

Therefore, the only option the club has, if they can't find a suitable deal for him to move, is to reintegrate him back into the first team squad and then try and get the best out of him.

It's not an ideal situation, but in truth you rarely find yourself in ideal situations in life.

Hopefully, Carrick and the other coaches can tease the best out of him. If not, then it might be easier to find a move for him next summer. Certainly he'll probably be more open to accept moves next summer that he might not consider this summer. With him being 29 at that point, and with the Euros and a potential place with England in what could be his last tournament on the line.

11 Aug 2026 14:50:57
Teams are interested. He's just not interested in leaving, he earns top money here, when he won't get anywhere else, which is our own fault.

He has got a lot of work to do to be accepted back into this team.

Stinking the place out last time he was here, walking around giving no effort.

11 Aug 2026 15:28:35
If Carrick wants him, it's really strong management. He won't get swayed by the negative nellies.
If he thinks it's right, then it's right. He is the manager, and he is managing.
Not managing the way Trumpman wants, but thankfully his views are totally irrelevant.
I don't like it, but that's life. I'm not the one that had to justify the decision.


If, at the end of the season, Carrick looks back and can point to a series of positives, then he will be happy.
If not, it could be the sword he falls on. But, he is a big boy, so he will stand over his decision.
I'm still hoping somebody comes in for him, but it's looking less likely.

11 Aug 2026 16:44:10
We are yet to see how strong Carrick is. It would be good to find out how big his balls are.

11 Aug 2026 21:11:05
Vitek wanted, rightfully, first team minutes. Would you throw Lammens to the side for half the season to satisfy those demands, or set him free to develop with a buy back clause inserted? Seems like decent business to me.

11 Aug 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Sunshine supporter FC has posted a new article entitled, Rangers Fans Demand Answers After Another Mess

10 Aug 2026 11:23:01
Putting aside all the transfer discussions for a moment, the team had been looking sharp in pre-season, and we still have players to come back.

I know it's only pre-season, but over several games you start to get a feel for things, and so far the feels are good.

Lammens, Cunha, Sesko, and Martinez still to play, but the team has a good shape, a high press, and a lot of energy.

We got a lot of points under Carrick last year, but performances were often dull and uninspiring. I'm hoping for more excitement this year.

10 Aug 2026 12:02:47
You can see what the team is trying to do under Carrick. He started to implement a different style last season, but with games and all the distractions, it is hard to put that into place during a season.

This pre-season, you can see he and his coaches have used the time to embed a style of play, and we are looking good for it. It might be that it's better to start the season mostly with the players who have been here for all/most of the pre-season, and then slowly integrate the late arrivals into the team after they've had more time to train with this new style and with this new squad.



There is a reason why 10 of the 20 EPL teams have replaced their manager over the summer, to give them the best chance to train their new squads in the tactics they want them to play.

Carrick, in that regard, has a slight advantage over those managers, having had longer to assess his squad, to implement his style, and to have a more informed input into the summer recruitment.

I'm really looking forward to this season. I have a good feeling about it.

10 Aug 2026 12:13:58
I agree, Shaps, a more dynamic style of play would be very welcome.

I also hope a couple of youngsters get some proper game time, Lacey and Tyler Fletch.

The club rates them very highly, so let's give them a run, and let's be patient with them. Not every youngster is a Rooney, Owen, or Rashford who all looked great in their teens.

10 Aug 2026 17:06:35
I'm looking forward to the session, AJH.
Not sure how we will do, lots of unknowns.
Hopeful but not confident is how I feel.

10 Aug 2026 19:51:59
I want to be positive and then I think about how I usually analyse the season ahead and our rivals. I ask myself how many of our players would get into the first teams of last year's top two teams ahead of their players.

On that basis, looking at our current squad, who do you think would get into Arsenal and City's first teams? For me, I think only Bruno is a definite.

That tells me we have a way to go yet.
Arsenal, especially, are doing what we used to do... that is, buying excellent players so that they almost have two equally capable first teams. We still don't have one. Early days, but def too early to get ahead of ourselves.

I hope Carrick gets the tools and has the skills to bring us back to where we were. Should be an interesting ride.

10 Aug 2026 21:20:27
Given we haven't signed all that we were hoping for, my hope is that we use the season to integrate the youth prospects that we feel are destined to make it and bring them closer to a permanent role for next season.
If they were smart, whilst managing expectations is paramount, they could focus on areas of future need (CB), and work through what we have coming through to see which players are going to make it.

Give them all a taster of first team action, and see who kicks on to make it theirs.

I do also firmly believe that, because we have a stable squad and an easy start, we could build momentum and be in a good position come Xmas.

10 Aug 2026 21:32:11
JBR, on paper it looks easy, but it's not an easy league. Very few easy wins.

10 Aug 2026 22:07:17
What did you think when you analysed at the start of last session salford?
If city lose rodri they will have lost the best coach and best midfielder in the world and Silva. On plus side for them semenyo is turning into a beast. Its hard to know how it will pan out there. Lots of great players but big change with the coach
Arsenal will be strong again but can they defend their title i'm not so sure.
Chelsea new system great coach 3 at the back i think they will do a lot better.
Spurs good coach new team practically i think they will do much better. Ups and downs but much better maybe a cup win.
Villa I think will drop off a bit.
Liverpool Its hard to know. Good coach new system. He will want more signings. Look weak in their defence but i'd expect wirtz and isaak to do well. Solbz was probably the best midfielder in the league over last 2 seasons imo with rodri injured. I expect they will need to score plenty to make up for their back 4 unless they sign well before end of window.
Imo we are stronger than last season and we will sign more before the window closes. Lots more games to deal with. Can Carrick maintain the momentum he built up?
I think we will have one if the lowest point totals to win the league for quite a while and I can see 4 or 5 teams in with a realistic chance of winning it with 8 games to go.


I don't see a runaway winner or 2 horse race.
3 different winners over the last 3 seasons it wouldn't shock me if that trend continued with a 4th different winner.
There a big question marks over everybody with so many changes of manager. If you look at all the clubs I've mentioned above Carrick is the 3rd longest serving in the position. That's crazy.
Arsenal are the only real Smooth business as usual ones so imo favourites, the major question mark with them is can they play as champions?
Sunderland Brighton Brentford are all steady Eddie's with settled camps the former might struggle with euro football.
Newcastle i don't know what to think, their fans must be very disappointed with what's gone on.
More new coaches at Palace and forest i hope both do well.
I fear for all 3 promoted teams 1 or 2 usually have a hot start if they don't then its curtains.
Very competitive league. There a very few easy games and as I said above I think there will be a lower points total this season. I don't have true fear of Arsenal or city running away with it.
Hopefully it works out that way.
I think 12 games in is when you start getting a bit of shape to the table maybe it will be halfway through this year before we will see who is going to be in the mix.
Now go see city and Arsenal win their 1st 12 games😪

10 Aug 2026 23:02:59
Hi Ken

So last year at the start of the season I was hopeful we would get a European place. Knew was no way we were good enough to win the league and frankly getting third was because other teams like Chelsea Liverpool and Villa were not great.

This year I feel Arsenal have bought well so far and the one position they really need is a top centre forward. Having won the league they will be focusing on the Champions League and it might stop them retaining the league title

City started a rebuild under Pep already last season. Yes they have lost him, Silva and probably Rodri but they have a manager who knows the club already. I think Cherki is a fabulous player and Foden who played poorly last season will be aching to show Tuchel what an error it was to omit him. Buying Elliot helps give then a strong midfield base for years to come. Guehi and Semenyo will feel more at home. Lastly as long as Haarland stays fit they will always be a threat.

Chelsea have a proper manager bought well and now have a fit and refreshed Palmer with Rodgers his bestie likely to test defences. Bringing in Henderson and Welbeck was a masterstoke as they will take of the dressing room high standards that the new manager will expect giving him time to get his ideas across to and improve the team. Samchez is a good keeper but if he learns to cut out stupid mistakes he will be a top one. Him and Centre backs might be their only weakness. Plus no European football enables more time to recover and take on board the managers ideas

So those at the moment are my likeliest top three

Liverpool are still short defensively although signing the Barca player on loan helps. The new manager will play Wirtz and Isaak in their proper positions and I expect them to score quite a few goals. Salah was on the decline last year but they need a good right winger


Villa have lost a few players signed some decent ones but not enough to win the title or come top three. They do have a very good manager so will be in the mix for a European place

Spurs could be the biggest surprise package if they gel quickly. A good manager who has been backed with quality signings plus they will have Madison and Bentacur firing on all cylinders. Might be a surprise challenger for third place but I expect them to be in the fight for a European place

That leaves us. We have made some good signings in midfield. Yet still we need players for left back, midfield dominant force and a striker. I see us getting into Europe again but not sure which competition

11 Aug 2026 00:01:35
Purely a gut prediction. Of course I want to be totally wrong!

I'm going for fifth this year.

Arsenal, Tottenham, City. I think they will be the top three for the reasons already stated.

The rest of the league will be carnage, with no real walkovers to be had, especially with United's propensity to play terribly against lower teams and not take advantage of the strange results elsewhere.



I think there will be a clear plan and more entertaining playing style compared to last year, but the results will elude us when it matters.

The following season, with hopefully some continuity, will be where the marked change will come as the new direction and mindset finally takes hold.

11 Aug 2026 00:53:25
Keefy, I think this year we will be better with the so called small teams. We have live breaking midfielders and a more settled attack. Hopefully Hall will join and help with stubborn defences too.

11 Aug 2026 13:16:18
Hope so!