Manchester United banter 2

10 Jan 2026 08:19:33
Ooh, be careful, Mr Dyche. Criticising players like that might get you sacked.

10 Jan 2026 11:51:23
Fizz, let it go, life's too short.

10 Jan 2026 12:31:15
AJH, No.

10 Jan 2026 07:39:06
{Ed's Note - BRD has posted a new article entitled, Still Reeling From Amorim's Exit at Manchester United

10 Jan 2026 10:26:39
Agree on pretty much all counts. I'm one of those you call out at the end going to every game. Under Amorim I was enjoying it for the first time in a long time as it felt like watching a long-term journey.

I've totally lost that excitement now and the thought of going to games just doesn't appeal. I'll be there nevertheless but I'm fed up of constantly going back on the merry go round.

10 Jan 2026 19:01:59
Well said guys. The joy has been removed from it.
I was enthused by Sesko scoring twice though, hopefully he kicks on and becomes great.

09 Jan 2026 23:07:12
From a personal perspective Cameroon losing to Morocco tonight was good for us as Bryan Mbeumo will be returning to Manchester soon.

Tomorrow night Ivory Coast play Egypt, so again being selfish, I hope Egypt prevail and Amad will then be returning.

So far Amad has been one of the players' of the tournament, 4 games played, 3 goals scored and 3 man of the match performances. Would almost like him to do the business again and advance in the tournament. Hope he plays well whatever and brings his good form back when he returns.

10 Jan 2026 11:41:13
When we reflect on this season the AFCON might ultimately be the thing that details our season.

We lost both Amad and Mbeumo to the tournament, two of our best and most important attacking players.

While they were there we lost to Villa, and drew with Burnley, Leeds and Wolves. In all those games we were the better team, created more chances, and had more shots. But ultimately failed to take those chances. That's between 6-9 points dropped during that time down to being unable to get the goals we needed despite being the better team.

That would put us on between 38-41 points, making us 4th with a 3-6 point cushion over 5th place and within touching distance of 3rd place.

Make no mistake the AFCON has royally screwed us this season.

09 Jan 2026 16:51:57


BRD has written an article entitled, Still Reeling From Amorim's Exit at Manchester United

09 Jan 2026 17:42:24
I supported Amorim all the way. He did a lot of good things. But in the end he had to go. If it's true that he threw this hissy fit simply because Wilcox was questioning the suitability of 3-4-3 at the current moment in time when points are critical to the clubs future revenues and thus the capacity to afford the types of players Amorim needed, then he was totally out of line. Anyone could see that his system had its frailties, leaving holes in midfield and often leaving CBs to mark wingers far pacier than them. There was no indication that the club was asking him to change his system over the long haul. He surely knew that it was a long term project and that the club is hard up for cash. Quite frankly I thought his outburst was the height of immaturity.

It's clear that he's extremely arrogant and devoid of pragmatism. He may end up coaching back in the Portuguese league and doing well. But in the EPL his record speaks for itself. There have been improvements for sure, and many of us were quite prepared to see him have the opportunity to coach a more tailored squad. But, no, he acted like a spoilt impatient brat.

As for the management team I disagree with much of the criticism. They acquired some excellent players. Mbuemo, Cunha and Lammens all look good. Dorgu has actually been playing much better and scored a great goal and made two truly excellent crosses for goals of late. I have a suspicion that we will actually do better in a 4 at the back formation. It should play to Shaw's strengths and cover Yoro's weaknesses.

It may be difficult over the next few months but with the right acquisitions in the summer the next manager should have an excellent opportunity to succeed. It could have been Amorim, but he chose to fire himself, and leave United with a record that will be looked back on as a failure.

09 Jan 2026 18:22:24
‘His’ record could only be judged after he got ‘his’ players! He wasn’t given time. A missed opportunity- and that’s the first time I’ve felt that with any manager sacked since Fergie.

09 Jan 2026 19:00:59
I think that's a very fair summary. I don't agree with some points but they are a matter of opinion.
He had his own reasons for doing acting and saying the things he did. He knew the consequences.


Its put the management in a tough spot and forced them into a situation they didn't want to be in.
The only silver lining is that now they're is time to get the selecting right.

09 Jan 2026 20:25:58
Amazing how much faith we are putting in Jason Wilcox. You could argue what pedigree does he have for challenging Amorim.

Something had to change, would have preferred the owners, then the management team, lastly Amorim. Unsurprising the manager goes first, they better get the next permanent appointment more right.

Bottom line is that we need to keep up the radical change, old guard out, new guard in. From there we can slowly build back towards something competitive.

09 Jan 2026 20:33:19
Do you think the will Tumble? Who would you go for at the end of the season?

09 Jan 2026 20:54:34
The fundamental thing here that undermines your argument is that Amorim had won the internal battle. From what Ed001 said, things came to a head with Wilcox, and the club had decided to back Amorim and sack Wilcox to bring in a new DoF more suited to Amorim.

This would have given Amorim the opportunity to work with someone on his wavelength, and build the type of squad he wanted to. Instead, Amorim used the press conference to engineer his own dismissal. The problems he ranted about at the end of the press conference were the issues that club had decided to rectify in his favour.

That leaves us with the ultimate conclusion that Amorim no longer wanted to be here. My own opinion is that Amorim was struggling to cope with the pressure and scrutiny, and frustrated that things just weren’t working on the pitch. He used the bust up as an excuse to get fired.

There are things that I like about Amorim as a coach, and the vast majority of the blame rests with the club directors. But his biggest failure was an inability to work with the tools he had. He’s system first, squad second, and this is why other English clubs didn’t hire him. To succeed at the top level of football, a coach needs to adapt. To get the best out of the players they have at their disposal. Time and time again, Amorim set his side up to play a system of football that they were simply incapable of executing effectively. The proof of this is in the results. When it came down to it, he was more concerned with playing his way than playing winning football.

09 Jan 2026 21:17:55
Brd. I always live in hope when it comes to united so yes I think they will get a good appointment.
I don't care who it is to be honest nor can I recommend anybody because I don't know enough about any of them really.
I know from watching that there are a few managers i'd rather it not be.
Putting ole bufoon in is not filling me with any confidence.

But amorim left the team in a European place so he only has to do as well as amorim has done so far this year to qualify us for Europe.
Its really important imo that our interim keeps us in that European place or moves us up 1 spot to get the cl spot it would help No end with recruitment both coaches and players.

09 Jan 2026 21:23:29
Danny nails it. Whatever was happening behind the scenes, RA seems to have engineered an exit.

09 Jan 2026 21:57:02
They're is no doubt about that ajh. He knew the consequences of saying what he did.
He obviously felt scorned. Good move on his part to be fair beats walking away from 12m.

10 Jan 2026 00:09:42
Yes BRD, given all the players he needed to run his system he might well have proved himself to be a great manager. The club was aiming for 2028 as the year by we should be challenging for the title again. So, the question remains, if the club - which has backed him up in public repeatedly despite all the criticism and pressure from the press and pundits - was prepared to be patient, why wasn't Amorim?

I agree with Danny. The pressure became too much, so he got himself fired for doing exactly what we've been highly critical of a number of players for doing. He never gave himself a chance to see how he could do with the players he needed, some of whom would surely have been acquired in the summer. He could have toed the line, relaxed his intransigence, and played for the summer to acquire better players. But no, that's not what he chose. That's down to him. So he will leave the club with the history books showing his awful record. He may have been successful, he may not have been. No one will ever know. The next manager will get the credit for any success down the line. That's how it works.

10 Jan 2026 08:14:49
If Wilcox new he had lost and was about to be fired, do you think he engineered the situation with Amorim so that he would blow up in that press conference, proper Machiavelli stuff.

10 Jan 2026 08:20:21
Good article BRD

May I add that whilst Wilcox has been terrible on this and needs sacking, where was Berada?

Surely as senior and line manager to Wilcox he should have stepped in. It should never have got to where it did. That to me places questions at Berada’s position. Wilcox has to go, now, but Berada cannot hide on this.

The pictures at Burnley of them sat next to each other looked awkward, deliberate to show they were together. Fine, they can both go together, get someone in who can handle a manager properly and instead of trying to change the manager, develop him for the exact reasons they brought him in.

As to Ole, if they bring him back, it’s pure incompetence from SJR, they will look a bunch of utter idiots. It would look like purely a give the fans something to be positive about and sets us as a totally non serious football club.

10 Jan 2026 09:57:32
A lot to agree with in this article. That's my opinion for what it's worth.

10 Jan 2026 09:59:17
Agree RM.

10 Jan 2026 10:00:13
Danny, that's a good post and summarisation given the Athletic article and Ed001s understanding of the situation.

But I still believe they will get it right. But the scrutiny on the team of Berrada, Wilcox, Vivell etc will never as high as it is right now.

09 Jan 2026 14:56:06
FA cup semi final v Arsenal penalty, sending off and the Ryan Giggs winner, pure magic.

09 Jan 2026 16:58:32
Didn't fancy joining the thread below? 🤣.

09 Jan 2026 13:32:19
The fa cup does not hold the same esteem it used to but its a comp i still very much enjoy. I remember when 'grandstand used have reporters and cameras on the team bus on the way to Wembley.
My 1st live game to see united was an fa cup final in 1977.
What is everybody's fav fa cup moment from when they started supporting united?
Despite the fond memories I have from that 77 final my fav fa cup moment is the 85 final v Everton.

We had Kevin Moran sent off and beat the best team in the country at that time Everton with a Norman whiteside curling shot to beat southall. 1 nil.

09 Jan 2026 13:53:00
TW
I was behind the goal when Whiteside scored in 85, at Maine Road when Robson and Hughes scored. Been to a number of finals. In 79 I was at Maine Road for the 2all semi. Tough to have a favourite, on TV Giggs in the 99 semi, live was the Whiteside moment.

(Great to be at Wembley in 94 for the first Double though)
I remember in the 70’s final coverage started about 9am and in 76 recall Gordon Hill doing a Norman Wisdon impression, but I felt they all looked so nervous and lost.

09 Jan 2026 13:55:38
Same for me Ken. I remember losing to Southampton in '76 and then redemption the year after against the dominant Liverpool team. Then the heartbreak of '79, but the elation of Norm's goal in '85. Great memories.

I got married on Cup Final day in 1995 when we lost to Everton.

09 Jan 2026 14:09:13
85 was my first cup final. Great memories with my dad. and its still my favourite utd goal. what a goal.

09 Jan 2026 14:40:26
Not my first time seeing United live, but my first Final was 76 v Southampton, followed by 77 win against Liverpool. Whilst I wasn't at the semi-final v Arsenal, that goal by Giggs has to be my favourite ever goal of all time.
I used to love the all-day TV coverage back in the day.

09 Jan 2026 14:42:03
Cantonas volley against the scousers. Perfect way to send them packing, especially after they rocked those awful white suits 🤣.

09 Jan 2026 18:00:21
One of my best live games was the semi final with Arsenal at Villa Park in '83.

They scored in the first half before Robbo and Norm scored screamers in the second half to win it, all goals at our end, amazing atmosphere.

If you're too young to remember it, go onto YT and have a look.

09 Jan 2026 19:23:07
Not necessarily my favourite FA Cup game but one of my favourite FA Cup moments was Sparky’s volley v Oldham in the Semi at Wembley in the 119th Minute in 94. Loved the 83 Final Replay and Robson’s performance and Robbo’s goal v Liverpool in 85 is one of my favourite goals ever.

Miss the days of getting up and watching all day and following the bus from the hotel all the way to Wembley. Was the biggest and best competition in the world once (IMO) .

09 Jan 2026 19:49:33
Ports, was just about to mention the Oldham game.
The game was on the day of my uncles funeral who was a massive United fan, the reason I support them.
I was only 10/11 but remember his mates with radios in their suit pockets listening to the game.

09 Jan 2026 20:45:47
Denis’s opener against Leicester in 1963. Ryan’s against Arsenal in 1999 was also unforgettable!

09 Jan 2026 21:19:20
Patrick you must be about 103🤣🤣🤣.

09 Jan 2026 21:53:53
Wish I was Ken! 😂.

09 Jan 2026 22:21:20
Ports, mark Hughes is in my top 5 favourite united players of my lifetime. A man for the big occasion.

09 Jan 2026 22:50:01
Nearly took my dad’s eye out with the Mark Hughes goal against Oldham with a flag. He bit I didn’t care. Magical stuff. As were the semi finals at Maine Road against Oldham in 1990. Brilliant times.

10 Jan 2026 01:09:39
Nice to hear a few trips down memory lane. Good times will return don't lose the faith. 🏆🏆🏆.

09 Jan 2026 07:39:07
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 20 - Quick Round Up

09 Jan 2026 01:46:06
Let’s call a spade a spade. Martinelli was very lucky not to see red. Dropping the ball onto Bradley, then using his knee to press down before shoving an injured player off the pitch is unacceptable behaviour — no matter who you support.

That kind of conduct should never be normalised or excused, especially when it’s clearly visible to fans on all sides.

Arsenal have rarely been an honest team in moments like these, and their habit of time-wasting and feigning injuries has been on show for years. This was just another example — and it deserved stronger punishment.

09 Jan 2026 05:45:21
It didn't look good from Martinelli but to be fair he probably thought it was a bit of timewasting as he doesn't have the benifit of all the angles like we do on TV. On a side note the comments about it from Slot were class, he could easily have ripped the Arsenal player to bits.

09 Jan 2026 10:52:56
Martinelli was frustrated because he thought it was time wasting and also looked like Bradley was deliberately rolling back onto the pitch.

So where was VAR? Bottled it again?

Where was VAR when the players were getting physical, handbags some will say, yet hands up aggression, a melee, players out of control. Isn’t that points deductions?

On VAR when Cas was sent off for putting his hands up to someone’s throat it was all correct, when Semenyo did it to Dalot, no problem. So when Martinelli did that where is the VAR punishment? Looks to me like VAR is selective.

09 Jan 2026 12:15:29
My pet hate is what I call 'whataboutary' redman 🤣 one of my pet hates i should say.
I hate the poor me, and look what happened to them attitude.
Var is a bit of a joke its inconsistent because its not perfect and there is too much human involvement in it imo.

09 Jan 2026 13:03:19
Martinelli probably assumed just because of theatrics from what Arsenal players can do.
But more last night was (Liverpool being lauded by Neville) playing for a draw with their constant timewasting tippy tappy without going anywhere, passed around the defenders go wide, back round the defenders again.


Slobozai constantly throwing himself to the floor and the usual culprit Maccallister who goes down holding a part of the body whether tackled or putting in a nasty challenge himself but still goes down as if tackled.

09 Jan 2026 13:05:45
Ken mentions 'whataboutary' then uses Boris responsable for Brexit football analogies and every brexiteer is stupid.

09 Jan 2026 13:09:09
The problem is Ken, VAR is having a huge impact on the outcome of games and/or future games (players being suspended or not suspended for example) and it's inconsistency brings into question the integrity of football by making outcomes feel arbitrary.

I agree about 'whataboutery' generally in life but within Football, VAR should be in place to remove all of this but sadly all it seems to have done IMO is intensified it.

09 Jan 2026 13:54:59
If what Martinelli did was so bad why didn’t VAR give a straight red?

09 Jan 2026 18:01:59
I thought it was fine. Too many players roll around and waste time. Yes, this time there was an injury, but you reap what you sow. Slot had it right.

09 Jan 2026 22:23:51
I admire slot for his comments. Total de-escalation 🙌.

08 Jan 2026 22:46:47
Eds, to change the discussion somewhat from the manager situation.

Are we effectively out of the transfer market for January whilst other matters are resolved, or are the club considering pressing ahead with identified targets for the club's direction, irrespective of who is in the dugout?

{Ed001's Note - no mate, the head coach did not control transfers anyway. That was one of the things Amorim was angry about.}

09 Jan 2026 03:55:26
That is one positive then!
Are you able to shed any light on possible departures (assuming there will be some) and arrivals.
I'd be gutted to see Guehi go to a rival, he would be class for us.

{Ed001's Note - I don't expect much to happen, the change in how finances are regulated will free up United to be able to spend more in the summer. It is most likely to just be kids out on loan, unless a summer target looks like joining someone else. As far as I am aware, Guehi is not a target for United as he said no thanks last summer.

09 Jan 2026 08:40:09
Any truth in the Yan Diomande links coming out today saying we have made a bid.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know about a bid sorry. There is certainly interest there and it is the kind of player you are looking at - long term signings that can allow the team to return to a back four and play with wide forwards/wingers.}

09 Jan 2026 08:52:06
I expect that there are conversations with players we would be interested in in the summer (Baleba/Wharton etc), if these are available then we could see some action but none of us want players for 6 months (unless a loan) that are not part of the long term strategy.

If as Ed001 has said we will be in a much stronger position come the summer with the finance regulations changing then holidng now could benefit us long term.

I think we have enough in the squad if we can get some consistency to get into Europe, whether that is champions league ahead of Liverpool is dubious. But if the interim manager can get some consistency we could have a good second half of the season.

09 Jan 2026 10:50:15
Ed - genuine question. If the long term plan was to go back to wingers, why allow Garnacho and Rashford, our only decent wingers/wide players, leave? Was it more cultural fit issues than ability?

The decion to let Hojlund move also now looking slightly ridiculous as we still only have one striker in our squad.

Who is actually running the club and calling the shots, as it’s not the head coach/manager cleverly.

{Ed001's Note - you brought in Cunha and Mbeumo, who are both seen as wide forwards to replace them. They went because you got upgrades. Garnacho is dross, he went because his head is up his own arse and he offers nothing other than to smash it into the crowd.

A head coach is never going to run the club, that is what you have CEO's for usually.}

09 Jan 2026 12:06:22
Rashford was lazy at Utd. I hope he never come back and finally gets sold this summer.

09 Jan 2026 22:52:06
I should have been more specific. I meant run the club in terms of making decisions on which players to sign.

Don’t disagree on Cunha and Mbeumo. Still have Rashford back through.

08 Jan 2026 21:58:47
I really can't believe Martinelli pushed Bradley while he was down and injured, what a clown. The lad was clearly injured and suffered, i wish there would be a punishement for him.

08 Jan 2026 22:07:31
Maybe professional footballers feign injury too much? Cry wolf and all that. It’s a collective issue if truth be told.

08 Jan 2026 22:16:00
Dumb move. i'm sure he didn't realise he was badly injured but still doesn't look well on him. I see him apologising to players at the end and they seemed OK with him. Error of judgement at that moment but when players cheat and feign injury all the time this is what can happen.

08 Jan 2026 22:30:27
I don't think he realised how serious it is, i agree. But how can be sure that it isn't and push him out of pitch? It diesnt look well for Martinelli in any prespective, futhermore maybe he should know that it was a bad injury because the player was next to him, Bradley jumped and carried his knee, that screams a possible bad injury i would think.

09 Jan 2026 03:19:43
It's not very sporting, but players often do that sort of thing when someone dives and face very little criticism or punishment. The difference being a serious injury, of course, but if martinelli didn't realise he was injured then perhaps call it a mistake and move on?

09 Jan 2026 07:28:07
Storm in a tea cup.

09 Jan 2026 07:58:56
VAR - Unsportsmanlike conduct. There were 2/3 yellow card offences commited by GM in that moment.

09 Jan 2026 12:07:48
Only getting attention because it was the most exciting thing to happen in the game!