Manchester United banter 5

08 Feb 2026 09:12:14
Another happy morning the day after a game. I think we all have a little spring in our step at weekends this past 4 weeks.

I see the chat is starting about Carrick getting the job full time and I have to be honest, it’s hard to argue that. I know the concern is what happened in this scenario previously however, this time it feels different. For me, Solskjaer came in at a time when the atmosphere was rock bottom, he got the enjoyment back and the attacking attitude which we all craved but we just lacked that structure when needed and then confidence got knocked again.

This time however, we seem to have the structure in place to and I think this is down to the coaching set up Carrick has brought in. We always get caught up in who should be Manager but I think we also have to consider the coaching set up to and Holland and Woodgate, appear to be doing an excellent job along with Carrick. Carrick knows the club, knows what the fans want and knows what sort of substitutions to make and Holland and Woodgate are helping lay a foundation for all this.

It just feels different this time and I really think the whole coaching set up is key, not just who the Manager is. Carrick and the team are working with this team for the next few months, setting up the structure, any new manager who comes in with their new team will need to follow this blueprint otherwise the players will be having to get to grips with a whole new system and ideas across preseason.

Then you have to consider other options, Iraola, Howe, Glasner? All managing teams outside the top 10 currently. Managers from abroad need backing as the premier league is very different to Holland, Portugal, France etc as we’ve seen. Can we offer that and the time?

For me, this set up works. Am I caught up with all the excitement currently? Possibly but it’s to simplistic just to say this is Solskjaer 2.0. The structure and set up seems so much better now.

08 Feb 2026 10:48:14
It's going to be interesting. If MC continues winning and gets us into CL football, or into 2nd place (yikes), it will be difficult for the board not to appoint him permanently. Then it all goes pear-shaped, next season the knives will be out.

On the other hand, MC carries us to 5th place, and the board employ somebody else, and it then goes pear-shaped. The situation will be the same with different personnel.
The future is 'interesting'.

08 Feb 2026 10:51:15
I'd rather judge him at the end of the season. Can't judge anyone after 4 games. Specially if we take the rose tints off. We only beat Arsenal from 2 worldies that usually don't happen and any other game and we draw or lose that one.

We threw a 2 goal lead away against Fulham if it was from a bruno dummy that worked we would have drawn that game too. So I think your getting carried away and we need to lay off all this stuff until the end of the season.

08 Feb 2026 11:11:14
I am delighted as anyone that Carrick has won his first four games. Maybe if he wins all the remaining games there would be an argument for giving him a one year rolling contract. However, whilst very happy we are winning games I won’t get carried away on the usual United emotion train.

Emotion is too strong in the club decisions in the past. So let’s not get carried away on Carrick. Yes Ole did the same and whilst I think Carrick is a more thoughtful choice than the emotion ridden Ole one, he is still an emotional choice. Win all his remaining games and it becomes a discussion.

08 Feb 2026 11:20:32
Good post Ports.

If Michael Carrick is to be considered for the job, his biggest problem is OGS. I think the board will be very reluctant to give him the job full time based on the fact lessons should be learned from given an Interim the job full time based on the job they did short term. Rightly or wrongly, they will be reluctant because of the last time.

Personally, I think we should aim for Luis Enrique, Thomas Tuchel, but after that, I think I'd rather stick with Carrick is the coaches in the frame are De Zerbi/Glasner/Iriola.

08 Feb 2026 15:11:52
I would stick with Carrick before Glasner or Ireola but I would think we got our sights set on Tuchel

Enrique ain’t coming, besides when I said he should replace ETH it was met with derision…same when I said Flick before ETH…how did that go!

I think the club wants TT……problem is won’t be released prior World Cup so be interesting how we build team players before hand.

08 Feb 2026 16:01:48
JSU if TT comes, they will have it well in place. Targets, structure etc, he will be done before the WC if he is going to be the one.

08 Feb 2026 16:18:47
I agree it's early to judge right now. I dislike a lot of the anti-Amorim stuff and have been vocal enough here about it! I think RA really improved the squad and took long term decisions that were starting to pay off for him. However he showed a lack of adaptability at times. I think most of the chat about formation ignores that teams transition between formations all the time and that the key change hasn't been anything to do with formation but rather that Mainoo is playing and Bruno is further up.
That being said, I felt Carrick played a style that was largely similar to Amorim in the first couple of games (difference to me was that rather than a player pushing out of the 5, instead a winger was expected to be the defensive presser) .

However I've noticed a change in last two games. The structure is more to compress the space near the ball with a couple of outlets. It suits our highly technical players like Cunha, Mainoo, Bruno and is suiting us. That's down to Carrick. So I'm very encouraged by what he's doing. Let's see how it progresses.

08 Feb 2026 16:22:51
Let's see how Carrick does. If he wins most of the remaining games and Utd finish in the top 4 then you could say he has passed an audition.

If it's not broke.

08 Feb 2026 18:54:48
There was a troll called German that used to be Maze that said a few of those things JSU but he got banned, you aren’t saying that’s you are you?

07 Feb 2026 23:37:40
Damn, did not mean to send.
As I was saying should of been 201 involvements if Sesko had scored with final kick of the game. Most definitely should of done.

Imagine the assists he would be on if he had been playing behind a Rooney, Ronaldo, RvN, RvP or another quality front man.

These are pretty outstanding figures and are deserving of the highest credit.

07 Feb 2026 23:27:21
So, today was the day Bruno achieved 200 goal involvements, 104 goals and 96 assists, for us. This achievement has taken only 314 games. He is the second quickest to reach this number, behind only Rooney who did it in 295 games.

Mind you, should of been 201, Sesko should most definitely.

08 Feb 2026 06:14:28
Fantastic player by far our best, the mind boggles at the fans who say he should have been sold just because interest from overseas, what a foolish move and statement that would make, sell your best player when we not blessed with much quality anyway…. Then those same fans try to bang on about others don’t know nothing about football like they do…
What would you have to spend to replace the quality Bruno possesses let alone hardly ever misses a game.


Oh they bang on about oh he did not turn up for this game or that game. well there is also another 10 players who may not have turned up either, but he turned up for 200 goal involvements.

08 Feb 2026 08:07:45
Stunning numbers indeed. I expect we all hope that, given his age, his legs don't suddenly go because if they do and we lose his impression on our game, we have a problem.
I sincerely hope it doesn't go a*se over apex, merely pointing out the obvious risk.

07 Feb 2026 22:21:37
Not going to lie I jope Carrick continues his form and becomes our manager.

I really like how he comes across and would wish him best of luck!

08 Feb 2026 02:14:19
Whatever happens, if he keeps this kind of form up, Carrick’s going to be looking at some interesting job offers in the summer.

07 Feb 2026 20:28:56
I know I said a bit on Mainoos quality the other day on a post and I know some do not agree with me and that's okay.

But today, he was brilliant again and just want to acknowledge the fact that we are so lucky to have him and glad he is back in the starting line up.

Also, shout out Dalot, another player that gets an awful lot of flack but his consistency and professionalism is very good.

07 Feb 2026 20:54:55
Think sometimes we forget angel that kobbie is still only 20 and learning and improving with every game he plays.
We can all criticise a player we're fans every ones entitled to an opinion.
The real fan admits when a player's performance is good and can acknowledge it.

08 Feb 2026 04:25:23
Mainoo is getting better and better. Looking stronger and fitter too. Team is playing well, hopefully it continues. Was not a fan of dalot, but he has played well back as FB and under new team. Still think we need stronger full backs. We also need to sign a few in midfield.

Mainoo is young and developing, should not play 180 wins per week. Bruno has been stronger this year, with 90 mins per week. Casemiro is leaving - but also couldn't play 180 mins a week if we convinced him to stay. Being kind, the jury is out on Ugarte.

We are a squad in transition, and assuming we make Europe next year we will need massive investment. Dalot and mazaoui at right back plus our CB options are about as solid as we get right now. Plus our 10/wide forwards I guess.

Goal keeper, do we need a back up? Left back. CM and striker - although cuhna and mbuemo seem to play well there in a flexible front 3.

If casemiro goes I like the sound of tonali, mainoo and bruno midfield.

08 Feb 2026 07:39:35
I love Kobe and he looks class, but I'd like to see more energy from him, more urgency perhaps as he does stroll around a bit too much. His confidence will have been knocked by being ignored for so long, so hopefully he will get better and better.

08 Feb 2026 08:15:37
Jury is not out on ugarte,

He’s already been found guilty of impersonating a footballer.

08 Feb 2026 10:55:05
He had a decent game nothing spectacular though, he is improving but still won't make that killer pass when its on, he takes to many touches before releasing the ball. Hopefully he turns into a top player.

08 Feb 2026 16:08:26
Dio, most commentators are being really positive about him, you clearly see something different.

07 Feb 2026 17:41:45
Four wins on the bounce and each game different from the last.

We battered City, more than I have seen any other teams do, and followed that up by beating the league leaders at their place. We went behind, got ourselves ahead, conceded an equaliser, but showed real grit to get a winner. Arsenal have finceded 8 goals at home this season, we scored 3 of them, no other team managed more than 1.

Odd game against Fulham, 2 up and hit the woodwork which would have been game over. We let them back in but again showed fight to get a winner. And today, whilst difficult to assess properly due to the man advantage, we played some lovely stuff and looked like a quality team. I struggle to identify anyone who didn't play well today.

I think we are still a way off but the inconsistency of other teams is benefiting us. What I am seeing is an awesome team and squad spirit and a resilience that was often lacking in previous seasons.

And most importantly, I am enjoying watching our games, we are playing some nice football.

Carrick has a calmness about him, no drama, no exciting press conferences, you could say he is dour, but it is clearly working. Long may it continue.

07 Feb 2026 18:17:13
Great post AJH. It's so so positive at the moment. West ham, Everton and Palace up next. We could really build some steam.

Today, we could have scored a couple more.

I know Top 5 is the key here, but with villa dropping points again, and a decent run of games for us, we play Villa in a month's time and anything is possible.

It's been brilliant the last 4 games. Onwards and upwards, let's finish the season strong!

07 Feb 2026 18:57:00
I wouldn’t say we are way off at all. The side/aquad has its clear deficiencies, but they’re an obvious fix.

As long as the recruitment continues to be as good as it has even in the last 12 months, we’re going in the right direction. The midfield rebuild and fullback upgrade is key for the summer.

I can’t think of better praise today but to say it was a routine home win. The type we used to take for granted for years, and ones we’ve not see for a while.

07 Feb 2026 19:42:04
AJH, I backed Amorim and still think he is a good manager and feel that we never truly got to see how good he could be. On reflection the situation reminds me a little of Andre Villa-Boas when he joined Chelsea. Clearly a very intelligent and talented manager, but it might have been a step up too soon.

However, the thing that Carrick has brought back more than anything is the joy of being a fan. I'm a little sad at the final whistle as I want to watch us play more. I spend all week looking forward to our games again, rather than in a state of suspense not knowing what to expect or whether I'll be disappointed.

It's not about winning games (although obviously that helps), it's about seeing a team that plays how I want to see us play, on the front foot, with equal measures of fight and guile, a team that is willing to take risks rather than is risk adverse.

I can honestly say that I haven't consistently seen that from us since SAF. Glimpses under Ole, but not consistently enough to feel confident going into any game.

Right now I know our first team and squad has some pretty severe limitations, lacking quality and depth in many places, yet I feel confident that we could give any team in the world a good game.

I know it might be early and I'll probably end up with egg on my face, but I'm all aboard the Carrick bus.

If we get a couple of years of playing like this and enjoying our club again, even if we don't win any major trophies and ultimately Carrick needs to be replaced I'll still be happy and feel that it will have been the best couple of years since SAF.

It was never about tin pots, it was about how our club makes us feel.

{Ed025's Note - good post that Shappy mate..

07 Feb 2026 20:19:00
Good post shappy. Agree with that, without doubt a good coach, but United was too much too soon.

I still think that someone like Luis Enrique would be ideal for us. I think we finish this season on a high, have a strong summer market and the club and squad will be ina really good place for someone like Enrique.

07 Feb 2026 20:26:56
Thats kinda how I feel Shapps, it's joyful again. I think the club thought they were getting the next Mourinho, but as you say, they got AVB.

I jumped on the Ole bus and people forget there were some great times before it fell apart. The culture back then was pretty awful and most of those players have now left.

I think it is important we play the United way; people think it is the SAF way but its also how Busby, Docherty and Atkinson tried to play. Front foot, attack, excite the crowd, there has been too little of that lately. I don't want to win things by grinding out 1-0 scorelines.

Let's see how MC does, so far it's been a breath of fresh air and we are now aiming for 2nd place, did anyone see that coming?

07 Feb 2026 20:35:21
The most important thing Carrick has done is not make it about him. It’s clear that he has told the players not to worry too much about attacking systems, and focusing on getting them cohesive defensively. When we’re in possession, players are trusted to play more instinctively, and that’s done wonders for their confidence.

I feel that Amorim’s instructions were hamstringing players by not giving them the freedom to play. You can see it on the pitch now, players that feel like they can take more risks, and obviously enjoying playing football.

07 Feb 2026 20:51:05
The one thing I always felt under amorim was everything had to fall right for us to win a game.
With Carrick I feel confident we will win nomkatter what way we play might not be as pretty but it's effective and simple and that's what suits our players.

07 Feb 2026 23:13:41
Good thread.
The positivity is great. We really have a chance now to put our foot down with all those around us with European football and squads all of their squads getting stretched with our squad and lot thinner but nearly all fit and only playing one a week we can develop a gap to 5th and 6th and look to chase down villa and city.
A win v West ham midweek is not a given.

I thought they were a little unlucky against Chelsea and had a good win today. They are fighting for their lives and we need to be ready for that intensity.
Im sure Carrick and the coaches will have them ready. Their prep has been spot on up till now and its been a great watch. because are lifting the press are turning and that is exactly what we need to happen.

08 Feb 2026 01:54:15
westham will be a difficult game and another test. we generally have failed them in recent years against lower level teams who are in a dog fight for relegation.

enjoy watching us and very content atm and looking forward to that guy finally getting his hair cut lol.

07 Feb 2026 14:34:38
Anyone still thinking 3421 and Amorim is the way to go?

Carrick has done an excellent job but has played the best 11 in their best positions.

While this run may not last it does go to show how much we lowered expectations and estimations of the ability of the players. I’d also hazard a guess Steve Holland is having a significant impact too.

07 Feb 2026 17:33:54
Utd road i was an unapologetic fan of amorim. I think he did an awful lot of good things and brought about very good improvement in our league position year on year left us joint 5th
I was not a fan of 3 at the back. He was too rigid and should have been more open to other formations.
There is no doubt Carrick woodgate and Holland are doing a great job so far and that is a good thing for all us fans.
Villa slipping today is great I hope city win tomorrow just to give a little gap for an inevitable poor or unlucky game we will have in the coming weeks.


5 well qualify for cl villa might lose out unless they pick it up again.
All is sunny on our side of the street right now and momentum is everything right now. We've not had sustained momentum for years. Let's hope we keep riding the wave.
Then in the summer make the right appointment and sign the right players to extend the momentum into next season.

07 Feb 2026 19:45:45
Utd Road, like Ken I was a fan on Amorim and felt he did a huge amount of good stuff for us both on and off the pitch. I feel like we never quite got the chance to see the best of him.

That said, under Carrick this "feels" right, this feels like Manchester United, not a fallen giant trying to find a new identity.

Ultimately maybe that is what we have been looking for all along.

08 Feb 2026 05:00:43
Like I been banging on for months RA was hurting the club more than doing good, I said all along any half decent manager could do much better even with the existing squad, RA was terribly underachieving what good did he do, every player regressed smile and gone the joy had gone, ok he got rid of a couple, but let’s be fair look at the mistakes that outweigh those departures, there are so many mistakes, he was too naive too one way and miles out his depth.


I guess the usual mob will bang on again….

08 Feb 2026 18:58:04
No Maze, just ignored you again.

07 Feb 2026 07:39:05
{Ed's Note - Weejoe has posted a new article entitled, Celtic Board and Fans: A Rift That Keeps Growing

06 Feb 2026
New image uploaded to the
Manchester United Player Sightings page entitled,

Click picture for larger image

07 Feb 2026 08:26:57
❤️❤️❤️.

06 Feb 2026 17:00:04
Currently sitting in the Old Nag's Head, nursing a pint of Guinness with my boy.

Bar full of guys who were at OT today for the memorial service.

The songs are being sung, and the craic is mighty.

Raising a glass to the young men cut down in their prime.

06 Feb 2026 17:56:23
Lovely boy, hear hear!