Manchester United banter 7

31 Aug 2026 11:26:16
Who are our strongest 11 at the moment?

Lammens
Dalot
Maguire
Martinez
Shaw
Baleba
Mainoo
Bruno
Mbeumo
Cunha
Rashford.

31 Aug 2026 11:49:07
Lammens
Heaven Martinez Shaw
Santos Mainoo Baleba
Bruno
Mbwuemo Sesko Cunha.

31 Aug 2026 12:40:23
No way Heaven gets in our strongest 11. He is too susceptible to mistakes and lacks concentration, and I don’t think Carrick thinks that highly of him either. I hope he eventually gets to our strongest 11, but he currently doesn’t make it.

As much as I hate to say it, McGuire makes our strongest 11, even Martinez is a liability as he showed yesterday.

Our defence is really poor and so slow. Plus, I don’t see our attackers all hitting 15 goals each, that’s wishful thinking.

31 Aug 2026 14:47:07
I don't see our attackers getting 15 each either. If Sesko, Cunha, Bruno, Rashford, Mbeumo and Amad get 60/65 between them in the league, that would be OK.
Then, you're hoping for 20 or so from the rest.

We are ahead of that target after 2 games.


Typically, you need between 75/85 goals to win the league; a few times it's been 90-plus.
Mind you, we need to stop letting them in at the other end, to take the pressure off needing to score 3 to win a game.

31 Aug 2026 15:23:41
Stop them going in, would be a great start, because it's just not possible to score 2-3-4 or even 5 to win a game every game, and we look terrible at the back.

Hope Lammens don't spend the season picking the ball out of the net.

Saying that, Onana is doing really well, picking the ball out of the net.

31 Aug 2026 09:37:14
5 games between now and 20th Sep
3 league games then we have a 2 week intl break
Everton (a) City (h) and Fulham (a)
And midweek cup ties in CL Sabah at home and Brighton in League Cup at home.



1st really big test for Carrick with 2 games a week.
Can we win all 5?
I don't expect City to beat us at home but we do need to improve away from home 2 big league games away that we need to win.

31 Aug 2026 10:03:51
Big few weeks coming up, Ken. That defence really does worry me though. Dalot and Shaw as number1 full backs is shocking, and the cbs don't fill me with confidence either. The midfield will improve as we go, and I think will be very good.

In forward positions, we have lots of options, so I'm happy enough there. Hope we do some business at least a lb b4 the deadline, but it doesn't look likely.

31 Aug 2026 10:53:49
You do know that back 4 and team have more points than City, Arsenal and everybody else since Jan.
I agree, we need to improve, of course we do, but don't worry, Tim, it's only a game.
We are not as bad as some people worry about; the results, in the main, say something very different.


We do need more, given the fixture schedule ahead and in order to keep improving.
The defence is poor for the higher level we aspire to, but the results have been good in the main.

31 Aug 2026 12:40:10
I actually feel more confident with our defence against teams that will have more possession and will be more methodical when in possession. When we attack and commit players forward, we look vulnerable on the counter. I hope that is where Baleba will come in and make a difference. We absolutely need to strengthen defence, though.



I must admit, I'm not his biggest fan, and I've been vocal in my criticism of him, but we certainly look better when Dalot plays at rb. Would love to see a lb come in now, and then Shaw's role becoming more a cb until we can move him on. I'm not saying Shaw starting as a cb, just that's where he'll compete for.

31 Aug 2026 13:35:42
I get that, Ken. I just feel that Shaw, especially, is a weak link back there, and teams deliberately target his side. Also, can't rely on his fitness. I'm not stressing, believe me, I just think we could improve further with someone else in that position. Just my opinion, though.

31 Aug 2026 14:21:53
I'd be of the same opinion, I think everyone is, but as someone said above, in the medium term, the wrong signing is worse than no signing. Especially at United, as we have made a lot of wrong signings in the past, and they live with you longer now than before, because it's harder to get rid of them if they don't work out, and very expensive.

31 Aug 2026 15:41:43
Agree totally with that.

31 Aug 2026 01:40:52
Got a lot of luck today. The slip creates the equalizer opportunity. Then we get away with an accidental handball for the go-ahead goal. From then on we looked really good, bar Licha's error.

I've been a supporter of Shaw based on last season's performance but today he was sadly at fault for their goal. We clearly need an upgrade at LB, and probably RB too.

I was only able to watch the second half. I thought Rashford looked very like his old self, unlucky not to score, and on one occasion a really great defensive tackle. He's costing us £15m a year. A good LW of his quality could cost us at least that in wages and amortization combined, and with no guarantee of success. If he gets back to his best he could prove to be a great asset.

Ultimately a really good win, but the team's defense still seems really suspect.

31 Aug 2026 11:03:45
Luck is a two-sided coin; did we get lucky or were Ipswich unlucky?

Does luck truly exist, or is it just the excuse of the under prepared or those lacking ability or knowledge?

For example, did the player who slipped choose to wear studs or blades? Was that a choice or luck? Maybe he chose blades, and maybe if he chose studs he would not have slipped there.

Was Mbeumo's miss bad luck, or is he not quite fully sharp yet, or maybe he didn't get a good night's sleep?

I'd say it's early in the season, and a lot of players aren't quite fully up to speed and into the swing of things yet.

This will lead to mistakes. We made some in defence, as did Ipswich's players, while there are changes in managers, players, tactics, etc, all of which the teams are getting used to.

At this stage of the season, you can only make tentative judgements on what we are seeing as teams start to try and settle into the season. Everything up until October should probably be taken with a pinch of salt.

31 Aug 2026 12:43:05
Or should it not be taken with a pinch of salt? That is the question!!!

31 Aug 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - NOMAD_RANGER has posted a new article entitled, The Lewis Ferguson Thread That Still Won't Go Away

31 Aug 2026 00:41:28
Good game today.

We have potential to do well this season and it’s obvious where we need more and that’s the defence and possibly a back up attacker.

Frustrates me that Maguire will start regardless. He is shocking and it annoys me how every manager we have starts him. He can do no wrong!

Martinez made that mistake yes but had a good game before that and if you look at Maguire during that goal, he just leaves the man free.

Anyway, going back to my main points. Good game and we looked much better after That mistake. It pushed us to keep going on.

Left back needs to be invested in.

My take would be to try and get Ait-Nouri on loan. Not getting a sniff at City because of Gvaridol and Oreilly but he could be some shrewd business and has played with Cunha down the left.

Would like to see us get a cb but don’t think that’s likely.

I think Yoro should be able to start even if he makes mistakes. We need to look to our future and they’ll only get better from playing. Heaven got dropped as soon as he has a poor game and I hope Carrick has the balls to do it to Maguire and Shaw.

I’m not a fan of Dalot but credit where it’s due, I thought he had a great game and got into some good positions.

Tielemans started poorly but much better second half. If you watched him carefully, he actually was at the centre of a lot of play.

Bruno fantastic, playing higher up the field will definitely be a bonus for us and I hope to see even more goals.

Special shout-out to Kobbie, worked hard in his toughest year as a Utd player and it looks like it’s helped unleash a beast. Can’t wait to see him partnering Baleba in the midfield.

Positives but still a long way to go!

31 Aug 2026 05:01:43
We see 7 goals, so that always makes a good game.
But some prospective needed, Ipswich are not great but scored 2, should have been 3, that's a huge concern with Hull scoring 2 as well.
I said all last season this team crying out for an experienced CB with pace, and it still is, we not got one CB worthy of the name.


The defence is far too slow, it might get more protection from Baleba, but it's a big worry against good teams.
I still worry no decent striker, striker scores Mbuemo chance, Sesko still a lot to learn but needs to get fit first...

Take the 3 points and 5 goals and move on...

31 Aug 2026 07:18:22
I think Cas gave the defence more protection than we realised last season. Hopefully Baleba can provide the same level, because we aren't buying a new CB this season.

31 Aug 2026 15:26:06
If Baleba can get anywhere near the quality of Cass, it will be a great signing, as he appears to have the legs too, but it's a huge ask to replace someone like Cass.

30 Aug 2026 23:07:52
This will undoubtedly divide opinion on here, but Rashford for me is proving his worth in the team. If he maintains the effort and puts the effort in then is an invaluable asset to the team.

The game itself was awful, we were dreadful as a team, barring some individual efforts, Rashford included.

The entire backline needs to go, they are so far below par it is disgusting to watch.

Midfield will take a couple more games to gel, Mainoo is pivotal to it being a success.

Mbeumo needs to be more clinical and get his confidence up.

31 Aug 2026 07:22:04
Rashford came in that pitch smiling. It looked like he was glad to be back.

He has the talent. It was always the application. Hopefully he has matured while at Barca and understands his role within this team.

With Bruno, Rashford, Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko, that will be enough to trouble teams this year.

31 Aug 2026 08:52:35
Indeed. With Rashford's enthusiasm and skill at tracking back to defend, it's unlikely we would have conceded the second goal if he hadn't been substituted. ?

31 Aug 2026 09:43:22
Rashford looked good. He looked happy and he played like he cared. He worked hard both on and off the ball.

If we can get the best version of Rashford back playing, then he'll be an asset to the team.

Still a long way back for him to prove himself to the fans, and I know there will be some that will never forgive him.

However, that was a good start. Let's hope he keeps it up, as it looks doubtful that we'll get another top level striker in this summer. At best, I think we might get a talented up and coming striker. But not someone you'd expect to score anywhere near 20 goals this season, probably someone who'd be lucky to get 10, and that's if we sign anyone. So with Sesko as the main man up front, and given his age and level of development, we will need the other forwards to chip in with a fair few goals this season.



Fortunately, we have a strong bunch of forward options with Bruno, Mbeumo, and Cunha who you'd expect to get around 15 goals this season. If Rashford could chip in with 15 or so as well, then that will help take the pressure off of Sesko, who hopefully can also get around 15 goals or so.

We also have players like Amad, Dorgu, and even Lacey who should all grab a few goals, along with maybe another 10-15 goals being spread out amongst midfield and defence.

That would be 80-90 goals, which would be a great return. Maybe our strength in attack isn't having that undeniable player like Haaland who you know you will struggle to stop scoring, but having so many options of players capable of scoring means teams can't really double up against any of them as it leaves another good goalscorer free.

30 Aug 2026 22:00:02
Go on then I will poke the bear as I like a good heated debat.

Maguire handball.

1. Is the letter of the law fair? He clearly got an advantage and had he scored it would likely be scrubbed.

2. Should the letter of the law be changed to include a subsequent own goal?

30 Aug 2026 23:07:06
Laws are an absolute joke. It's a handball all day and I'd be raging if that happened against us. Just clear it up and make things simple. Too many caveats are making things difficult for refs and fans.

30 Aug 2026 23:07:08
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be on the right side of a b******* call for once.

But let's be honest, at best they found some odd loophole that shouldn't be within the rules, and common sense would ignore.

Yes, it was accidental, and therefore not a yellow card, but the ball fell just right for him to have a shot which ended up in the back of the net.

A couple of the Ipswich players also stopped, assuming the Ref would blow the whistle for handball. Which they shouldn't have done, as you play to the whistle, yet that also probably played into the goal.

30 Aug 2026 23:42:39
Didn't it happen to us in an FA Cup game against Middlesbrough a few years back, that we lost on penalties. In the build up there was a handball, but the goal stood.

31 Aug 2026 01:53:55
The rule is correct. Goal stands. Move on.

The rule came in because VAR was going back multiple plays and chalking off goals for accidental handball because an advantage had been gained. But the ref deemed it non-intentional and had played on, only for VAR to go back and say it led to a goal.

31 Aug 2026 05:15:16
If it was multiple plays, then yes, I agree. I am not disagreeing with the letter of the law, but that was clearly an advantage gained in the same phase.

Happy to take the goal, but that was a pretty poor outcome, in my very humble opinion.

31 Aug 2026 07:23:31
Thank goodness Harry doesn't know how to shoot on target.

31 Aug 2026 08:55:12
Although the letter of the law led to the correct decision, we would be livid if that stood against us. Seems ridiculous to me. But hey ho, the title charge is on.

31 Aug 2026 09:18:25
The rule/law is stupid.
But I would not be livid if it happened against us because the law is crystal clear.
I don't agree with it, but there is lots I don't agree with.
Again, a pretty good weekend across all the games for refs not being centre of attention.

We need to be better next week, as Everton will be all action and effort.

31 Aug 2026 09:25:42
Only three points off the top of the league.

31 Aug 2026 09:40:09
Or, as Fallguy would say, only 3 points off the bottom.

31 Aug 2026 10:00:47
As people say, the rules are the rules. The real problems come when rules aren't clear or are open to interpretation, as that leads to inconsistent application of those rules. As long as other similar incidents have the same outcome, and the same process is applied, then we are simply the first to benefit from the rewriting of the rule.

However, ultimately rules are in place to ensure not only structure, but a level of fairness. If the rules don't seem fair then maybe they need to be looked at and potentially adjusted.

While that decision yesterday was within the letter of the law, I'm not convinced it was a fair decision. The rule is in place to stop VAR going back several actions and ruling out goals for accidental handball. There were several opportunities to interject and stop a goal from a potential unfair advantage.

There is a world of difference between an accidental handball near the halfway line, where there are several passes before a goal is scored and an accidental handball that leads to an immediate shot, where there is no opportunity for the opposition to interject.



The fact that the only reason the goal stood is because the shot was off target and deflected in off the defender is not within the spirit of the rule. Surely the fact that the defender had to try and make a block so quickly after an unfair advantage had been gained contributed to the deflection and subsequent own goal.

So I fully understand why Ipswich fans feel aggrieved over the decision and why the ABU's are unhappy with it. If the boot was on the other foot I'd feel aggrieved about it.

It does feel more like we have benefitted from a unforeseen loophole rather than the new intended interpretation of the rule.

31 Aug 2026 10:16:17
That's not true, Shappy.
It's clear as day in the rules, and it directly calls it how refs need to act.
There is no difference between it happening on the edge of the box or on the halfway line.
The offence or not is the same wherever it is on the pitch; the consequence can be different or more severe, but that's irrelevant.
I don't think anybody should or can feel aggrieved when the law is written so clearly.
I think the law should change, like many others, but it's there and was followed correctly, so there can be no complaints.

We were not lucky; the laws were followed.
It happens in golf a lot, whereby the rules can help you out of a sticky situation.
The ref was 100% right.
VAR were 100% right.
No offence took place to give a free.
Very clear and very simple.
If the shoe was on the other foot, the rule is there to be read, so there should be no feeling aggrieved.

31 Aug 2026 14:41:06
The ref and VAR applied the rule correctly yesterday.

Big shout out to Old Slabhead, genius that he is. Realising that if he had just top binned it, the goal would have been chalked off, he decided to blast it wide of the goal by several meters, understanding that when it pinballed in off the hapless defender it couldn't be chalked off.

The vision of that man!!!

He is playing a different game to everyone else.

30 Aug 2026 20:30:22
Some thoughts from the game.

Mainoo was awesome, the oil that keeps us purring; he looked head and shoulders above others.

Bruno continues to be a game changer, probably the best player in the EPL today.

Rashford was patchy, but at least he looked interested and committed, lots of energy and effort. It's embarrassing I have felt the need to highlight that.

Martinez splits opinion, but his passing is head and shoulders above every other CB.

Shout out to Slab Head, not world class but a committed warrior, 100% effort whatever the circumstances.

We need another Lb, although fair play to Shaw who accepted his mistake and also called out Mainoo as MOTM.



It was great to see the character we showed, a horrible loss to Hull, and then we fall behind to Ipswich, but what a reply.

It does feel like we are getting up to speed. No excuse for not being ready last week but the World Cup years are always odd. We have Baleba to come in the, right now Baleba and Mainoo feel like best combination although I think we may also play a 3 sometimes.

I stand by my view that Arsenal will win the league. Let's see how close we can get.

30 Aug 2026 21:37:52
Good job. H isn't world class, he might have put that on target.

30 Aug 2026 21:54:41
We play so much better without Bruno in the team, and create so much more when he plays further back... Apparently. ??

30 Aug 2026 22:34:44
Agreed.
Mainoo played well today.
Rashford did well - liked some of his defensive work. It was refreshing to see.
100% need a LB, but not just someone on loan, someone who can challenge Shaw.
Some of our play and interchange was really good.

30 Aug 2026 23:00:34
We played a lot better today. We were a little passive off the ball. Few standouts, Bruno 9/10, and Mainoo was close behind him. Tielemans, Cunha, and Mbeumo were all much improved, and Rashford offered a threat and worked hard.


Defence was sloppy at times, slow and passive, lacking intensity.
Tough game next week away at Everton. We will need to be better again to win away; they will not lack intensity, so we need to match them.

31 Aug 2026 04:51:33
LOL is that a suggestion that we might challenge Arsenal for the league, is that tongue in cheek, right, or as usual OTT.
We could have been 3 down at half time against Ipswich at home, like I been saying for a season we need a CB desperately, plus what everyone knows, a LB and a Striker. Take Bruno out, this team is not very good at all.
So basically it's same as last year, all relies on Bruno. Tielemans and Santos are just added bodies, I can't believe anyone thinks they are good enough or add anything to this team at a level that's required.

I am hoping Baleba does add something, but that's a fingers crossed.
Mbeumo & Cunha not strikers, clearly Rashford don't want to play there, he never liked playing CF previously and probably told Carrick so.
I'm not convinced Carrick sold on Heaven or Yoro, de Ligt always injured, nothing new there, Martinez poor CB and now looks even worse after the injuries, that leaves Maguire as our best CB.

31 Aug 2026 11:03:24
CB is not a position teenagers play in very often, so he's right not to be sold on them there to play weekly.
Both will play their squad part for another year at least.
People calling for Heaven to play regularly ahead of Martinez are stupid for wanting that, imo.


Martinez is too small for this league, imo, and will get exposed for that regularly, but he is not a poor CB in any other aspect and is very good on the ball despite yesterday's gaffe.
When fit, Martinez is not our major concern, imo.

31 Aug 2026 12:48:25
You agree, too small for the EPL, then say not a bad CB. Well, he is trying to play in the EPL, and that means aerial threat is most of the game, so that makes him a poor CB for the EPL. He ain't playing in Spain, where it's all intricate, quick play, and in my view he is still poor, as was shown yesterday for their goal, where he was too slow to turn.


Add the rash challenges and then the injuries. More often than not, that in all makes him a poor CB and can't be relied upon.

31 Aug 2026 13:00:34
Subject matter experts that pick him all disagree. Being small does not make him poor, but it's a severe weakness, imo. He is a good defender, but small. He is good on the ball.

30 Aug 2026 20:25:55
I must say Mainoo was the best player on the pitch today. Absolutely brilliant performance. But also, as I said on the live chat, I hated seeing Rashford on that pitch today. He should be nowhere near our club and I hope he's being put in the shop window before the window closes.

30 Aug 2026 21:28:11
What did Rashy do wrong in your opinion? He looked ok to me.

30 Aug 2026 22:39:49
What level of hatred is this, jfc. Get a grip.

31 Aug 2026 04:55:49
Rashford will always be the scapegoat for the usual bunch, no matter how he plays. Him & Shaw are the go-to, everything's their fault pair this year. Few on here will still bang on about Bruno being sold... There are far more problems in this team than Rashford, that's for sure...

31 Aug 2026 08:42:11
I've been pretty vocal about not wanting Rashford, but he did work for the team yesterday, which is one of the things that was previously lacking. If he keeps doing that, then it's hard to keep the negativity.

31 Aug 2026 10:12:41
People on here have a real skewered view on Rashford, but will adore past legends that did much much worse.

31 Aug 2026 12:40:17
97% Angel, so maybe you are the one with the skewed opinion. No other club wanted him for a snip of a price, so perhaps they share the skewed opinion you speak of.
Carrick's opinion is the only one that matters, he is the manager, so if he picks him then that's all that matters.
I don't like the way he carried himself at all for a very prolonged period. It's up to him to do better, and if he does, then he won't have any issues with most people, myself included.


We have fans that are not happy unless every decision the club makes aligns with their opinion. I don't subscribe to that. I'll support whomever takes the pitch.
There are dozens of players that have played for us that I don't like over the years. It's not a skewed (or skewered, if you like) opinion, it's my opinion. If he does well, everyone is a winner. If he doesn't, it's the player himself and the manager that has to take responsibility.

31 Aug 2026 12:51:10
So much of it is jealousy, and they don't like that he gets 325k per week reportedly. He lost interest under Erik ten Hag and Ralf Rangnick, but to be fair, most fans lost interest under those two. Mainoo was not busting a gut under Ralf Rangnick either, and he wanted more money, but he appears to be the darling ATM.

It's ridiculous. RedMan even said previously that Carrick should be sacked if he picks Rashford, that's how spiteful people become.

31 Aug 2026 13:10:04
Redman wanted work permits revoked wants all sorts fired does not want the owners to succeed so in turn can't be happy when the team succeed.
I don't like rashford or the way he handled himself both on and off the pitch for prolonged periods.


Who would be jealous of someone else's earnings that's simply stupid I'm not sure that comes into it at all.
People don't like him for the way he represented them as fans on the pitch i don't blame them at all for that.
But if the manager wants him and plays him that's nothing to do with me so if he plays ill support him and hope he does well.
Like I will martinez as the manager knows more than I do and any opinion I have is irrelevant amd unimportant

31 Aug 2026 21:21:34
Danny, he's just not a good footballer, and in my opinion he burnt bridges with the club, and the only reason he's playing now is because nobody wanted to pay £25m for him.

I don't care what someone earns, as it's not my money, but once you down tools and have a media campaign against the club (#freedom), there's no way back. Just my opinion, of course.

30 Aug 2026 20:16:55
My thoughts were with the two sons of PC Blades as they led out the team.

Their father would have been incredibly proud of them.

30 Aug 2026 22:37:26
Lovely touch by the club. Hopefully, something good they'll remember at a devastating time for them. ❤️

31 Aug 2026 07:24:56
Well put, Nou.