Manchester United banter 3

16 Apr 2025 07:32:45
Despite my Fantasy Football team occupying much the same league position as United, I can't bring myself to include either Rashford or Sancho in my team, however well they play. Am I wrong?

16 Apr 2025 10:20:09
Nope, they might play well for a period of time, yet we know that they don't maintain that form for long. They are too sporadic in form to include in my opinion. They are a 2-3 points a week players most weeks, with the occasional 6-10 point weeks thrown in. You need to be able to predict when they will have their good week to transfer them in, then back out again afterwards. An impossible task.

16 Apr 2025 07:18:01
Rashford playing a blinder for villa, David O was giving him all the plaudits too. I am curious though!, If other teams show interest and offer more than the 40m? Can we accept or have to take villas 40m.

16 Apr 2025 08:39:56
I believe it is an option to buy not obligation so no we would not need to accept. Villa themselves may need European football to justify not only the valuation but the wages. which will be the problem elsewhere.

Whilst Rashford appears to be enjoying himself at Villa and is performing well I would expect that he would still prefer one of the Elite clubs if they showed an interest at which point a really good performance in the Champions League against PSG was probably the perfect sales pitch.

16 Apr 2025 08:43:50
I'm sure Villa must have first dibs at an agreed price.

16 Apr 2025 10:36:31
If we get 40m then great, if we get anymore then that's a bonus.

I look at it like this, for us he's a 20m player most of the time, occasionally he'll put in a great performance but nowhere near often enough to justify even half of his wages.

He doesn't perform like a 40m player for us, so if we get 40m for him then we are better off.

I look at all our players the same way. Does Garnacho play like a 50m player? No he doesn't. Therefore if someone offers 50m or more then we should probably take it, unless we are absolutely certain that he will become worth more than that in a year or twos time (which we can't be) .

Personally I think Rashford has found his level (a good Europa league/ average UCL side) . He's one of those players capable of a brilliant performance, but incapable of consistently performing at that level. Which removes him as an option for a top UCL side, unless he's going to be a squad player for them. In fact I'm not even sure he's suitable as a squad player for an elite side. You want your squad players to be steady Eddie's who'll always give you a minimum of a 6 or 7 out of 10 performance, but who can step it up to a 8 or 9 at times. You need to know they will give a minimal level of performance that is acceptable. Rashford has been lazy in recent seasons in terms of his teamwork and off the ball work. If you're chasing a game or you need to rotate do you want to put on a player who'll either be a 4 out of 10 or an 8 out of 10, with no guarantees which performance you'll get?

I think Villa would be a very good move for him. Emery seems to be getting him back into some kind of form. I'm not sure he's the kind of person who'll settle well abroad, and I don't see any clubs in England bigger than Villa (or at least better positioned to win major honours) who would look to sign him.

If he's smart and Villa want to take up the buy option he'll accept it.

16 Apr 2025 11:05:22
He has better stats in his last 20 games for us over the 1st 20 games for them.
French press gave him 3/ 10 for 1st leg.
Anybody buying into the narrative that he is pulling up trees for villa is mistaken.

16 Apr 2025 11:53:46
Ken, I don't mind this media narrative that he's doing great. Let it continue I say, it'll only benefit us when it comes to selling him in the summer.

16 Apr 2025 13:16:47
He was genuinely very good in the second leg. It's even more infuriating that it's clear that he can do it. More reason to try and get as much money as we can for him and less reason to want to keep him in my opinion.

16 Apr 2025 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - oscarAY has posted a new article entitled, Chelsea FC Need To Sign An Experienced Striker

16 Apr 2025 10:45:48
I tend to agree, Delap doesn't make a huge amount of sense for Chelsea. Ideally I think they sign Osimhen. He's experienced, and a top level player with a proven track record. While his injuries are a slight concern, with Jackson there as an understudy/ rotation option I don't think it'd be a massive issue.

Chelsea have a lot of young players, and they need a little more experience. You are seeing that now with the dip in form and a lack of leaders and experience to pull them through. If they miss out on UCL football this season it'll be because of a lack of experience, not a lack of talent.

Both Delap and Jackson will need a certain amount of game time to develop, something one or even both of them might miss out on if they are competing for the same starting spot. They are very close in age, just a year between them, although Jackson is more developed currently due to him playing more at the top level so far in his career.

Chelsea need a top level experienced striker, an upgrade at goalkeeper, and a little more experience/ leadership in both defence and midfield. They have loads of talent there, but no battle hardened leaders to pull them through those tough games.

{Ed077's Note - I think Delap needs a smaller step for now. Say a Palace if Mateta leaves them or a Fulham or a Bournemouth, where he doesn't automatically have the pressure that he would at Chelsea or Utd.}

16 Apr 2025 11:37:05
He's got Everton all over him.

16 Apr 2025 11:52:13
Ed077, I don't disagree with that. He's had one season in the EPL at a team that was always expected to get relegated. That said he's done phenomenally well at a struggling side, 12 leagues goals for a relegated team is a great record, especially with only 2 of them being penalties. A lot of those goals he has had to make for himself as well, with Ipswich struggling to create many good chances consistently at this level.

In a better team he'd probably be on 15 or more goals by this stage.

A lot of people have talked up Mateta over the last couple of seasons, yet his record this season is 13, two of which are penalties. So despite being 5 years older, with much more experience, a d playing in a much better team, Mateta has just one goal more than Delap.

That's not to say Mateta isn't a good player or hasn't had a good season. But just to highlight how well Delap has played this year.

Maybe an interim step would be best for him, but then he does have experience at a top club having come through at City. Plus if he moves to a club like Palace this summer, it'll almost guarantee that he'll be there for at least the next two season's as they would want an astronomical fee for him if he had another great season next year. Much like them wanting upwards of 70m for Wharton now.

There is an argument to be made that moving to a "stepping stone" club now could actually negatively impact his career as he could be stuck at that club for the next 2-3 years, almost certainly not playing European football during that time. That'd make him around 25 before he gets to move to a top club and test himself against the best in Europe.

Maybe a club like Villa, Newcastle, or Chelsea and United (with where they are currently) might be the right level to step up to. Clubs that will likely be in the Europa league at least, maybe the UCL over the next 2-3 years. That is probably the right level for him at this point (definitely if he had two seasons like this one under his belt) .

It's a tricky balance for the kid to find that right level. In an ideal world Ipswich would have stayed up and he could have had a second season there in the EPL at a club where he was settled. Depending on how that season went would determine what the next appropriate step would be, a club the level of Palace/ Fulham or a Villa/ Newcastle, or even a UCL regular club level. But he's too good to go down to the Championship with Ipswich and without a second season in the EPL it's difficult to judge where he's at. He doesn't want to take too small a step up and risk stagnating without the challenge of European football, nor does he want to make too big a step up and risk struggling to get regular game time and stall his development.

Maybe as a United fan this doesn't come across as sincere as it is. But actually United might be the best club for him this summer.

Without a major star striker at the club he wouldn't have a big hurdle to regular playing time (which he needs to keep developing), his style of play really suits the manager, the manager has a good record with developing young players, the club has had a major down turn and expectations are probably as low as they have every been (he wouldn't have to be phenomenal to be considered a success) . Plus the club is in the middle of a major retooling and rebuild. With a much clearer focus on what the team should be and look like (and Delap fits that) . We are likely to see a step up next season with EL qualification being a realistic target, and depending on what happens in this season's EL we might even be a UCL club next season. He would also have the support of Jason Wilcox who knows him from their time together at City. And finally he'd be at a club that if things go to plan he wouldn't need to leave in a few years time to step up to a title challenging side.

Maybe United is the right move for him.

{Ed077's Note - Mateta has had those seasons already that you believe Delap would benefit from having. That experience can be really valuable for a young attack like Utd, or Chelsea for that matter. Mateta also has done well in a system that is very similar to Amorim 's which is another plus for us.

Delap.migjt end up having a bit of a Hojlund or Jackson kind of a season or 2 where he might have too much pressure and expectation on his inexperienced shoulder. The fact that Man City (where he would even count as club developed), Arsenal and Liverpool, the 3 top teams for the past 3 seasons haven't shown toocuh interest, despite all having space for a Striker in their squad clearly shows that he needs some development. I just think it's better for players to develop without having the pressure of a massive clubs on their shoulder. }

17 Apr 2025 06:39:43
He should go to Sporting after they sell their striker, abroad moves are good for players.

15 Apr 2025 14:19:31
{Ed's Note - Thefutureisoldgold1 has posted a new article entitled, Vitor Pereira Needs The Chance To Rebuild Wolverhampton Wanderers

16 Apr 2025 10:58:47
He's done a solid job, and I think Wolves have actually done pretty well with recruitment over the past couple of years. Yet the unfortunate thing for them is they will likely have to sell one or two of their best players to raise the funds needed to rebuild the team.

One or two of Matheus Cunha, Rayan Aït-Nouri or João Gomes will likely have to make way to raise significant funds to bring in new players. Cunha seems the most likely to leave given his buyout clause, yet due to that clause the the money paid for him the club won't raise as much as they possibly should from his sale, which might leave the door open for a second sale to raise funds.

As a United fan I'd gladly take either of Cunha or João Gomes or even both for our side. They'd add the kind of quality and bite out team is lacking right now. A midfield of Ugarte and João Gomes would be a nightmare for any opposition midfield. The fight and physicality of that midfield would stop teams being able to waltz through the middle of our team. While Cunha and Bruno behind a new striker would add so much creativity and goal threat that we might actually start scoring a few more goals. Also, just an opinion, but I think Cunha and Bruno would very quickly get on the same wavelength and combine to phenomenal effect. They both have that same energy, bite and flair to their game.

All we'd need then is a reliable keeper and a striker who'll work in this system and suddenly we'd look like a very good team.

I'll tell you what, would you take 100m for both Cunha and João Gomes? That'd go a long way to solving a lot of our problems.

16 Apr 2025 16:02:50
Ugarte not for me, I am not even convinced RA thinks he is…. don’t come up with all that RA wanted to sign him years ago, that was for a different team and different league, which was much slower and he had time to try make a pass, in our league he can’t pass a ball 10 yards……. RA prefers Cas more than Ugarte and so he should even with his legs going.

17 Apr 2025 06:59:49
Think it was telling Cas didn’t play in the Newcastle game, obvs being rested for Lyon.

In a game where we need to score it will be interesting who he puts up front, I would suggest that Garnacho plays as the lone striker with Bruno and Mount either side. Can’t be any worse than we have seen so far this season.

15 Apr 2025 14:00:07
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v West Ham United

15 Apr 2025 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United's Priority Is The Europa League

15 Apr 2025 14:09:59
The priority should be consistency because there’s no chance of us winning the EL without that.

United aren’t in a position where they can prioritise anything. The team needs to start putting in better performance. You can’t play appallingly in the EPL
and hope that everything magically clicks on Thursday night.

15 Apr 2025 14:51:16
Winning the EL is a good 5 year aim. But as for this season, zero chance of that happening.

15 Apr 2025 16:57:35
I wouldn't say it's zero chance with only 4 teams left, but not so much because we're especially stronger than any of them. I don't think we'll win it but it wouldn't be a surprise. There are much better sides than Lyon left and we're fumbling, literally.

15 Apr 2025 17:28:53
I think utd will win the EL. way sport goes, banana brian in goal will end up saving 3 pens in the final in a penalty shoot out.

16 Apr 2025 08:42:43
We have as good a chance of any of the remaining teams to win the Europa, it is not like there is one standout team that you would argue we could not beat. Reality is I would not be surpised if we won it and equally would not be surprised if we get knocked out against Lyon this week, it has been one of those seasons!

We have performed better in Europe, potentially it suits where we are at the minute with Amorims style.

16 Apr 2025 08:45:40
Bayindir is better on pens, hope we'd make a crafty van Gaal style substitution before that was allowed to happen Nick!

16 Apr 2025 08:53:18
odds says we get through, athletico, frankfurt and the norwegian team.


Is there a draw for semis or already done.

16 Apr 2025 11:10:32
Danny, I agree that we need to try and find some consistency. The issue is that when we have all of our best players (most suitable) then we are a decent team. Still lacking a cutting edge up front and susceptible to a howler from the keeper, but good enough to win the Europa league in my opinion (We've looked better in the Europa league than in the EPL, it being slightly slower paced and less physical probably helps our team) .

The problem is that when our best/ most suitable players for Amorim's system aren't available then out performances drop off a cliff. With the rest of the squad poorly suited to playing his style of play. Also whether you agree with it or not, the manager is choosing not to adapt his approach to the players he has available.

That means that for us to have a real chance in the EL we need to make sure our best players are fit and available for those games. Which unfortunately means consistency across all our games will suffer as he will need to rotate to keep our best players in the best condition to play in the EL. That will definitely impact our league form (which wasn't great to start with) .

Ultimately if we win the EL this approach will have paid off, if we don't then it might have cost us one or two places in the league (which has a minimal impact on the club) .

It has to be a gamble worth taking.

If we line up in the EL games with Dalot, Mazraoui, MdL, Yoro, Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Bruno, Garnacho, and Højlund (ideally Zirkzee but his injury has probably put paid to that) then we stand a good chance to win those games. Even better if Amad can get back to fitness and form before that Semi-final games (if we make it through against Lyon) .

17 Apr 2025 07:10:33
If we need to score Hojlund cannot start.

14 Apr 2025 22:08:51
Been away from the site and done well to avoid watching a single kick of football for a few weeks as the state of the club was getting on my nerves, I feel cleansed and balanced again.

I think I'll continue my abstinence for the rest of this season.
I hope you're all keeping well and I hope you've all been nice little kippers.

Roll on next season, eh?

14 Apr 2025 23:46:05
May I ask why? Support of your club should be if you’re playing well or playing badly for me.

15 Apr 2025 01:34:06
If all the supporters who are as disappointed as you abstained Old Trafford would be virtually empty. I don't believe the majority of the team are not trying just that they are not good enough and as a fan shouldn't we watch and support through bad times as well as good?

15 Apr 2025 05:52:18
Simply put, I've had a strange few months on a personal level that has taken some effort to absorb, and myself and the wife have each decided to temporarily overlook secondary obligations to focus on the really important things of family and security.

I might have worded it vaguely, but my sentiments toward the club remain, it's just that I needed the balance to return.

15 Apr 2025 08:02:14
Yes gds.

I'm not totally convinced by RA, not sure he was the right choice. However he is there now, they've made their bed so he needs to be given time.

But as they say in London, it's not looking good brav.

15 Apr 2025 13:07:18
He needs time. Or rather the right players. Intelligent players. Which he does not have atm. It took Busby three years and Fergie five years. Not just a few months. EdOO2 recommendation.

15 Apr 2025 13:32:23
I think if all the supporters abstained old Trafford, it may not be a bad thing. Wake a few people up.

15 Apr 2025 17:04:23
Priorities, Ork ?.

15 Apr 2025 21:00:22
ork hope your personal life improves.

16 Apr 2025 09:08:53
I stopped watching the league games a while ago and not worth the stress. First time for me even though we have had bad years in the past but this one is just hard to stomach and pretty much the worst by all standards. Missed the lyon game as I finally made it to Augusta and watched an incredible masters tournament. Will tune in tomm to watch us and fingers crossed we get through.

Our results is not that surprising to me and par for the course and don't get the outrage that comes with it. I think its very worrying given the manager has had a long time with the squad and plenty of games under his belt and we are not really progressing.

I watched the highlights of the lyon game and maybe I am wrong but they had way too many chances even though the onana mistakes got all the headlines.

16 Apr 2025 11:08:05
The man you described as a busted flush and finished and that would never win another major seems to have done all right for himself Ahmad.

17 Apr 2025 13:10:30
I bet him to win actually but god did he make it hard on himself. funny how you come up with all kinds of stuff. Actually played with him a few months ago in Dubai. His game gone to a different level and can finally hit a cut when he needs to. Known him since he was 10 and played golf with him and hos dad at Hollywood gold club just outside Belfast.

17 Apr 2025 14:49:10
He has been playing cut shots and fades for years since he was a kid. He has struggled with drawing the ball off the tee.
Not sure where you got He couldn't play a cut.
When did you play with him and Gerry?

14 Apr 2025 14:57:34
Liverpool fan here in peace. can i just say look at our game yesterday. we should of been beaten by West ham but we have a world class keeper your club bought a dud not taking the piss i have come on your site and said your keeper can not move his feet and weight quick enough and if you look back he is a statue when goals go past him just not an elite keeper.

You have some good young players get shut of 70 % of the team as you are carrying passengers i mean the ones that have been at your club for a long time and start again your Man utd not Shefield utd.

14 Apr 2025 18:29:09
Swap keepers for the rest of the season to spice things up?

14 Apr 2025 23:47:01
And breathe. Have you read the page? We all know Onana isn’t good enough, don’t think you’re telling us anything we all haven’t already said.

15 Apr 2025 01:35:46
Any good team has a solid base starting with its goalkeeper. The best keepers organise their defence and give defenders confidence. Ours do the opposite.

15 Apr 2025 09:02:18
Thanks for the input, Sherlock.

15 Apr 2025 16:59:24
I think Altor deserves more than one game against a rampant Newcastle when we clearly showed up in bowling shoes. The pressure on our keepers is immense.

14 Apr 2025 14:37:53


Shappy has written an article entitled, Manchester United's Priority Is The Europa League

14 Apr 2025 11:07:02
I think winning the Europa League is the last thing United need

As much as it sounds counterintuitive, winning the Europa League and securing a Champions League spot might actually hinder Manchester United’s progress rather than help it, especially at this stage of our rebuild.

While the financial benefits and prestige of qualifying for the Champions League are clear, the additional fixtures come with significant downsides. More matches mean more travel, less recovery, and crucially, less time on the training ground – the one area our squad truly needs to focus on right now. Under a rebuild, our players need more time to gel, improve their tactical understanding, and build consistency in the league, not be stretched thin with midweek European distractions.

Look at Mikel Arteta at Arsenal – after a season out of Europe, they came back stronger in the Premier League, with improved performances and better squad cohesion. A year without European competition can give us the same opportunity to build a more solid foundation for the future, focusing on developing young talents and fine-tuning our style of play.

So, while the allure of European glory is tempting, a year without it might actually be what United needs to make real progress in the long run.

14 Apr 2025 11:27:46
I think it's a catch 22 unfortunately for us. While there is some benefits from having a less congested fixture list and more time to focus on the training ground. The flip side is that the players we have just aren't good enough or suited to how the manager wants to play. Which means we need to replace them, which we will struggle to do without the money or the prestige of playing UCL football next season brings.

Is it better to have the extra games and be able to replace several players with better more suited players, or to have more time trying to turn our current players into better players?

14 Apr 2025 11:30:27
I get your argument but I couldn't disagree with it much more.

If we miss out on CL and don't win the EL this season then I am sure there are some positives to not being in Europe as you described, but they are far far outweighed by winning a trophy and the money that would come from being in the CL next season and level of player we will be able to sign.

14 Apr 2025 11:59:46
Said similar yesterday. Do I want them to win? Yes do I necessarily think it’s best for us to be in the UCL next season? Not too sure. The way we are playing though I’m not sure it’ll be a dilemma to worry about.

14 Apr 2025 12:00:45
Maybe a confident boost for a team that seems to have none, possibly might be able to attract some better standard of players.

Think we really need this, but we look so far from a trophy winning team I’m not expecting much.

14 Apr 2025 12:03:06
We need Europe desperately for me as I believe they'll sell both Garnacho and Mainoo otherwise. Arsenal weren't in the same financial state as us so it's wrong to compare both situations.

14 Apr 2025 12:53:55
There is no dilemma here. We’d be comfortably knocked out in the group with a few quid in our pockets.

14 Apr 2025 13:54:13
Manchester United should be aiming high, to achieve, to win. There should be no concern at number of games, it should be viewed as a challenge to the players and club to be ready. Imagine saying to players we want to cosset you next season by playing less games.
Win every competition that’s in front of you that must be the aim.
After Onanas errors we may have a challenge on Thursday, life is a challenge, football is. Stop thinking negatively and aim to win competitions, nothing less is acceptable and sets the totally wrong mindset otherwise.

14 Apr 2025 14:59:43
"Stop thinking negatively and aim to win competitions"

If this is the case why did we part ways with ETH who had delivered us a trophy in both seasons? Its quite clear the current squad are not near the level to compete for the Premier League. But if some fans are comfortable being a cup team then the original post does become irrelevant.

I don't see how we become competitive in both the league and cups without something giving first.

14 Apr 2025 16:21:47
We can't attract players. We can't afford players. Without UCL it is a long way back. We have no divine right to be in the top 6, and we look very much like a team that will finish just above the relegation zone.

14 Apr 2025 18:20:37
Realistically, we will be lucky to get out of the group stages.

14 Apr 2025 19:12:51
No way I'm turning my nose up at a European trophy. are you mad? What's the point of supportering a team then? Deary me, I couldn't care less if utd lost most games in cl next season if the win the europa league. its what we watch utd for, that one day of triumph. Absolutely bewildering that a supporter of any club doesn't want to win a trophy.

14 Apr 2025 19:33:36
Kurtis
Winning a cup by chance is different to competing to win leagues and Champions Leagues. We won FA Cups in the seventies and eighties but never looked like winning the league. We were never going to win the league under ETH or Ole for that matter. It needs a rebuild, ETH nor Ole had the guts but it looks like Amorim does.

15 Apr 2025 01:37:37
Kurt is totally get yr argument but also the financial argument too as put forward by others.

On the playing side the more games we have the better in my opinion because I want RA to have the opportunity to blood some of the very talented youngsters we have.

15 Apr 2025 08:03:00
Guts is great red man. I'm not sure he has the ability.

15 Apr 2025 12:12:34
TH completly rebuilt the squad Ole to bought loads of players wheres this coming from that Amos the 1st manager to attempt this dosent take guts either to spend someone elses money he's now got to start showing he's got the talent to be trusted spending a fortune can start by winning the Europa League which shouldn't be that big of a task then kick on with some non sleep inducing league games he's been bad but imo he's still been a slight improvement on TH no seen the donut midfield for ages.

15 Apr 2025 18:27:51
Angel
Ability absolutely, Amorim is a very exciting young technically excellent coach. An older more experienced one in ETH caved in and gave up his principles. Amorim hasn’t.

15 Apr 2025 23:56:28
Could it be because Amo only nos 1 way of playing Red Fella? So far he's looked a very 1 dimension manager not technically excellent at all surely top coaches adapt till they have a few more players who fit hopefully hel show more nxt season.

16 Apr 2025 05:50:07
Pep plays one way and one way only, master what you know and what your good at and put your stall out and say come on beat me if you can, I’m here I’m playing this way is all it takes…….

But you have to master that, hopefully that’s what RA does, he believes in the way at got him to United, so why should he change and great he not going to.

16 Apr 2025 09:18:16
Kurtis have to disagree. It would be huge to qualify for CL and allow us to actually spend more in a rebuild.

I assure you if the talk is we need more training come next season because we are a shamble, he will get sacked. He will have had enough time by any standard to make a mark assuming they will buy 4/ 5 new players for him come summer.

Hanging out with relegation teams in the bottom half of the table for another season is not acceptable.