Manchester United banter 6

06 Feb 2026 13:54:32
In your opinions, of the following players who has had the best career at Manchester united?
and secondly who do you think the club got the best value out of?
John o Shea
Phil neville
Bruno Fernández
Nicky Butt
In order i'd say
O Shea
Butt
Neville
Bruno.
Just my opinion. Individually I don't think the others are as good as bruno but football is not an individual game.

Its all about team stats not Individual stats.
Having a brilliant individual does not make a team.
There are so many ways to look at various situations.
Rarely is the answer black or white the truth is usually somewhere in the grey.
I think bruno would swap all his personal stats and achievements for the medals those lads won as part of successful teams.

06 Feb 2026 15:04:01
3 of those players were under the tutelage of SAF and won a lot.

Bruno has played under 6 different managers at United ? I think we have had poor squads and poor managers, the last one the worst.

I think it's unfair on Bruno as he has really been a part of a very strange period for the club. That's why I'm hoping that he stays for another couple of years and we can put real quality around him on order to win trophies, he deserves it.

A bit like Robson at the end of his days, was kept and finally saw a league title at the end of his tenure.

06 Feb 2026 15:29:36
Sorry Ken but that's a weird way to look at it. By this view you are saying that the likes of Smalling, Jones, Buttner, Anderson, Kagawa Lingard etc had better careers than Bruno just because they won PL medals.

06 Feb 2026 15:45:27
Absolutely UA.
Its the essence of team sport. The team results.
Im not saying they are better players individually but united did better out of them and they did better out of united because they won leagues.
Anybody could have an opinion that bruno would have enhanced those teams if he was in them. But it would be just an Unproven opinion.
There is nothing to say this teams would have been better with bruno in them nor that they would have won those medals in the current team.


Different times but they're is no doubting in my mind that those players have had better united careers than bruno. Personal stats are vanity team stats are sanity.
Did messie turn miami into winners?
Did ngolo kante help turn Leicester into winners.
Did shearer help turn Blackburn into league winners?
Nobody can dismiss brunos personal stats but its all about how the team does not any individual.
Its just a different way of looking at the situation.
The best players usually do.

06 Feb 2026 15:58:32
Mctom is quality. Want beside bruno.
Lots of others have done in to win league titles at other clubs but couldn't with him at united.
We have spent close to a billion and got nowhere close to a title with him.
He had his time and his chances.
He won't be short of top offers I think he will take one because I think he will want to leave and try something new.


Its just my guess as I don't have a clue what he feels and thinks but I'm feel he will want to win big trophies his time is running out.
He also might want to take the huge money on offer in Saudi and who could blame him for that either.

06 Feb 2026 17:02:24
UA. Bruno's personal stats stand up against the very best.
He smashes scholes for goals and assists. Same for Cantona or Robson or keane or Beckham or Carrick or Hughes and the list goes on but I don't think you could argue that he's had a better united career than any of them despite his impressive personal stats. Or that united have got more from him than those above.
Perhaps its just a case of right person at the wrong time under the wrong 6 managers. With all the wrong multi million pound players.
He will go down as one of our very best players to not win a title.
Unless he decides to stay which is just as possible. He does love the club and i'm sure he would like to win a title at united above anywhere else.

He might like the new project new coach etc. Amorim convinced him to stay last summer the next new coach might want to and be able to do the same.
I do feel that cunha dorogu amad sesko mbeumo are better than some of his previous partners in attack. We could try to get another pair of 60m midfielders behind him and another pair of 50m full backs and another pair of 70m cbs it might work under manager no7 who knows. i'd like to think so.
We just have to wait and see if he wants to give it one last throw if the dice or if he fancies a new challenge.
Either way it would be nice to know early so we can skip a summer of will he stay or will he go!

06 Feb 2026 17:26:23
Ken can i counter you by saying that all those players had better players playing alongside them. Has Bruno ever got a Rooney who would run through a brick wall, or a van Persie to bang them in or a Keane or Giggs or a defense of Stam, Ferdinand, Vidic et al or a van der sar in goal. My point here being that i agree with you on it being a team game but for that you need quality everywhere which unfortunately Bruno hasn't had to work with including the manager.

Happy to agree to disagree on this one with you buddy.

06 Feb 2026 18:02:00
Agreed UA.

Very different times under very different circumstances. Poor united teams, lots of managers, chops and changes for years but he has been one of the only constants throughout. He has never had the personnel around him or a real solid base like those you mention who played under Fergie.

Let's hope we can kick on and give him a couple of trophies before he leaves.

06 Feb 2026 19:11:02
All valid points UA.

06 Feb 2026 22:20:42
Angel, can you not see the positives that Amorim brought to the table, at all?

Results aside, as that is your fixation. think of the players he literally bombed out of the club, all those problem players we had onboard.

He killed the player power culture, something others had tried to do.

I think for that alone, he doesn't hold the 'worst of them all' title.

I know you won't let it go, I am just trying to see if you actually acknowledge the good things he brought to the club.

07 Feb 2026 07:46:58
Jimbobred, you're wasting your time fella.

07 Feb 2026 08:33:12
Jimbo, I didn't mention RA above, I was just talking about the poor managerial appointments made during Brunos time.

But since you ask, I can't, sorry, I thought he was a poor choice for the club. Lovely fella, probably a good coach too, but incredibly childish and immature in ways particularly in how he handled certain things. I felt like he was a buffer and was out of his depth.

'bombing' out those players depreciated their value as assets to the club and we either didn't get their correct worth or we won't get it, i. e. Marcus Rashford.

Jimbo, it's a results based industry and his was terrible. That's it, and too many on here had the tissues out over him and telling us he 'overachieved' so I don't mind reminding those that sat on their high horses, and will continue to sit on their high horses, that they got it wrong ?.

07 Feb 2026 11:40:27
angel
You are wrong about Amorim. Frankly not worth engaging on it much more with you because as with other things, you are very blinkered. I will say this, many do not see what a manager or in RA’s case, a leader, does. Changing the attitude and dealing with fundamental issues like entitlement are something that is vital. You just seem to see the periphery, which is very short sighted. It’s ok, not everyone sees or understands the concepts of management or leadership. Lastly this terrible “bombing” out of Rashford. That underlines your complete lack of knowledge on how to lead or manage a team. His attitude utterly stank the place out, RA did the club a massive favour in shifting his backside off the comfy subs bench whilst pocketing 350k a week.

Enjoy watching the games but when it comes to judging management then I suggest you stick to Subbuteo.

07 Feb 2026 14:30:44
The bruno agenda is wild.
He’s our best player and has been so since his arrival.

I have a sense that now Amorim has been proven not to be as great as some think and defending him is fool’s errand, so denigrating Bruno is the new thing. The joy.

07 Feb 2026 15:56:53
Utd Road
I am not denigrating Bruno but timing is everything.

06 Feb 2026 09:37:55
As I made my way to St Alphonsus primary school I was surprised by the groups of women openly weeping on the streets. On arriving at school, we were all ushered into the hall. There, the head Mother Michael told us the news.

There had been a terrible accident, a plane had come down. I can still remember that awful feeling. Beyond sadness. They were part of the community. They were family. RIP. xx.

06 Feb 2026 11:46:14
I can't imagine what it must have been like to live through that at the time Patrick. A crash that sent shock waves down through the ages. A plane full of hopes and dreams and a story of recovery that inspired our great club for generations. May they rest in piece and never be forgotten x.

06 Feb 2026 13:26:06
So many young people dying so needlessly will always evoke sad memories.
I remember the stardust disaster here in Ireland only too well when 48 young people list their lives and hundreds injured when a nightclub went on fire on valentines night in 1981.
A similar sort of tragedy that lives with you forever.


The Swiss fire this year will have similar consequences in their community and for society in general.
Nice post Partick.
Let it be a reminder that life is precious and should never be taken for granted.
May they all RIP.

{Ed025's Note - absolutely ken, i remember school in 1966 when my mum made me ask the head nun (sister Baptista) why if there was a god would he let all them young children die in the Aberfan disaster?, i cant remember her answer..

06 Feb 2026 16:22:34
Before my time but my late brother told me everything when I was young. He lined the streets, went to the first game at OT after Munich. I still have a newspaper of the news. His recollection made me a strong United fan very young, I understood the passion and what the impact of that was.

I grew up close friends with the children of a Munich survivor and knew him. Told never to mention Munich at all but he was a wonderful friendly guy, lucky to survive. Thoughts are always with those that didn’t make it, the flowers of Manchester.

06 Feb 2026 14:14:37
There was no answer Ed025. As your mum knew. And, as Sister Baptista knew.

{Ed025's Note - i have my own answer Patrick..

06 Feb 2026 14:23:47
Ed025 I hear you. I think most of us can recall something emotive like that the airplane coming down in Scotland dunblane i think is another.
On Sister Batista did her son play for west ham?.

{Ed025's Note - yeah we have seen some sad events in our lifetime Ken, today im thinking of the families of the air disaster in Munich in 58 and praying mate..

06 Feb 2026 18:03:40
Lovely Patrick and ed025.

I always think of the great Harry Gregg too during these times also. I think he saved a few on that terrible day.

06 Feb 2026 19:06:34
I spoke with Harry many times in work, walking his dog on Castlerock beach.

Giant of a man in every sense.

06 Feb 2026 19:07:26
Lockerbie, Ken. Dunblane was the guy shooting up the primary school ?.

06 Feb 2026 19:24:36
I remember the next game after Munich. I was in bed (8 years old) living about two miles away from the ground. Suddenly the walls shook and there was a deafening roar! The first goal had gone in! The first of three! Seems so clear.

06 Feb 2026 20:25:14
I stand corrected nou. indeed.

06 Feb 2026 21:41:00
Summerland fire on IOM. I had been in there a while earlier on the arcades. If I hadn’t ran out of money as a young kid i’d probably have still been in there! My mum thought I was.

50 people having fun on holiday gone in horrible circumstances.

Still sits with me even now after 53 years.

06 Feb 2026 23:26:26
Bradford city FC fire rarely gets a mention.
I know people who lost friends and family. Absolutely tragic and I just remember it when I was younger. 50+ people lost. Terrible but often forgotten.

07 Feb 2026 10:24:49
Indeed supa. I do remember that unfolding on live TV. Tragic.

07 Feb 2026 12:10:11
That was horrific, Supa. Like Ken, remember watching it all unfold on TV. Can't think of a worse way to go.

05 Feb 2026 18:37:44
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Newcastle United - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

05 Feb 2026 10:47:54
It’s still mad to me that people want Bruno gone. Best midfielder in the PL right now. Wouldn’t swap him for anyone in that position. Could have the most assists record this year.

KDB was amazing but played in an amazing team. If Bruno was playing in an amazing team there would be talk of the him being the best ever PL midfielder similar to how KDB is spoken of.

05 Feb 2026 11:01:45
But he's 31 Singh, too old. Get rid.

05 Feb 2026 11:49:26
angel

You are displaying the same emotional nonsense that some United fans and board members seem to suffer or have suffered.
Bruno will be 32 in September so if you give him a £400k a week contract for 3 years it will be utter madness. KDB suddenly started declining at City around 32 and they got rid at 33.

If the club are serious about getting back to the top they need to take the Bruno money this summer, end of.

05 Feb 2026 12:21:59
I don't worry about money Red Man, nothing got to do with me. The higher ups in the club will weigh that up and make a decision. Were the club emotional when they kept Bryan Robson?

I am worried about what he brings to the team and how we can move forward and at present he is central, and possibly for the next two seasons.

Was it nonsense when you suggested we sell him last year or again this January? Was it nonsense to suggest RA was the man to follow?

05 Feb 2026 12:29:18
Red Man, you need to stop it with the sensible stuff and give up on the Kool-Aid. ?.

05 Feb 2026 12:32:31
I’m torn on Bruno. At times he does my head in can’t make a simple 5 yard pass then does something out of this world. If we sell him whoever we get won’t get anywhere near his stats but it’s the last time we’ll get decent dough for him.

05 Feb 2026 12:52:25
It he's at 10 I'm I'm happy, he does damage. My issue wasbwith playing him as 1 of a middle 2, I don't think he has the discipline and he gives the ball away in dangerous positions.

Playing as a 10 is a no brainer, we get the best from him.

05 Feb 2026 13:10:20
Ajh agreed and if that's for another season or two, as long as he is performing, I really don't see an issue with it. The finances should go way over our head. We don't understand them not ever will.

05 Feb 2026 13:12:03
Blackpool red, as a 10 that's what we want though. A lot of the time he does try silly things and gets caught, but will then turn a game on its head. That's the nature of the beast when you play in that position and particularly when you're as good as someone like Bruno.

Look at Odegaard at Arsenal, he plays a lot more of the safe stuff and doesn't create in the same way.

I know what I prefer. Don't get caught up in the money, just look at what he does.

05 Feb 2026 13:13:22
What age was Ryan Giggs when he stopped playing for us, Scholes? As long as they are contributing to this team in a positive way, that's what matters most. And Bruno does it better than anyone we have had in our recent history.

05 Feb 2026 13:13:51
Fizz, you were crying when RA was sacked. The world was going to end ?.

05 Feb 2026 13:16:24
Losing Casemiro, could lose Maguire, i don't think you would want to lose another of our most experienced players. that's before you even acknowledge he's our best performing player.

The previous summer was an interesting one with the saudi money on the table but don't think that sort of money will be on offer this summer.

Keep Bruno and sign two midfielders in summer and see where we are next summer.

05 Feb 2026 15:18:33
Playing as a 10 he stays for me, but he can't be undroppable. Next year hopefully we play 2 games a week. I think we play him one and bring him on for other some weeks to keep him fresh and hungry. We had run him into the group a few years ago and his performances drop.

1 game a week he looks like a stud again, we want this verson of Bruno.

05 Feb 2026 16:22:22
Bruno can play 2-3 times a week he is by far the clubs best player probably the fittest too certainly the least injuries I could not care if he 50 years old he performs he plays, where do you replace him at any cost! I’m with Angel who cares about the money, SJR don’t care about me forking out to watch.

Why should I care about him or the glazers money….

05 Feb 2026 21:52:04
He’s our best player by far, and had her for several years. He’s rarely if not never injured, he scores, he creates, he motivates

I don’t see the argument against him.

05 Feb 2026 23:42:18
It’s not about the “Glazers money”, it’s about good decisive business on a player whose value is going to fall fast and the money we would get is vital on replacing him with a younger player. The club needs to stop being run on emotional decisions.

So Angel in summer would you give Bruno, nearly 32, a 3 year extension on £400k a week? Even if it means we won't have the money to buy as well as we need to?

06 Feb 2026 07:36:35
Red man. Who said, by giving Bruno an extension, we won't have the money to buy as well?

I mean, you're completely making that up. He's got a contract until 2027 with an option to extend for a year to 2028 at which point he's 33 going 34. Forget about the finances, I can hear ed002 shouting ?

At present he is outperforming everyone, not just in our team but in the league. We sell, we weaken our team and there is no guarantee we replace, in fact, we will not replace what he does.

Or we keep him, buy additional quality and we can have a tilt at winning prizes again. He is world class, it's not emotional, he is performing.

You have been banging on this drum for years now, it's your emotion and dislike towards Bruno that is getting in the way of a clear and rational footballing decision. Just like your emotion dictated that we back the last manager when it was crystal clear he had brought us backwards.

06 Feb 2026 08:50:44
Only one man will decide. If Bruno wants to stay he will if he wants to leave he will. The club nor fans have no say in the matter.
I suspect his release clause will be triggered by multiple clubs in the summer.
There has been no talk of an improved offer from the club as of yet.
Bruno will decide what we think as supporters will be irrelevant.


If the club want to keep him and he wants to move its irrelevant.
The only relevant question is does he want to stay.
Very few people outside his family and advisors know the answer to that question.
He won't be forced out nor should he be. The choice will be his entirely.

06 Feb 2026 09:54:56
{Ed's Note - Tumbleweed! has posted a new article entitled, Bruno’s Future: Numbers, Fit and the Bigger Picture

06 Feb 2026 09:56:44
Some people need to get real. If we sold Bruno for millions to Saudi (example) what makes you think that money would get re-invested into players we need.
We saw the drop in quality when Bruno was out. Can’t say I want to see that again until we have some quality players in the middle of the park.

06 Feb 2026 10:12:06
It doesn't matter what we want. We have no say pspence.

06 Feb 2026 11:37:30
Ken, I hope it is his decision.

However, given his most recent comments, they indicate that he doesn't feel like hey want to keep him at the club. So I don't think this is solely down to him.

06 Feb 2026 12:00:51
He's 32 at the start of next season. If we can get a large fee, we should take the cash we have, Cuhna and Mount that can cover the position of 10.

One thing I'd like to point out is if you go back through the statistics when Bruno has played 10 our strikers get a criminally low amount of shots per game, if you compare the stats to this season under Amorim when Bruno played 8 we created far more for our attacking players.

He's been through Ole, Rangnick, Ten Haag, Amorim plus the interims. It's time to move on. We need to rebuild, take the cash and put it towards the midfield.

06 Feb 2026 12:03:25
It is 100% down to him. They can't sell him without his agreement he has a contract
If he wants to stay he will stay.
He can't be forced to leave simple as that. He won't go unless he chooses to.

06 Feb 2026 12:25:24
Excellent article, Ken. I applaud you. Bruno is indeed a conundrum. We, as fans, can only wait, as the outcome will be what it will be.

06 Feb 2026 12:31:20
Its just a different perspective Fizz.
I don't know of too many world class players that don't improve everybody around them.
Not many wc playerss had a 32% win rate over last 14 months. i'm not sure bruno missed too many games in that period. ??.

06 Feb 2026 12:58:24
????.

06 Feb 2026 15:00:16
Of course ultimately he's the one that will walk out the door.

But many a players hand has been forced and can be forced by any club should the club choose to do so, much like companies can do to employees. And if they want to sell him and tell him they want to sell him, theoretically it will be his choice to go but not sure he would be able to refuse if put in that position. It's not as black and white as you say.

I hope he stays, it will be difficult to replace the quality he brings to the club and he has shown it time and time again.

06 Feb 2026 15:12:53
Rews if you compare the stats under Amorim we finished nearly the flipping relegation zone. But don’t let the truth interfere with your agenda!

06 Feb 2026 15:50:35
It is 100% his decision. They can't sell him if he doesn't want to move. They cannot force him to sign elsewhere.
Sure they can tell him they would prefer if he did but like malacia or casimero he can just sit tight. Its up to him.


Wouldn't bother me at all if he left we have replaced far better and more successful players than him as have all top clubs. Its not like he has helped us composure for league titles.
Really good player but has not helped bring sustained success.

06 Feb 2026 18:09:41
I disagree, many factors in that decision, never just down to one person, ever, in my opinion.

As to not helping bringing sustained success? I mean, that's more of a collective issue than saying Bruno has not helped. Had we had better players around him, built better teams and appointed better managers, just overall making better decisions, I have no doubt there would have been many more trophies.

But alas, hindsight is a wonderful thing. The club is where it is now, we've gone from 42 points last season, to the 3rd in the league now under Carrick, 3 wins on the bounce, and plenty of optimism. Here's hoping a couple of CMs are added in the summer, a LW and Bruno can stand a top of a platform holding a couple of trophies before he leaves. He is more deserving than many having carried us through many games over his tenure at this club.

Bryan Robson was quite similar, pulling the club through rough days during the 80s but hung in there to see Fergie build a league winning side. I don't think anyone would say about Robson what you said about Bruno.

06 Feb 2026 18:32:00
On the subject Bruno’s numbers can’t be replicated Mount can’t even string 6 games together and not sure Cunha will exactly set anywhere near Bruno figures.

Who says Bruno going to be offered 400k per week or have you made that up, but even so if he still posting the figures he does that’s worth it, then spending 100 million and 200k a week to replace him with a youngster who flops or bang average.

06 Feb 2026 19:13:53
Because they can't. Robson won his titles.

06 Feb 2026 20:51:32
Im very clear that I don't see a downside if he stays other than the financial aspect of getting a big fee in.
I also think he has better quality outside and ahead of him than he has had before.
I think to prove himself as a true great he has to improve their numbers so as a collective they are successful.


I think we have to be open to the question. How can bruno change his game to improve the collective? That's up to the coaches if he stays.

05 Feb 2026 04:48:37
In view of how much better and more exciting football Utd are playing now how high do you rate our chances of qualifying for the champions league.

With teams like Spurs Chelsea Liverpool and even Villa dropping points the opportunity will be there

My friends who support these teams often banter about how this is Ole mark 2 for Utd and that we will lose the plot again and that even if we do.

05 Feb 2026 06:08:46
Short term good chance we qualify for Champions league under Carrick provided other teams keep slipping.

Long term teams will figure out carrick just like they did with Ole.

Fulham were the better playing team last game but we just had the quality to win it in the end.

Hopefully in the summer we can get a proper coach who understands what he is getting into at our club.

05 Feb 2026 06:18:23
I think most of those teams, other than Liverpool probably, would take the league positions and cup runs Ole had.

05 Feb 2026 08:52:37
We will know a lot more over the next month as our games are very winable and the other teams will be having to contend with FA Cup/Europe on top of the league fixtures.

I expect Villa to start falling off with the injuries they have picked up, Liverpool seem hit and miss. City and Arsenal will be top 2 so the rest are looking at the next places

I think the approach that Carrick has taken allows for the current form to continue and I think we will evolve a bit more as he gets more time in between games.

05 Feb 2026 13:59:20
We will win the league this year! Last time I checked UCL qualification was still a thing for the league winners ?.

05 Feb 2026 19:05:45
lol what’s the flight cost Jimbo to the world your living in?

06 Feb 2026 23:28:43
Aren't the English clubs top of some sort of table meaning highly likely top 5 will qualify for CL next season?

04 Feb 2026 16:48:26
Just saw a video of Dalot's tiny little daughter dribbling the ball into the goal at OT. Cute as anything. Better first touch and close control than her dad!

04 Feb 2026 15:49:45
The face you make when you see a scouser near your car:

03 Feb 2026 10:31:08
If Kobbie Mainoo was at palace, brighton or forest, how much do you think he would be worth?

03 Feb 2026 10:52:43
For me he's in the bracket just slightly below Andeson around 65 70 and about the same as what Wharton and Baleba should be 55 to 60 million.

03 Feb 2026 10:53:02
He's still finding his feet after a lack of game time, but if gets back to his previous level then big bucks. People forget he played for England in a major final and was one of United's best players that year.

It feels like he is currently playing it safe, which is perhaps not surprising given he was ignored for 18 months. If I was Carrick, I would be telling him to be himself and show what he can do.

03 Feb 2026 11:21:35
I think Mainoo has looked positionally very aware. Whether it's his own observation or Amorim's coaching or simple pointers from Carrick I think he's showing he should have been trusted some time ago. With a more athletic player beside him he'll look even better I expect.

03 Feb 2026 13:07:05
You’re right AJH, it feels like he’s still finding his feet and working out how to play alongside Cas and Bruno. The most encouraging thing is that he’s starting to link with Bruno. I think that’s the key to our midfield, having someone who can push up to work with Bruno in attack and still has the legs to get back to help Cas defensively.

If he can get that role down, the creativity will come in time.

03 Feb 2026 13:55:27
He showed in fa cup final that he could link well with bruno.

Was always a myth that the two couldn't play with each other in the same team, they complement each other well.

03 Feb 2026 14:44:01
He's a very promising young player. Needs to play, but also needs to have competition. I don't like that we are completely reliant on him now. Not good for him and his development. I think he could benefit from a few sub ons at 60 mins when he has the fresh legs and can influence a bit more.

He does well, but also can give away a simple pass- presume it is concentration rather than ability. I do want to see him fitter and stronger, not sure he has finished growing physically yet. Agree that he is being a bit safe, which is understandable. He was key these last few games though.

03 Feb 2026 15:55:39
Love kobbie, he really is a quality player. Has massive potential. It's incredible to think he couldn't get a start given what we have seen from him in the last 3 games.

Hardest part of playing CM, is being able to dictate and control part of the game and he can really do that. Plus he plays the ball forward and awful lot which a lot of CMs don't do.

If he was at any club like palace/forest etc and had played form England at a major tournament and stared, no doubt he would be 80million.

Quality player.

03 Feb 2026 16:53:18
I think he is a big part of how we played angel. He played a lot of passes forward and out wide right in last game. Something that was clearly a tactic to attack on that side. He seems to be a bit of thinking man's player - can't wait to see what he can do under Carrick and co for rest of season.

03 Feb 2026 16:54:04
I know Urd are linked with wharton, Anderson and Baleba, but how would they all fit together in midfield?

I suspect Utd will try to sign at least 2 of them. Where do people think Mainoo will play? Will Bruno be sold or kept as a 10 for another season?

03 Feb 2026 18:52:11
If we were able to get Anderson and Baleba for example, anderson and mainoo would start and baleba would be the third choice in the rotation.

Assuming we get into europe, we should be playing 50-60 games next season so more than enough game time to go around. Mainoo has already had some injury issues in both of the last two seasons tbf.

03 Feb 2026 19:08:46
Exactly DSG, we need 4 first team ready midfielders. Especially with European football, domestic cups that hopefully go longer than 1 game each and young player like Kobbie included in the 4. This is not much to ask.

Mount and Bruno are not 6/8s. Yes they can do a job, but not in the main 4. Martinez can cover in the event of injury, again not in the 4.

Games are won and lost midfield, we need to have right squad balance. Zirkzee malacia surplus and gaping hole in CM.

04 Feb 2026 04:24:58
I just can’t see us signing Anderson and Baleba let alone Wharton too think that’s just dreaming and unrealistic pie in the sky, maybe 1 of those 3 and a cheaper alternative is about it in real world or united world anyway.

04 Feb 2026 09:19:31
About 30 million for me. I Like the boy as he is a academy player but in reality. he doesn't create always passes it safe, he doesn't score, he's not the best defensively. Not the best going forward. Since coming back into the team he has covered a lot of ground but he can go 30 minutes without his name being mentioned. Rarley spreads play or plays a long ball, when he does its usually behind the runner. He is neat and tidy and that's about it so far.

If he wasn't an academy player i'm not sure we would look to sign him. He's limited in his mobility. His best asset is passing 5 yards and being a decent dribbler that he doesn't use enough. For me currently he's a level below anderson, wharton and baleba. Anderson is better all round player, wharton is better on the ball and dictating play, Baleba is better at recovering the ball and mobility. Hopefully he kicks on and excels at something.

04 Feb 2026 10:35:23
I think that's harsh dio, although he has yet to get back to his previous level.

04 Feb 2026 11:40:35
Mainoo can run with and move the ball between lines, a very useful attribute. However he can’t control a game or dominate the midfield. That is what his problem has been, to nail a place down the team have to be set up for him to do what he does as a special-ist, almost. He can lose a ball and doesn’t look quick or strong enough to get back. He seems something nearer a 10, not a full 10, he picks the ball up moving through the opposition midfield. To a team wanting the attribute, which floods midfield he would be worth a lot.

Put Anderson in our CM and it gives a lease of life, yet I see Mainoo as the third in a central 3, almost point in a diamond, rather than a straight CM. He is a refined special-ist, moves well but the midfield has to be designed around him and that’s the issue. We desperately need a dominant CM, perhaps 2 and Mainoo would be fighting it out with the other 10’s unless we go 3CM which hasn’t been the United way, although if SAF had done that in the EC finals v Barcelona we would have done better. Mainoo is a conundrum.

04 Feb 2026 12:54:03
Not sure what you lads are watching Dio or red man. I see a CM that is more than capable of controlling ball when he has it, if you put another Cm capable of the same stuff, we will have a lot more possession.

I mean you're saying that about Mainoo red man and then telling me about Anderson, a CM in a Forest team that is near the relegation zone. He's not dominating or controlling games.

Mainoo, quite easily should be one of the first names down on the team sheet. He plays through lines, a lot of balls around players and driving, something an awful lot of CMs can't even comprehend.

Or do we want a Declan Rice type who is conservative as you get, playing sideways and back passes all the time. Kobbie is a boy that takes risks and plays progressive football. Give me that all day and stick another ball playing CM beside him. When he was starting in major tournaments for England, he showed us all exactly how good he is, at 18, I hasten to add.

But red man, you do know your CMs, i mean give me your take on Bruno ? he would've been sold by now, given your footballing opinion on how he plays.

04 Feb 2026 14:55:05
I see what dio is saying and agree to a large extent. Mainoo has a way to go to get back to where he was and to push on. He couldn't have a much better player to emulate than Carrick, that's for sure.

04 Feb 2026 16:13:52
Mainoo is a decent player, not a great player…. looks better when Cass is in there too next to him.
Would we buy him or want him if he were at another team. I don’t think so.
Yes he got in England team but then so do lots of others never to be seen again and why is getting in an England team that’s won nothing a benchmark anyway!


Yes he does a job, should he be first on team sheet or build a team around…not a chance.

04 Feb 2026 17:52:02
Maze, I love the fact you complain about all our players being rubbish, but then claim we can't buy better players anyway. What's the point, then?

04 Feb 2026 17:55:46
Agree, Angel. Kobe's been one of the only midfielders we've had since our heyday who can take a pass on the turn and look to move it forward.
He hasn't been at his best recently, but he's young and still finding his feet again after not getting much game time. I've no worries about him, especially with Carrick and his team there to guide him.

04 Feb 2026 21:06:50
AJH it may have come across has harsh but that's what I see. A player with potential but i'm unsure what he excels in. He's okay at most things but not the best at anything a center mid does. Still improving and is young so he can develop i just think if he was playing for anyone else would we all be scrambling to sign him.

I'm not so sure. I think personally we could buy 2 better cms than him and we won't and it will cost us later on. I'd prefer him to be back up to 2 truly great cms and see if he can play his way into the side.

04 Feb 2026 22:43:10
angel

Yes been watching CMs since the 60’s. Do you now think Bruno is a CM?

At some point reality has to dawn to you on a 31 year old whose position has been updated by MBueno and Cunha, he only has so long. When, in summer, he asks for £400k a week to stay, the emotional fans will beg for the club to give it him. It’s why the club keeps getting in a mess, too many emotional decisions.

Lastly angel, you mention Anderson in the Forrest team, were you around when we bought Keane from them, is my memory going or were they relegated that season? Anderson may not be Keane but your dismissal of him to me shows your lack of appreciation of CM players.

05 Feb 2026 08:25:51
Good post, Red Man.

05 Feb 2026 08:52:52
It's the double standards, looking to Anderson as the answer whilst appreciating the genuine talent that we have in Kobbie. I'm just trying to make a point. It's in no way a dismissal of Anderson, I really think he is going to be a top player and would love to see him here along with Wharton.

It's your dismissal of Kobbie that is baffling, you say one thing about him and another about Anderson, the double standards. Kobbie is 19, and he has stood head and shoulders above players within games yet you think he's a conundrum ?

And your dismissal of Bruno even more so. You've been banging on the Bruno drum for about 2 years now, whatever your agenda is with him. The fact he gets paid lots of money? Is he holding anyone back? Is he not contributing to the team? If we sell him, like you want? (A reminder that you said sell him in January by the way. ) Who do we get?

His position has been updated by Cunha and Mbuemo? Are we watching the same games?

You can tell me you've been watching football for 20 years more than me Red Man, but that doesn't make you more knowledgeable on the subject of CMs.

05 Feb 2026 09:00:04
Sorry Kobbie is 20.

It's mad, people on here have drunk the Ruben Amorim Kool-Aid and formed an opinion that Mainoos a conundrum, maybe a 10, a decent player etc.

Kobbie is a top boy, hadn't started since August, then has 3 starts V City, Arsenal and Fulham, 9 points. Was crucial with some of his defensive contributions and assisted Dorgu, all be it a worldie.

20 years of age! Keane was just 22 signing for United, Elliot Anderson is 23. Kobbie has already started a major European final for England at 19.

Put down the Amorim Kool-Aid lads, he's gone.

05 Feb 2026 10:36:09
So, substitute 32% with Amorim Kool-Aid as the go-to.
Speshull. ?.

05 Feb 2026 11:02:32
There he is, not engaging ???.

03 Feb 2026 08:44:32
Thunk Sesko is improving a lot, with the options of Mbeumo and Cuhna up top takes the pressure from him. Berbatov speaks very highly of him and watched him a lot Leipzig, can score with left and right foot and good in the air. His movement for the winner Saturday was very good too.

03 Feb 2026 10:06:46
Think starting mbeumbo has taken the target off his back redcon we have seen he has the ability to score goals.

03 Feb 2026 10:57:40
I wasn't convinced by Sesko but he's rapidly changing my mind. By all accounts he is very dedicated, he seems very popular within the squad, and he is still very young. He has huge potential and hopefully we nurture that and turn him into a major force.

On a separate note, the team seems very tight right now. I know all teams celebrate goals but the sheer joy we are seeing from team mates when a goal is scored is great.

03 Feb 2026 11:46:12
I honestly believe having viable option up front in mbeumbo and even Cunha ajh is taking the pressure of sesko not having to be the main man every week.
Hoijlund pretty much played every game last year because there was nobody else and the pressure and scrutiny showed.

03 Feb 2026 12:19:26
He's not THE guy yet, so thankfully Mbeumo and Cunha can/have stepped up to help fill that role while maybe the confidence for him was down. Sounds like he is training really hard and the way the team celebrated with him (obviously their going to celebrate) after the winner against Fulham you could tell everyone was delighted it was him that got it.

03 Feb 2026 13:09:12
For me, coming off the bench is exactly right for him. It takes away some of the pressure to lead the attack, and leaves him hungry to prove what he can do when he gets the chance. Could really help his development, and avoid another Hojlund situation.

03 Feb 2026 15:15:10
Definitely feels like he is finding his feet but has a decent way to go yet, was showing confidence just before Amorim left and has had to sit on the bench for the past 3 games.

Will be interesting to see if he starts either against Spurs or West Ham with likely Cunha on the bench if that happens. Either player seems to be making an impact and it is good that we have the option at the minute.

Hopefully he will step up into next year and become the guy to get us 20+ goals a season.

03 Feb 2026 15:51:50
That’s wishful thinking Sesko becomes 20 goals a season man, great if so, but I just don’t see it…. Mbuemo plays striker role much much better than him.

03 Feb 2026 15:57:00
Ajh good to see you here my friend. Nice to know if wasn't a long break.

Sesko always looked like he had a bit about him. Just needed some goals to build confidence. He feels like he belongs now.

I like Mbuemo as an option at CF but I think Sesko gives us more there overall and Mbuemo is a bigger threat out wide. Nice to have options though.

02 Feb 2026 11:59:59
Casemiro saying farewell. A great player.

Video farewell