Manchester United Banter 3

03 Aug 2026 20:51:01
{Ed's Note - Philip_hunter2003 has posted a new article entitled, What United Still Need in the Transfer Window

03 Aug 2026 20:34:03
Whilst I see posts arguing there is no money, not enough money, cannot buy the quality and arguing we buy lesser levels to make up the squad numbers, I am reminded of a story told by SAF in 1993 when he said he was underlining his own buying strategy.

Steve Coppell rang him over a valuation of Nigel Martyn who he wanted to buy and the Palace chairman didn’t agree with the valuation.

SAF told him to ask his Chairman “Are Palace a big club or are we small time?” Coppell got the money.

So Ratcliffe, are United a big club or are we small time?

03 Aug 2026 20:52:07
The latest reports are we are trying to sign Lewis Hall. We will still finish this window with around about 200-250 million spent, like we do nearly every year, red man.

We'd all like to be signing an Anderson or one of the other £100m+ signings, but unfortunately, due to how much work we need, I don't think it's prudent to spend around about half your budget on one player.

03 Aug 2026 21:44:47
Latest rumours suggest we will buy two more players:

Baleba gathering pace.
Hall or Salinas for left back.

03 Aug 2026 22:53:03
Would be very happy with Baleba and Hall, Eric.
I'd be ecstatic if we also target an RB and a CB, but I have come to the conclusion these will be addressed next season.

03 Aug 2026 22:34:26
This is the same SAF that was linked and tried to sign Shearer, Hirst and Le Tissier before signing Cantona and then Kluivert, Batistuta and Salas before signing Yorke.

Red Man, I think you're more bothered about spending Glazers money than actually becoming a successful football team again.

04 Aug 2026 01:06:38
Let's see how we are when the window closes. I know watching teams around us spend a bomb doesn't look good, but really we've only "lost" out on Fernandes, and that was the right call. You can't be signing a player that would come in on double the wages of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko.

Holding our cards close to our chest might work out.

Howe wouldn't have let Hall go, but now the dynamics have changed, and that deal looks possible.

If we went out and filled the 3rd CM spot and Tchouemeni becomes available when Rodri moves, we'd be kicking ourselves.

All ifs and buts, but if the window closes and we're short in a lot of positions, panic away. But some patience is needed.

04 Aug 2026 06:52:51
Ports

Spending the Glazers' money? They have not put one cent into the club, so we wouldn't be spending any of their money. None.

However, there is no excuse whatsoever not to buy the players we need to compete. The only blocks are from the owners, who likely want profit and dividends.

Does the club really believe all the claims of poverty will enable them to pay less?
Three players and three first-team star players, maybe two stars and a back up striker. 18 days, and the clock is ticking.

04 Aug 2026 08:01:32
I think the issue is that the fan base are turning into accountants and apologists for the club.

It is not so much about why we did not get this player or that player. Or why we have not spent 100m.

We, as fans, need to expect the club to deliver a winning team. There is a lot of work to do. Maguire, Shaw and Dalot in the back 4 show little ambition. The lack of a recognized second striker also shows little ambition.

Why is it that Utd can't sell players? Even young players have zero value.

Star players have zero value. Promising players like Zirkzee surely have some value?

There is time in the market, and I won't be judging the window until it is closed. But we should also be putting pressure on the club to deliver a better squad. Extra European games will put a lot more pressure on the squad. We should be targeting cup wins this year, not first round exits.

04 Aug 2026 10:25:34
I think Both Santos and Tielemans will be excellent signings for Man United. I was really impressed with Santos against Athletico on Saturday. Extremely calm on the ball, doesn't waste anything, and his forward passes through the lines were really impressive. He is always looking to pass forward to get an attack going. He is still only 22 years old and will keep improving season after season.
I think we got a bargain for 48 million pounds.


Tielemans gives you a bit of everything in midfield and is a proven Premier League player. Add Mainoo to that and Mount to that (for the 15 games a season he stays fit), I think that we have some good options. If I am being greedy, I would definitely want another midfielder and a left back. That, for me, would indicate a good transfer window. Lewis Hall and Tchouameni would be nice.

04 Aug 2026 12:54:56
You mean 'there's no value in the market', SAF? The man who was happy to play ball with the Glazers in return for his 2m a year gig when he retired.

04 Aug 2026 18:54:45
Bilko

The OP quote from SAF was from 1993 when the Glazers only cleaned our windows and didn't rinse the club.

Yes, and, as was said many years ago on here, SAF let the Glazers off. Possibly the horse issue, which brought it all on, made it difficult for him.

04 Aug 2026 21:55:50
Possibly the 'being told he'd be looked after bit ' made it easy for him, being the greedy, grubby man that he is despite his whole trade Unionist, Socialist schtick

03 Aug 2026 19:48:41.
I've set up the Manchester United Rumours FPL league for this season, the joining code is:

2muz93

Best of luck to all this year, let's see who has the best football knowledge. 😂

03 Aug 2026 22:35:55
Just give it to Ken already. 😂

03 Aug 2026 18:37:20
This post could probably be attached to a few of the ones before it but not sure which one, so here I am;

I'm not too clued up on how money works once it gets past 3 zeros tbh so I guess this is more of a question to those that might understand it a little more.



If the club spent more money in this window, would it have implications on borrowing/funding/investment in the new stadium? In Layman's terms, are we in the middle isle at Lidl instead of shopping at Waitrose because we need to save up for a mortgage?

03 Aug 2026 20:41:55
Peter,

Difficult to be definitive, but funding a £2Bn stadium won't be done by scrimping on transfers. The numbers are too big. That also impacts the product on the pitch; such a stadium needs stars and Champions League football.

This is, however, a point where half a billion plus in debt round our necks would impact our ability to borrow much more to fund a stadium. Suspect they will be looking at every possible option.

03 Aug 2026 21:06:05
Like most things in life, Peter, the answer to your question is somewhere in the middle, or yes and no.
The whole business was loss-making and bashful was an issue. Despite cuts across most departments and areas across the business (senior and academy training facilities, sports science and data analytics, the areas that far increase in spend), a period of stability and growth needs to be seen from a cash flow perspective.
We have legacy debts that won't come off our books entirely until next season.
I think the massive inflation has taken ourselves, Arsenal and Liverpool out of several preferred deals.

I tend to think it's a bit of a bubble at the moment and best not to do what we've done in the past and waste money with bad decisions, as they take years to recover from financially.
Some find it frustrating not knowing or seeing nothing, despite stupid sensationalist headlines that stuck them in and con men like Romano. 🤣
I find it a little exciting and like the intrigue of not knowing. I'm sure they are not doing nothing. So just have to wait and see which way they move.

03 Aug 2026 21:25:30
Cheers for the replies, fellas.

03 Aug 2026 22:10:55
I think Grumpy and Sneezy were also issues.

03 Aug 2026 15:12:52
A lot of people complaining about the speed in which we are reinforcing the squad, so what does our squad depth look like:

GK: Lammens, Heaton, Darlow, Bayindir, Vitek.

RB: Dalot, Mazraoui, Yoro, Kamason.

CB: MdL, Martinez, Yoro, Heaven, Maguire, Shaw, Mazraoui.

LB: Shaw, Dorgu, Amass, Leon.

CM: Mainoo, Tielemans, Santos, Mount, Ugarte, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Thwaites.

RW: Mbeumo, Amad, Lacey.

CAM: Bruno, Cunha, Amad, Lacey, Zirkzee.

LW: Rashford, Cunha, Dorgu.

CF: Sesko, Zirkzee, Cunha, Mbeumo, Rashford, Obi.

Now we often say squad depth I mm is about having two good options for every position.

When all our players are fit we have that. The issues we have are based around availability, and the quality/suitability of the depth.

There are question marks over the fitness of Shaw, MdL, Martinez, Ugarte, and Mount.

While we still don't know whether Dorgu is a winger or a full back, and we need to resolve the Rashford situation.

That makes it clear that LB is the highest priority next this summer, as it means we are covered in case of Shaw getting injured as well as allowing Dorgu to play more as a winger if Rashford was to leave.

Without anyone leaving next priority position is probably midfield again, due to Mount's injury record and Ugarte's situation.

Beyond that it will be what happens with Rashford. If he stays then we don't need to sign either a LW or a ST, even if Zirkzee leaves. However, if Rashford does leave along with Zirkzee then we will need another ST.

CB is the position I don't think we will sign anyone for this summer. Maybe that bites us in the arse, but ultimately we can't do everything this summer.

The problem with CB is that really before we sign another one we need to offload one of MdL or Martinez. Otherwise we will just be blocking the pathway for Yoro and Heaven (who both need to play to develop and improve).

In an ideal world both stay fairly fit next season and next summer while both Yoro and Heaven make good steps forward in their development. Meaning we can let Maguire leave next summer and sign a replacement, maybe two if one of MdL or Martinez leaves.

That's more or less what I expect to see happen before the window closes.

A LB and another midfielder signed. Then depending on whether Rashford and Zirkzee leave we might get another ST in.

03 Aug 2026 18:26:14
We don't need any LB or another midfielder, or depend on anything to buy another striker.

We need a top quality LB, a top quality CM, and a good second striker, perhaps experienced, who can support Sesko and play 20 games. Score goals.

We don't need to fill up an average squad with average players; yes, squad depth is important, but it's more than just having two players for each position, it's about standards of the first team.

We need to buy quality that goes into the first team and drives up standards. That will create more squad depth.

03 Aug 2026 18:40:48
Red Man, I get that. But we live in a world where a top LB will cost 60-70m, where top midfielders are going for 100m, and where decent strikers cost 50m.

Do you really think we've got another 220m to spend?

So, the question is what position can we sign top quality in, and then, if we can, improve the other positions with whatever cash we have left.

Maybe we can get Lewis Hall in for 65m. But add that to the 90m we have already spent and suddenly we are up to 155m spent, with maybe another 45-60m left at most (which would still take our spending to around 200m).



Can we get a top class midfielder AND a striker for under 60m in total? Probably not without spending on gambles or well scouted, lesser known players. You know the ones you were b1tching about being "budget" options.

Is it better to spend all our money even if a big chunk of that is potentially poorly spent on gambles, or, if we can't afford to buy all of the players we want/need, is it better to keep the money to spend in January or next summer on the right targets?

03 Aug 2026 20:02:43
They need to spend the money this summer. Putting it off again will just mean the team falling further behind.

Not spending it this summer could potentially lead to a really poor first half and calls for Carrick to go. The team managed to get through the last half of the season with only 1 game a week. There will be more this season, and the team can't afford to drop off a cliff as soon as one or two players are missing.

Mbuemo is not a striker. The team needs somebody up there when Sesko can't play, which, sadly, seems to be quite often.

And Shaw is highly likely to get injured again, and even when fit, he can't go up and down the pitch all game to offer the team any width.

With Cunha on the left, there is no width, as he drifts inside. The full back needs to offer that.

And I agree with many, the team need another body in the midfield. The squad isn't really any better off in terms of numbers this season. Cas and Ugarte are out, and two in to replace them.

There are a lot of names on the squad list above. But, if we are honest, not many would get into the teams fighting for the title or Champions League.

03 Aug 2026 20:21:07
Shappy,

£90m spent? What's the net spend? I read £37m. We still need to shift others.

It seems people tell us not to talk money until it suits them to argue we can't spend to buy what we need. The Glazers must be rubbing their hands.

Champions League football. No more money excuses this summer.

04 Aug 2026 11:39:46
Fallguy, not spending is better than spending badly.

Obviously, we all want the club to spend and bring in a few more players, but it needs to be the right players for the right money.

The club is still suffering from poor spending in the past, because poor spending doesn't just waste money now, it hinders our ability to spend in the future.

So far, the club has spent very well this summer. That offers a bit more leeway in spending a bit bigger on further signings this summer, but not enough for the club to just be silly.



If the club blows the remaining money on a Sancho 2.0, that's going to have the same effect as what you described happening if they don't spend. Except it will be worse because we'll have spent money we could have used in January or next summer, added to our wage bill, and tied a weight around our necks in terms of PSR.

03 Aug 2026 13:23:55
Mark Skinner departs. Reports suggest the main reason is recruitment philosophy, with the club wanting to rely on home grown talent and in the belief that the numbers simply don't justify major investments in players.

Is this the same approach that's being applied to the men's team? There are strong indications that it is. To some extent it makes sense. Raising young players can be a good source of transfer income, and the few that actually rise to the level of being good enough to play in truly contending teams, can provide enormous financial benefit. But the question is, can you win anything major without competing for and bringing in a few of the world's top talents? They said you can't Winn anything with kids but the class of 92 proved them wrong. However, in those days all the squads were made up mainly from British players with a smattering of northern Europeans. Is it possible in this now global market for both talent and audiences to replicate such an achievement? I honestly doubt it.

So, 3 weeks to go in the window. There could yet be a signing or two that demonstrates an intent to actually compete with the top teams. I don't accept that, despite the debt, the money isn't there for a major signing or two. What may be absent is the will. What's concerning is that the apparent women's team strategy that caused the rift with Skinner is in fact the same as that being applied to the men's team.

We have some good players who demonstrated last year that they can play with the best teams, but I can't see us breaking through the ceiling into the top tier while competing on all fronts, without a few more truly top players.

03 Aug 2026 18:45:28
I highly doubt it. The reality is the women's game is a long, long way behind the men's team. Pretty much every single women's team runs at a loss currently.

Clubs need to cut their cloth accordingly. There is little to be gained by investing heavily in the women's team other than kudos and moral standing.

The prize money and the gate receipts just don't add up to enough to justify heavy investment.

Which is a very different situation to the men's game that generates billions each year.

03 Aug 2026 08:12:00
I get why some fans are frustrated with the lack of movement, but I think we also need to consider that the club's thinking may have changed based on what they've seen in pre-season.

At the start of the summer, the media had us all convinced we were signing three central midfielders. Santos and Tielemans came in pretty quickly, and since then it's gone quiet. Everyone's assuming we've stalled, but what if the plan has simply evolved?

Whether you rate him or not, Mount has been used in a deeper midfield role throughout pre-season and, credit where it's due, he's looked good there. If Amorim and his staff believe that's a genuine option, then suddenly the need for a third specialist CM isn't as obvious.

You'd then have Santos, Tielemans, Mainoo and Mount competing for the two deeper midfield positions. Santos has impressed, Tielemans is proven Premier League quality, Mainoo is expected to kick on again this season, and Mount gives you another option if his transition continues.

Then look at the No.10 role. Bruno can't play every game, and if the club believe Lacey is ready for first-team involvement, you've potentially got your cover there without spending another £50m on someone who blocks one of the academy's brightest talents.

Pre-season isn't just about getting minutes into players. It's also about managers finding answers within their own squad. Mount looking comfortable deeper and Lacey looking capable further forward could easily have changed the recruitment priorities.

I'm not saying we definitely won't sign another midfielder, but perhaps we're all still judging the window based on what journalists were reporting six weeks ago rather than what Carrick has actually learned from working with the squad.

Sometimes the biggest "new signings" aren't signings at all, they're players who the manager suddenly sees in a different role. If that's happened with Mount, and Lacey is trusted to cover Bruno, it makes perfect sense why the club may now feel that Santos, Tielemans, Mainoo and Mount are enough in central midfield, allowing them to focus the remaining budget elsewhere.

03 Aug 2026 08:42:53
I like all that Ports, but Mount's fitness record is poor, so his availability is questionable. If he could stay for, then your assessment is sound, but it's a big if.

I like Lacey.

He can also play out wide, and Cunha can play 10. We have lots of options for forward players, although we still lack a killer goalscorer. We may see Sesko kick on, we may not.

03 Aug 2026 09:08:14
I would not put much weight into pre season performances, they are fitness exercises against teams at different stages of their pre season.

If the club genuinely think Mount is an option for cm, fair enough, but weve had 3 seasons of evidence that he isnt. Still remember people believing he could play cm next to Casemiro under Eth, and that was a catastrophic failure.

03 Aug 2026 09:09:35
Maybe Amorim still being involved is what has people worried. 😉

03 Aug 2026 09:32:52
It's got that bad with our manager turnover, fans don't even know who is in charge any more.

03 Aug 2026 09:48:46
Getting 2 x CMs in already this window has alleviated the pressure on getting a 3rd. I think, if we do get one more in, it will be the right one, I'm sure the transfer dept are calm at the moment.

What I think is much more of a priority is the LB situation.

However, with the Rashford situation not being cleared up, it's creating a domino effect where he stays and Dorgu is a LB choice.

For me, it's not the worst scenario.

If that does stay the same, I would like us to get another CM and forward option in then.

I think it's going to be a busy last few weeks for the squad.

I would treat Mount and Lacey as bonuses if they can contribute. I wouldn't be hanging my hat on either of them. We still need a few more additions of quality to compete on all 4 fronts.

03 Aug 2026 10:13:48
Amorim 😂🙈 What a wally. 🤦‍♂️

03 Aug 2026 10:31:20
I just think Moynt's fitness is such a concern, you cannot rely on him being one of the four. I like him as a player, and, by all accounts, seems to be a good member of the squad, but he just cannot stay fit for extended periods. He would need to do that for a full season to change that view.



I also think that we would lack a more physically dominating player. I think Kone could be a good answer, but we might be waiting for one if the Madrid players. Not sure that will be resolved any time soon. Could be another case of rumours all summer and then Noone is signed.

03 Aug 2026 11:08:23
Mount reminds me of Owen Hargreaves, a really good player who we all want fit because of what they offer the team, but in reality is holding us back from moving on.

03 Aug 2026 11:37:04
Mount 'starring' against Atletico (and getting MOM in many match reports) will suit United down to the ground, as it's proof we won't need a third midfielder signing. Mbuemo grabbing a few at CF won't speed up the chase for a centre forward either. Maybe LB is the only addition we can expect before the window closes...

03 Aug 2026 13:54:50
You never rely on anything pre season, it's a warm up. If the club are basing signings on pre season, that would be amateur.

We still need what we needed at the start of the window.

Without those three key players, we are going to struggle to make top 5. With the right three, we have a good chance of challenging the top 3 positions. It would be delusional to think otherwise.

03 Aug 2026 14:01:02
That's a fair assessment, Spenno.

I watched the game as well, and Mount was brilliant. He deserved the MOTM award. My only worry is whether he can stay fit long enough to put together a decent run of games.

Shea Lacey impressed me too. He's clearly got bags of talent, but because of his size he'll probably get bullied physically at times until he fills out.



We've hardly spent anything this window when you take into account the wages we've freed up and the money we've brought in from player sales. I'm still hopeful we'll get a CB who can also cover RB, plus another CM before the window shuts.

03 Aug 2026 14:43:53
You make a very good point, Ports.
Plans can evolve.
Mount's injury record would be a concern, and as Red Man says, pre season is a different pace.
There is a need for a 5th cm on that basis alone.
A forward depends on Rashford. If he won't leave, we simply don't have space for another top tier signing or wage, imo.


LB Hall would be a great option at the right price. What that is, I've no idea.
I like Robinson at Fulham too.
Gore, Amass, Vietk, Collyer and Bayindir all need new homes. Obi and a couple of others' loan deals need to be sorted.
1st team exits look to be down to Zirkzee and Rashford at the moment.

03 Aug 2026 17:42:35
Red Man, nobody is saying the club is basing transfers solely on pre-season. But, it's entirely logical that performances in training and friendlies influence whether they sign three midfielders or two, or whether someone like Lacey earns a squad role.

That's called evaluating your squad, not being amateur.

The only delusional thing is insisting nothing can change over six weeks while claiming to know exactly where we'll finish in May.

03 Aug 2026 18:18:04
Ports,

Yes, young players at 18,19 can take a step up. A player like Lacey can take a step up and put himself in contention. Heaven can show his strength has improved. However, we knew what our squad of the more mature players was at the end of the season. We knew, and the club should know, what is there.

Unless a Ronaldo jumps out, the key signing requirements are not going to change based on preseason friendlies.

The ones buffing up Mount as meaning we don't need a class CM are only helping the Glazers trying to keep expenditure down.

02 Aug 2026 23:13:59
I can't see where Zirksee fits into our team but I can't help feeling that he is very underrated. Is an intelligent player and in the right team will do very well. In many ways he reminds me of Berbatov.

03 Aug 2026 08:10:15
5 goals in 56 appearances in the Premier League.

He is very clearly not good enough.

03 Aug 2026 08:43:50
He reminds you of Berbatov. Gemma Collins reminds me of Kylie, in that they are both female.

03 Aug 2026 09:04:28
Not fit to lace Dimitar's boots, and I doubt he ever will be.

But I stand to be corrected, at which point I will happily eat humble pie.

03 Aug 2026 11:32:36
He reminds me more of Sideshow Bob.

03 Aug 2026 12:37:34
Quite like Zirkzee. Clearly has good feet, and is technically strong. But, for the life of me, I don't know what kind of player he is?

He could have knuckled down and said right, I'll play No9 back up and learn the craft, but he's shown neither the ability nor the willingness to do so.

03 Aug 2026 17:44:55
I think Zirkzee is a good player in the wrong league. He has bags of ability, but that ability, imo, is better for a different league to the Premier League.

02 Aug 2026 22:23:44
Apparently Osimhen is available for £65m? Spurs bid £55m. I think he is a steal at that price and we should go all out for him. Only issue is his wages of course.

02 Aug 2026 23:14:39
Agree.

03 Aug 2026 00:49:10
He's on a guaranteed salary of EUR15m NET p.a. Plus EUR5m p.a. Image Rights, and EUR1m p.a. Loyalty Bonus.

That would equate to approx £600,000-£700,000 p.w.

There would have to be quite some willingness to take a salary reduction.

If he would do so, then come to O.T.

03 Aug 2026 06:21:11
Quality player and would definitely take him. Unfortunately, I think the opportunity to get him was a few years back. With the purchase price, likely agent costs, and salary, I don't see how he fits into any model the club are currently working to.

03 Aug 2026 11:57:07
If he is serious about ever wanting to play in the Premiership, he would need to slash his wage demands by over 50%.

02 Aug 2026 15:14:35
As talk of Lewis Hall has gathered some pace, what are people's thoughts?
I for one think he is a top player who could be our left back for a decade.
I do think, though, that Newcastle over the last 2 seasons have shown themselves to be an absolute shambles of a club when it comes to transfers.

02 Aug 2026 17:41:06
I think that, if he is a priority signing, the club has dawdled. Newcastle have already sold a few players for big money and can now afford to keep Hall if we don't match their valuation. He has years left on his contract, and if he's worth buying, his value will increase.

Personally, I don't think we will pay what Newcastle ask. My prediction is that the club will fall back on Rashford being lw backup and Dorgu being lb backup.

02 Aug 2026 17:43:11
Great little. Would be a great investment, imo.

02 Aug 2026 20:31:01
Just get it done.

02 Aug 2026 20:47:40
If Newcastle don't want to sell them, I don't want an iask type situation to develop.
If they say no or want 70m, if he forced his way out, then id say move on.
He is a good player, id like him to sign, but not at any cost.


Danny, if we can't shift Rashford, that may well be the case.
It will be interesting to see if he plays a part in the remaining friendly games.

03 Aug 2026 09:11:51
Hall would be a brilliant signing. At some point, Newcastle will likely say no; we're not selling any more players after Bruno goes.

I'd imagine that they are now in a good financial position. Hall will likely cost a lot more now, unless he asks to leave and will only go to Utd.



If Utd don't buy a CF, then a CB and LB are definitely required. A solid midfield and defence will be significantly beneficial for the upcoming season. We are almost there with our midfield.

03 Aug 2026 15:21:06
I don't think getting the huge figures they sold Isaak Tonali and prob Bruno G is shambolic.