Manchester United Banter 2

26 Apr 2026 21:46:23
Hi Ed's am I right in saying that Napoli have an obligation to buy hojlund as long as they make UCL? They're currently 2nd so it looks a safe bet he gone.

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, that is correct.}

26 Apr 2026 22:48:06
Happy days now we just need rid of ugarte, onana and mount then we r getting somewhere lol. Cheers ed.

27 Apr 2026 03:31:59
And Rashford.

27 Apr 2026 04:44:43
And Shaw.
And Dalot.
And de Ligt.
And Martinez.
And Zirzkee.

27 Apr 2026 08:25:54
First and foremost Hojlund and Rashford have to go for the agreed amount.

Shifting the others may be more difficult.

Jimbo, Dalot? Why? He's probably one of the most consistent performers in that team, and is always available.

I really like him.

I agree with the rest, but I don't think Shaw or Martinez will move. I would have loved to see de Ligt stay too, but I fear for his injuries.

27 Apr 2026 09:03:20
You're right Jimbo, but realistically getting rid of 3/4 of them is probably the best we'll manage.

27 Apr 2026 12:52:10
Angelred, yes he's been available, but come on, are we really going to push for a title with Dalot as our full time right back? He is bang average at best.
He just isn't good enough, constantly out of position, and his defending is terrible.
I think both full back areas, left and right, need looking at, as well as the central midfield area this summer.

27 Apr 2026 13:09:28
Both full back positions need attention. Dalot is a 6.5 every week, not nearly at the level required to push for major honours. Either he or Mazraoui is very replaceable.

Shaw has been reliable this season, and Dorgu looks like he can do a job further up the pitch. Left back is definitely on the list for improvement.



On a side note, shame we didn't include an obligation to buy for Rashford, like the one for Hojlund. Barcelona are already playing the media, saying they won't pay £30,000,000. Spanish clubs are playing the pauper when it's time to pony up the dough.

It will be a long summer trying to shift a few of those lads.

27 Apr 2026 13:24:45
Simo, I'm not suggesting that he is a nailed on starter every week, but I don't see horrible defending and always being out of position with him. I actually think he is one of the most dependable defenders of the bunch and I'm absolutely fine with him as part of the squad.



He also keeps getting picked by every manager we have had, so that should also tell us something.

27 Apr 2026 13:48:36
Shaw and Dalot have both looked much better since Amorim left. Don't understand why we would look to sell either.

27 Apr 2026 13:54:45
Saw that about Barca, Mumbles. Typical ploy from them, and they're probably hoping Rashford forces our hand by refusing to go elsewhere. Hopefully we stand firm and get what was agreed. In the end, the fee is more than fair for a player of Rashford's age.

27 Apr 2026 13:55:51
Just shows how depleted we are.... Listen, I am not gonna argue with you, it's all about opinions. My opinion is that both full backs are not up to it if we want to push on next season.

27 Apr 2026 14:57:55
I agree, Sim, the know-alls will say one thing, but it's a simple fact that they are both in the bottom 5 % of all EPL full backs for goals or assists and key passes.
2 very average Joe's who contribute little or nothing to our progressive play.
They are average or below in most aspects of the game compared to their peers.


This season alone, Shaw has an assist and no goals in the EPL, and Dalot has no assists and no goals. Yes, they are defenders, but full backs have more to their role than simply defending.
Their stats for defending are a little better, but we don't keep many clean sheets.
They are well below par for EPL full backs imo.

27 Apr 2026 15:19:16
I'm good with Dalot being a squad option. Have always said we need better full backs to start, but I wouldn't look to sell him. Would be nowhere near the top of my list.

Danny, agree, both looked better since the overachieving Ra has left.

27 Apr 2026 15:30:50
Thankfully, we have all the stats and data to go on. Some would say the stats don't lie, although context needs to be added most of the time for them to make sense.

27 Apr 2026 17:30:31
Dalot has 3 assists and a goal this season.

When you say 'we' have all the stats, those stats are not well below par?

27 Apr 2026 18:15:28
Dalot and Shaw are both solid players. Long term, we should be looking to upgrade. But this isn't a priority.

This summer the priority has to be bringing in 2 midfielders, a centre back, and another forward.

27 Apr 2026 18:56:43
Agree with all that, Danny.

27 Apr 2026 19:22:05
Angel, he is the last to go from that lot, in fairness to him, and I wouldn't mind him as back up. But if we have the desire, cash and ability to churn through all the others this summer, which is highly doubtful, though.

For me, he needs to be upgraded.

Next summer, we will be crying out for a right fullback if we get everything else right this summer.

27 Apr 2026 19:40:22
Jimbo, I've always said, we need top quality full backs, but he is a fine squad player and I don't sigh when I see him play. He gets involved (1 goal, 3 assists), is passionate, and defensively sound.



Like Danny says, CM, CB and a forward are the priority positions for us this summer. We can think about FB next year. Remember, Dorgu is still there also and can deputise as a LB too.

27 Apr 2026 22:21:14
Apart from today's performance, he was dire; same for Shaw.

And here is the contentious content... We need to get rid of Amad ASAP whilst he has perceived value.

He is atrocious.

Today's performance was one of his worst.

I looked at his offsides this season.

He now has 13 from 28 games.
Next nearest is Mbeumo and Dorgu on 7 and Sesko on 6.

I have Dorgu ahead of him now, whether that is 343 and a wing back role, or 442 and on the left side.

Maybe he can be understudy to Mbeumo on the right. Otherwise, sell.

28 Apr 2026 01:38:53
I think Amad had some personal upset this last year, no doubt it has knocked him a bit. He desperately needs a coach to tell him it is his job to create for others first, score second. He has a knack of making things happen, definitely keep and see how he does next year for me.

26 Apr 2026 17:05:35
So Chelsea with a caretaker coach suddenly remember how to fight and win a match. Remind you of another team?

Just confirms how much responsibility should be on the players, not managers.

26 Apr 2026 18:58:59
If that is referring to us, that is just utter nonsense.

26 Apr 2026 22:38:42
Why is it nonsense? Even if you don't like a coach's tactics, the effort you put in every single match should be palpable.

More importantly, if you are a really good professional, you should want to and be able to learn new things and adapt. At least give your best efforts to do what a new manager asks of you.

Pep educates his players. He makes them see football through a different lens. City's team, man for man, is far better than Utds. (That hurts), but they aren't arrogant, and they listen, and do what he asks.

Most of their players are flexible enough, mentality-wise as well as technically, to play two or three different positions as required during a season. No throwing toys out of the pram.

Perhaps if Utds players had really listened to Amorim and put their whole efforts in, he might still be in charge. Yes, he made mistakes (Mainoo), but maybe if he had been given a longer time and better players to implement his style, he would have been vindicated.



Utd doing well against City, Arsenal and Liverpool suggests the players raised their level when it mattered to them, yet failed against so-called smaller teams.

Lastly, as others have pointed out, we were climbing the table under RA. He did bring in good signings and got rid of those not good enough or who didn't want to be here.

Utd are in a false position now because Liverpool, Chelsea, Villa, Spurs and Newcastle all have had poor seasons. When was the last time we put four or five goals past a side? I like Carrick because he is calm, cares about the club and has done a steady job so far. I really hope he does succeed, but I am absolutely convinced that until player power is not the dominant factor, we won't get back to the top of the tree.

27 Apr 2026 00:09:46
Your posts are so contradictory, I don't know where to start. The nonsense part is the suggestion that our players didn't try under either coach this year. I would say it's a palpable change in us. The toxic players were removed.

But, you are clearly suggesting the players are putting in an effort now that they didn't before. And I think it's clear that is nonsense. There is absolutely no sign of that at all imo.

27 Apr 2026 06:59:52
I don't know what you've been watching, DonRed, but it was obvious to me that they put more fight the moment Carrick came in.

27 Apr 2026 07:40:03
I think there was also an element of the 3 coming back from the African Cup of Nations for Carrick's first game. That was a big boost for the squad, and probably had an impact.

I do completely agree with Salford, though. You don't go through as many managers as we have - of all different experiences, success and style - and still see the same outcome without the players being the ones who the finger needs to be pointed at.



That's why we are on the eternal merry-go-round.

27 Apr 2026 09:15:45
So, what is the manager responsible for if it's all on the players and they supposedly pick and choose when to play well?

26 Apr 2026 12:05:20
I see we're rewriting the Amorim narrative, I saw someone say that he would have got us to 3rd, yet Carrick is achieving pretty much 1 more point per game than Amorim did.

More importantly he has played a back 4, played Bruno as a 10 and restored Mainoo to the team, none of which was rocket science, all of which has had an impact.

Let's be clear, I don't think Carrick is the answer, but an inexperienced coach tweaked formation and selection and now we are third. RA seems like a lovely guy, but he was obstinate in his refusal to see what was in front of him, particularly Mainoo, who has yet to hit the heights but is light years ahead of Ugarte.

He shipped out some problem players but he refused to budge on his style or formation, although rumours are he had agreed to change it before he was sacked, we will never know.

It is possible to think RA and Carrick are both the wrong guys, it doesn't have to be an either or.

If you are still banging the RA drum then I respect your opinion, but I just don't see it.

Carrick has moved us up the table and pretty much guaranteed ECL for next season, even Bruno has expressed surprise at our position, but he is uninspiring and inexperienced, and the football is not great.

When Moyes got the job we talked about him not ticking any of the boxes such as actually having won something, European competition experience, track record of success, the 'right' kind of football, developing young players, Carrick misses most of those as a Manager, as do many others, and other than Enrique, I really do struggle to think of someone who would excite me.

Simeone speaks no English, Nagelsmann was laughed at by the Bayern players, Iraola looks great, but it's a big step up, Poch was once the next big thing but not any more. Mourinho anyone? 😬.

26 Apr 2026 12:57:05
It's just such a disingenuous framing. We had an entirely new forward division. The back 4 stuff is just your preference. It is immaterial. There are positives and negatives about every formation. You don't call Carrick stubborn for sticking to the same formation and style. The main problem under RA was that Licha wasn't fit. So Bruno was in the middle. We see the same issues with Carrick when Licha is out, and we can't progress the ball. I agree that he should have played Mainoo in CM earlier, but it is not blazingly clear to me that Mainoo was ready to start regularly.
Under Amorim, we created more chances and had a higher xG per game. We had a lot of luck go against us. Under Carrick, it has been the opposite. We've benefitted from a lot of luck, and it's undeniable our style of play has become far less open.


We moved up 1 or 2 places. That's it. And we could still finish 5th, so that'd be no change in position than under Amorim.
I can point out numerous flaws under Amorim. Mainly, he should've tried Mainoo more; his subs needed to be more proactive, etc. But I thought he was adapting. But I'm disinclined to discuss that way because you, (and a few more), are putting forward a narrative that ignores all the positives that were so obvious to the rest of us.
Maybe it's best to leave RA out of it and focus on the future, but that means not constantly making out like RA was incompetent, etc. I think we are in a much better position because of the decisions he made (loaning out Sancho, Antony, Rashford last year, leaving him with pretty much no attack in order to rebuild last summer, etc).

26 Apr 2026 12:59:45
Anybody saying RA would have done this, that, or the other is as daft as saying he wouldn't.
Neither can be proven, so it's just people trying to defend their previous opinions of when he was here.
I think he did some good things, put us in a much better position before he left in many ways, and made some silly mistakes, and now he is gone.
As for the next choice, Carrick has done well in terms of results as an interim.


I don't think it's enough to give him the job without serious consideration to several other candidates.
I've no preference at this point, but I'm hopeful that other candidates will be strongly considered.
I'm sure that the way things went and ended with RA will have shaken their confidence, but imo it's a time to be patient and brave for our management.
I hope they don't make a knee jerk decision.
Time for cool heads.

26 Apr 2026 13:11:15
I think Poch could be a really good fit for us. He's a nice balance of tactical adaptability and motivation. Seems like he's very good at managing players' egos, and has a non-abrasive personality. I liked what he did with Spurs, despite not being able to keep key players.

With the right coaching team around him, he could work.

Carrick has some of his personable traits. The big difference is that he has a coaching team that is more suited to a defence-first approach. Poch brings something more balanced.

26 Apr 2026 13:27:53
I like Poch, Danny, but he seems to have taken a strange direction.

Don, I know we disagree on this, which is fair enough, but I have no issue with someone being stubborn if they are returning 2 points per game. I'm not fully down on Ra, I absolutely do not think he is incompetent. I pointed out he was rejigging the personnel; I just didn't see where he was taking the team. And, as a lifelong United fan, the formation didn't sit well with me, but that's personnel preference.



And the Carrick-lucky, Amorim-unlucky framing, I'm not sure that stands up to scrutiny given some of the bizarre decisions we have seen lately.

As Ken says, it's done now so we have to look forward, still lots to be decided. It will be interesting to see where Ra goes next and how he does.

26 Apr 2026 13:54:15
Fair enough, AJH. On the lucky vs unlucky, I should point out that this is a more statistical view I'm taking. In that area, if a team constantly underperforms xG, a sizeable amount of that can be attributed to luck, and vice versa. It's obviously not all of it, but it's something that can be modelled to get a fair proportion. It's why I harp back (probably too much) to xG, as it gives a reasonable way to try to understand what is genuine improvement and what is luck. And it tells the clear story that Carrick has done better than performances warranted, and Amorim the opposite. In almost all cases, we see regression to the mean, i.e. in the long term, results correspond to average performances. So I'd expect Carrick to do worse than he is now, and expected results to upturn under Amorim.

What the actual true contribution from either, like Ken said, is not clear, since we don't have enough of a sample for either.

No doubt I'm inclined to give more leeway to Ra because of the change up in the forward division. And don't forget we started the season with Onana in goals, and then Bayindir. We've seen a clear improvement from having a competent keeper, but Lammens also needed time to settle.

I appreciate you saying the formation stuff is personal preference. Like yourself, I really hope we take the right decision with the next manager. I don't think Carrick is the right choice, but I'll back him if he is chosen.

26 Apr 2026 15:42:33
The football world has gotten a lot bigger over the last two decades. With money pouring in and billionaires and literal countries buying clubs, we now have a new wave of clubs with huge ambitions who want to get a seat at the top table.

The flip side is that the pool of elite managers simply can't keep pace with a growing list of rich clubs. Also, the competitiveness of top European football means time isn't a luxury managers are afforded.

Onto our own situation, I don't think we're at the level for an elite manager (like Enrique) to come in and succeed.

We probably need a Carrick to grow the team for another couple of years before we can challenge against the best clubs in Europe.

I'm not a fan of the board and the directors, but they have done well transfer-wise. Probably the 60th time writing this sentence on here over the years, but we're probably 2 or 3 decent windows away from getting close.

I'd let Carrick keep going, slow and steady, to hopefully improve. If he can't win trophies, hopefully he leaves the squad in a better place than he found it, then we push for a coach that has experience of getting over the line.

26 Apr 2026 16:59:21
Mumbles, I think there are signs he won't take the tough decisions we need to progress. Maguire's contract extension, for example. He's 3rd or 4th in our CB pecking order, but plays more often due to injuries to others. We don't win a league with him starting regularly. Another example is his comments about possibly reintegrating Rashford.

The Maguire one I partly understand, especially if he signed on the understanding he'll be backup and on a very reduced salary. But the Rashford comments are the type of player-first approach we've suffered from for years.

26 Apr 2026 18:13:55
I get some of that, Don, but I see the Maguire extension as smart business. I wouldn't want him starting 38 games a season, but he's done well stepping in when needed. If you do a list of positions that are needed, centre back can probably wait till next year, and keeping Harry for a year is OK with me.

The Rashford spiel is just trying to get Barcelona to pony up the agreed price.

I don't think they'll buy him, but by comparison, Amorim told the world Garnacho would never play for him again, and that affected his price.

I'm not too hung up on the manager, to be honest. What will be will be. Carrick has improved us, and we'll get Champions League football back at Old Trafford next year. That's good enough to let him have a crack at it.

26 Apr 2026 20:40:24
Lucky we didn't miss the part where RA actually managed the team. We did see what he could and couldn't do. 😂

He overachieved for some of the know-it-alls.

26 Apr 2026 20:52:45
That's unnecessary, Angel.

27 Apr 2026 07:23:15
But to be expected, DonRed.

27 Apr 2026 08:27:12
What was DonRed? I mean we have over a year worth of data to actually see how he performed.

Mr. Triggered below you again too I see.

27 Apr 2026 10:58:29
Have a read of this. You might learn something.

bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgqen0lvywyo

27 Apr 2026 12:20:43
That's crystal clear, DonRed. We did improve under Ra, and stats back it up. I would be interested to see a similar grammar (?) about Carrick's time.

27 Apr 2026 13:27:24
Ah, the good old Xg. 😂 I mean, it's a shame he couldn't actually get the points on the board then; he might still be in the job. If you're happy to judge a manager on a spreadsheet and what we could have scored, fine, but the reality was so much different.

I see the figure of 32% win rate in that article though.

I learned enough from his time as United manager.

27 Apr 2026 13:47:44
Angelred, expected goals difference is about how the team performs. Actual goals and points are about how effective the team is. In the short term, these two, often enough, are not on par. But in time, more often than not, they are. That's why xg difference can predict results.
You can't be unlucky (or ineffective, call it whatever) forever. That's why, if Amorim was in charge, probably he would get results too; the improvement was there, and the results usually follow.


I have one good example: Pep's first year at City. Although most people think that it took him a year to acclimatize in the Premier League, the truth is that his team was by far the best in his first season (2016-2017). The difference was that City were ineffective, and Conte's Chelsea were super effective. And, as we saw the next year, that was the case.

27 Apr 2026 15:21:36
Heaven, I know what XG means. It's all one big guessing game. Fact of the matter is, results weren't good enough in real time.

27 Apr 2026 17:35:42
Angel, the type of reasoning you put in is typical of those that resist change. It's to your detriment, because you are talking in binaries and absolutes. There are swathes of evidence that the most successful teams now are those that embrace the additional context this data gives.

27 Apr 2026 19:26:00
You say the data is there, when what you mean is the 32%.
All other data suggested that those who could see the improvement and direction he was taking were not blind.

We will never agree, and that is fine. But please don't lower your standards to accepting the football that is on offer now. It is anti United.

27 Apr 2026 22:18:13
Good healthy debate. It's what this site is about, and why we love football, as it's open to many different perspectives and interpretations.

Personally, I liked Amorim, but I didn't understand his stubbornness and football. Carrick is doing a super job under the circumstances.

For that, he deserves ultimate praise. I'm not sure if he should be given the gig, but then again, I'm also not sure why he shouldn't, given what he's doing.

For me, I'd give it to Poch and give him time. Great coach, plays great football.

25 Apr 2026 00:52:22
Pep was 37 when he got the Barcelona job, Ancelotti was 36 when he got his first major coaching assignment. Carrick is 44. He's definitely not too young for the job. Like Pep when he first started, he knows the club inside out. For me, given the dearth of great managers out there likely to be available, he's got to be the leading candidate at the moment.

He's done quite well considering the overall quality of the players he's inherited. Could Pep or Carlo win the league with this squad? I don't think so. Arteta? Absolutely not. I like the idea of building some continuity around Carrick, not as manager, but as head coach.

25 Apr 2026 10:56:25
I'm not sure I agree. Apart from a couple of games against City and Arsenal, the performances have been pretty poor.

He's got some results, but not always deserved.

In the last few games the players have looked slow and shown a complete lack of energy.

Is that down to the laid-back training?

Not saying Carrick would be a disaster, but you need the best you can get in every position, including head coach. And I don't think Carrick is the best out there.

That being said, I think he will get the job full time.

25 Apr 2026 11:08:16
We have definitely regressed in our play under Carrick. Too many are swayed by short-term results and the first couple of performances. But we've had a lot of luck, and most of our performances have been quite poor. It is entirely reminiscent of when Ole was hired. It would be an awful error to ignore the signals.

The raw facts are that we're 3rd, and were 5th when he took over. We had the best xG for most of the season before Carrick came in, and now are 4th.

So, it's indicative that we have become less attacking. It has helped in getting results, but it has meant the patterns of play being established have largely gone. I don't want to be too negative. He came in and helped results because he understands the league better, but I just don't see that as being enough to hand him one of the biggest jobs in world football.
There are plenty of good coaches out there.

25 Apr 2026 11:29:18
Forget about what Carrick has done or not since he arrived at Utd.

Utd need a Head Coach.

Is Carrick the best coach available? Would he even be considered if starting from a blank slate?

I don't think so.

25 Apr 2026 12:34:12
I think he is going to get it donred.

I would never let the decision to give Ole the job sway me in my mind that Carrick isn't right for it. I think they are two very different characters, and two very different managers.

I would prefer someone like Enrique, maybe even look to Iraola, as I see him as an excellent coach who has already proven he can cope in this league.

But, the powers that be will know their own mind, and I have to trust in the process when it comes to the footballing decisions.



Yes, RA was a mistake, but I believe that Ratcliffe and co are allowed a couple of them until they get it right.

Most important right now, is ensuring that recruitment is correct and that they get a better balance in the squad, because that is really going to help whoever they choose to be manager.

25 Apr 2026 12:50:22
We disagree on RA, Angel. I think he vastly improved the squad and put in a really improved style of play. We were absolutely dreadful when he arrived. He was part of really improved recruitment. He needed to adjust to the league, and should have done so quicker, but every sign pointed positively with him imo.

He would still be in the job if he were less emotional.
I agree with the rest of what you said though.

25 Apr 2026 13:42:36
I know DonRed, but I just cannot look past his results, style of play, and, most importantly, his reluctance to use a talent like Kobbie. Overall, the positives were few and far between, and the facts and stats speak for themselves.

I don't think he is a bad coach, far from it; he just wasn't right for this club at this time, and it will be seen as a mistake regardless of our opinions.

By the way, you are probably right about that, and I think if he was a bit more mature, less emotional, he may have done a lot better, but this wasn't the right time for him.

He may very well have done well, but elsewhere.

On recruitment, I think it's quite clear the signings are not based on who the coach is. I think the club are very motivated to have a style of play at the club and then buy the right players, and the manager may have a slight say, but that's all it will be.

25 Apr 2026 16:49:44
I agree with DonRed on RA. If we're talking about building continuity, we should have ridden it out with RA, because I do think the long-term would have been positive.

Can anyone see Carrick being manager for 3 or 4 years? I think the answer is no - I haven't seen anything to say he isn't one-dimensional, except for the bizarre selection choices against Leeds.



Even against Chelsea, where we left with everyone singing praises and feeling positive, they hit the bar 3 times and we had one shot on target. That's not grinding out results, that's just luck, and it has to break at some point.

25 Apr 2026 17:09:59
Does he even need to 'get it'? Unless he wants it and will walk without, keep him until we get who we want. Whoever that is. Whether it's by going to get someone, or waiting until they're available.
If it's supposedly a club structure, and he's the coach, then he'll follow the club approach.

25 Apr 2026 20:40:30
So Carricks age at 44 now means he is suitable, heard it all now. His CV is totally and completely inadequate but hey he isn't too old.
Some point the United emotional nonsense where ex players suddenly are seen as above world class managers because they know the club, needs to stop.

Carrick isn't good enough, is a poor choice. However, It's a good choice for the Glazers and SJR because the United fans are easily emotionally led and let's the owners

26 Apr 2026 06:07:44
If new reports are to be believed, you'll all get your wish that it's not Carrick.

Southgate being lined up with Carrick and Holland as coaches for next season.

26 Apr 2026 06:16:25
Forget everything I said and get Carrick signed up. Southgate is the last person we need.

26 Apr 2026 07:53:11
Southgate would be another error. Monumental error. The Glazers just want profit and their dividends back, SJR allegedly wants success, but to me, appointing Carrick, or worse, Southgate, is a terrible error. If they appoint either, it would be clear they are utterly clueless.

The answer is we need to get the Glazers and Ratcliffe out of the club. Now, before they condemn us to mediocrity.

26 Apr 2026 07:58:57
I very much agree with DonRed, jd123, and Red Man re RA.
Carrick and Holland are Southgate.

26 Apr 2026 08:02:35
Carrick can obviously handle the current team and the squad as it is right now.
Can he rip it up (what it needs) and build a title winning team within 12mths?
Maybe.
He wasn't my first choice post Amorim; it wasn't even my 10th choice, but he was selected, and he has, as it stands, got us to third and on the cusp of UCL qualification.

Amorim would also have achieved this, but that is besides the point.

I would like the names to be put on the table so we can see who is being considered, highly unlikely, but I would love to know who is in contention.

26 Apr 2026 12:25:17
The names post World Cup would presumably include Nagelsman, Pochettino, along with Hoeness (who I think is a really strong shout). Enrique is the dream, but that seems very optimistic, if PSG win the CL again this year, I can't see him moving. Iraola and Glasner would both have to rank higher than Carrick too. Possibly Maresca too.

Going further afield, Thiago Motta had a bad experience at Juve, but they were a shambles and he was very highly rated before it, so he may be one to look at. I can imagine Carrick being considered in a second tier of options, but there are plenty in that first tier that wouldn't require large compensation fees.

26 Apr 2026 20:44:05
Red Man, that's for the club big heads to decide.

I'm not sure what kind of CV Pep or Zidane had before being given top jobs at massive clubs either. Or Vincent Kompany at Bayern, did he not get relegated at Burnley?

I think the clubs, like Man United, will know more than you or I right now, at this moment, in that regard to Carrick.



We haven't a clue.

26 Apr 2026 20:46:05
Jimbo, Amorim would not have achieved it. Luckily enough, we have massive data to show how useless he was.

26 Apr 2026 23:20:25
That's your opinion, Angel, and I respect it.
My opinion is he had a vision that the club bought into, and he got sacked because the club backtracked on that vision.
My opinion goes further. We are now in the midst of another cycle, where we play awful football with as close to zero entertainment as possible. One could say we are transitioning away from a United way of playing, towards the polar opposite.
That's fine if you just want to churn out boring football. I will remind anyone of the times under Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho, etc., even Solskjaer.

The football was so bad, I had to turn it off until the manager changed.
We run the risk of heading in that direction.

My question to you and other doubters of RA, results aside, is: were you not more entertained with his approach to playing the game?

For me, that was the vision of where we were heading that I bought into. Since his departure, the football has returned to a snail's pace bore.

27 Apr 2026 08:28:51
But the facts and stats stare us in the face, Jimbo, that's all I say.

And no, I was not more entertained. I thought it was pretty poor football. I can stomach that kind of football when we are getting results, but he did neither.

24 Apr 2026 21:42:06
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new player profile about, Andy Robertson

24 Apr 2026 10:22:26
Seeing De Ligt back on the grass, good news but had me thinking how bad the summer transfer windows were under ETHs time in charge.

Window 1:

Licha - injury prone but good player
Casemiro - Expensive but overall worth it all things considered.
Antony - Useless

Window 2:

Onana - Calamity
Hojlund - In over his head
Mount - Waste of Time and Money

Window 3:
De Ligt - Crocked
Zirkzee - Underwhelming
Ugarte - Useless
Mazraoui- Steady.

3/10 - 30% at a push successful recruitment rate.

24 Apr 2026 10:40:04
It was a disgrace, wasn't it?

24 Apr 2026 11:17:56
Yep, agreed, Jimbo. Not really blaming Erik ten Hag, although there was that weird thing with the SEG agency and Keith Voss.

My point is more around how sometimes we are probably better off not making a signing than signing someone for the sake of it.



Would the club have been any worse off if Mason Mount didn't join and we didn't sign someone lol?

Something to think about this summer imo.

24 Apr 2026 13:14:39
If you read Laurie Whitwell's insight into those windows, it was a complete shambles how we operated. The players we and he wanted against the players we got, and how much was paid for it.

There definitely seems to be a change in recruitment since Ratcliffe has come in.

I think Licha, Mount, de Ligt have been unfortunate. They are good players, but haven't been on the grass enough.

Maz, I think, has been good for us to be fair, and now needs a good run in the team, but I wouldn't have many complaints with him.



I like Zirkzee too, I think he is a very good player, but not what we needed at all.

But like I said, it seems to be running a lot smoother and this summer is so important. Whoever the manager is, we need more quality on the pitch and we need the money on the pitch. We are looking at 60 games next year.

24 Apr 2026 13:23:41
I would definitely be looking at getting rid of Mount. Absolute waste of space. It's irrelevant if he's a good player or not, he can't stay fit, end of.

24 Apr 2026 14:55:31
Can the club even break even with Mount if they were to sell him? A loan with an option to buy is a more likely scenario.

24 Apr 2026 16:25:57
Mad Hatter, probably not when you consider his injury record and the obscene amount of money he earns.

24 Apr 2026 17:25:17
I don't know Mount's length of contract, probably 5 years with an option for a further year, so we would have a book value of about 20m at the end of this season, and an exposure to about 20m in wages over the next 2 years. So we would need a fee in the region of 30m to break even after costs, pay off, etc.
I like Mount. All the coaches he has had speak about him in the highest of ways.
But he just can't stay fit.
2 big questions are, will a club be prepared to take a risk?
Will he move to a lesser club and what financial sacrifice is he prepared to make?
So a loan with an option to buy and a contribution to his wage is a possible outcome.


If the right deal can't be struck, we can only hope he stays fit next season. If he was fit and available, he would be a good asset in a 60 game season imo.
I could see a club like Newcastle or Villa taking a risk on him. I think Newcastle will have to wheel and deal a little this summer.
I usually don't enjoy the transfer windows at all, and I doubt I'll enjoy it from a United perspective with the endless title tattle and links to nowhere. But I think there will be a lot of clubs selling and buying on a bigger scale than usual, so I'll enjoy that. Throw in the WC delays into the mix, it will be carnage.

{Ed025's Note - i say put him up for sale at 50p and hope you get an offer Ken, terrible player even when fit mate..

24 Apr 2026 18:22:04
I feel for Mason. There's a very good player there.

24 Apr 2026 18:43:03
Mason Mount reminds me of Jesse Lingard. Except, he can't stay fit.

24 Apr 2026 18:12:22
Terrible player even when fit 😂😂 I mean he is definitely not that ed025.

{Ed025's Note - im afraid he is Angel mate...imo of course

24 Apr 2026 19:46:29
Good player for me when fit, but therein lies the problem. It's been too long since he has proved he is good.
It's hard to see a move coming. Sick notes usually tend to hang around due to lack of better options.

24 Apr 2026 21:40:29
I'd happily sell the lot.

Licha, with a heavy heart, is not it.

24 Apr 2026 22:39:20
You can not be terrible to play at that level, mate. Hyperbole at its finest right there.

{Ed025's Note - why do you think Chelsea could not wait go get rid of him?, him being injured so much has helped UTD no end if you ask me Angel mate..

25 Apr 2026 07:05:05
I dunno, Angel.

There have been a few shockers over the years and not just at United.

25 Apr 2026 11:36:16
You don't know keefy? That he's terrible or not? I mean come on, he's not a terrible player. Come down sunday league and I'll show you some terrible players lol.

Ed, I like him. It's his injuries that hold him back and that's why Chelsea couldn't wait to get rid of him. I mean Chelsea have really done well with their recruitment 😂

{Ed025's Note - i thought he was awful at Chelsea Angel and i cant for the life of me understand why you ever went in for him mate..

26 Apr 2026 03:11:23
No Angel, that's not what I meant at all. I meant there are some shocking players that have milked a few seasons out of the EPL.

26 Apr 2026 06:11:14
I don't agree Mount is an "awful" or "terrible" player, but I have absolutely no idea why we bought him, and here we thought he was supposed to play?

26 Apr 2026 06:30:46
He was Chelsea's player of the season for two years before he join United though Ed. The reason why Chelsea sold him was because he didn't want to sign a new contract with them so instead of letting him leave on a free, they sold him. Ultimately though, he can't stay fit after moving to United so he is an overall poor buy

{Ed025's Note - its all about opinions Drac i suppose, i have never been a big fan myself mate and i just go on what i have seen with my own eyes, availability has to be a major factor and his injury record makes me class him as a dud..

24 Apr 2026 08:01:12
I watched the U18 Premier League Cup final on Wednesday night. We lost on penalties to Palace.

We were ahead 1-0 and had so many chances to finish the game. JJ and Chido were both very wasteful, and as so often happens, we were sucker-punched in added time, made worse by it being a dodgy decision. Albert Mills was sent off for a last man foul, which started a long way from the area but carried on into the box.

The ref gave a penalty. The sending off was correct, but with 2 mins left we would have likely held out but for the ref giving a penalty.

A disappointing night, we should have been out of sight, onwards and upwards to the FA Youth Cup final.

24 Apr 2026 10:02:26
Ajh, as we know, Jj is considered the most talented, but I'm always impressed a lot by Thwaites, Healfu and, more recently, Ajayi. It's a very good bunch of players in that group, and I'm hopeful a handful might make it here.

24 Apr 2026 10:41:16
Thwaites is absolute class.

24 Apr 2026 13:23:32
Agree, Jimbo. He looks a very good player. Now he is a few years younger than Kobbie. 😉

25 Apr 2026 06:20:07
Love it, angel. 😁
I see Thwaites as having the potential to sit in the 10 spot quite nicely. He should be sat in the first team next year, learning from the best in the business.

25 Apr 2026 12:25:18
He does look a good player, I must admit, but it is very hard to tell how they might fit in the senior team.

Most importantly, we need 2 excellent CMs for next season. It means we can bed the younger players in nicely for cup games, cameo appearances in the league, etc.

That way, it will help players like Thwaites succeed.

This summer's window is so bloody important, I know I keep banging on about it, but 3/4 signings of quality are really going to push us on and help whoever the manager is succeed.

23 Apr 2026 17:47:34
Hypothetically, if Spurs were relegated, which of their players would you want utd to go for?
Van De Ven, Porro, Palhinha?
A fit Kudus or Kulusevski?
Solanke/Richarlison?
Not many names jump at me as making us better.

23 Apr 2026 18:46:46
Kulusevski is the best if that bunch, but is coming back from injury, and his best position is Bruno's one.

Honestly, after the past two seasons, I wouldn't want any of their players at the club.

23 Apr 2026 20:35:43
Gray is the only one that has shown any fight.

23 Apr 2026 21:23:04
Wouldn't mind Djed Spence.

23 Apr 2026 22:36:56
Archie Gray is the only one who I'd seriously consider if Spurs go down.

I saw him play for Leeds a few years back, and it was obvious that he was going to be a great player.

Van De Ven is a player I'd actually avoid. His positioning and defensive reading of the game is terrible.

Probably because he can rely on his speed to dig him out, but he's already started to pick up a few muscle injuries. I wouldn't be surprised if he's pretty much finished by the time he's 28, struggling to make 100 appearances in a top flight league after he turns 28.

24 Apr 2026 00:43:04
Loads of good quality players at Spurs.
Not many have played well this season, but I think there are lots of players there that would enhance our squad, or a few others, and play better at a new club.
Bergval and Gray would both do well at United imo. I'd argue Solanke is a better cf than Zirkzee. Spence is at least as good as Dalot imo.
Romero looks like he has been trying to get sent off in games, and, while I'm quite happy to have a bit of a loon at cb, he seems to be all over the place.


Porro is better than Dalot and Maz imo.

It will be interesting to see how many they can sell or have to sell. Not all players will be sold, obviously.
Perhaps the likes of Bergval and Gray will be kept, as they will be on lesser wages and are still very young.

{Ed001's Note - loads? There is one - Kulusevski. The rest are not good quality.}

24 Apr 2026 05:34:22
What if West Ham go down....
I'd be trying to snap up
Diouf
Fernandes
Disasi

In that order.

{Ed001's Note - Disasi is on loan from Chelsea why not try and snap him up anyway?}

24 Apr 2026 06:20:57
I think we should be trying to sign Fernandez anyway, he looks like he could make the step up with a bigger team.

24 Apr 2026 07:24:04
Agree Ed001, he has been class since his loan. Same as the other two players. All three would improve our team.

{Ed001's Note - I don't think he is a good player, he is very limited and just suits the way Nuno sets the team up to sit back and doesn't let his defenders get on the ball. You tend to give your defenders the ball at times and want to play football, he would just revert to being 'Disaster' like he was before.}

24 Apr 2026 08:39:00
Not seen enough of Fernandes, but lots of noise about his potential, especially as maybe the 3rd CM brought in to be part of the rotation next year. Personally, I like Gomez at Wolves as this option, and think he would add quite a bit to what we have.....

not hard from the current crop after Casemiro/Mainoo

Always thought Van de Ven was decent, and maybe has just lost his way and not been well coached.

24 Apr 2026 09:15:27
Wouldn't look at any Tottenham players. I'd be looking at Wolves players before Tottenham, to be honest!

24 Apr 2026 09:21:29
Ed interesting that you single out Kulusevski alone, don't you think Kudus is as good a player?
Also good shout on Desasi, I believe same, he is played to his strengths.

{Ed001's Note - Kudus has a crap attitude, very much plays for himself rather than the team. Shame because he has great ability and I love watching him but he is not helpful to a team looking to win trophies regularly. Bit like Fernandes at West Ham, the ability is there but the attitude is wrong. Fernandes is great when things are going well, but when it is going badly, as he showed for Southampton and at West Ham initially, he just throws his arms up in the air and stands around hands on hips. Even when it was him giving the ball away, he would be too busy stropping and flouncing about like Kevin the teenager to chase and work and attempt to win it back. I hate to see that and it is not conducive to a team ethic.}

24 Apr 2026 17:17:30
Jarred Bowen. Only one I'd take.

24 Apr 2026 18:24:55
I'd take Porro. A full back that can actually score and assist.

25 Apr 2026 12:27:12
Eric, I have said for years, if I ever saw a United player, Bowen is the one. What a player, and person.100 percent all the time and we have lacked those over the years.

We need to ensure that we are buying food characters, fighter, workers as well as having that quality. Bowen ticks all those boxes.

Ed001, I agree, Kulisevski is very good but I have a sneaky suspicion they may look at someone like Van Der Ven

25 Apr 2026 23:11:32
Totally agree about Bowen. Can not understand why a bigger team than West Ham has not tried to buy him. He is a model pro.
Always puts a shift in. Scores and makes goals. Never gives trouble. Team player and skilful.

23 Apr 2026 17:10:57
What are people's thoughts on United taking on Maresca as manager?

He had a pretty good record at Chelsea and his style of play could suit Utd, although he would need better midfielders and fullbacks to make it work.

23 Apr 2026 17:29:50
Too much like Amorim; can be overly rigid, sticking to his system even when it does not suit the game, and his in-game management has been questioned.

That is not to say he is a bad coach. I think he will do well on the continent with a team that suits him, or he will end up in Manchester, just on the other side.

23 Apr 2026 17:37:52
That's a big fat no from me. I don't want Carrick either, but think it will be him.

Enrique would be the choice, but don't see him leaving PSG.

Not exactly a great bunch to pick from.

23 Apr 2026 20:36:28
I'd be violently sick across my laptop.

23 Apr 2026 21:16:34
I'd rather s*** in my hands and clap!

23 Apr 2026 21:52:31
It's going to be Carrick. There would have been some serious links or leaks if they were truly looking at anybody else.

To be fair to them, it's a tough situation. If they go with Carrick and he fails, they will get blamed for not choosing someone else.

If they choose someone else and he fails, they will get blamed for not sticking with Carrick.

Just have to hope that whichever way they go, the chosen one does alright and at least stays in and around the top 4 next season.

23 Apr 2026 23:08:31
So that's a No then? 😂

24 Apr 2026 08:18:10
I couldn't have put it better than Peter Griffin. 😂

23 Apr 2026 14:07:49
Pretty tough run in for us. All of the teams have something to play for at the moment, although Nf may become much more relaxed if they're out of the relegation battle. Technically any of the teams down to 12th could pass us if they win all their games.

Which of course they won't. And we lose all ours. A big performance on Monday would be great, but somehow one feels that this club will keep us all on tenterhooks for a while longer.

23 Apr 2026 17:37:17
We aren't suddenly going to lose all 5 games, and even if we did, we would likely still finish top 5.

23 Apr 2026 17:45:14
We have Brentford, Liverpool, Sunderland, Forest and Brighton.

Brighton have Newcastle, Wolves, Leeds, United.

Bournemouth have Palace, Fulham, City, Forest.

Chelsea have Leeds, Forest, Liverpool, Spurs, Sunderland.

Brentford have United, West Ham, City, Palace, Liverpool.

Of those currently outside the CL places, I think we have one of the better run ins. As you said, beat Brentford and only Brighton can catch us really.

23 Apr 2026 20:37:45
We also have something to play for....

23 Apr 2026 23:57:55
It would be some party if we lost to Brighton on last day, safe in 3rd, and they snatch 5th.

24 Apr 2026 09:29:20
Ken, I know it would go against the spirit of competition, but if we have 3rd or even 4th secured and Brighton need a win to get 5th, I'd love to have Ugarte, Malacia and Onana back for 1 game, all start!!

24 Apr 2026 11:35:03
Nah I don't like that thought, Ports. I remember Liverpool beating Blackburn on the last day of the season in 95. We just couldn't do our part and beat West Ham to win the league.
Be professional, but I wouldn't cry if we lost in those circumstances.