Manchester United banter 7

02 Feb 2026 09:04:14
Good win, and highlighted a couple of obvious gaps
1. Midfield quality drops massively without Casemiro. Need at least two top quality MFs this summer (assuming Ugarte goes, Mount can last half a season, Kone steps up, Bruno stays, Mainoo stays)

2. Maguire is a liability when playing a high line, which we will need to against 'lesser' teams. That said, if DeLigt is back, a quartet of Martinez, MdL, Yoro and Heaven is good for next season imo.

And as I then think of what would be a good window for us, if we can get two top CM and a top ST, while getting a lot of outgoings sorted, it'd be a good start. Defence (with the young keeper returning, and Amass / Leon stepping up) is ok, as is the wide areas and the 10s. We can be much much better with a midfield engine and a proper striker.

02 Feb 2026 10:45:17
AM2, I don't think we will be looking to spend big on another centre forward given we have just spent over £60m on Sesko, and there are so few top centre forwards available. I think we might be looking to add another versatile forward, ideally right footed, that can play on the left or through the middle however.

That would give us so many options and so much ability to change things during matches. At the moment I could see us targeting Ndiaye from Everton or Kevin Schade from Brentford, since they both fit that profile and already play in the Premier League.

That way we would we would have for example, Sesko, plus Mbeumo, Ndiaye, and Cunha who could play through the middle, potentially Zirkzee too, though I could see him leaving this summer. We would have Ndiaye and Cunha on the left, Mbeumo and Diallo on the right, plus Dorgu can obviously play on either wing. At a number 10 we would have several options in Cunha, Mount, and Diallo that would allow us to give Bruno the occasional 15 minute rest, not that he would be all that happy about coming off.

02 Feb 2026 12:25:30
I think we need at least one top class full back. Two CMs - to replace Casemiro and Ugarte. And depth in a couple of other positions.

02 Feb 2026 16:00:00
Good point Gilly. That makes sense.

DonRed - was commenting more on what I thought was the absolute minimum, wherevafter the midfield I feel a forward is more pressing than defense or depth in other places.

02 Feb 2026 17:49:08
I said many many times Deligt just can’t be relied on, too injury prone I was shot down by usual suspects, but what’s he been injured now 2 months, he never ever plays any decent percentage of games per season and now in a more physical league, Yoro just not good enough unfortunately and when I said Ugarte was rubbish the usual suspects were off again, how’s that worked out.
Apart from Bruno CASS Always been our best midfielder and many doubted him…. Once he went off yesterday we were poor

But what’s I must add, it’s surprising what a half decent manager can do with even our existing players, just shows how poor RA really was and had 14 months, far too long. await incoming! But facts speak for themselves.

02 Feb 2026 18:28:50
We are short a midfielder before anyone leaves. So if 2 leave we need 3 first team quality CMs. Plus youth to develop in the cup games (Kone? Fletchers)

02 Feb 2026 18:40:47
Midfield is priority. CAS going, Ugarte needs to be sold. 2 incomings

Lifting the quality of the starting FBs is second priority. Dalot and Shaw are not good enough, neither is Mazraoui or malacia. This needs attention. RB might be okay for another season as we have 4 highly rated RBs coming through (Leon, overy, kamason and helafu), so if they opted to offload Dalot or Mazraoui we have cover. LB is a serious problem, namely Shaw is in decline and post WC he has nothing to aim for, Amass is simply not good enough and needs a move permanently. What else do we have.?
Addressing the constantly injured or not suited

CB is third priority (you highlight Maguire as not quick enough, this was very very clear against Fulham, why he started I'll never know) hopefully Carrick learns from that and gives Heaven or Yoro a run out next time.
MDL is in need of a new home, too injury prone, same as Mount, time to move them on and be ruthless this summer.

Not worried about 10's wide players or strikes this summer as we have quality and players comj g through (Obi, Lacey and crew) would be concerned if we aren't moving on the likes of Zirkzee and Mount.

02 Feb 2026 18:48:36
Maguires performances against Arsenal and City justified his selection against Fulham.

We all know that he struggles playing a high line, but Utd have played far better having him in defence. Yoro has been off form and Heaven has played quite well.

Martinez was an absolute beast against Fulham.

02 Feb 2026 19:10:51
De Ligt starts for us when fit. He and Licha are by far our top CBs but his injury record is a concern. I'd stop a long way off off moving him on. I'm also perplexed at anyone writing Yoro off. He's 20 years old. Cop on a bit. He's still learning the game but has plenty of ability and shows he wants to learn.

I don't think CB is a priority position but our top 2 players have patchy injury records and Yoro and Heaven are young. It's unclear if Maguire will be here next year.

02 Feb 2026 20:34:54
Martinez is not a great CB either, ok he had couple of good games and decent on the ball but slows to snails pace with the ball if you watch him closer he is ok but not for a team who wants to win EPL in coming years, DeLigt waste of time McGuire still our best that shows how bad our CBs are
Overpaid massively on Yoro he shown nothing
Forwards and 10s ok lots of choices still could do with experienced striker.
Need number 2 keeper to push Lammens on

All you who call for Dalot to be gone did you see how poor Mazzaroui was when he came on against Fulham, that’s why Dalot is always in

Still a lot to do with this team/squad, but least something to cheer about in interim with clown RA gone, shame he did not take Ugarte with him.

02 Feb 2026 23:50:17
Jimbo, we can't be selling/losing Zirkzee, Mount, Ugarte, Casemiro, De Ligt, Maguire, and Yoro plus potentially 1 or 2 full backs in one window. We already lack depth in several positions, and we will (hopefully) be playing a lot more football next season.

I suspect we will sell Ugarte, though he might be kept as fourth choice to save some cash until next summer, and I think we will also look to sell Zirkzee. We will be losing Casemiro obviously, so whatever happens with Ugarte we will surely be looking to sign at least two central midfielders already, plus another forward and another defender than can ideally play several positions. That is already 4 new signings, with only 3 players in the current squad leaving plus those that are currently out on loan.

With that in mind, we can't afford to lose more than 1 or 2 more this summer since it will cost an absurd amount to put together a big enough squad to compete across 4 competitions next season. Depth is so important now so I think Mount, De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw, Dalot, Mazraoui will all stay at least another season, before we look to replace 3 or 4 the following summer.

03 Feb 2026 05:11:54
Gilly, I haven't mentioned Yoro going, he stays for me, but the rest absolutely need to go, for reasons mentioned. They are either:
Not good enough
Always injured
Don't want to be here
Leaving on a free

If we are not ruthless with these players, we will be bent over again and again.

Whoever said Maguire's performance against arsenal and city justified his selection is highlighting our problem as a club. You pick the best team to get you over the line.

It was asked pre game what Carrick should do. Two things were highlighted. 1. Cunha in for Dorgu, that worked and 2. Drop Maguire for probably Heaven.

We make it seem so simple to run this club, but I don't think it is too hard to select your best team to face an opponent. It is a squad game.

03 Feb 2026 05:44:28
German, even when we win you are Mr Negative! Yoro is 20 . De Ligt was our best defender until he got injured. Cunha, Brumo and Mbuemo "ok"? lol.

03 Feb 2026 08:22:24
Maze is a troll Redpaul. Best to ignore.

03 Feb 2026 08:38:33
Reality is that we have too many areas that either need upgrading or back up support and with a view that the club is aiming for the Premier League in the 27/28 season (thats not to say the club will not aim for this next year) we realistically have 2 summer windows.

I would expect the CB's to remain next year with Maguire getting an extension, this should give us enough cover and a unit to cope with cups as well as league assuming no major injuries. Heaven and Yoro could develop over the season especially growing physically.

Depending on the managers view of Dorgi I would expect us to bring in a full back with the aim to take over/offer cover for Shaw as he will need to have game time managed in a full season. Whilst I would like an upgrade on Dalot it maybe we have too many holes elsewhere to fill.

Midfield will need to bring in a replacement for Casimero, an upgrade on Ugarte with both leaving as well as an additional midfielder to give depth. Alongside Mainoo would increase high level competition

Attackers behind the striker will be interesting depending on what happens with Fernandes, if he stays we probably have enough with the players we have especially if Dorgi is viewed as an attacker. If not then maybe a left winger is looked at.

Striker position will need extra support especially as I expect Zirkzee to move on, whether we can bring someone through from the youth team or look at a low cost option from a premier league team as cover (Mateta at palace may be an option with his transfer falling through yesterday) .

The remaining upgrades can come in the summer of 2027 to round out the team especially if we have seen some success next year.

03 Feb 2026 10:36:48
Jimbo, can't get behind any of that. Drop Maguire for heaven?

03 Feb 2026 11:23:39
Don,

As much as I enjoy giving it to him I am enjoying everyone just ignoring it.

03 Feb 2026 15:50:41
lol…. Ignore someone who is more right than wrong at your peril
No one said Deligt is not a good defender WHEN FIT but that’s the problem he gets injured so much and always never a week or two that’s been the problem all career.
I would prefer him being CB compared to Martinez, Yoro or Heavan 100% but he is injured far too much for a youngish man and now in physical league will only get worse!
Maybe just for you GDS will list what been correct on, Ugarte Amorim, Yoro, Rasmus, Garnacho, Antony Onana, and before you jump on it, that was when you thought they were all fantastic

Even one of the Ed’s the other day said Martinez is poor CB, did not see you pile in on him.

You seem to have selective vision and hearing I am sure there is a medicine for that.

03 Feb 2026 19:08:55
Angel, I'm not saying Maguire wasn't the right choice for the likes of city and arsenal, if the cattle available for those games, Carrick nailed his selection. All I am saying, and I replied to someone's post pre game when we learned of Dorgu's injury asking about what changes were needed, is that for teams like Fulham, Spurs etc swapping out Maguire for a more mobile CB would be my direction.

I feel Heaven is actually ahead of Yoro currently, so he gets the nod in these situations. Maguire was exposed against Fulham, you cannot argue that. So would you persevere again with Maguire against? We had season after season of his howlers in these situations.

I will repeat what I have said before, I have been one of his biggest critics, but the way he has come back is elite mentality, something I have also said we are lacking, to that point I would not be against him having a rolling extension. BUT. he should not play in the games where he is exposed as a weak ess in the team. On the bench for Matchday to provide experience etc, absolutely.

What is you solution for this glaring weakness?

04 Feb 2026 07:18:38
Nobody has ‘piled on’ though have they, they’ve just ignored you and it’s hilarious.

02 Feb 2026 07:29:06
Seriously hope these rumours about Carrick wanting Rashford back are just that. Rumours.

02 Feb 2026 08:46:43
Personally do not think he fits into the model that we are moving towards wages/profile wise. I also think the decision has already been made for him to move on, he wants to stay where he is and we have to just make the deal happen without getting bent over by them.

02 Feb 2026 11:03:27
Wouldn't touch him.

02 Feb 2026 11:14:07
I love the story just to ensure Barcelona aren't still trying to take him on the cheap which they were angling for. This will shut them up and get them to pay up. I wouldn't let Rashford within 100 miles of our squad.

Once a player proves they're a toxic influence tk suit themselves they already showed they are deeply dangerous to the around. Its a firm Foxtrot Oscar from me.

02 Feb 2026 15:00:57
I'm not sure Rashford is looking at United and wanting to come back to be honest, the familiar faces he surrounded himself with have gone, he wouldn't be coming in as a starter and would be competing with Sesko, Mbuemo, Cunha, Dorgu and Diallo for 1 of the 3 positions and honestly, I think the majority would agree, at this point his is behind all 5.

Best for all parties that he stays away and shouldn't even be considered. Honestly, I hate Barcelona trying to get a cheap deal but for the sake of moving him on I'd take whatever they offer and just move on.

02 Feb 2026 17:50:48
No he shouldn’t come back, but to say in football ability he is behind that 5 is laughable…. Just lost his way for whatever reason. who knows.

02 Feb 2026 18:44:12
So at this point as I said, you’d have him in our team ahead of them?

02 Feb 2026 21:45:18
I’d have him in the squad 110%. Always maintained he should come back. Forgive and forget and move on. He’d complete our forward line as a right footed option who can play across the front 3 and has a goal in him.

Anyway won’t happen so a pointless debate.

02 Feb 2026 22:32:26
Forgive and forget what? That he put no effort in for 2 years after getting a huge new contract? I will not be forgiving or forgetting and do not want him back.

{Ed025's Note - i dont blame you GDS..

02 Feb 2026 23:57:25
Seconded GDS, I certainly won't be forgiving. That said I will wish him well in his next move and will always try to remember the highs more than the lows. He was always inconsistent but certainly produced some magic over the years. Shame since he has all the talent to be world class if he had the drive that others possess.

02 Feb 2026 07:39:04
{Ed's Note - LAUDRUPHAGI has posted a new article entitled, Why Rangers' Window Feels Like Proper Squad Building

01 Feb 2026 22:02:35
I was very much on the fence where Amorim was concerned. If I was pushed I would have said give him a little more time to show his ideas had some merit.

However it cannot be denied that he was killing Bruno positionally and that was clear to even the most ardent Ruben supporter. Mainoo was on the fringes and almost certainly gone. The mood around the club was one like I have rarely seen in nearly 60 years as a supporter. Possibly only matched to the relegation year.

Switch to the current day. Sure the result could have gone against us but the atmosphere is palpable and the exact opposite to the Amorim period, particularly the last few months. Bruno is back to his old self on the park, albeit still a whinger! Mainoo is all smiles and the team having fun it seems.

Early days I know. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and yes it’s a long term project as we are weekly reminded by the usual suspects.

But the question is…. Was Amorim actually hurting the club with his stubbornness as opposed to taking it in the right direction? In my opinion and in hindsight, yes.

Was he the right man longer term?
Personally I now don’t think he was and getting rid when they did was in the clubs best interest.

Hard to use the league position as a true measure. It’s a strange old season so far. But you can only beat what’s in front of you.

Going to be an interesting ride over the next 6 months! All aboard!

02 Feb 2026 03:51:26
It's certainly going to be a ride. There will be highs and lows I'm sure. The four first team players we brought in during the summer have levelled up our attack. I know the the jury is out for some on Sesko but I have faith in him. If we invest to the same level in midfield this summer then we will be in a good place next season.

Amorim has gone and hopefully the storm went with him. He said the good times are coming and now they're here. with Carrick, you knoooooowwwww!

02 Feb 2026 08:54:28
I was definitely an Amorim supporter, I agreed with a lot of what he said about the club/players etc. I also believe that if he had been given more time and another summer winder we would have seen further improvement and a champions leage run next year.
I do not believe he was given the best chance with the squad that we have for the style of play he wanted to play.

I think he would have been given at least a few more months has it not got so toxic relationship wise.

All that being said, I am not sure whether many clubs would have giben him as much time as we did and aside from the end the support. He also did not help himself with the lack of flexibility and any time he did and it looked like it would work then instantly flex back to his style to not allow for the alternative to work.

He will go on to be a success somewhere else and hopefully we will have that here too with whoever the next permanent is. The model is built to allow for these manager changes without too many issues.

02 Feb 2026 17:54:17
All he was good at is press conferences not one player in 14 months progressed, the results speak for themselves, very poor naive manager and probably the worst in game management I have seen in the EPL.

01 Feb 2026 20:22:34
What do you think of Lammens so far Ed001? Had someone say he hasn't kept many clean sheets but seems to concede some absolute screamers most week.

{Ed001's Note - he looks decent so far. Not done anything special yet but it is early days. He hasn't made any bad errors that I can think of either. Looks a good, solid all-round keeper.}

01 Feb 2026 21:14:43
I think he’s quietly been pretty good, hasn’t really made any errors leading to goals, has let a couple in that he maybe should have saved but that’s the same for all keepers. Compared to Onana he’s Schmeichel + Van Der Sar.

01 Feb 2026 22:10:36
The thing I’d like to see him work on is his aggression coming for crosses.

The goal against Arsenal was a classic example of a keeper being too meek. He tried to come for the ball, was bullied by opposition players in the box, and got nowhere near the corner, resulting in a goal. If you’re going to come for a cross, you need to drive through the mill of players and make sure you get it. There’s no point in half measures, you either use aggression to get to the ball, or stay on your line. He’s a big lad, he has the strength to push through players, but needs to use the force required to do it.

In general, I think more keepers need to do this against Arsenal. Their setpiece strategy is to put a wall of players in front of the keeper. Keepers can use their hands and shouldn’t be allowing anyone else to control the box. Maybe a few fist first charges for the ball might make Arsenal lads think twice about blocking off keepers.

01 Feb 2026 22:22:31
He is very solid. Some good reaction saves, good work on crosses - except when he is very badly crowded. Plays well from back generally except that one mistake when he made a recovery save.

What a difference he has made. Very happy with him as the choice. He will keep developing and looks like someone favel and co has got right.

02 Feb 2026 03:10:34
He is the signing of the summer IMO. He stabilises the back line, whatever the formation.

Imagine if we could have somehow let Ugarte go, and brought in say a Gallagher and Neves for a combined net outlay of circa 20m. we would have improved our midfield cattle, added another option and released the Bruno shackle to play him away from. the No8 role.

Our midfield is crap, even now. Watch against Fulham, we are tore to pieces too often.

02 Feb 2026 12:48:55
I think he’s an Ok keeper. He’s still young so plenty of room for growth. There’s been a few times he’s been beaten by curling shots from the corner of the box. He could either be unlucky or needs to work on his positioning, not sure which.

However, he can easily be classed as a great signing if for nothing else he’s stopped the constant worry and talk about a dodgy keeper that makes so many mistakes.

02 Feb 2026 17:56:22
He is Average EPL keeper we think he so good because look what he followed but TBF he handled the pressure well at a young age coming to United as number 1, so with some decent coaching and willing to learn he could progress rapidly but we seriously need a good number 2 to push him on.

02 Feb 2026 19:43:50
Hes been okay so far, haven't really made a mistake just feel a top keeper would save some of the goals he has conceded. Still youngish that he could improve.

01 Feb 2026 17:40:00
An almost all too familiar experience today, giving up a "safe" lead. But the reaction this time was to go down and score another.

Perhaps Villa are starting to feel the weight of being required to play so much football. All of a sudden they look within range of us, Chelsea and Liverpool, both of which looked very good this weekend, if only for the second half in Chelsea's case. So, let's hope we can keep it going. We need to beat Spurs next weekend. Watching them against City they look lifeless.

Back to today's game. Fulham played excellent football at times. I thought we were marginally the better side but also that we were lucky to not concede more. Lammens had another good game. No chance with either goal and had some excellent reaction saves. It brings up a question. If Carrick doesn't get the job would you consider Marco Silva as a good replacement?

01 Feb 2026 19:02:11
Some people just work in certain environments. I’m a huge fan of Silva’s work at Fulham, but he’s exactly where he should be and sign a new deal there.

01 Feb 2026 16:44:11
Another good battling win for Michael Carrick but our quality in midfield really drops off when casemiro goes off ugarte is way off it.

01 Feb 2026 17:34:19
Raging i missed it. saw we were 2 up then didn't see result till i got to car. Great finish to the game i'd say. Big will. Roll on next week.

01 Feb 2026 18:16:29
Conner Gallagher was the guy we needed this Jan to add to squad depth.

Firstly, I realize it was probably not an option. Because he possibly wanted guarantees to start. And we are not able to give him that guarantee.

But this guy has all the minerals we need as a casemiro replacement. He can play defensive, but also has legs, can pass. But also could come on for kobbie or wider on the wing. Very good player who was available who can impact the team in many ways as we hunt for UCL spot.

If we finish this window without a center mid signing it is madness. Kobbie not ready to guarantee 90 mins every game without injury or drop off. Casemiro is a 70 min player who will leave in the summer. Ugarte is way off the level required and not good enough to be a starter.

So we would need possibly 3 center mids this year, possibly even 4. Not sure anyone from youth is ready. Kobbie, whilst a good player, should not be 1 of 3 players. We need 4 strong center mids plus maybe Kone from youth to develop for future.

01 Feb 2026 19:05:45
I wonder if Mount could play that No8 role when Cas moves on? He’s got the engine for it (if fit), and technical nous to play it?

01 Feb 2026 19:44:48
Eric I think Mount could fill in as a sub option but he's not suited to no.8. He's the extra midfield support player. Maybe out left against big teams. But tbh I think pushing Bruno further up means we'll see very little of Mount. Mainoo's problem has become Mount's! If Bruno stays this summer, I wouldn't be surprised if we sell Mount.

01 Feb 2026 20:17:52
If mount can stay fit, he can grab a spot on the bench, that's it. Rather he got fit and was transferred.

01 Feb 2026 20:36:34
Mount was injured again today. Dorgu out injured and he has a chance to play and is unavailable.

Bruno was injured and mount was injured and unavailable.

The guy is just to fragile and can't be relied on. Can't build a team around players who can't stay fit. We have suffered at leftback because we think shaw will come back and play (keep buying cheap stop gaps) . I worry about Martinez, who is a baller on the ball, but injuries have been a problem for 2 seasons.

I don't think mount can play CM as he is made of glass but also doesn't have the physicality to win the fight in there. He is a good presser who tends to nick the ball away and closes from intelligent angles. But never struck me as a good 8.

01 Feb 2026 07:39:04
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, The Dalot Dilemma: Why United Should Keep Their Reliable Right-Back

01 Feb 2026 09:36:46
He is reliable alright. Reliably poor that is ;)

01 Feb 2026 09:44:26
I think his versatilty as either a back-up left or rightback makes him a useful option to keep around. But that's his only redeeming quality, he doesn't get anywhere near a starting XI IMO and a link to Real Madrid is amusing. I think if I was TTA I'd be quite offended.

01 Feb 2026 11:51:33
I've been exasperated like the rest of us with Dalot from time to time but unless it's a significant offer (i. e £30m+) I'd keep him. He's a decent FB, but he lacks the first touch, crossing capability and concentration to play the hybrid role Amorim was demanding of him. He's played really well in the last two games when his role has been restricted and the coaching instruction has been quite clear. His financial cost is modest, salary only.

Replacing him with the quality of left back that the critics would consider an improvement will result in a substantial yearly cost uplift from £3.5m to £10m+. Good back up/alternate to both Shaw and Mazraoui. United's priorities should be replacing Casemiro, Ugarte and Zirkzee. Only after that would I be looking to replace Dalot. If we get into the ECL we'll need a greater squad depth. even mope reason to keep him.

01 Feb 2026 13:56:08
Said it many times. He seems live a lovely lad, proper pro and you can tell he 'gets' Utd.

But I think it's a symbol of the club's decline over the years, that he's got so much game time.

01 Feb 2026 18:21:43
Shaw and dalot are both poor tbh. But both playing better last 3 games, particularly at passing in triangles on each side of pitch. This ball retention play has been a big part of how we have won 3 in a row.

If every year was a world cup year, imagine how good Luke Shaw would have been.

01 Feb 2026 19:31:53
NouCamp, absolutely agree with your first statement. He's been a top professional ever since he arrived, never once caused any controversy, he clearly loves the club, and he's also clearly a popular player in that squad. And having met him a couple times, he seems a really decent bloke too.

That said, I think your next statement is a touch harsh, he's a solid squad player, not spectacular, and makes the odd howler, but he's good enough to compete with first choice for that role with Mazraoui, another 'solid but not spectacular' player. Given how many players we have had in the last few years that have been leaking stuff to the press, complaining about the club or the coach, and generally not really giving a toss, Dalot wouldn't be anywhere near the chopping block this summer for my money.

31 Jan 2026 06:48:36
The good thing about our game against Fulham is that we will be unpredictable because our shape completely changes with the absence of dorgu. And if we were to use say Mount in that position it won't be the same tactics. Hopefully we can make that difference count. We need nothing less than a win against Fulham.

31 Jan 2026 09:35:36
Historically these are the games we have struggled in, Fulham are in good form, so I don’t expect us to walk over them.

31 Jan 2026 11:34:39
While it is never good to lose a player to injury, it does remove the temptation to stick with the same team.

You'd imagine Fulham will set up very differently to both City and Arsenal who due to them challenging for the title (and Arsenal playing at home) had to come out and try to beat us and play more on the front foot. Leaving more space in behind for a player like Dorgu to take advantage of it.

While Fulham will probably be more cautious, play a little deeper, with more men behind the ball and less space for a player like Dorgu to take advantage of. It actually looks like a game that would suit either Mount and his intelligent use of space and passing, or Cunha and his direct dribbling to break them down.

Personally I'd be inclined to start Mount if he's available then bring Cunha on in the second half against tiring legs where his direct running will cause more problems.

31 Jan 2026 17:41:17
I’m still recovering from Moyes vs Fulham.

31 Jan 2026 21:46:56
250 crosses into the box at last that game Utd Road!

31 Jan 2026 07:39:05
{Ed's Note - Madman has posted a new article entitled, Wolves January Window and Championship Planning Concerns