Manchester United Banter 4

10 Feb 2026 10:02:39
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Manchester City - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

10 Feb 2026 09:32:14
West Ham V Manchester United

West ham have found a little bit of form in recent games winning 4 of their last 5 games. Nuno has been able to galvanize them a little bit. Castelllanos looks a good signing and Summerville is really starting to look a player. They are in proper dog fight down there at the bottom of the table and no doubt they will be doing all they can to get a result at home against us.

However they have a poor record at home losing 8 of their games there this season. And as we have over the seasons, once the home fans start to become discontent, it becomes a very difficult place to play for their own team. But I think they will be somewhat buoyed by their form in recent games.

I expect and intense opening to the game, both teams will come out, going for it, no doubt.

We have seen in recent games, our own intensity level has gone up too and I'm sure they will want to score early. If we can do that, I think we will pick up another win.

I'm going to go 2-1 to us.

10 Feb 2026 10:01:12
On that big pitch, I expect bruno and the front 3 being able to exploit the spaces.

We have a poor recent record at west ham but i one was ETHs last game and the other DDG chucked the ball in his own net so if Lammens can avoid that i am confident.

10 Feb 2026 10:39:58
DSG, I was at those games. The ETH one was incredible, we had about 4 clear cut chances.

I think we do well tonight.

10 Feb 2026 17:11:52
I think it will be a draw tonight. A score draw.

West Ham are in good form. Summerville is on fire and likely to cause United some issues.

United don’t seem to get on that well away at West Ham for whatever reason.

10 Feb 2026 19:02:03
Fingers crossed for another win…. think it will be too.

10 Feb 2026 22:33:29
Take the point and run tonight. Not at the races but we kept going and another good finish from Sesko.

Nuno had West Ham superbly drilled giving no space to Bruno, Cunha and Mbeumo tonight.

11 Feb 2026 01:59:21
posted earlier in the week this was going to be difficult. its an away point and okay with it. missed the game as it started at 1.00 am my time.

10 Feb 2026 09:33:53
{Ed's Note - newnameoldideas has posted a new article entitled, United Look Revived After a Quick Reset

09 Feb 2026 19:37:39
RIP Liam Miller.

Taken far too young.

{Ed007's Note - 🙏💚🍀

09 Feb 2026 18:32:38
Anyone seen German recently. I miss them.

09 Feb 2026 20:05:22
Try the Liverpool page with his own fans.

10 Feb 2026 08:17:45
jeans en suite?

12 Feb 2026 01:46:45
I was wondering about that, everything he said has come to fruition, he was spot on with everything he ever said yet he’s not been back to tell us. Same with Maze and Romanian Maverick. Weird.

09 Feb 2026 14:57:05
Whether carrick gets the job full time or not it’s nice to see him getting the plaudits an he’s definitely implementing some new things. Watching MOTD they highlighted a tweak to our setup with mbeumo and amad wide with cunha and Bruno as 2 10s central. Mbeumo was through the middle the previous games.

Just goes to show that he does have variety to his setup and I’m sure Steve Holland is heavily involved in that also. Just so nice to enjoy watching us and the players playing full of joy also. That lad will be praying we win tomorrow so he can finally get a trim 🤣 lol.

09 Feb 2026 16:56:36
Do you think our Carrick would get more credit if his name was Mikel Carrique? lol.

09 Feb 2026 18:08:28
Probably, think it’s the same for a number of coaches. The foreign and the mysterious always seems to be more desired and get the plaudits.

09 Feb 2026 18:43:55
Eurgh I already hate Mikel Carrique. I bet he moans a bunch and has excuses for everything.

09 Feb 2026 13:40:36
Bruno Fernandes

2nd on the Utd list for 200 goal involements.
Second go Wazza.

Best number 10 in Europe right now.

Remind me how he’s the problem 😂😂😂

Still mind blown by the thinking of United fans lol.

If he carries on this season and United do too, he’s got to be contender for PL POTS (not necessarily win it) . definitely TOTS.

09 Feb 2026 15:11:23
I'm not always his biggest fan, but his numbers are astounding. Rooney achieved 200 playing in a team of world beaters, Bruno has done it in a whole different environment and situation.

If he stays as a 10, we should keep him and strengthen around him.

09 Feb 2026 17:00:54
Agreed AJH, it's a no brainer to me. He's been in poor United teams.

09 Feb 2026 18:24:36
Me personally I'd keep Bruno. My issue is his salary as we have been told they are working the structure to a more manageable level, however it isn't my money and when we secure UCL by lifting the title this season, he has played a big part, we have further funds available and if the club can make it work, he stays on.

Maybe a rolling one year extension. When his output starts to drop, as does his salary, so you aren't stuck with a Salah situation.

10 Feb 2026 09:02:28
Agreed jimbob. Salah has been dire all year and should be a lesson learnt.

10 Feb 2026 19:03:04
Was not too bad for Egypt!

09 Feb 2026 07:39:05
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, United’s Summer Priorities: Midfield First, Then Balance

08 Feb 2026 13:58:52
The big issues at the end of the season, obviously getting top four adds money and attracts better players. Get a manager in really early, Carrick or other has to happen. We need to get any new players in early to adjust fit in etc.

This waiting until 10 games in is silly. Identify the targets Plan A and get them or Plan B. Get your squad and manager sorted early and transfers too, we need to be ready at the start of the season.

08 Feb 2026 14:54:30
The club took a step last summer after appointing RA as head coach rather than manager towards moving the primary responsibility for acquisitions to the back room. I think it would be fair to say it was the best summer window we've had in a long time. So I expect that approach to continue and would imagine they're already hard at work planning their strategy and making enquiries as to interest and availability for the upcoming window. Of course much will depend on whether we have European football. The club will have more money at its disposal, ambitious players will have a chance to shine on the top stage, existing players as well as new ones will be on bonuses.

If we can succeed on the pitch and we can finally get a longer term coach in place then I would expect him to get more input and authority regarding transfers as he establishes himself. Good managers make the best of their squads. RA was so wedded to his system that he was unable to achieve that primary goal. He left, but instead of departing and leaving a squad of misfits behind, the new coach/manager will inherit some very good players. not necessarily ones that were top of RA's list.

08 Feb 2026 15:01:05
Tuchel got a World Cup first… he probably the plan.

08 Feb 2026 15:28:18
Agree on this which is one of the reasons why i think Carrick has more chance of getting the full time job.

Most of the managers we would be targeting (Enrique excluded, who knows if he even wants to come) are at the world cup (Tuchel, Carlo and Nagelsmann) .

Realistically wouldn't be available untill Mid/Late July, doesn't give much time to plan/coach the team for the upcoming season.

08 Feb 2026 16:59:25
It really is a very different situation this time around I really can't think of any outstanding candidate and at this point I don't have a strong preference for anybody in particular.
Im moving from hopeful to confident that we will secure a cl position.
If we do them Carrick and his coaching team will have strong claims to be very high on the list of options.
I think a lot will depend on how much momentum they have until the end of the season.
As said above any wc manager under consideration does leave no time to prepare for next season.
Other candidates outside of Iriola have not been looking as steady recently. Glasner trying to manage a dwindling squad and difficult owner. Howe has not replaced the goals of issak and they can't get a run going. Emery also looking shaky under pressure and frank having a hard time at spurs Di zerbi a little volatile again at marsaille and southgate hopefully a non starter those with epl experience don't look any better than Carrick to me.

Or any less risky.
Poch tuchel Carlo naigalsmann are mentioned if tuchel has a bad wc in bit sure the press will give him too smooth a ride at united. I think if he has a poor wc with England then the epl is the last place for him. He can be very abrasive and outspoken and will be under pressure from the get go.
On the flip side if he has a good wc then he will get a little more rope from the media perhaps.
Enrique is on the radar i'm sure but I think he will stay at psg. Those owners don't lose to many people they don't want to lose.
Simione has no English, part of me would love to see him at united for all the madness and passion he'd bring but I think his pragmatic approach and style goes against him a little.
So no big standout from the epl proven coaches and wc coaches with obvious drawbacks finish strong in top 3 and it could be the perfect storm for Carrick to get another Season to prove he can sustain and continue to improve it.

08 Feb 2026 17:34:11
I'm not convinced we would be an attractive proposition for Enrique. I'd see him more at Liverpool if Slot doesn't recapture last season's form.

08 Feb 2026 19:04:07
I think Enrique was very dismissive of utd last time round. It's a bit like covering the girl who humiliated you by refusing to dance. No thanks. Move on.

We don't need to decide right now. Agree that there is no stand out. Personally, if Carrick continues this run - with his coaching staff, I would like to see him continue but with a better director of football above him. How about anchelotti to mentor him?

In all seriousness, no need to rush now while Carrick is steadying the ship. This summer players and coaches will be distracted by the world cup, it is why I wanted a midfield in Jan, to take some pressure off the summer window.

08 Feb 2026 19:28:19
I listened to Andy Mitten DVB, apparently he knows him and has interviewed him many times. I think he knew it wasn't the right time.

I do however, think that this summer is a perfect time for a big manager to come in.

08 Feb 2026 19:30:37
It’s not just the best manager but the best fit for us.

08 Feb 2026 20:38:36
We owe a fortune in transfer instalments so unless we make some really big sales I can't see us signing many top players. The extra revenue we might get from champions league is offset to a large extent but the increased wages we would have to pay players in performance related bonuses.

This might very well reduce the attraction of managing Utd would be to top managers.

08 Feb 2026 21:37:39
Salford,

We buy players in instalments, so you’ve kind of missed the point there, we can buy expensive players in instalments and would have the money to be able to do so. Getting CL would be huge.

09 Feb 2026 08:35:28
Spenno do you think Liverpool with no cl is a better proposition than United. That surprises me.

09 Feb 2026 10:59:17
Its all valid Redcon, but to do all of that would mean relying on competent ownership and people running the club. Unfortunately we don't have that luxury.

09 Feb 2026 11:55:49
I think we very much do Kurtis.

09 Feb 2026 12:41:42
Kurtis, I think the summer window just gone should suggest we can be hopeful of recruiting well this summer and in the correct areas. I also think, although from a fans point of view it was frustrating, not buying in January suggests more of a measured approach to transfers.

Previously there may have been the temptation to splash out on maybe Gallagher for example which may have been a short term solution but not right for the longer term.

09 Feb 2026 13:08:44
Kurtis, I think we do.

Amorim appointment aside, I think they've got a lot right and I'm quite hopeful that the next appointment will be the right one.

09 Feb 2026 13:29:01
Hmm, Amorim appointment aside, retention of ETH aside, the Ashworth debacle aside.

Recruitment has been good, but they still need to build trust.

09 Feb 2026 15:00:41
AJH, I'll call them teething issues. There are many issues at the club that where there long before their take over and it will take them a long time to resolve some of those issues. ETH was a panic, they gave in to fan sentiment when they knew what they wanted to do from the off. I was a bit worried about the Ashworth hire, i think that was a mistake.

On the face of it, bringing in someone like RA, looked great, young, enthusiastic, had Sporting playing great football and they gave him every chance possible to get it right but ultimately it was the wrong decision.

But I think, generally, they are making positive moves, especially in recruitment. There is a footballing structure in place now, they are getting to grips with it all.

But you're right, they still need to build trust, and should be allowed the time to get that right.

09 Feb 2026 15:36:13
Along with 100s of redundancy’s, Ineos haemorrhaging money in all its business’s, Debts galore and trying to cash in Nice FC the Automotive arm struggling…oh yeah they doing great.
Money wasted on ETH debacle, Amorim appointment and sack along with all back room, huge losses on Rasmus, Rashford, Antony, Sancho, that’s before we mention Ashworth then Wilcox thinking he the manager! I would say it’s a total mess behind the scenes.

09 Feb 2026 17:01:47
JSU. Let's see where we are in a couple of seasons.

10 Feb 2026 19:04:09
I don’t think Ineos or the Glazers will be about in 2-3 years time, thank goodness.

08 Feb 2026 10:34:45
Lets get carried away a little.

Let's say we get European football next year and we address the midfield needs in the transfer window.

Clearly we would also need squad players.

If you had the reigns and you could sign one squad player for defense, midfield and attack that could be somewhat attainable. Who would you pick?

I'd go for prem experience,

Def: Kayode (Bren)
Mid: Gomes (Wolves)
Att: Evanilson (B'mouth)

08 Feb 2026 11:17:48
Good post Peter.

By the way, I think Top 4 is a must now. At the start of the season it was 'European Football's but I don't think there is any doubt we can get into the Champions League.

If those were the only 3 positions, I'd go.

Def: Kayode BRE
Mid: Anderson NF
Att: Diomande LEIPZIG

I think with Dorgu and Shaw, we should have enough at LB, Maz can also play both flanks. So I would add another RB. I think it will be 2 CMs and a wide attacker. Diomande looks promising and with the attacking talent we already have, a good balance with real prem experience, I think we can add someone like him. I really believe that we could hit the ground running next season, it's vital we get the right manager in place.

08 Feb 2026 11:57:45
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, United’s Summer Priorities: Midfield First, Then Balance

08 Feb 2026 15:07:20
We don’t need squad players we need players to go straight in starting 11

We can’t expect Shaw to stay fit after World Cup, need a LB
Mazz is not good enough either side as first choice only as cover, So Dalot needs to stay. Otherwise a starting right back needed

Need a GK to push on Lammens but he needs to be good enough to take his place if need be

We still need a experienced proper CB with pace

Need 2 Midfielders and an experienced striker, Sesko got a lot to learn still and hopefully Zirkee gone

If Bruno goes we are bang in trouble.

Still a lot needed if we want to push on.

08 Feb 2026 15:43:05
Defence: Kounde Barca
Midfield: Anderson Forest
Attack: Thiago Brentford.

08 Feb 2026 16:11:54
Je suis unite, it was hypothetical. Lighten up pal.

08 Feb 2026 16:18:22
Angel/Don Red - I agree with Anderson although I wouldn't put him down as a squad player. For me he would have been part of the "address the midfield needs in the transfer window. " part.

Don Red - Thiago was up there for me. After taking Mbuemo and Hypothetically taking Kayode. I starting to feel sorry for Brentford. So I raided Bournemouth instead 🤣.

08 Feb 2026 16:26:19
Ah yes indeed. João Gomes for midfield then. Anderson for sure is a starter.

08 Feb 2026 16:26:34
Ah yes indeed. João Gomes for midfield then. Anderson for sure is a starter.

08 Feb 2026 19:01:00
Senesi (free) or Mukiele
Wilson (free) or Aaronson
Thiago

Accept the frees would still command a small fee, but it means we bolster the squad, hypothetically if course, and keep majority of funds for the major works required elsewhere.

On that, thankfully, Mainoo is playing again, the discontent around his contract seems to have become secondary and with that, I think it presents a great opportunity for the centre mid to be resolved.

I believe Ugarte needs to go as well as the case departure.
Baleba for me is the obvious Casemiro replacement, and assuming Bruno stays and Mainoo starts, we probably still need one more, again assuming you have the likes of Kone, Fletcher (x2) etc available. To that end, I think Wharton is the preferred all rounder over Anderson as he can play in either the Baleba/Mainoo role. I also think he is more attainable than Anderson.

So we could end up with
Mainoo, Baleba, Wharton, Wilson, Kone, Fletcher x2 for the central mid positions.

I will say, we need to offload mount also as he really has no pathway into this team if the wide players remain untouched (Amad, Cunha, Mbeumo, Dorgu) add to that potentially diomande and we have Lacey etc al coming through, he has to go, along with Zirkzee. He is also very injury prone.

I said in the past once we solve midfield defence becomes the problem child to then solve! I think if it doesn't get some attention this summer, we will all be screaming at the usual suspects this time next year for costing us games.

I know folk will say 'tok much churn for one season' but I really think we need to see 3-5 defenders depart this summer!

Keepers are apples assuming Vitek comes back and I don't care who occupies the 3rd spot.

We do need another striker too.

08 Feb 2026 19:53:14
Jimbob at the moment of 1st 11 plus sesko deligt maz can compete with any 11 on their best day.
The issue is beneath that we are very weak on experience and quality allbeit with good young players and even within that 14 cas is going maguire not much left Shaw not much left.
So as someone said above moving to 2 games a week will mean we need to sign 5 or 6 players that are 1st team starters. i'm confident that the likes of heaven yoro will be better in a back 4 and can step up 5 starters i'd hope for would be.
2xcm 1x rb 1xlb 1 x st 1xcb
That us assuming bruno stays.


Maguire mount zirkzee cas ugarte either maz or dalot sold
Baleba wharton kayode evanilson Hall murillo
If bruno and martinez stay then maguire will not be needed as an elder imo i hope he gets a good move.
Not chance of that happening but it would leave us with a well balanced squad imo.
No superstars just good players with potential to improve that compliment what at have and fits into how Carrick set the team up in the last few games.
Win against West ham and we are 1 step closer to securing that cl place. If we get it 5 or 6 starters are required imo.

08 Feb 2026 20:44:07
Anderson does not thrill me as a signing. His form recently has not been great and I don't think he will ever be a great footballer.

08 Feb 2026 22:45:29
Pretty much nailed on Ken, we are aligned once again! 😁 I don't feel we ever stray too far away tbh.

In agreeance on your departures, although personally I would dump MDL (too often injured for 2 games a week) and retain Maguire on reduced wages.

We don't need world beaters, I actually hope we bypass Diomande, as good as he looks, we need to avoid those types of signings. As you say, just simple non superstar status players. Lift the overall quality of the squad a notch or too and mst importantly add depth!

09 Feb 2026 04:48:16
Simple non superstar players not world beaters…. what you seriously think that’s going to win in the EPL

What’s the last team that won the EPL or CL without superstars or world beaters, looks and sounds romantic but be realistic

Even last year the scousers had superstars and world beaters in Alison Van Dyke Salah Trent to name just 4 of there world class players

Previous years City awash with superstars and it goes on probably until Leicester

So yes if we want to be just challenging for top 4 every year and that’s it, let’s go your romantic way.

09 Feb 2026 08:58:18
Indeed jimbob. I remember a duncecap that used to post here (german lad) telling me united wouldn't be within 10 points of liverpool this session that I had red tints on when I said we would finish above them this season.
Dopey guy told me Liverpool would win the league easily after their World class signings.


He was a fool imo, glad he doesn't post anymore. Delusional was the phrase I think used when we said united would qualify for cl.
Tbf I think he was pretty dumb and a troll maybe why he doesn't post anymore.

09 Feb 2026 13:43:25
They we just reincarnated Ken, above is another reincarnation and there goes another post that loses my interest because of a select group of posters chiming in.

09 Feb 2026 17:33:16
Perhaps you should start your own thread that you can pick who chimes in to your post…. might suit you better being selective, sure you could find a couple of people to join you….

09 Feb 2026 18:26:45
🥱🥱🥱.

09 Feb 2026 18:55:47
Je Suis, I'm going to engage with you, as I am unsure why you have your knickers in a twist.

Read your suggestions back to yourself. Here I'll summarise.
You state we require:
At least a LB, probably also RB, an experienced CB, at least 2 CM and ST (experienced) . Also a GK.

Now compare your wishlist to my suggestions which you chose to criticise.

CM: Baleba, Wharton and Wilson added.
CB: Senesi
ST: Thiago
Defence: I highlighted this will be a problem area, as have you. For the record, I agree we should be churning or fullbacks and CBs. If it were me I would sell : Shaw, Mazraoui, MDL, at the very least. Obviously Malacia is leaving on a free and potentially Maguire. If Maguire stays I would look to offload Martinez also (injury prone and a liability) . That 5 defenders going.

Keep is ok providing Vitek comes back imo, he will push Lammens and vice versa.

If diomande is available we want him, get him.

Your thoughts on what we need are surely not too far away from the suggestions above? Who would you change from the above suggestions and why?

On fullbacks, I had thought the likes of Livramento and Munoz were obvious candidates but they seem to be injured aot this season, so that is a red flag to me if we are building a squad capable of playing 60games.

On your point of city and Liverpool and world beaters, look at them both now, squads are decimated and they are struggling, you can have a world beaters or two, but not a squad of them, it doesn't work well long time as they squabble to be too dog and eat the squad from the inside out.

I'd be interested to see your thoughts mate and try and have a discussion about it.

09 Feb 2026 19:57:09
Purely EPL-experienced.

DEFENCE: Munoz/Kayode/Hume
MIDFIELD: Janelt/Garner/Tonali
ATTACK: Can't see anyone around who would be happy as a squad player, and that I think is good enough. Maybe Thiago if he was amenable.

Good post, Patrick 👍.

09 Feb 2026 22:54:31
I like tonali he is a fine player.