Manchester United banter 10

23 May 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Zephi2 has posted a new article entitled, Replacing Slot Is Not Liverpool's Real Fix

23 May 2026 06:59:02
It’s looking likely that Ederson will be our first signing of the summer. Have not seen much of him so what does everyone think?

23 May 2026 07:53:37
Watched Atlanta the other day on TV v Milan just because of him, and he scored after 7 mins, so therefore I can only assume he is the best CM in the world. Seriously, though, he looks, from what I've seen since we were linked, athletic, breaks up play, and reads the game well.

I guess a better version of Ugarte. Profile is exactly what we need. My only concern is he's fairly cheap for today's fees, and there doesn't seem to be clubs climbing over each other to sign him, but we have to trust this new recruitment team.

23 May 2026 11:08:39
I've never watched him, no idea. But his name has been in the mix for a while now, so I can only think that he has been heavily scouted.

Look, going by last year's window, you have to put your faith in Vivell and co to get it right again.

£35m too tells me that he is a squad member rather than a guaranteed starter right now, which points to us probably spending more on other targets.

23 May 2026 11:11:36
He had been great for Atlanta over the years. He excelled under their previous coach, with his high intensity pressing game.
Very good technically.
EPL is a different sport practically, so whether he can make the transition is anybody's guess.
Based on what I've seen of him, I'd be optimistic.

23 May 2026 11:49:15
He only has a year left on his contract and that is also part of the reason his price is where it is. We have been interested in him 2/3 years now.

23 May 2026 12:10:14
If he comes, he will be a starter, imo. I'm not sure price dictates how often you start.
We do need 2 or even 3 players for cm, and they will all start plenty of games. If they only get 2 in, plus Mainoo, it gives 3 players for 2 positions, so all will be starters regularly in a 60 game season.


Working on the assumption Ugarte leaves.
If they only sign 2, they'll need cover from the academy/reserves to fill the 4th spot on the squad.

23 May 2026 14:27:42
Ederson, Joao Gomes, Mateus Fernandes, Alex Scott, Elliot Anderson, Tonali. Those are the main names I've seen linked. The last two are biggest money. Tbh, if we get any two of that list, I'll be happy, as it'll be a big improvement on what we have.

23 May 2026 20:04:37
I would take Bruno G and Tonali from Newcastle without a doubt.
Then buy a decent CB, experienced with pace, then a starting, experienced striker, full of pace. That would do me for this window.

I would only look at players that could get into the top 4 sides, and all with experience, something which we seriously lack.

24 May 2026 10:55:15
Hope you're right, Ken. And you're right, price doesn't dictate it at all, don't even know why I said that looking back at it.

But I am happy to see us try to remedy the cm quickly if reports are anything to go by.

22 May 2026 20:27:14
Anyone for Toney as the backup striker role?

22 May 2026 22:41:29
Maybe Peterborough or Southampton.

23 May 2026 00:21:21
He's on about £400,000 per week, tax free, as a basic at Al-Ahli.

Can't really think he would want to give that up for a backup role.

23 May 2026 02:11:49
Let's see after the World Cup. There was talk he wanted out of Saudi. So, I think, if that is true, he has already accepted a reduced salary.

23 May 2026 04:04:35
Think there are huge tax consequences for him returning to UK.

23 May 2026 04:05:01
Besides, we need a starting striker not a back up.

23 May 2026 04:28:35
Jsu, I disagree. You fix the midfield and defence, and get crosses into Sesko. He is a 20-25 goal a season striker.

23 May 2026 04:51:45
I hope you're right, but I just don't see it. He lacks a striker's brain, imo, never seems to gamble and never seems to be in the right place. That can be seen by the more experienced players forever telling him during a match where to run, where to go.

He seems to lack that badly... He is a long way from being main man at United if we want to win anything.

23 May 2026 07:14:59
Kroupi seems to be the most wanted striker in the Premier League at the moment, so I can see him being very expensive.

There seem to be few options ready from the academy, so maybe we will go for someone like Lewandowski on a free.

23 May 2026 07:59:05
German, I think that is an area he will develop, though, and a reason why people want an experienced striker to help him. He's actually a better football player than I thought, and, through experience, I think he'll become a top striker.

His attitude, from what I have read only recently, suggests he is very dedicated and a top individual, so I think we have a player on our hands.

23 May 2026 10:59:36
If we pay them enough, and have enough supporters in the stadium, it doesn't matter what the quality is; they should be better than teams with fewer fans.

23 May 2026 11:09:41
Red flag on attitude. Absolutely no way.

This bunch actually look like they like each other and enjoy playing with each other. Let's build the right kind of characters into the squad.

23 May 2026 20:09:48
Oh dear, looks like the Alto Ego is posting shorter posts nowadays.

23 May 2026 23:11:56
Tumble, love it!

24 May 2026 05:26:41
Fyi, as you might be struggling to understand the connection.

Both factors heavily influence standings, but in distinctly different ways. A high wage bill is the single strongest statistical predictor of Premier League success, as it directly reflects a club's ability to attract elite talent and depth. A large supporter base indirectly affects standings by driving the massive revenues required to sustain those top-tier wage budgets.

24 May 2026 07:01:03
All I want for Christmas is a twaddlle filter.

22 May 2026 20:07:20
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new video entitled entitled, C U Next Time - The Seamus Leaves A Nasty Taste Edition}

22 May 2026 11:30:12
If you haven't read Pep's statement about his leaving, go take a look. It brought a tear to my eye. Here is man who understands Manchester completely, a very classy love note.

22 May 2026 13:28:17
Classy guy. Same goes for Klopp and Liverpool. It has been really good to see two top managers come to the country and embrace two of its major cities.

That being said, Pep officially leaving is a massive opportunity for the club to take advantage of, because no matter who comes in to replace him, it will be hard to reach the same levels in terms of football quality and points.

22 May 2026 13:38:38
Here is a man who understands football and what City means to their fans. The league will be weaker now that he has left, similar to Klopp leaving Liverpool, and when Fergue left Utd.

Like players, managers can become irreplaceable. Their legacy leaves a lasting impact. Sometimes it becomes hard to live up to.

22 May 2026 14:38:22
"This is a city built from work. From graft. You see it in the colour of the bricks. From people who clocked in early, stayed late. The factories. The Pankhursts. The unions. The music. Simply the Industrial Revolution and how this changed the world. And I think I grew to understand that, and my teams did too.

Remember the Manchester Arena attack, when this city showed the world what strength actually looks like? Not anger.

Not fear. Just love. Community. Togetherness. A city united.

Tony Walsh said, in his unforgettable poem, 'This is the place.' I'm sorry, Tony: this is my place."


I have Tony's poem on my wall. It makes my heart burst.

22 May 2026 14:55:19
Top class coach, one of the best ever imo.
Great service to City, and the highest compliment I can pay him is I wish he had been our manager and not City's.

22 May 2026 21:14:59
Top fella. Failed 2 drug tests as a player. Managed Barcelona during a period when they were found guilty of bribing referees, managed Bayern when their long-serving doctor, Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, quit due to a breakdown in trust with Guardiola.

Managed City during a period when they have 115 allegations against them. Other than that, full respect. At least he never sent a kid with an iPhone to watch a team train, I guess. ?

22 May 2026 22:22:00
Ports, that last line. ?

23 May 2026 02:52:55
Cannot think of anything bad to say about the bloke. Has handled himself brilliantly throughout the whole charges debacle. Has provided us with good football to watch and created a generational team.

Excellent coach, and it seems an equally top human being. Good luck Pep, whatever you do next.

Oh, and good riddance, you blue b******. ?

23 May 2026 07:16:19
Glad to see that back of him ?, I'm sure all the other clubs said the same when Fergie retired.

23 May 2026 08:40:27
I like that he isn't afraid to speak about world politics, and that he is not afraid to show his support for Palestine. That alone endears me to him, aside from the fact that he is an excellent football coach.

23 May 2026 18:59:39
Ed, why has my objection to the post above by Unruly re his support of Palestine not been published?

{Ed007's Note - You're objection was overruled by the essence of human decency and the need to highlight the ongoing genocide in Palestine ??

via GIPHY

22 May 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Red_Flyer69 has posted a new article entitled, A Supporters Premier League End-of-Season Awards

21 May 2026 22:19:00
I'm not Maguire's biggest fan and have been critical of him in the past but I really feel gutted for him missing out on England. Been good for us this season and has that big tournament experience so I’m surprised he’s been left at home. Few other shocks in there too if rumours are to be believed. Interesting choices for sure.

21 May 2026 23:37:41
Maguire won't get a US visa, will he?

21 May 2026 23:53:09
He's not good enough. Don't feel 1 bit sorry for him. He had his time, and it's long gone.

22 May 2026 00:09:48
Too slow, too old, too crap.

I am shocked that he is shocked!

22 May 2026 05:44:22
He is probably not good enough for England, which is really worrying, because he is our best CB, which is even more concerning, cos it shows how bad we are in that department.

Hopefully we address that department and we get rid of Martinez, de Ligt, Yoro, but in reality, de Ligt has no chance cos the selfish git waited till end of season to have the required op, so he stuck with us.

Martinez, no one in EPL would want him, so not sure who can buy him. Yoro is all about potential but has not kicked on at all, imo he has gone backwards, looks poor in a back 4 plus 2, weak physically and mentally. I would not miss any of them.

22 May 2026 06:16:41
His form has dipped dramatically these last few weeks. Decision justified. Take your form players.

22 May 2026 08:08:07
Jsu, Maguire most certainly is not our best CB. He doesn't start if De Ligt and Martinez are fit. That's our issue - fitness. And Heaven is likely to be ahead of Maguire in the pecking by next year.

I admire Maguire's resilience, but the only reason he'd have made England's WC squad is as a bench option to chase a late goal, and not as a CB starter. Same for us with everyone fit.

22 May 2026 08:32:35
Too old, too slow, too crap. The disrespect, particularly for one of our own who has played really well for us.

22 May 2026 09:09:36
Absolutely, angel. He's not that old!

22 May 2026 09:39:09
Shaw and Maguire both having a summer off, and back for the start of pre-season, from the club's perspective, is fantastic news.

22 May 2026 10:39:45
Always gave his all for his country. Can't say the same for all of the players in that squad. He could have done a job.

22 May 2026 10:43:14
Disrespect? Yes, I suppose it is. But just because a player plays for United does not mean they have to be liked.

I could list many players, but that subject would drag on forever!

22 May 2026 10:44:44
But yes, Angel. As Don said, he is not that old. Apologies.

22 May 2026 10:45:44
That's a positive for us DSG, especially where Shaw is concerned.

22 May 2026 10:49:22
Picking Stones, who hasn't played this season, is just bizarre, and I see he's picked the cheerleader Henderson again.

22 May 2026 12:34:59
Flabbergasted at Henderson being picked. He won't play or get any minutes, so what is the point? I don't care how bad Foden and Palmer have been this season, one of them should be going instead of Henderson.

22 May 2026 12:51:07
Agreed, if he's a cheerleader, take him as a member of staff, a non-playing squad member. He can come to do all the encouraging, or whatever else TT wants him to do, but he wouldn't take a place in the squad.

22 May 2026 12:51:26
Liked or not liked/disrespect are different things.

He may not be the best player, but I cannot fault him any time he has pulled on the jersey, and he has bailed us out a couple of times. If he's not a better option than a crocked Stones or Dan Burn, then I'm not sure what to say.

He has my respect for sure.

22 May 2026 13:58:19
Exactly, Angel, and I go as far as saying if we don't buy a new CB he will be our best next season too.
De Ligt is never fit and Martinez not often fit and is just not good enough anyway in the EPL. Martinez, in my view, is a very poor CB, would never ever get in any other top 4 team, not a chance.


De Ligt spent his whole career on the treatment table, so pointless putting him in the debate.
So, yep, as much as I don't rate Maguire good enough he is best we got.

22 May 2026 15:13:06
It has only been this season that de Ligt has had fitness issues for Utd.

22 May 2026 17:49:43
Henderson has had a really good season with Brentford.
He is an ideal understudy for Rice.
Foden and Palmer play a different position, so he was not picked at their expense.
Stones is, imo, a better player than Maguire; leaving him out can't surprise too many. He is right, imo, to stick with the guys that got them qualified.


I think Stones is fit. He just has not been picked by Pep since coming back to fitness.
No matter who he picks, people will be arguing for others.
Hopefully England do well and go deep in the tournament and reach their level of 1/4final or semi final. Pretty easy group, so there should be no drama getting out of it.

22 May 2026 22:25:24
Not a good enough team to be leaving out players like Trent and Palmer, imo.

Burns and Spence are 2 mad inclusions too.

23 May 2026 07:16:11
You say he has played really well for us. I will concede that this year he has had a bit of a good spell. But what we paid for him, what he earns, and what he has given us are light years apart.

Bang average at best.

I shall not lose any sleep.

Oh, by the way, I never said I didn't respect him. I just think he is crap as a football player.

23 May 2026 07:23:39
On the same subject, I genuinely think it's admirable that he wears his heart on his sleeve and clearly plays for the badge. That cannot be denied.

23 May 2026 10:13:07
Still crap though. ??

21 May 2026 16:41:51
How galling is it that Sancho has now won 3 European trophies while out on loan from us, having played little part in the last 2 of them at least. Do you think looking at his own trophy cabinet convinces him that he's actually not a waste of space?

21 May 2026 17:42:58
What, you mean he is no good! But, what with all his intricate pass & move football that was going to knit everything together for us... No, surely you don't mean that player!

21 May 2026 17:58:17
Speaking of a waste of space!

21 May 2026 20:06:10
Not galling at all for me. I'm glad for Villa. Sancho is irrelevant to me.

21 May 2026 22:10:06
Focus on our own house, not ones we are releasing. Use it as the basis for our own learning on how not to repeat mistakes of the past.

21 May 2026 23:38:29
He'll end up at a decent club in Italy. And he'll do well there.

23 May 2026 07:19:08
Aren't there clauses in the contract that we get more money if they win trophies?

21 May 2026 15:48:58
ED001,

What's your thoughts on Stiller as a player, do you think he would be a good signing for Utd?

I've only really seen YouTube clips of him play. He reminds me of Carrick, calm, composed on the ball and can pick out a pass. In some ways, he is quite similar to Mainoo.

I've always like Baleba, but his performances this season haven't been up to to scratch, I think Anderson will join City.

{Ed001's Note - I really like Stiller and would love to see him in the Premier League. He would be a different kind of replacement for Casemiro, he does have a bit of the ball winning attributes, but he is also a bit of a playmaker too. I think he would be excellent.}

21 May 2026 16:59:38
Only seen Ltd clips of him, but he looks a bit in the mould of Kroos or Scholes in his style. If he can reach their levels, then that would be exceptional. I'm not convinced that league is the strongest. Lits have come with big reputations and flopped. But you think class would tell over time if he has it.

21 May 2026 18:54:40
ED001,

Thank, I don't think he would cost too much either, circa £40-£50 million.

What are your thoughts on Mainoo this season?

{Ed001's Note - he is a very good player, he just needed someone to show faith in him and throw him in and leave him in. Experience was the biggest thing he lacked and now he is starting to get it.}

21 May 2026 20:40:24
ED001,

Who do you think would be good alongside Mainoo?

{Ed001's Note - I actually think Stiller would be good alongside him.}

22 May 2026 08:05:15
ED001,

Thanks, hope your all good.

{Ed001's Note - all good thanks mate, looking forward to the season being over! How about you? Everything good there?}

22 May 2026 13:45:43
ED001,

All good thanks. It has been a strange season. I bet your hoping Slot is gone in the summer. I do think the club will get Iraola in. I think he woukd have been the perfect choice for Utd. Carrick 3rd place finish, has made it harder for him to be replaced. Had he just scraped a CL place, then it might have been easier to replace him.

If Carrick is our manager, I will be back him. He deserves a chance, and the club needs to buy him players to give him a chance to succeed.

{Ed001's Note - sometimes a manager just suits a club, Carrick might just suit United, you never know.}

21 May 2026 09:26:03.
Delighted to see Southampton speak had been thrown out and they he
Got thrown out of the play offs. Their admired spying on 3 different teams. Absolute tramps.
The EPL and the referees could take a leaf out of the football leagues book.
EPL on city and refs on cheating players.
Imo any deliberate fouls even pull backs on the half way line to stop a breakaway should be an automatic red card.

Holding someone at a corner is premeditated cheating so straight red. Any deliberate attempt to cheater needs stamping out. Its destroying the game imo but on and off the pitch.
You should be held accountable for deliberate premeditated cheating.
So. E think its on to cheat a d just pay a fine. No wonder there is practically zero integrity on the pitch when fans have none off it.

21 May 2026 10:00:54
Be interesting to see what happens with City, because if watching another team train is seen as acting in bad faith, and therefore warrants expulsion from a competition and a 4-point deduction next season, then God knows what's in store for a club that breaches 115 financial rules over 9 years.

21 May 2026 10:08:37
Southampton were only caught 3 times, Ken. One of those incidents was against Oxford, who were relegated. If they were spying on Oxford, they were spying on everyone.

The Bielsa defense with Leeds was that everyone done it. I agree wholeheartedly that the swift punishment is exactly what you do to stamp out this sort of behavior.

If another team is thinking or doing something similar, they'll soon think twice.

I have a feeling the City verdict is coming this summer. Havnt the foggiest what the outcome will be, but I think the Premier League will be happy theyre not punishing the champions of England.

21 May 2026 10:16:41
It's not seen as acting in bad faith; it's seen as cheating and breaking the rules to gain an advantage. It's a 200m prize. I don't think the punishment is harsh; I think it's appropriate.
The EFL have shown the EPL how to deal with cheaters.
Now, let's see the refs and the EPL do the same.


Throw the book at them.
It's cheating, it's sticking 2 fingers up and saying the rules don't apply to them. Disgusting behaviour.
Off-pitch cheating is much more premeditated than on-pitch, when you usually only have a second or 2 to think before you do it. So there should be much stiffer penalties.

21 May 2026 10:19:02
Also, instant yellow for mouthing off at the referee.

Another one that really irks me is picking the ball up if you are pinged for a foul and walking away with it. Instant yellow.

21 May 2026 10:44:58
It's one of the charges - failing to act in good faith. My point is, if that's seen as bad, something every team did up until the early 2000s, then hopefully the City punishment is even more excessive.

21 May 2026 11:14:07
Let's hope so, Sepp.

21 May 2026 11:57:25
Keefy, some refs deserve more than a mouthing off!

21 May 2026 15:11:04
Too harsh for me, spying is well over the top. Let's be fair, though, no one needs to spy on us; we do the same every week...

21 May 2026 16:39:05
Entirely appropriate punishment. Sends a clear message. If they didn't expel Soton from the playoffs, other teams might consider that the trade off is worth the risk of getting caught.

21 May 2026 17:02:21
It's a big punishment, but not a minor offence.
As Angel said, they should have had the consequences for breaking the rule clearly laid out. So there would be no ambiguity, but they didn't have to. It would have been much easier if they had that in place.

21 May 2026 19:32:18
So because one man, namely the manager, wants to send someone out on a mission to learn what exactly is anybody's guess, every player at the club, every supporter at the club, and the club itself all have to take the punishment. It's not right on any level. Nothing can convince me it's the correct step to punish everyone else.
Then, if that's the case, why Middlesbrough in the final? What about the game before, or the game before that, or even the league? Are the standings even correct if you're taking that stance of punishing the whole team? Where does it stop.


Yes, it's cheating, no one denies that. But come on, all you do Gooders who are saying it's the right punishment, look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, if it was Fergie to win the league or cup, would you be saying it's the correct punishment?
There have been loads of cheating going on over the years, it even happens every game, so where are the riotous drawing the line to cheating? A player dives, it's cheating, he can get sent off, so why don't all the team get sent off if it's now collective punishment? It's ridiculous.

21 May 2026 20:06:02
Will the Premier League be as strict as the EFL? I highly doubt it. City also have endless funds to drag this out for years. Huge difference, sadly.

21 May 2026 21:26:29
I think a red card for any player is a punishment for the whole team, as the team suffers.
There are redline rules for clubs to adhere to and follow. They all sign up to them. They chose to try and break this one. The fans are the innocent party, and will feel hard done by, no doubt, but so will City's if they get a big punishment. The fans didn't cheat the financials, nor did most of the players.
He was acting on instruction; it was not a one-off, so they cheated to get where they got.
I agree it's a soft pass for Middlesbrough.
As for if it was United, I would feel the same way.
Like I said above, any premeditated cheating act / foul should be a straight red. I wouldn't be happy if we won a cl final if we had cheated and broken the competition's redline rules to get there.
On the pitch, cheating is getting worse. There are at least 4 or 5 fouls at every corner.

The tactical fouls to prevent breakaways are getting more common, and I really get annoyed when only yellows are given. Off the pitch, cheating is also more prevalent.
Jsu, if it was United doing what Arsenal do at corners, or our coach was always outside his tech area, would you be complaining? I'd like to think you would, because it's wrong and frustrates you. Would that make you a do gooder or just someone speaking up for your beliefs and morals or standards?
It's all about people's tolerance levels. I feel strongly on this one and agree with the EFL.
On the City one, I don't know how punishing they can or will go.
Depends on what they can prove guilt on. But expulsion from the EPL back to the EFL (a relegation), I'm sure, would have to get agreement from the EFL. It will be interesting to see what happens. What punishment do you think City deserve if guilty?

21 May 2026 21:34:45
I'm glad the EFL made the call, to be honest. Big one, but they have taken a stance.
Now every team knows the consequences of their actions.

22 May 2026 05:48:29
I watch every team in all football, and I am honest, unlike many on here. Even when it comes to United, I don't like any team if it plays anti-football, and wrestling at corners is certainly that. Cheating is too, but the punishment has to be proportionate, and this is not.



The whole team don't suffer anywhere near the level of one player being sent off either; how many times have we seen teams become more resilient.

22 May 2026 08:35:11
So are you a go gooder? What punishment do you think City should get?