Manchester United Banter 2

15 Jul 2026 22:29:11
At one nil, I was thinking if Tuchel is available I would take him after Carrick, but then watching him bottle it by being so defensive no thanks.

15 Jul 2026 22:37:06
Yeah, he's an awful manager. Sucks the life out of every game. Deserved to go out putting 11 men behind the ball against an average Argentinian side. Gutted.

15 Jul 2026 22:42:29
To be fair, there are probably some very good reasons why I'm a Geography teacher and not a football manager. However, I hate seeing managers going defensive and trying to hold onto 1 goal leads.

It just invites pressure, and if you do concede, it's almost impossible to get the momentum back if you've made several defensive subs.



You go a goal up, and you know the opposition will have to come out and attack you; that will leave space to counter. So make the attacking sub, and look to keep the momentum and get the second, then the third.

Inviting pressure nearly always leads to conceding.

15 Jul 2026 22:45:31
6 defenders on the pitch is disgraceful, especially with no outlet, asking to be beaten.

15 Jul 2026 23:03:40
Yup. Bottled it. All on Tuchel tonight.

15 Jul 2026 23:27:05
Eric, I wouldn't lay the whole blame on the manager. Certainly he plays a big role, but ultimately our players just weren't good enough.

16 Jul 2026 00:24:17
Players virtually the same ones playing every game is not necessary in those stupid group games... Tt made terrible decisions before the tournament even started, not taking Pamer, Foden or Trent for some creativity was a sin in itself.

16 Jul 2026 00:31:12
Not sure I agree tonight, Shappy. He picked the squad that was woefully ill-equipped at full back and on the wings, and Argentina ran riot in those channels tonight once we scored.

He also played players out of position all tournament, and completely bottled tonight, trying to defend for almost 40 minutes against the world champions, on the ropes, giving the side no outlet to escape the pressure.

Saka and James were not fit enough for the tournament, and were still chosen.

Exactly what happened to Southgate's England side against Italy in the Euro finals.

16 Jul 2026 08:17:17
I disagree, Shappy.

We didn't get to find out if the players were good enough, because Tuchel decided to stop trying to play football once we scored.

Since Argentina didn't start playing football until then, we never got to see which team was better at football.



If Tuchel had made different decisions, kept trying to play instead of parking the bus, and Argentina were just better, that would be fine, but that didn't happen.

16 Jul 2026 09:54:04
I think he got most, if not all, of the big calls right up until last night.
The same tactics worked great against Mexico with one less man. Sadly, Argentina have a bit more about them, the passes and crosses going in were better, and the players on the end of them were better.

Suddenly, when Konsa and Burn were on and we were chasing a goal, it didn't look so clever. Kane was crap in both games after Mexico.

16 Jul 2026 11:20:08
I think even his calls before the tournament started were wrong. Why no creativity taken with Foden, Trent, and Palmer overlooked for Henderson to be a cheer leader, Mainoo to keep the bench warm. Foden and Palmer would have been better to take than those two, at least they are capable of changing a game. Trent can deliver a ball like no other, and we don't take him.

Tuchel then continues to play and play Kane at 32; he was not needed for all the stupid early round games, and looked dead on his feet yesterday.
Then there’s players in the squad who hardly played all season for their clubs.
And really, Dan Burn & Konsa is the best we got...

15 Jul 2026 22:17:43
Unlucky England

SAF always said.

Never defend a 1 goal lead in the 3rd quarter cos there is no time to come back.

15 Jul 2026 22:14:02
Gotta say. None of the World Cup managers linked with United have covered themselves with glory in the tournament. Ancellotti, Pochettino, Nagelsmann, Tuchel have all been average and managed teams which have not done great. Carrick seems to be a shrewd appointment and saves us a load of grief and pressure if we had appointed one of these.

15 Jul 2026 23:50:58
You need to separate results from the impact of the manager. I would say Ancelotti achieved about as expected, Pochettino the same, Tuchel over achieved. But, talking about that requires delving into the stats and team strength, expected goals (not xG), and it's too small an audience for that!!

16 Jul 2026 12:55:13
DonRed, how did Tuchel overachieve? England probably have the 3rd best team on paper and are in the 3rd-4th play offs. I'd say only France and Spain have a better pool of players to pick from.

16 Jul 2026 14:12:15
England had Saka injured, have a very ordinary defence, and lack creativity. I think you are massively overestimating the strength of that England squad.

16 Jul 2026 15:19:13
That was down to the manager's selection and not the pool of players available to him. Foden, Palmer, Trent would have solved the creativity issues. Hall/Shaw and Trent would have made the defence better. I stand by England having the 3rd best pool of players to pick from in the world, and they achieved the bare minimum with it.

{Ed001's Note - why does no one even mention Gibbs-White? He was the best English player at the end of the season.}

15 Jul 2026 19:07:25
Santos was done reasonably quickly, Tielemans was done really quickly, I do like this ninja approach, and we need to apply it to selling a few and generate some funds.

There's a long time to go and we have done pretty well so far, we won't know how well until we see if they settle, but another CM and a couple of others and we have massively improved the squad.

I guess the sell on fee for Greenwood was an unexpected bonus. It may help us stretch to a higher fee for a prime target.

There's definitely a good feel about things right now, and you know I like my feels.

15 Jul 2026 19:52:00
AJH
Believe we got EUR12.4M from the Greenwood sale.

15 Jul 2026 19:58:44
We had to payday 3.6 to get everything out of that Red Man.

15 Jul 2026 20:03:43
Yeah, I think the meltdowns and complaints are due to start again if we've not got another one in by the weekend. 🤣
Raahford holds the key to an attacking addition, so until that gets resolved there will be little movement on that front, I suspect.


We only have 3 snr full backs at the club, and none of them are any good really. That's where id be hoping something happens next.

15 Jul 2026 23:05:51
Honestly, why sell Rashford then if he and Carrick can agree he should come back, knicke down, and do the business? He can play LW, and fill in at CF! He's a quality player, when he can @rsed.

15 Jul 2026 18:23:33
I can't believe we haven't signed anyone today. Wilcox out!

15 Jul 2026 14:52:30
To what extent are the FA's and UEFA's home grown rules going to affect our transfer policy from here on in?

15 Jul 2026 00:53:57
Wonder if United might swap Rashford for Cassado plus cash?

15 Jul 2026 17:29:24
Realistically, if we are going to sign players from Barca and Madrid who are not quite good enough and surplus to requirements, we should be looking at the same loan with an "option" to buy as Barca have done to us with Rashford.



I wouldn't even mind a loan deal for Camavinga as the third midfielder, of course, with an "option" to buy if it makes sense.

14 Jul 2026 23:45:33
So who does everyone?

1. Think the next midfielder will be.

2. Want the next midfielder to be.

For me, I think it will be Kone but would love a leftfield signing like Bruno G or Tchouameni.

I still think an offer of 150M for Bruno G and Lewis Hall would make Newcastle consider and would shape up to a solid window.

15 Jul 2026 06:49:12
Scott and Scott.

Bruno G is 28.

Touchameni, didn't he use interest to get a better deal?

Lewis Hall would be very good IMO.

15 Jul 2026 07:52:21
I like Scott or Wharton. Big engines.

I'm not a huge, huge fan of Kone, he's at Roma, no PL experience, and aside from a game or 2 in the WC, he wasn't fantastic, particularly last night. That's when he plays with the best around him.

We need someone who grabs the bull by the horns, industrious, scrappy, etc. I think Anderson was ideal, but after him Scott or Wharton for me.

But I'm sure the club have several options that satisfy their analytics.

15 Jul 2026 08:10:53
Baleba miles ahead of Scott for me for what we need.

15 Jul 2026 08:11:50
I think, with the approach it will be a Premier League proven player and I think Baleba. I know he had a poor season but I think one of the Ed's said he had an injury, not a great preseason and his head was turned and it didn't materialise. His profile is perfect but appreciate fee will be an issue and a decision on can they get him to his best again.

I think I'm edging towards Baleba as I think he offers a physical presence that others don't quite match but Scott would be a great addition.

With the first two additions, could be a left field addition. Sander Berge, Tyler Adams or Lucas Bergvall?!

15 Jul 2026 08:42:01
I too think it'll be Baleba.

£150m for Bruno G and Hall? What value are you putting on each player??? That's farcical money.

15 Jul 2026 10:28:36
Has to be Baleba.
We don't have legs in the midfield. Pace and power is what you need in the Premier League and Baleba has bundles of it. Playing for his dream club, I think he would be signing of the season come next year. I truly believe there's a gem there.

15 Jul 2026 10:39:58
I guess it depends on if we stay with a 2 or move to a 3. Someone who sits and breaks up play is completely different to a box to box player. I like Scott a lot, but also see the attraction of Baleba, assuming the price is sensible.

15 Jul 2026 11:34:58
I think it will be Baleba. I like Scott, but either would be good signings.

Don't rate Bruno from Newcastle, 29, be wanting big wages, and for the fee Newcastle are being quoted as wanting, no thanks.

15 Jul 2026 11:58:32
1. Joao Gomes.
2. Baleba.

Bonus: I'd take Palhinha on loan.

15 Jul 2026 12:04:34
Plenty young players have a dip for a season or two after a breakout year. It's a risk to assume it is just a dip, though. We can all think of players who we thought were destined for great futures, only to prove to be a flash in the pan.

If we do get Baleba, then I hope, like Kobbie, who also stormed onto the scene, he can put a poor season behind him and achieve his full potential.

15 Jul 2026 12:42:15
The £150M on Bruno G and Hall would break down to £80m and £50M, then add ons.

I forgot about Gomes. That could be the engine, but I also think Baleba is underrated for sure. However, Brighton won't budge on price.

15 Jul 2026 12:59:37
I like Kone from what I've seen at the World Cup. I've ruled out a 'marquee' signing in midfield. Players in their prime rarely leave Real, so Camavinga and Tchouemeni talk is wishful thinking, imo.
Keep seeing Scott mentioned, but didn't Bournemouth rule him out leaving weeks ago when Arsenal sniffed?

15 Jul 2026 14:21:17
Is 28 considered old for a player now, Red Man? Considering he would likely be signed for 4 years and finish his contract younger than Casemiro is?

15 Jul 2026 13:32:06
I think we've done a great job of adding players to midfield that have different and complementary styles of play.

What I think we are missing though is a big, powerful, athletic midfielder. Someone to add real physicality to the midfield. Carlos Baleba would be a good example, although I feel that we can get a similar player for a lot less than Brighton are demanding for Baleba.

Anderson and Mateus Fernandes are fantastic players, and I won't suggest now that I wouldn't have been happy if we signed them. However, if I'm honest I think that we have managed to sign some great alternatives for a lot less.

I feel like our signings have been much smarter this summer. So far we have avoided the "obvious" signings, but still managed to sign quality and potential.

Youri Tielemans will add a genuine playmaker, but someone who also won't shy away from their defensive duties. He also brings great experience and leadership, key things we need just as much as we need quality. EPL proven to boot.

Andrey Santos adds passing, and ball winning ability, he's an interesting blend of tenacious and measured, clearly an intelligent player. I think he's flown slightly under the radar, when he was at Strasbourg the only midfielders to beat him in key midfield metrics are the PSG lads. While they will typically perform better due to playing for the dominant side in Ligue 1. The only reason he didn't start more for Chelsea was largely political, you can't drop either Caicedo or Enzo Fernandez (both 100m+ players) for a youngster. That said the teams performances levels never dropped when he played ahead of either of them.

Those two alongside Mainoo gives us three options, who are all good enough to be regular starters, for two positions.

I'm also pleased that the club decided to pull out of the Ederson deal after an issue came up on his medical. Mistakes have been made in the past where we've had potential issues flag up on the medical but decided to sign them anyway (Hargreaves and Mount spring to mind). I feel sorry for the player, he's been messed around a little, and I feel for him. But the club have to do what is best for the club, and if a potential issue has flagged up then it's not worth the risk. Especially given that he'd be moving from a slower league to a much quicker and more physical one in the EPL.

If we can find that physically dominant midfielder for a reasonable fee then it will be an A* transfer window in terms of rebuilding the midfield. That is of course based on potential and not how they actually pan out as their potential suggests.

15 Jul 2026 14:52:10
I like Kone- he played pretty well yesterday in a midfield 2 against Spain's 3. Stupid from France are not down to him.

The Camavinga rumours seem to have started up since Tchuameni agreed with Real. Not sure if he is really considered, but age, experience, ability to play DCM and leftback cover at a high level are interesting.

Old MU would buy him in name alone. Will he fit with what new team are looking for? Unknown.

Hopefully, utd have a strong plan and will get who they need to compliment the current squad.

15 Jul 2026 14:53:42
A left-footed midfielder, Mainoo, Santos, and Tielemans are all right-footed. It would be nice to have a left-footer in there for balance. From those mentioned above, Baleba and Wharton are the only left-footers. However, if the player is long-term, playing with Mainoo, they need to make up for his lack of defensive output.

The best partner that's young, left-footed, a defensive beast, and at a club that you can pull him out of is Mamadou Sangare at Lens.

15 Jul 2026 17:29:40
Sorry, left out Baleba too.

DB gave up way too easily a couple of times last night. I know it's tough v a midfield three, but it shouldn't stop him trying.

15 Jul 2026 17:42:06
Sadiki from Sunderland.

15 Jul 2026 18:20:23
France in general played poorly, but he was still playing, getting in the ball and passing forward through to the end. Long after his teammates appeared to have thrown in the towel. Sure, the scouts will not react to a single game, and I haven't seen him enough to say whether he is definitely who I would go for.

I just hope we get someone who can cover a lot of ground, break up play when needed, and pass the ball well. A lot are being mentioned here who could play that role, so we are not short of options.

15 Jul 2026 18:50:53
Just had a look at Eduardo Camavinga's stats. Left-footed, high energy, passes forward, defensive beast, 23. He played in the 21/22 Champions League and league-winning side 40 times, and in the 23/24 Champions League and league-winning side 46 times.

At 23, to have the number of games he has for Real Madrid and the trophies he has is pretty remarkable.


Probably too expensive for our board though.

14 Jul 2026 21:16:15
Genuine question to all those that were unhappy at losing out on Fernandes.
Do you think Tielemans is more like what the team needs right now?
I understand the unrealised potential of Fernandes but we already have that in Mainoo.
Santos is probably a better player than Fernandes already and has just as high a ceiling by all accounts.


I think we have both for less money and less wages combined.
My expectation is that Tielemans will come in and hit the ground running.
Santos might do the same. He comes across very confident but may take more time to settle.

15 Jul 2026 07:54:31
Ken, I'm delighted with the signings. I think Tielemans is proven over and over. In his prime, he should hit the ground running.

I think Casemiro's goals papered over so many cracks in the middle of the pitch. Getting in runners like Santos and Tielemans is going to transform how we play, and, I have no doubt, will add to the goals and offer greater protection to the defense.



We may seriously surprise people this season. We are not far off.

15 Jul 2026 11:36:42
Not far off, you're joking. We have one rookie striker who is already picking up injuries. We have poor CBs with no pace, and they pick up many injuries. We have poor full backs, and a new midfield, plus we have no idea how Lammens will react to the World Cup blunder in the short term.

I would say that's a lot more than not far off.

15 Jul 2026 13:50:53
We have better players than lady session, and we were not far off. rd, I think writing 7 points of 2nd, so not far off.

14 Jul 2026 16:23:46
I don't know how true this is but there have been a few reports and several sightings of mainoos brother at the Whitehouse appealing to trump to 'free kobbie'
Trump according to reports tru. p is considering showing England play with 12 men v Argentina so that Robbie can play.

14 Jul 2026 17:10:04
Will the rest of Take That be in attendance as well?

14 Jul 2026 17:19:49
Should Ivan Toney's brother tag along.

14 Jul 2026 18:21:09
Worked the last time. 😂