Manchester United Banter 4

21 Aug 2026 20:48:27
Here we go, Carlos Baleba to Utd.

One more and I'm happy.

22 Aug 2026 06:54:05
Top level LB and striker and I will be happy with this window, depending on who. Potentially very happy.

22 Aug 2026 07:57:59
I would make priority a LB. It's the only time a shoe gets stuck up Shaw's behind, and he plays like a LB.

If I see him wandering sideways in the centre circle, I'll throw my phone through the TV lol.

21 Aug 2026 20:33:22
Hi, Won’t catch the game tomorrow. Got a call to go into hospital over the weekend to get checked for abnormal heart rhythms or something. Hopefully we kick the season off well and get a good result. Anyways, have a good one and I’ll check back on here again soon.

21 Aug 2026 21:37:58
Take it easy, Tim, I hope all is ok.

21 Aug 2026 21:40:57
Wishing you all the best, Tim_99. Look after yourself.

21 Aug 2026 21:50:30
Tim

All the best.

Football is supposed to be so important, yet it isn't. Life is.

21 Aug 2026 22:12:29
Family and health first, Tim!

21 Aug 2026 22:39:29
Anyone who says football is not the most important thing, don't believe them!! It certainly is.

But best wishes for next few days. Had an 'incident' myself a few years back.

Make sure you play the injured soldier routine and get all the sympathy you can!

Whilst you're a moaning old so and so, hope to see you back on here without too much delay.

Good luck Tim.

21 Aug 2026 23:00:30
Tim, look after yourself and follow the advice you're given to the letter.

21 Aug 2026 23:47:52
Take care, Tim, good luck.

22 Aug 2026 05:18:13
Having had open heart surgery last January to deal with a 5cm aneurysm which involved replacing the descending aorta, and then getting atrial fibrillation which, after a few months and drug treatments, disappeared, I have some experience now when it comes to hearts. There are many techniques, devices, therapies and drugs for different conditions. Medical advancements have been astonishing.

Here's hoping all goes well.

22 Aug 2026 08:27:52
Tim, mate, your health has to come first, hopefully United won't do anything against Hull that could elevate your heart rate.

All the best, buddy.

21 Aug 2026 17:18:00
Savinho and Marmoush to Spurs for another £135m+ add-ons? Clearly both had become bit part players for City who still manage to recoup their incoming fees, which is of course where we have consistently failed over the last dozen years.

Interesting final 10 days. If we get Baleba and a full back, then I think we've accomplished what the club set out to do. We have at least attempted to seriously address midfield, as opposed to trying to paper over the loss of Scholes, Keane, Carrick etc with short term fixes like Schweinsteiger, hanging on all summer for a player who never had any intention of leaving Barcelona, and then plumping for another older player in Casemiro, or hoping that academy players like Cleverley would make the grade or spending a fortune on Pogba and then often having to play him out of his best position, just as Amorim did with Bruno last year.

We will have to hope that de Ligt will recover and stay fit, and that Yoro and Heaven continue to improve. It's probably Harry's last hurrah. The defence's performances is what's going to be the focus of the recruitment team this year. We seem to now be set elsewhere for a few years, so next summer I'm expecting that will be where we spend money.

Clearly the price for a good rather than top EPL player is now £65-£80m. It's a function of the revenues available. If they keep going up for the league as a whole, the cost of players will rise with it.

21 Aug 2026 20:42:50
Kind of hoping Harry has already had his last hurrah.

21 Aug 2026 14:33:22
Just watched highlights of the 2009 away leg Champions League at Arsenal.

In Rooney and Ronaldo we had two of the very very best strikers.

In defence also vv strong.
Evra Vidic Rio O'Shea.

Midfield though was on paper not as strong. Carrick Anderson Fletcher and Park. Those boys ran their socks off.

In the final against Barcelona our midfield hardly got a kick.

Forwards to today.

I would say on paper our midfield is better than 2009. Our attack not as good but perhaps 80% compared to 2009.

The big deficiency though is defensively. Not one of the current Utd defenders in the squad would get into the 2009 team.

All successful teams are built on a solid defence. That's the foundation to allow a team to attack.

We need at least one centre back and a left back this window.

21 Aug 2026 16:06:42
You think our attack is 80% of Rooney and Ronaldo? Lol.

21 Aug 2026 16:16:35
Well, for comparison
In the 2008/09 season we scored 68 league goals. We won the league.
In 25/26 we scored 69 league goals. We finished 3rd.
It's funny how we remember things lol.

21 Aug 2026 16:19:51
We did concede 24 goals in 08/9.
But conceded 50 last session, so Salford, our attack is more effective, not 20% less effective, and our defence was more than 100% worse off.
So, your argument that the defence is the issue is perfectly correct.

21 Aug 2026 17:39:57
Our attack, when all fit, is probably 70% of 2008/9. 2008, with Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez, was our most potent, quite possibly the best, although Best, Law and Charlton were superb. Ronaldo is one of the all time greats. Our issue then was midfield and tactics. Hargreaves defined the type of player needed, yet he had the knee issue.

Tactics cost us as well, because, especially in the CL final, we didn't set up midfield right.
Whilst Cunha, Sesko and Mbueno are good, they are nowhere near 2008 levels.

Right now, defence is a lot poorer. On that I agree, and it is the issue that needs resolving next, starting with an LB.

22 Aug 2026 01:27:11
Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo (42). They are 6th on the list for our attacking trios, they don't get close to Yorke, Cole and Ole (51) in 2000 and (48) in 99. Or Rooney, Rvn and Chicharito in 12/13 (49) for goals in the EPL.
There was one season Rvn scored 44 and Svholes got 20.
Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo were great in Europe that year, and I thought were great to watch, but in terms of goals as a trio Yorke, Cole and Ole were our most potent.


3 EPLs on the spin and a treble.
It's funny how we remember things.
I would not have thought that were the case myself, they didn't do as well in the EPL as a trio as I thought they had. Maybe it's their CL performances that stick in my mind. They were great to watch. But Yorke and Cole voted best pair in EPL history, their stats and trophies are incomparable to all others.

22 Aug 2026 07:00:16
That's why stats are misleading.

Rvn was probably our best cf, but was not as good as Rooney or Ronaldo.

Seen all of them live, yet the best trio I have seen were playing in 2008, Roo, Ron and Tevez.

22 Aug 2026 10:33:30
No Red Man,
I don't think the stats are misleading. You just have your opinion.
They are not the most potent trio we've had, but they are the ones you liked the best.
The stats are not misleading at all, Red Man, they are factual, but your preference and opinion is that they were the best.

They just were not the best at scoring league goals. They were very easy on the eye, though.

21 Aug 2026 11:53:12
I'm seeing a lot of writers predicting us finishing 5th or 6th, with Chelsea, Liverpool, and even Spurs above us. I'm really not buying that.

Let's start with Spurs. They have had 2 terrible seasons, whilst they have a new Manager and are not in Europe, they also have a big turnover of players. I expect them to be much better but I really don't see them top 4.

Liverpool had a shocker last year, injuries and tragedy played a big part but they still look disjointed to me. It remains to be seen whether Iraola is the real deal and whether he can translate his talent to a major club.

Chelsea were also all over the place and again have a new Manager who should be competent. However, they have so many players, (they've already signed 10), unrest is likely and whilst they will improve, I believe they will continue to blow hot and cold.



I expect Arsenal to win the league comfortably. If Maresca settles quickly then City will likely finish 2nd; all other places are up for grabs.

We finished 3rd, but the form under Carrick was even better. We have more games this year but also more players; last year's signings should be more settled, and Santos and Tielemans already look like they have slotted straight in. Rashford is an interesting one; there is the potential for disruption, but the signs are he wants to get his head down, work hard and play. We shall see.

We need to get Baleba over the line and sign a top LB but I see no reason why we don't finish top 3 and potentially challenge City for 2nd.

21 Aug 2026 12:54:31
I honestly don't know why people see City as 2nd. They lost so many players, not just important players, but also squad rotation. On top of it all, they changed manager, so what is said about Liverpool and Chelsea could be said about City as well.

imo, I wouldn't be surprised if they finish 5th.

21 Aug 2026 14:36:22
I'd have to disagree. I see Chelsea and Spurs flying this season.

Chelsea have a good squad and fewer games to play.

And Spurs have a good manager and plenty of good players, and most of their signings have prem experience.

If Spurs manage to get Marmoush they'll do very well.

I reckon Liverpool will start slow, but get better through the season. If Isak stays fit they will be up there.

21 Aug 2026 15:12:47
Just had a look back at this time last year. No point asking anybody here for predictions.
Especially the German twit, he was more wrong than most.
How do you think you did with last year's predictions, Fallguy?
Mine were wrong, as I chose United to win every year.
Lots had Liverpool to win.
Very few had Arsenal to win, two, I think.


Nearly all had Chelsea in the top 4.
Most wrote Villa off.
Good few had City to win.
Nobody had the top 4 correct.
Paddy Power will be rubbing their hands with our experts.
Several had Spurs to finish above us and in the top 6.
3 very regular posters had us in the bottom half.

21 Aug 2026 15:21:58
It does feel very open this year, with lots of changes across many clubs. I really hope City do bomb, but I fear they are too robust, we shall see.

Ken nails it. A lot had Liverpool walking it last year with their signings, and they finished 5th.

I thought RA was out of his depth, but he did ship out most of the attitudes, and that has delivered a much happier, cohesive camp.

If we did walk away from Fernandes because we doubted his commitment, then I say bravo. Tielemans was delighted to join, we know Baleba is keen, it all helps build the right culture.

21 Aug 2026 15:34:19
The Liverpool performance last year is the only niggle I have when predicting what Spurs will do this season. Like Liverpool last year, Spurs appear to have signed good players, but nobody knows if they will perform as expected.

Arsenal should win it this year, but you never know. If they lost Rice and Gabriel, or Raya, for extended periods, they could find it more difficult.



I wouldn't be surprised to see Chelsea finish second.

For United, who knows. Could be anything. The first few games should give us a good idea. I don't buy into the notion that our first game at Hull will be that easy. They will sit deep, and recent history shows that United have struggled to break low blocks down.

21 Aug 2026 15:38:08
I think Arsenal are hot favourites, AJH, but after that it's very open indeed imo.
Anything could happen. Teams could excel under their new managers, or flop altogether, should be good to see it unfold.


Arsenal are favs, but I have a feeling they won't have it all their own way. It's not easy playing as champions.
I'm predicting a 4th different winner in a row.
So, a team outside of City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

21 Aug 2026 13:09:06
There's a lot of speculation going on, largely because there's so many new managers.

Spurs look like they'll be improved by their midfield transfers but on the other hand, as good as they might be, Neither Tonali and Fernandes were able to turn around weak teams.

Chelsea continually splash out. If Enzo can be as motivated for a whole season as he was in some of those World Cup games and Palmer gets back to his superb form of the season before last, then they could be a threat.

Neither having European football will be a big advantage as it was fore United last year.

Liverpool? I expect them to be the main contender for top 3 especially if Isak gets back to his best and Wirtz starts to justify his price tag. I don't think the Salah of last year will be missed. Iraola is clearly a good manager and I'm pretty sure most of us would have been feeling quietly confident if he'd come to United. There's that sense of deja vu of when Klopp went to Liverpool and we had appointed LVG the previous year. Many on here had advocated for Klopp, not that he would have succeeded in the United setup under Woodward the Wanker.

If we get Baleba across the line, and he gets back to his best, and strengthen the full backs then I do think we will have improved what was, under Carrick last season, already a highly competitive team. I don't see nay reason to write us off yet. If we can't win the league then top 4 will be good enough, especially if we also have a good Champiuons League run. I'd say a last 8 or better in the Champions League and 4th/5th in the league would be better than 2nd in the league and a dismal failure in the Champions League.

21 Aug 2026 16:13:32
My only concern is the defence. It is definitely our Achilles heel. Hopefully Martinez and Mdl can stay fit.

21 Aug 2026 16:23:31
Indeed mh, imo our full backs and our keeper have been our biggest defensive issue for the last few years.
I think keeper was sorted last year, but our full backs are not much better than useless.

21 Aug 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Bear1872! has posted a new article entitled, Rangers Still Waiting for Marquee Quality

20 Aug 2026 21:11:19
How many teams from the 20 in the epl will sign players between now and the end of the window? 12 teams did last season every single one of the top 10 did.
The champions last season made 5.
The 3 biggest deals were done in last 3 days.

Last season deadline day had most transactions ever.
At least our recruitment team are not alone in their lethargic attitude and incompetence. They are not alone in being asleep at the wheel and not doing much until last minute panic. Not alone in having no plan. Not alone in not having things all their own way.
What we have seen this summer is what we have seen since transfer windows began in terms of trends of transfer timings. In fact as the years passed the trends are showing more signings in the last week of the window for all the clubs in the tradtional top 6 over the last 8 seasons and more again over lat 4 seasons. Some of you will be fit for the funny farm in a couple of years time amen these tens continue
The money has also sky rocketed in the last 8 years with with uniteds miserly owners spending only the 3rd most on epl transfers.
Crikey when you think of some of the crap signings we've made over that time. The wasted money the contracts etc we are now very close to the end of those contracts and crap players who have hung around way too long. The legacy and millstone around our necks left by woodword and co is being brilliantly managed out of our business at the moment. The pain will be so much less by the end of next season
Hope that negates some of the worry about our recruitment team being the only incompetent ones. They are all incompetent, all the clubs have no plan, no idea what they are doing, the lot of them, 🤣🤣 using some people's rationale, so its a level playing field everyone is incompetent, that's one less thing to worry about.

20 Aug 2026 22:53:05
Or maybe that's just the industry they operate in. They all follow participar market trends in terms of their financial dekaings.

21 Aug 2026 00:41:35
I think Mr Tumbleweed is being a bot, tongue in cheek!

Clearly there are certain targets that may have been substantially agreed between the player and the two clubs before the window even opens, but the final pieces are inevitably contingent on other sales. For example, had Rodri gone to Real Madrid, perhaps Chew a many would have become available. Maybe not. But, until the icing was on the Rodri deal, maybe United preferred to keep their plans on hold. etc. etc. Once things are clearer, they go for Baleba, who has now moved to the top of the list. They've already made 2 of the 3 planned acquisitions, so there's no desperation at play, which is good, because Brighton know they can't squeeze too hard, or they might risk being stuck with a player who doesn't want to be there and won't perform that well.

So the last week or so is a bit of a merry-go-round as teams are finally able to shift the players they would prefer to sell, but couldn't do so earlier in the window, leaving squad places open.



I was watching a couple of Baleba clips. If he lives up to his potential, I think he could be very good for us. Strong. Pretty fast. Good tackling and anticipation, and can shoot. We will have a lot of scoring threats. If we acquire a good full back in the next 10 days, which I believe we will, we will come out of this window having spent around £150m net. Of course it may all be a big bust, but I prefer to be optimistic. Given the hand they were dealt when they took over, I think the Ineos team has done a really good job. Satisfying the impatient fans who want instant blockbuster acquisitions is neither realistic nor, quite rightly, on their agenda. Nor is feeding their plans to rumour mongers.

21 Aug 2026 04:08:33
Given the 3 we have, Baleba is good stylistically to bring in. He is strong and quick, presses well, and is more solid defensively, with bags of potential - shown more last season.

He also won't expect to start ahead of everyone, which could mean the squad balance and harmony is starting off in a good place, with 4 players competing for 2 spots in, hopefully, 2 games a week for most of the season.



I would like to see some players leaving, a left back, and a second striker. If Rashford stays, I doubt a second striker comes in. Being gready, I would like Maz or Dalot to move out and a top right back to come in, but have no honest expectation that we would be bold enough to do something like that.

21 Aug 2026 09:02:03
If they get Baleba sorted, then it's already a good window.
Both full back positions need addressing, but, assuming Rashford is back, we've got enough options up front.
There is a lot of negativity about Shaw, but if he's fit, it'll take a top-class signing to be a guaranteed starter ahead of him.

21 Aug 2026 09:11:26
Fans naturally follow their own club far more closely than they follow what is happening at other clubs. Which can mean fans see all the negatives and problems at their club but fail to fully appreciate that every other club has similar issues or challenges.

For example, we all felt that we needed 2 or 3 new midfielders, a LB, and a ST this summer, while a back up keeper, CB, LW, and RB are other areas that need attention at some point soon.

Now it looks like we'll get the 3 midfielders, and we have managed to get that back up keeper, and even prospect signings for LW. It also looks like the club are actively trying to get a LB as well (which I expect we'll get). But unless one of or even both of Rashford and Zirkzee leave then we probably won't get a ST, while injuries could leave us light at CB this season.

So we've solved some issues with the squad in the transfer market, but not all of them, and as United fans we are too aware of our clubs weaknesses and some fans even feel let down that the club won't have solved everything this transfer window.

Yet, that scenario is being played out at all the other 19 EPL clubs, where they will have areas of weakness that need addressing, and they will sort some of them but not all of them.

Let's look at Spurs for example, as they have spent heavily. After two seasons of poor finishes, just outside the relegation zone, it was obvious that Spurs needed a lot of work. They had some good options in defence, but lacked depth at CB and LB, they needed a midfield overhaul, and they lacked cutting edge in attack.

This summer they've managed to get Senesi and Robertson on free transfers to help give them more depth in defence, along with signing van Hecke. They also spent heavily on bringing in both Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes to address the issues in midfield. Spending over 200m, which is a massive amount, especially for a club that finished 17th in the last two seasons.

However, they haven't yet managed to do anything to solve the issues in attack. Meaning they still have to find a balance to get the best out of what they have going forward (Richarlison, Solanke, Kudus, Tel, Odobert, and Simons). Of which Simons and Kudus are struggling with injuries.

Meaning they (as yet) haven't solved the issues in attack. Meanwhile, they have also lost players this summer. Romero, Spence and Vuskovic all leaving in defence, as has Vicario in goal. While the loans of Palhinha and Kolo Muani have ended meaning they've lost options in midfield and attack.

They also have MvdV and Bergvall who might also leave (both players are actively looking for new clubs supposedly), while the likes of Udogie, and Kulusevski are also struggling with injuries along with the aforementioned Kudus, Odebert, and Solanke.

It's easy to look at Spurs with envy, especially when they beat us to the signing of Mateus Fernandes. Jealousy pointing at Spurs and holding them up as a more ambitious club than ourselves.
Yet, when you scratch beneath the surface you find that in defence they've made one step forward (can Hecke, Robertson, and Senesi), and one step backwards (Romero, Spence, and Vuskovic). Yes, they've improved their midfield, but their attack is still severely lacking and hasn't been solved.

It's the same thing with other clubs making signings and reacting to them etc.

Some clubs made signings earlier in the summer (ourselves included - Tielemans, Santos, Darlow), while some clubs will make signings later in the window. Most will make some signings earlier and some later, almost as if they are working through multiple deals for various positions but can't do everything all at once. It's almost like transfer deals don't entirely depend on one club, like there are other parties, such as players, agents, and selling clubs who all also have a say in how quickly or how long it takes to get a signing over the line.

Some people just like to complain, they'll argue that the club have let the manager down by signing a player later in the window meaning they aren't ready for the first few games of the season. They'll argue that the club should spend whatever it takes to get the deals done quickly as it's the players on the pitch and not the money in the bank account that matters. But these are the same people who complain that the club over pays for players, and that consistently doing so has put us in a terrible negotiating position moving forward.

All very hypocritical, wanting to eat their cake but still have it. But ultimately these "fans" change their stance every time to suit their negative narrative. Which to people like myself seems very odd. Why would you want to take something that is supposed to bring enjoyment and entertainment in your life, only to put so much energy into turning everything about it into a negative. It seems exhausting and very detrimental to your own happiness and wellbeing.

I suppose that's why Victor Meldrew from One foot in the Grave was such a relatable character. That idea of the aging man who, remembers things with rose tinted glasses and can only now see the negatives in modern life. We all know someone like that, and maybe it's a fate many of us will fall into as we age. Personally, though I try and stay positive.

I see the signings we've made as great signings that improve the squad.

21 Aug 2026 14:03:26
Shappy, top top post. And, of course, a big one. :)

21 Aug 2026 14:47:11
MvdV signed a new deal a few weeks ago. He's staying at Spurs.

21 Aug 2026 16:35:33
Danny, that proves my point perfectly, I hadn't noticed that MvdV had signed a new deal. Just goes to show how much more on the pulse we are with our own clubs compared to opposition clubs.

20 Aug 2026 11:59:40
I'm glad to have finally signed up after several years of visiting this site.

20 Aug 2026 13:50:13
Welcome mate.

20 Aug 2026 14:02:56
Welcome! It is only compulsory to read the first 300 words of any Shappy posts. 😆

{Ed001's Note - what about the other 8000?}

20 Aug 2026 14:40:01
Welcome to the mad house. Bonus points given out for every time you read the entirety of any of my posts. 😂

20 Aug 2026 16:45:18
24hrs before you block me.

20 Aug 2026 17:15:02
At least read a few of Shappy's essays before you decide not to read the whole thing anymore. They are usually well worth it, although I hear a deal is in the works to start publishing them in audiobook format...

20 Aug 2026 18:18:35
Thorne, that could be excellent bedtime listening, especially for insomniacs. It'll send them right off to sleep. 🤣

20 Aug 2026 21:02:56
Welcome Ninja

You may already know most of this but:

Red Man hates the Glazers.
Shappy believes why use 1 word when you can use 100.
Angel and Red Man have a homo-erotic fascination with each other.
Tumbleweed will fall out with you at some point.
Red Man really hates the Glazers.
Danny is a very funny man.
Fizz is occasionally very grumpy.
Tim generally talks sense.
There is a schizophrenic lunatic its.best ro avoid engaging with.

There are a lot of regulars, far too many to name them all, who all have strong opinions, makes the site feisty sometimes.

But we all love each other really, especially Angel and Red Man, who really really really hates the Glazers.

20 Aug 2026 22:14:40
Depends on whether your stupid or not.

20 Aug 2026 22:40:07
Oh Ken, that was a bit of a Freudian slip. "you're"!!

20 Aug 2026 23:53:25
Fair point, well made, Don. 😀

21 Aug 2026 08:35:13
No comment. 🤣

20 Aug 2026 00:42:44
Apologies if I missed it, but has anyone created the fantasy football league yet?

20 Aug 2026 08:43:46
Look up Shappy. He posted it a few days ago, Mr Lee.

20 Aug 2026 11:46:58
"Just a final reminder, with the new season kicking off this weekend. If anyone else would like to join the FPL league, the joining code for the traditional league is:

2muz93

If you'd like to join the head-to-head league, then the code is:

aagh2b

Feel free to join either or both.

Let's see who really knows what they're talking about.

Good luck, lads and lasses."

I posted this a couple of days ago.

20 Aug 2026 17:41:42
Welcome Ninja, no, we still haven't signed Schneider or Gaitan, but any day now.

20 Aug 2026 18:43:30
Cheers, Tw and Shappy. 👍🏼

20 Aug 2026 23:41:39
Cheers, Shappy. I'm in.

20 Aug 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Philip_hunter2003 has posted a new article entitled, Baleba Talk Shifts United Focus to Left-Back

20 Aug 2026 14:59:25
Midfield should now be sorted for the next few transfer windows at least (assuming we get Baleba over the line).

With Mainoo (21), Santos (22), and Baleba (22), we have three of the best young midfielders in the league in our squad now.

While we also have Bruno (31), Tielemans (29), Mount (27), and Ugarte (25) to add some experience.

You'd also hope maybe one or two of: Sekou Kone, Cristian Orozco, Jim Thwaites, Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher might make the step up to the first team squad to eventually replace some of the older players as they leave.

Shea Lacey looks like he will get a chance this season, possibly as Bruno's understudy in the No.10 position.

At most our midfield might need a tweak here and there over the next 5 - 7 years or so.

Given that we spent heavily in the forward line last summer, now having the options of: Dorgu, Cunha, Rashford, Thompson, Sesko, Zirkzee, Chido, Mbeumo, Amad and Lacey. Again our forward line might need a small tweak here and there over the next 5 years or so, mostly replacing outgoing players or those that don't develop as we hope.

Lammens looks like he will be our long-term No.1, with another 10 years of top level football ahead of him.

We also have Yoro and Heaven in defence who should develop into our first choice centre back pairing over the next few years.

Meaning that the only positions that still need rebuilding is the full back positions, along with another CB or two as the likes of Martinez and Maguire move on.

To be fair to INEOS, they've managed in 2 or 3 transfer windows what Ed Woodward wasn't able to do in over a decade and rebuild this squad into a cohesive team.