Manchester United banter 10

28 Aug 2026 21:04:44
Wouldn't be surprised if it's a loan for a player not get game time at his current club, they'll wait for Hall next year. Could Martinez play LB, left footed, strong, good passer ?.

28 Aug 2026 23:10:42
Martinez doesn't have the athleticism to be a left back.

28 Aug 2026 23:46:10
Yes, he does have the athleticism. That's just silly. He's one of our fastest defenders. He's just not as comfortable hugging the touchline. He's perfect for a LCB in a back 3, like Amorim had, for instance, but suggesting he doesn't have the athletic ability to play LB kind of suggests you haven't watched the guy play at all.

29 Aug 2026 06:45:15
He is an accident waiting to happen against quick wingers; he will give away so many fouls and pens it would be ridiculous. Plus, he is slow and rash in the tackle. Maybe a better LB than CB in EPL, but that would not be difficult.

Plus, him and Shaw could have competition on who spends most time on the treatment table.
Just sell Martinez is easiest.

29 Aug 2026 09:02:03
If Rashford stays, we have more than enough depth on the left. So Dorgu moved back to LB to compete with Shaw surely?

29 Aug 2026 09:24:17
He's not slow - you all are just blinded by something (I suspect jingoistic rhetoric in the UK press) - but can be rash. What he lacks is height but he's otherwise a really good player.

By far the best distributor we have. There are others we should sell long before him. Licha and De Ligt are by far our two best CBs. And it isn't close. They just aren't fit often enough.

29 Aug 2026 14:04:27
Martinez is a poor CB in the EPL. Yes, he is not too bad at passing, but that's it. So to have him at left back, when he can't defend, is a terrible idea. Dorgu can't defend but at least has pace; he can't cross a ball, but he would be better there than Martinez....
Martinez is 100% fighter, but far too many mistakes in him. Too rash at diving on, gives away many fouls, and now can't even stay fit.

If a bid comes in for him, get rid....
De Ligt the same. Yes, our best CB, but that ain't saying much, and he is never fit for long periods.
We seriously need a leader with experience and pace.
Yoro is not it. Heaven looked very shaky, that's why McGuire will play more than not this season because we won't buy what's needed.

29 Aug 2026 15:40:17
Jesus JSU, it's depressing reading your posts sometimes.

28 Aug 2026 16:51:31
{Ed's Note - Philip_hunter2003 has posted a new article entitled, What Can United Realistically Get Done Before Tuesday?

29 Aug 2026 01:43:44
Philip, you had me until the strikers. Good post, lad.

29 Aug 2026 06:04:44
Good post, mate, but Sorloth is absolutely useless. If we get him, we may as well forget about it, haha.

Mateta could be done, I think.

28 Aug 2026 10:39:37
It now feels like if we sign a left back it could be a panic buy. I know we need depth but a last minute purchase is always risky. We have signed some crackers late in the window, Lammens last year, and Berbatov are good examples, so we can only hope we can pull one out of the bag.

28 Aug 2026 11:41:41
They have had enough time to identify one. Surely no one expects Shaw to play 2 games a week and stay fit in a non-World Cup year. Surprised he came through a whole game unscathed, tbh.

28 Aug 2026 12:11:12
Fingers crossed, ajh. Hall is not going to force his way out, which I'm pleased about. I don't think it shows anybody in a good light when that happens. Let's hope we get a couple in, lb and cf, before the window closes.

28 Aug 2026 12:29:23
DB, I am sure they have identified possible targets, but unfortunately you are not always able to sign your desired targets, for one reason or another.

I would rather see a loan than go for an unsuitable signing. I feel fairly sure we would go for Hall next summer.

He is clearly our No1 target.

It could well match the Baleba situation, whereby it meant waiting a year to get your desired player. It seems to me to be a far more sensible, and, dare I say, professional way of doing things.

28 Aug 2026 12:54:59
If they don't sign a left back, we have to assume Dorgu will play some games there.

Not ideal, but it makes more sense to play him there than any of Dalot, Maz, Martinez or Baleba.

28 Aug 2026 13:49:47
Surely Jorge Salinas is worth a punt if his release clause is only 13.7 million.

28 Aug 2026 14:30:03
Mazraoui played left back for Morocco, I think.

28 Aug 2026 16:01:02
Yea, we failed to sign our desired left backs because, publicly, we have briefed reporters that we will leave business late in the window, an amazing tactic. Wait for Newcastle to sell half their team and then enquire about Hall.

28 Aug 2026 17:15:23
Now, they can say, well, we did try. It's a bit of a smoke screen, and then we end up getting someone who will be no competition to Luke Shaw, and Luke Shaw plays most of the games.
If Hall has a great season, they probably think they can still get him for 60 million, even though, probably, next season prices will rise again.

They may wait for him to have a really bad season like Baleba, and get him on the cheap.

28 Aug 2026 17:21:11
If he gives another pen away this weekend we might get him on a free.

28 Aug 2026 17:37:54
I was thinking along the same lines, Ken. ?

28 Aug 2026 20:24:49
Might be a Balde loan with option to buy.

28 Aug 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - DIE_4_WHUFC has posted a new article entitled, West Ham's Depth Worries Me in the Championship

27 Aug 2026 19:57:05
Couple of really good signings today went through imo.
Chelsea got a very good keeper in Martinez for 7.5m and fixed a real weak point in the team.
And Villa have got a very good player in Goretzka on a free from Bayern.
Both good players for what they need right now. Let's hope we can do the same for lb and cf.

27 Aug 2026 21:37:19
Also agreed a deal for Leao as well.

27 Aug 2026 19:17:41.
I have just read an article on what Ander Herrera is doing this season.
His 1st club Zaragoza find themselves in the 3rd tier in Spain.
He has signed for them after leaving because jnrs at 37 and has waived any wages and is playing for free in order to help them.
What a brilliant gesture in today's game full of greed and selfishness.

Super stuff. He said he has had a great career looked after his money well so does not need anymore and is proud to be able to do this for his club. Lots of footballers do things for others and charity no doubt but this is possibly the most selfless act I've seen from a player in a long time.
I tip my hat to him. ???.

27 Aug 2026 19:26:36
I read that too. He always said he would finish there, but to do it for free is awesome. Top bloke.

27 Aug 2026 19:32:47
Brilliant guy, great gesture from him and agree, tip your hat to him.

27 Aug 2026 19:35:50
Classy. Santi Cazorla did the same for Real Oviedo. Not sure about playing for free. There was some league rule forbidding that.

27 Aug 2026 19:52:04
I think he is taking minimum wage and donating it to the club charity in full to navigate that rule, Davy.

27 Aug 2026 20:18:34
I do it all for free mb. Quite the stress reliever for me tbh.
I hope you're keeping well yourself. ?

27 Aug 2026 20:45:32
I saw that article also. Top guy to do that. Glad to see he looked after his money properly.

If he wants to continue his charitable works, maybe he could sit down with, and explain to, Jamie Carragher how he managed to carefully look after his earnings such that tax authorities are not chasing him.

27 Aug 2026 17:52:31
Athletico Madrid away
Bayern home
Roma home
Sporting away
Leipzig home
Villareal away
Como away
Sabah home.

27 Aug 2026 18:23:58
I'm sure I could convince the wife to a trip to Lake Como.

27 Aug 2026 18:31:18
Luke Shaw just said the same to his wife. Only issue is he wants to go to Lake Como the day we play Bayern, so he doesn't have to face Olise.

27 Aug 2026 18:52:39
Tough draw. But there aren't many easy games nowadays. Never heard of Sabah.

My early predictions. This is only based on one league game, some pre-season games, and the hope the team gets better. If they serve up the same rubbish as they did against Hull, they'll lose every game.

Atletico Madrid (A), Lose
Bayern Munich (H), Lose
Roma (H), Win
Sporting CP (A), Draw
RB Leipzig (H), Win
Villarreal (A), Draw
Sabah (H), Win
Como (A), Lose

This would put United on 11 points, which, based on last season, would mean being in the playoffs.



A. Madrid is always difficult, especially away from home.
Bayern scare me. That could be a bad one.
Como away will also be tough. By that game, I'm assuming the chances of top 8 are over and some players could be rested.

Not great, but could be worse.

27 Aug 2026 19:11:12
That's the spirit, Fallguy.

27 Aug 2026 19:26:17
Which results predictions do you disagree with, 2toms?

I think they are pretty fair and reasonable.

27 Aug 2026 19:30:56
I'd say Bayern and Atletico will be tough, no doubt. The rest are definitely winnable.

27 Aug 2026 19:37:00
Yes they are winnable. Even the Bayern game is winnable, but it doesn't mean United will win, though.

Some of the games will be tight and could require a bit of luck. A draw away in Europe isn't always a bad result.



We haven't seen Carrick's team play in Europe yet. You never know, the different pace might suit the team, and United could do really well.

Even if it ends up being the playoffs, I would expect United to get through.

27 Aug 2026 20:49:01
Five wins, three draws, 18pts. Bish Bosh give us the dosh.

27 Aug 2026 22:36:14
The unfortunate thing for us is having two away fixtures in Spain. I'm not sure if we've ever won in Spain.

27 Aug 2026 23:17:13
Were you not around for the 99 CL final then?

27 Aug 2026 23:18:17
Carrick is at the wheel, lads!! It will be fine.
I mean, the bus is missing the two rear tyres, with a stress fracture across the rear axle, and the front left tyre is looking a bit flat, and the spare is wanting to be on another car.

The monocoque has been upgraded and might keep things together for a period, but if the front axle snaps, it is curtains. But Carrick is at the wheel!

27 Aug 2026 23:45:12
RedDevilFan, I meant against Spanish teams.

28 Aug 2026 09:30:43
I think Atletico may be susceptible this year, especially if they sell Alvarez. Feel like they have dipped off a bit.
Bayern could rip our defence apart, but we could do well against them on the counter. Don't expect much from it, though.
I was hoping the Roma game was an away trip...

and Como are playing away from their home ground (would have loved a trip there).
Hopefully we will have got rid of the early season lethargy, and we can have a successful run... Expect us to get through to the knockouts.

28 Aug 2026 10:49:57
Brad, I feel the opposite about Atletico. Certainly, under Simeone, they have always been a club that play their best under adversity. It plays into their "us against the world" fight for everything, mentally.

Having their best player robbed from them in controversial circumstances is exactly the kind of springboard Simeone would use to get that extra 10% out of every single player in that squad.

I know it's a cliche, but there are no easy games in Europe. We will either be playing against an elite club, or a club that sees us as a scalp.

We might also play against some clubs that we will know little to nothing about (Sabah), who can always spring a surprise.

But ultimately, this is the point of being back in the UCL. For us fans, it's not about the extra money it brings into the club, but about those classic European nights, those big games, and hopefully those big performances. It's about testing yourself against the very best, and hopefully fighting to be the best in Europe.

27 Aug 2026 14:27:16
It looks like City will be rebuilding their midfield as well with three key midfield signings.

They've gone for Bouaddi, Anderson, and Enzo Fernandez for over 300m total spend just on their midfield.

Double what United have paid for Tielemans, Santos and Baleba (roughly 150m).



Now on paper I'd say the City three are marginally better than the United signings right now.

But we have to appreciate that on reflection, the rebuild of our midfield has been done masterfully with the amount we've spent.

27 Aug 2026 15:11:08
Marginally ha!

27 Aug 2026 15:21:53
Man for man, I think City's midfield (assuming they do sign Enzo Fernandez) blows ours out of the water. The real question is whether they can play together.

The same question could be asked of ours. Sadly, with Bruno taking up one of the three, I think it will be very difficult to balance our midfield. Mainoo only really makes sense alongside Baleba, and that's assuming we get the Baleba of two years ago and not the version we saw last season.

In the long run, I do think Santos, Mainoo, and Baleba could work well together, but it all depends on how long Bruno ends up staying and the opportunities that Mainoo gets in a more advanced role.

27 Aug 2026 15:22:38
Is this satire?

27 Aug 2026 15:53:19
Marginally wouldn't be a word I would use.
It's miles better if they get Enzo.

27 Aug 2026 16:20:00
Ugly Mirror:
Fernandez is good but not amazing.
Anderson was average at the World Cup.
Bouaddi could easily flop.

I'd expect Utd to be able to afford a world class level player each transfer window after 28. We are rebuilding, and it is what it is.

Citeh could be in the Championship next year.

27 Aug 2026 16:38:30
Fernandez is a very good player. But is at his best as the most attacking player in a midfield 3.

Anderson is very good too. His problem is that he will never justify his fee.

Bouaddi is the one I think can be truly world class. His composure on the ball is outstanding for a teenager, and he has the confidence to back himself against established players too.



I'm happy with our midfield signings, but there's a gulf in quality between us and the ones City are making. We wanted Anderson. Every big club was interested in Bouaddi. City has the money to make these signings, we don't.

27 Aug 2026 16:58:27
It's considerably better, but I expect the amount to be nearer 350M than 300M, and we can always buy another if things don't work out. I'm happy with our business in midfield. We've a lot of areas to deal with and aren't in a position to spend that sort of money on one area.

27 Aug 2026 17:06:11
I think marginally better is a fair assessment. The City 3 are definitely not twice as good, so we definitely got some value for money.
Mainoo, Baleba, and Santos will all soon be rated as £100m plus players.

27 Aug 2026 17:09:53
I don't think the rebuild is over, but it just started. Rebuild will be over when Bruno, Ugarte, and Maount go. Then we will need two top players along Mainoo, Santos, Baleba, and a couple of youngsters to complete the midfield.


On paper, Baleba, Mainoo and Bruno look good, and with potential, although I would too take a look (or two) on Buaddi, and I would certainly buy Anderson.

27 Aug 2026 17:31:10
I think Fernandes holds all our midfield options back. We looked so much better Rijnore season without him in the team.

27 Aug 2026 18:09:02
Marginally, you been on the sherberts.

27 Aug 2026 18:22:43
Shappy

Marginally, are you on hallucinogenics?

However, the use of masterfully was too funny. Shopping in pound shop bargain land is now "masterful".

27 Aug 2026 18:54:19
It's all noise. Let's see where we all end up. Lots of clubs will be bedding in new players and managers first half. No one has a scooby how it will all shake out.

27 Aug 2026 19:19:37
Doesn't matter, City will sell lot for about £600m in a couple of seasons.

I suppose we'll find out who has got the better deals at the end of the season. Or in a couple of weeks at OT. ??

27 Aug 2026 20:05:11
Bauddai looks a bit special to me, and looks like a unit.
The EPL is a different animal, so it will be interesting to see how long it takes him to adjust. With players like Anderson, Kovicic, Enzo around him, he will thrive, im sure.
If you're to rank them individually, then City have the stronger individuals in most cases.

27 Aug 2026 22:51:48
I said marginally, and I stand by that.

Enzo Fernandez plays best as the most attacking player, but does anyone feel he has truly justified his transfer fee at Chelsea?

Eliott Anderson had a phenomenal season last time out, but let's wait and see how he settles at City.

Bouaddi has the highest potential of the three, but he's very young and has never played in the EPL. How he settles will play a big part in whether he realises that potential.

But are they really that much better than the three we signed?

Tielemans has been one of the best midfielders in the league outside of the traditional top 4 or 5 clubs over the past 3-4 years.



This time last year Baleba was probably the highest rated young midfielder in the league, valued at over 100m. He's had an off season, but the ability is there, and circumstances did play a role in his form last season.

Andrey Santos was the best midfielder in Ligue 1, not named Joao Neves or Vitinha, a couple of seasons ago. At 20 years old, he captained Strasbourg while on loan. He was also able to deputise for Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo last season, without it impacting Chelsea's performance levels.

The Chelsea signings are still rated slightly higher, but you can't tell me they are twice as good as the United signings.

28 Aug 2026 04:42:18
You're right, Shappy, probably more like 1.74 percent better. Definitely not 2.0.

28 Aug 2026 06:33:34
Tielemans, best midfielder outside top 5 clubs... oh right, that's just where we wanna be outside top 5.
Santos, who could not really break into the Chelsea team, had 5 clubs by 22 years old.
Baleba, who had one decent season, that's it.
Tielemans, who looks like he is running in treacle.


Santos, not much quicker.
Baleba is probably the best of the 3 of them, but that's not difficult.

No one can even create an argument that our midfield is anywhere near City or Arsenal, come to that, or maybe even Liverpool... You say Enzo not reached heights... so Baleba has?

28 Aug 2026 10:03:28
Still laughing at "Masterful".

28 Aug 2026 11:02:46
Getting Tielemans for 35m when players half as good are going for 50m+ is a great bit of business.

Signing a player who is one of the best young midfielders in the league, for 40-50m less than his club was demanding for him less than 12 months ago, is good business.

Andrey Santos, for a player of his potential, for below 50m in this market, will turn out to be a good deal. He's every bit as talented as Mateus Fernandes, a player twice relegated in the last two seasons, who just went for 85m plus massive wages on par with what Bruno is earning with us.

This summer the market has gone crazy, with 100m being the new benchmark seemingly for any young player who has had one good season in the EPL.

There are only a few players signed this summer who I'd consider better players than the three we signed, but all of them went for significantly higher fees, where the difference in fee is not equal to the difference in ability or even potential.



That is good business, while we all scoffed at SAF's "no value in the market" comment, and for good reason at the time. However, we now seem to have people running the club who are finding good value, even while the market is seemingly at its most volatile.

Would I say that's masterful business? Well, in my opinion it is. When you outperform your rivals, not just once but with multiple deals, while also providing the squad with exactly what it needs, is that not masterful business.

28 Aug 2026 13:45:51
"Outperform your rivals, not just once but with multiple deals, while also providing the squad with exactly what it needs"

Which rivals have we outperformed? Have you seen our rivals' midfields?
Tielemans is a decent player, Santos was Chelsea circa 5th choice with much to prove. Both may have good seasons, and maybe Santos will be a good midfield player, and find the pace we have not seen.

Yet to be seen, and which other top clubs were scrambling to sign them?
Last, providing the squad exactly what it needs, you say, where is the left back, the second striker? The last days of an important window and we have just one left back. If Hall and a good second striker arrive, maybe it would be a decent window, but masterful is fantasy island.
Masterful?

28 Aug 2026 16:33:50
Have to agree with you, Red Man... I just don't see anything about Tielemans and Santos being anywhere near masterful. No one else even was in for either. They are ok if we are happy with 4-8th position, that's about it for them.

28 Aug 2026 21:42:20
Santos, Baleba, and Mainoo could potentially all be 100M+ players. Tielemans is every bit as good as Tonali or Guimaeres. And Bruno Fernandes is the best attacking midfielder in the league. But, being realistic, City have/are buying players that are more "ready now". I trust in our recruitment team, and I think our midfield could, in a couple of years, be better than City's.

But my expectation for this year is that we solidify our position in top 4/5, we demonstrate a better ability to control games, and break down low block defences, and to get into knockout phase of CL. Do all that, and I think we'll be able to add the few players we need to be challengers next season.

29 Aug 2026 06:48:32
We have a team full of coulds, that's the problem. But reality says maybe only one of our coulds will make it big.

27 Aug 2026 12:49:16
Well, well, HMRC filed a petition against Jamie Carragher seeking to have him declared bankrupt!

Seemingly he has not paid his taxes.
Needs to spend some time doing and not yapping.

27 Aug 2026 13:21:40
It's a sign of how poorly represented these players are. I'm not saying that's the case in Carragher's case, but too many have leeches around them, including their agents. Any player who plays any considerable period of time in the EPL earns enough to be set for life, but many do end up bankrupt. It's a sad situation.

27 Aug 2026 13:46:07
He will be spitting mad.

27 Aug 2026 14:16:02
It's Carragher; I don't care.

27 Aug 2026 15:50:01
You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

27 Aug 2026 17:45:33
DonRed, he is not a stupid person. It is his ultimate responsibility to ensure his financial affairs are dealt with appropriately and correctly.

If he does not fully understand any aspect, then he should pay for additional, independent, advice.

Also, this matter would have been going on for some time.

HMRC do not look to bankruptcy until extensive discussion has taken place.

Whilst I agree that there are some total scumbags out there looking to rip off wealthy footballers, most clubs now try and steer players towards the right sources of advice.

Most of all, never, ever, use an unregulated advisor.

28 Aug 2026 18:03:56
Iwotb, I think I made it clear I was talking about the general trend of footballers going bankrupt. And, I'm not sure players actually do get the protection you mention. It's difficult for the clubs now, because the players just go elsewhere, and the moves give their agents a nice commission.

The incentives are all wrong for agents of young players, but that's the tip of the iceberg.
This isn't just football; it's worse, if anything, in the NFL. Recently Shane Horgan, who had a long career with the Irish rugby team - in a very similar story to Carraghers - had a repossession order on his property.

27 Aug 2026 11:18:14
I bet we draw AC Milan in the Champions League draw.
I wonder what will happen if we do?

27 Aug 2026 11:35:34
Sorry, my bad... They didn't even qualify.
Ignore me.

27 Aug 2026 11:39:34
I was about to say, that would be a miracle.

27 Aug 2026 12:06:32
There's always next year, I guess. He has a 100% win rate for them so far.

27 Aug 2026 12:07:55
Wow, corruption in football would have to reach new heights for that to happen. ?