Manchester United banter 5

19 Apr 2026 16:57:18.
Gibbs White puts in another good performance today. I have mentioned him before as a good prospective signing.

Despite a late failed move to Spurs in the summer, he has not downed tools but instead driven his team forward.

19 Apr 2026 17:48:08
I like him. I think he is a good player. Comes across as a good pro, as you said. If Bruno stays, there is no room for him, really.

19 Apr 2026 18:59:47
I think you can use Gibbs White alongside Bruno.

Speaking of Bruno, so many pundits talking him up. Cherki as player of the season.

He is an excellent player, but he has been playing well only these past two or three months. Bruno has been consistently good for nearly a whole season.



Cherki is playing under one of the greatest ever managers. Bruno has been under two, learning their trade.

Cherki has top top class players around him, and Bruno is not the same quality.

Bruno has therefore been by far the most important and best player.

19 Apr 2026 14:12:54
So, 5 games to go. 10 pts clear of Chelsea. 5th place virtually guaranteed. But this is United. Remaining fixtures: Brentford H, Liverpool H, Sunderland A, Forest H, Brighton A. How many points do people think we'll get?

19 Apr 2026 14:42:00
I'd seen 10 points as achievable. We've struggled at Brighton for years, I don't think that will change, and, with Champions League sorted and the World Cup looming, that will be a damp squib.

Pick a draw from the other games, but I'd say Brentford.

20 Apr 2026 00:40:58
Brentford, Sunderland and Brighton are all going for Europe places. None of those will be easy as they will likely put up a greater fight than we expect. Of course it depends on other results.

Forest will, depending on the next couple of weeks, be desperate for points.

No easy games there and they will want to pull our pants down, and probably will.

7 points and I hope to be proven very wrong!

20 Apr 2026 08:13:44
For those long in the tooth; remember when Ron Atkinson had us 10 points clear?. ?

20 Apr 2026 16:24:26
15/15 pts. :D

19 Apr 2026 10:30:46
Lucky, belligerent performance, scraping 3 points but I want to look at three different stories.

Garnacho.
Well done to Amorim, plus the negotiators who got £40m. He had talent, outstanding talent when younger, some carry on and become great, some just don't develop. It can go wrong, look no further than Ravel Morrison or Mason Greenwood, it happens. Amorim spotted the wrong attitude and clearly saw a fall in standards, was decisive and got rid. I watched a young Garnacho but talent alone isn't enough. His attitude stank, now it is stinking out London. How telling none of his ex teammates went to him at the end of the game, that Luke Shaw posted a picture of his pushing Garnacho on the floor. Good riddance

Cunha
Brazilian with a tough street fighter attitude. He gets it, he is all in, love his attitude. A really good buy after all the mistakes of the last decade. Isn't it interesting, players bought during Amorims short reign have done so well.

Heaven
The £1m, an absolute snip. Applause for whoever did that deal. I have long said Heaven looks a player to me. Yes, have to watch the same thing that happened to Garnacho doesn't happen to him. Carrick hasn't played him, a huge error for me, then in an emergency he comes in last night. 19 and looks every bit the part. Yes, it could go wrong, but looks like a young Rio to me. Can pass with that left foot and I saw he won every single aerial battle. Deserves to keep his place. Not even 20 until Sept. Someone who could become a very good player indeed, future of England level. Next couple of years will tell us, see how he develops but he has potential to be wow.

19 Apr 2026 11:27:56
Agree with all of that, Red Man.

19 Apr 2026 12:30:07
Only saw the hls, unfortunately, but happy to see Heaven get the start. Long been a believer in his ability. Hope he nails that spot. And here's hoping we get a run going and finish third, and not just target CL qualification.

19 Apr 2026 12:49:33
Absolutely, Red Man. Hearing Carrick talk of reintegrating Rashford utterly depresses me.
Bringing it back to the game: I feel we're in the inverse of Amorim now. Performance levels are dropping, but we're getting results. As I've harped on about enough here, those performance metrics are much better predictors of long term results. Unfortunately, too many are short termist and I am fearful that Carrick gets the full-time gig.

There are really good alternatives - Nagelsman, Hoeness, Iraola, (optimistically) Enrique - and I hope those in charge don't share the short termism.

The foundations are there now in multiple positions, and we're in a much better position now than we've been for years.

19 Apr 2026 14:06:53
Don't forget Mainoo, Red Man. Man of the match last night.

As part of Amorim's short reign, he wouldn't play him. ???

19 Apr 2026 14:08:02
Can't disagree except to say that whatever one thinks of Mason Greenwood he does seem to have successfully resurrected both his career and his private life with the woman he allegedly abused.

19 Apr 2026 16:44:40
Newnameoldideas, how dare you suggest a person might actually regret doing something and try to make amends.

Seriously, if Greenwood really has changed, he should be applauded and held up as a role model for younger, impressionable kids.

19 Apr 2026 18:06:47
angel

Mainoo did ok, but whilst I know it suits your argument, he wasn't MOM, was he?

We couldn't control the game through midfield at all, so I am yet to be convinced that Amorim wasn't right about him. He plays a certain way, and Mainoo has talent, but I don't think he is a strong CM, more of a semi 10.

19 Apr 2026 18:35:53
He was MOM, and as one of his critics, it was a joy to finally watch him dictate a game. He still needs to cover more ground for me, but let's judge with a better team around him.

19 Apr 2026 18:43:39
The fans rating in the Beebs Sport site had Mainoo ranked second to Bruno. I've been critical of him lately, but he was excellent yesterday, as was Bruno. Kobe is able to turn in tight situations and find the simple pass, and when he plays well, he's like the oil that keeps the engine running.

Amorim was wrong about Mainoo, and he was wrong to play Bruno as a CM. Those 2 changes have had a huge impact on our play.

19 Apr 2026 18:34:48
A role model for how to batter your missus and get away with it? Or is this sarcasm?

19 Apr 2026 21:02:18
Bruno was the official MOM.

19 Apr 2026 21:25:41
He was Red Man. imo Mainoo was our best player by quite some distance. Heaven and Maz also were good. Dalot and Shaw did the defensive part of their job well, in the main.
As a team, I think we only had 1 shot on target or something like that. So imo any creative players from yesterday should not be getting a MOM.

19 Apr 2026 22:32:26
For the clean sheet, I would have given it to a defender. Heaven would have been mine.

18 Apr 2026 22:36:26
Massive shout out to that Garnacho performance tonight. He does love United deep down. ?

19 Apr 2026 01:57:04
I really can't remember the last United player that left that I didn't want to do well. But he is the real exception for me.
I really do hope I change that view over time. I think I will. Maybe if he leaves Chelsea. In fact I wouldn't be at all surprised if he ended up at Villa next season.

19 Apr 2026 09:22:39
I think it's Spain or more likely Italy for Garnacho next season to get some playing time. No issue with self-belief/arrogance, as all the best need that streak in them. But he believes his own former hype and thinks he's Ronaldo. There's a decent player in there, but I'm not sad he's gone.

19 Apr 2026 10:24:30
Putting aside his attitude issues, I am surprised that he seems to have regressed physically.

He looks like he could do with a good meal, lol. I have not seen Dalot that comfortable defensively.

19 Apr 2026 10:40:27
He seems quite immature. He behaved childishly before he was sold. He has hinted he regrets it all now, but he's another player who believed his own hype. He's hugely talented but isn't delivering. It's a shame, but he's not the first to arrive in a blaze of glory and then fizzle out.

19 Apr 2026 10:49:04
All Dalot had to do was show him the inside, and Garnacho passed backwards, like he did for us for so long. He really isn't good enough to be a top-level player, and Chelsea, I think, know that.

19 Apr 2026 11:28:28
Garnacho has to take personal responsibility for his actions, but I really don't think he has a good support system. It seems his brother and others are more interested in self gain, rather than what's best for his career. It just goes to show that a level head and steady guidance are very important in modern football.

19 Apr 2026 14:26:27
AJH, the importance of surrounding yourself with good people in order to keep you grounded. He is a talented player, but talent only gets you so far.

Fortunately for us, we got a few quid for him. He's still young, though, and will have chances, but I'm not sure he is mature enough to take them.

19 Apr 2026 18:44:16
There's a chat on the Chelsea site asking if he is their worst signing ever.

19 Apr 2026 18:55:53
There is as long a list at Chelsea for crap signings as there is at United.

21 Apr 2026 01:52:47
Sancho. By far the worst signing for us and for Chelsea too. Never heard of a club before then paying us to send him back.

18 Apr 2026 09:59:50
Jesus, if rumours are true we are without Yoro now too for tonight. Maybe Heaven and Shaw, really struggling to find a good pairing?

18 Apr 2026 11:25:51
Not a rumour, he has not travelled to London.

18 Apr 2026 12:07:52
Shaw is the only viable option unless they call up Kukonki or another.

18 Apr 2026 14:37:20
What happened to Tyler Fredericson?

18 Apr 2026 15:19:37
Spenno, Kukonki played in F.A. Youth Cup semi final last night.

Dsg, Fredricson is injured, only recently made an attempted comeback from injury, and has now sustained a fresh one. He would definitely have been in the squad otherwise.

18 Apr 2026 16:30:57
The sensible thing to do would be to play Dalot at RB, Mazraoui and Heaven at CB, with Shaw at LB.

That way, Heaven has experienced players either side of him, and is playing on his stronger, left-hand side of the CB partnership.

If we move Shaw into CB, then one of either Shaw or Heaven has to play on the right-hand side of the partnership (which is not their natural side). While it means at LB we either have to play one of Dalot or Mazraoui there (which weakens our defence and attack on that side), or we have to throw Dorgu straight back into a high-stakes away game with a patched-up defence (although Carrick has said he is not ready, so we can probably rule that out).

Mazraoui is more than capable of playing at CB, is experienced, and tactically intelligent.

The concern with him is that he is good in the air for a fullback, but not particularly great for a CB. That said, other than Delap (who tends to be a sub for the last 10-15 minutes), Chelsea do not really have any particularly threatening players in the air.

Ideally, you do not want to make too many changes to your defence, as good defending requires consistency. We already are not going to have our first-choice CBs, and it makes absolutely no sense to ensure that we do not have our best fullbacks playing in their best positions as well.

Keep Dalot and Shaw in their best positions, then use Mazraoui and Heaven as the CBs. We'll have Casemiro playing in front of them, and he can defend the box aerially to a good standard if we need it.

18 Apr 2026 16:52:05
Agree, Shappy, although would not be against 3 at the back.

If we, at worst, draw the game, we remain 7 points ahead of Chelsea and in a pretty strong place to obtain Champions League.

Obviously, a win would extend the lead to 10 points and, clearly, we would be in a very, very strong position.



All that matters tonight is the result. Don't care about the performance.

Just don't lose the game.

18 Apr 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Anonymous Woolback has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool Fear a Collapse After Klopp's Departure

18 Apr 2026 22:37:36
Yes. Liverpool this year remind me of the season when Erik ten Hag decided to play basketball end to end football, without a functioning midfield or structure, and we were totally overrun. There's no substitute for effort or team pattern in the Premiership. Also, while not a good defender, this season is making the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold look a big mistake.

17 Apr 2026 23:48:50
Apparently Anderson and Wharton are both locked in for transfers elsewhere. This will be an ongoing situation for the next few months until we lock in some transfers in/out.

One name I want us to all remember is that our own, Kone.

By all accounts, he is returning high level performances at Lausanne under the watchful eye of our own technical directors team.



I would love for him to be integrated for next season and I would argue he is closer than any of our youth defensive mids.

Some will say he is too young. Just remember, Max Dowman is 16 and playing UCL QTR finals and chasing a Premier League winners medal.

I think Kone is class, and the best I've seen in our youth mids for a long time.

18 Apr 2026 01:31:15
Manu Kone. Our own Kone, beside him, would be great if he's up to it, but the Roma player is fantastic now.

18 Apr 2026 03:31:29
Playing on the wing is probably the most forgiving position a young player can play.

We've had a few over the years that have done well in patches, like Januzaj, even Garnacho looked good there. Dowman looks decent in cameos, but the game he started against Southampton in the cup, he didn't play well. Coming on off the bench and running at full backs is a dream for a kid.

I'm not knocking Dowman at all, he's gonna have a career at the top it seems, but because one team puts a 15 year old in, doesn't mean everyone should, and centre midfield in the Premier League is tough for the best.

Let the lad grow and play men's football at a lower level for a couple of years before we chuck him in the deep end.

Though we're looking like there are a few younglings that could potentially get some minutes next year, maybe Kone could be one of them.

18 Apr 2026 05:30:32
Take your point, Mumbles, I feel from what I've seen, he is ahead of, say, the Fletcher twins in ability.

He is more athletic than our own Mainoo, who is only a couple of years older, but is a great example of not throwing them in early.

18 Apr 2026 12:09:51
I think if Dowman were more central, we'd see why youngsters are probably not quite ready for the battlefield that is the middle of a Premier League football pitch.

18 Apr 2026 15:55:36
I think we'll see a few of that class get minutes, Jimbo. Definitely a few talents in there, just whether or not they take their chance.

The stars need to line up just right.

18 Apr 2026 16:15:03
Jimbo, are you talking about Dowman or Kone?

18 Apr 2026 16:38:41
I want to see Kone do well, but let's be honest, he's played 134 minutes across 5 appearances while on loan.

He's hardly tearing up the Swiss League, is he.

It's much harder for youth players to break into the first team of a top side if they are playing down the spine of the team.

Sekou Kone might be fine next season as the 5th choice option in midfield.

Although, from what I'm hearing, Christian Orozco, who'll be joining in the summer, is far more likely to be the midfield player who bounces between the Academy and the first team next season. With the club feeling like Kone could do with another loan first.

18 Apr 2026 17:04:42
Shappy, if we get UCL we are gonna be playing multiple times a week, we need to be integrating youth and none better, at this time, than Kone to integrate for cup games against lower league teams. We are drastically thin in midfield with Cas and Ugarte probably leaving.

We may very well end up signing two midfielders for the first team, but that still isnt a very well rounded depth to push on in cups, UCL and the league.

18 Apr 2026 17:53:24
I had high hopes for kone when I fist saw snippets. But his loan spell has been pretty disastrous.
Just the one league start and subbed at half time and a couple of 10 min sub appearances. He was omitted from their Europa league squad he did start a league cup game but again subbed at 45 mins.

He has played less than 90 mins in the league he just can't get into the team.
Maybe the bad injury he got for our u21s has shook his confidence. I suspect another loan unless he comes back strong in pre season. This experience will hopefully help him in the long term. Still very young and raw.
Its a pity he hasn't got many minutes to prove himself as the door is open for a young squad filler next season.

18 Apr 2026 18:18:57
Angel, Kone.

18 Apr 2026 19:05:05
Jimbo, if it is Kone you're talking about, you do know he is a few months older than Mainoo.

He is also getting barely any game time in the Swiss league at Servette.

I like him, but to say he is more athletic than Mainoo, and then say he is younger, is just so bizarre.

18 Apr 2026 19:33:35
Sorry they're same age.

19 Apr 2026 02:04:12
The coach there doesn't fancy him at all. 55 mins in the league since he signed. I don't think they are doing well, so putting a young guy into a poor team, obviously, is maybe not what the coach sees as a good move.
I hope he gets a chance to prove himself.

19 Apr 2026 07:42:52
Shame Ken, and it's a poor league too, so it does worry me a bit that he hasn't really done much there.

19 Apr 2026 08:50:35
Have you seen him play? He covers way more ground than Mainoo. I actually think they would work really well together, and would welcome seeing that more next season.

Mainoo is 21
Kone is 20

Last time I checked, 21 came after 20......

19 Apr 2026 14:19:56
When did you last see him play a game, Jim, against adults in a professional game?
I'm struggling to get any coverage on him for last 12 months and I'm not sure he ever played in anything other than our u21 team.

19 Apr 2026 14:31:39
Jimbo, you said a couple of years. They were literally 20 years old at the same time until a couple of days ago. ? 21 comes after 20, but it's not even a year, let alone a couple. ?

I've seen a couple of games, and he looks okay. He's gone on loan to a team in a poor league, and barely played.



I just watched Mainoo boss midfield v Chelsea at 21, but here you are telling me Kone is more athletic and a better academy product.

"He is returning high level performances at Lausanne under the watchful eye of our own technical directors team", what rubbish.

He's been crap in Switzerland.

19 Apr 2026 15:07:19
He just made that bit up, Angel.

19 Apr 2026 18:48:44
Mainoo, 19th April 2005
Kone, 2nd Feb 2006

Not 2 days or whatever you state.

He joined Lausanne in Feb guys, Lausanne have played 10 games since he started, of which Kone has played 50%.

Don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

As for the made up comment, this was from an overview from the web of the reports made by coaches at both United and Lausanne, both part of the ineos set-up.

Angel, don't follow Ken down his dark path, it will make you look like a fool.

I am sure you would be more of a man than Ken though and hold your hands up when wrong, not asking in this instance at all, just know you would if you had too.

Ken is pathetic and holds grudges, and can't apologise even when clearly in the wrong as per the other day, and here tries to chime in because he is pathetic.

17 Apr 2026 22:45:13
U18s were playing Crystal Palace this evening in Semi Final of FA Youth Cup at O. T.

Yay, we have just won the game 2-1 following extra time, goals from JJ Gabriel and the winner scored by Chido Obi.

Final is against City, at Etihad, will be quite a match, we are top 2 team's in U18s Premier League.

We are due to play Palace again on Wed, this will be the final of U18s Premier League Cup. Clearly they will be looking for revenge.

Hopefully the end of the season brings success with 2 trophies, nothing better than having a winning mentality instilled as early as possible. Ultimately, mental strength will play a significant role in achievement in the professional game.

17 Apr 2026 22:25:43
Maguire and Martinez suspended, and now Yoro injured… It never rains but it pours! If we escape with anything tomorrow night, it’s a huge bonus. Chelsea haven’t been great lately, but they’ll be out for a performance after their City humbling and Stamford Bridge has never been kind to us! Attack may very well be the best form of defense lol.

18 Apr 2026 00:18:37
Heaven alongside Shaw is the likeliest combination. Dalot and Mazraoui are full backs. It's obviously not ideal, but I'd be more worried if we have to play Ugarte in midfield again.

18 Apr 2026 01:08:21
How about Heaven in the middle with Shaw and Maz either side as a back 3...

Dalot and Amad providing some width.

Mainoo and Cas in the centre.

Front 3 of Bruno Cunha and Mbeumo.

Sesko, Lacey, Zirkzee to come on second half if we are still in the game.

18 Apr 2026 09:25:45
That formation is intriguing. It does seem to suit our squad better. Mmmm.

18 Apr 2026 09:57:11
Will introduce some intensity back into our game, rather than trundling through games with sideways pass master Carrick at the wheel....

18 Apr 2026 11:38:03
Did somebody mention 3 at the back? ?

17 Apr 2026 18:24:10
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new player profile about, Mo Salah

17 Apr 2026 21:11:38
Fantastic review Ed001. I always rated Slah and i always was of the opoinion that he is the special player and not Mane, althought Mane was also top class. I thought (and i know some people would disagree) that for a period of around 2-3 years he was the best player in the world or thereabout. He was one of the two players that can do everything and do it good (the other is Messi).

I mean he can be creator, dribbler, playmaker and scorer at the same time.
And one question. Mbuemos form dicreased with Carrick and i think he suffers with slow build up, just like Salah, because his skillset is similar to Salah. Would you say that's the case?

{Ed001's Note - very much so. He likes the ball over the top nice and early to run onto, in a similar way to Salah.}

17 Apr 2026 22:51:00
Excellent review Ed001 and even handed, not always easy for a fan to be.

Have to say most impressive aspect was you being able to superimpose his face over one of my holiday snaps!

{Ed001's Note - it did take a while to do, having to fudge out the rolls around the waist etc....}

18 Apr 2026 00:26:15
Know what you mean Ed001, you know what they say about pinching an inch, well you know it's trouble when you can yank a yard!

{Ed001's Note - I really hope that isn't a euphemism!}

18 Apr 2026 12:11:31
Every game from now is either Carrick for the fulltime job or Carrick out lol. Win and we cement 3rd a bit more, lose and we likely drop to fourth and Chelsea gain ground.