Manchester United banter 8

15 Aug 2026 17:31:42
Pretty bad performance against Milan. Very sloppy. This was against a Milan team under Amorim that hasn’t won a pre season game. A Milan team that Chelsea best 3-0.

I know it’s only pre season, and the result doesn’t really matter. But this is likely the team to start the season, and they created very little and gave up lots of chances.



I’m hopeful it’s just a blip, and once the game means something, they will turn it on.

But one thing is for sure, Luke Shaw is a liability at defending!

15 Aug 2026 17:49:19
He has been for years.

16 Aug 2026 03:47:03
He rarely steps over the halfway line, so he's a liability attacking as well.

15 Aug 2026 10:52:57
Let's mix things up a little from the transfer talk and discuss how this team that Carrick is building might actually look/play on a regular basis.

For example, lots of us (myself included) feel we need another midfielder, but who should be out starting midfield and why?

I get that it's a squad game, but ultimately a regular first 11 always emerges with them playing 80-90% of the time (certainly in the meaningful games when available).

So we currently have Mainoo, Tielemans, Santos, and Mount (technically we have Ugarte but he will be out for most of the season).

For me the only one I think will be almost nailed on to start regularly is Andrey Santos. Which given that Tielemans is such a big signing for us and Mainoo is our star midfielder might seem a little odd. Yet for me he is the one who has a totally unique skillset that cannot be replicated or covered for by the the others.

He alone is a natural No.6, a defensive midfielder who can shield the back four and play out consistently from the back. He is also the only one who you can't question his mobility and work rate. Without him I think every other possible combination looks a little lightweight, and lacking natural defensive awareness.



Which means our midfield will likely depend on who we pair with him, will it be Mainoo or Tielemans.

Obviously both will play, but who will start more often than not?

Most of us who want another midfielder signed also wanted Mainoo to be starting more last season. Yet even without another signing it looks like Mainoo will face a tougher fight for first team football this season.

Personally I'm torn, I want to see Mainoo play, but I know that right now Tielemans is the better player of the two, and why sign a 29 year old in their peak only to bench them for a 21 year old. Also is it sensible to have a midfield made up of a 22 and 21 year old, especially if we are likely to have at least one 20/19 year old at CB behind them. That's a real lack of experience right through the spine (especially when you consider that Lammens only has one season of top level league experience, and Sesko is going to be the starting striker).

So who do you think will be the regular starting midfield duo, and why?

15 Aug 2026 12:44:28
Good question. Mainoo is no doubt talented, he really, really needs to increase his defensive output, he's bottom 40% for duels won and possession won. He's bottom 20% for progressive passes completed.

You would imagine it will be Santos and one of Tielemans or Mainoo, depending on the opposition.

Santos and Tielemans are much more balanced, and we are, however, lacking a left-footed midfielder.

I like the idea of Lewis-Skelly coming in, he's got everything we need. I'm not sure the club will spend that kind of money though.

15 Aug 2026 13:13:27
The advantage of Lewis-Skelly would be he kills two birds with one stone, covering both midfield and left-back.

But, he'd be an expensive addition to be a modern-day John O'Shea.

15 Aug 2026 14:05:57
Only 3 Arsenal players started 80% of their games last season.
Most players don't start more than 40 games a season.

15 Aug 2026 08:33:00
Saturday quiz for you.

Most appearances for United
Of the top 10, only 1 is not British or Irish, who is it?

Most goals for United
Of the top 10, only 1 is not British or Irish, who is it?

15 Aug 2026 09:28:44
I would guess DDG for appearances. No idea for goals, drawing a blank on that one.

15 Aug 2026 09:57:25
DB

DDG, great shout.
Goals - I'm going to say Cantona.

15 Aug 2026 09:58:15
Ruud for goals.

15 Aug 2026 10:36:40
Yeah, I'd go with DDG and RvN.

15 Aug 2026 10:42:39
De Gea and Yorke.

14 Aug 2026 21:47:44
The club have confirmed that Ethan Williams has completed his transfer to Peterborough.

Transfer fee apparently just under a million pounds. Wish him well.

14 Aug 2026 16:41:02
We still have 2 1/2 weeks to go in the window. The club's net spend over the summer is £30m. Sure, it wasn't the household names everyone was getting excited about, but we have still made 2 very decent midfield signings. I also think that Carrick sees Mount, when he's fit, as an additional midfielder.

Obviously the new management team quite rightly wants to establish a more sustainable wages model and more effective transfer policy. Everyone keeps going on about the debt but both Chelsea and Spurs (largely stadium) have high debt to revenues ratios, especially since neither of them have European football this coming season. United should bring in close to £800m in 2025/6. Despite the debt, the club has bags of room to jump in during the next couple of weeks and make a couple of significant purchases. Let's see if they do.



As far as the current squad is concerned, I can see us being a lot more progressive than we have been since before the Moyes era. Tielemans, Santos and Martinez are all good passers and can break defensive lines. They offer a different types of threat to Bruno. We should be much faster attacking the low press. Mbuemo could have a real breakout season, both he and Rashford can run in behind. We have plenty goal scoring threats with Rashford (if he stays), Mbuemo, Cunha, Amad, Dorgu (clearly capable of the odd worldy), Tielemans, Bruno and Sesko.

So, in all, I think the squad has already been improved from last year and the club still has plenty room to improve it further if any of their targets becomes available in the next couple of weeks, whether or not Rashford and/or Zirkzee can be found a home.

14 Aug 2026 18:30:26
A £30m net spend for a team that claims to have ambitions to win titles is not particularly encouraging, whatever way you want to dress it up.

The squad is arguably better than last season. Although Casemiro was key to us finishing 3rd. However, the biggest difference this season is that we will hopefully be playing twice as many games. Carrick has been able to play his best 11 in every game since he took charge. He won't be able to do that anymore, and that requires a dependable squad. I don't think we have enough depth without further incomings.

CM - Mount is not a reliable option. His injury record speaks for itself. That leaves us with 3 first team midfielders.

That's not enough for a top side.

LB - Shaw played every league game last season. Even if he doesn't get injured, he needs backup. Dorgu is not a defender and Amass isn't ready.

ST - Sesko is our only outright striker. Zirkzee isn't an option. Mbuemo can fill in, in a pinch, and Rashford isn't the answer. We can't be going into a season like that.

The closer to the deadline, the more power selling clubs have. Good players at discount prices don't just materialise out of thin air at the deadline. That's why clubs try to do their business early. The club has placed itself in a position where it could end up panic buying, or heading into the season with glaring holes in the squad.

14 Aug 2026 21:26:33
Interesting snippet from Chat GPT on our transfers so far.

"With Champions League football back, United shouldn't be shopping like a club trying to sneak into sixth place.

My biggest criticism of the current regime: they're becoming very good at finding reasons not to spend rather than finding the two or three players who genuinely move United towards competing with Arsenal and City."

14 Aug 2026 23:25:12
Danny, I made a case for them being able to spend significantly over the next couple of weeks, should appropriate targets come available. I also said that I thought the squad had been somewhat improved already.

As far as transfers go, I'm reserving judgment until after the window closes. Whatever happens in the final couple of weeks, in the end the club and Carrick will be judged on the only criterion that really matters: results.

14 Aug 2026 16:40:12
Good interview with Tielemans.
Spoke highly of Rashford from his time with him at Villa.
I like his demeanor, so positive and calm.
Taking on board what Evans said about him, I think he will be a very positive influence both on and off the pitch.


Some signings go on to surprise you and turn it to be great value in more ways than one. I'm very hopeful that he will be one of those where the sum of his parts will make him very important and influential.

15 Aug 2026 09:40:27
I know it's only pre-season, but he and Bruno already look to have struck up a good partnership.

15 Aug 2026 10:37:52
He looks like he will be a good signing, if only 13 years too late for poor Ronnie. ?

14 Aug 2026 16:18:53
No Sesko or Mount involved this weekend.
Sesko will have to play his way to fitness after season starts. It's a pity this injury seems to be dragging on for Sesko.
Mount must have broken another toenail.

14 Aug 2026 19:20:12
Further proof that Mount can't be relied upon, and we need another midfield signing. Those bigging him up a few games ago can see now why it just won't work with him. The best ability is availability and all that!

14 Aug 2026 20:04:59
He was being 'bigged up' because of his performances.

He was playing very well and those saying it all added a proviso, as to his reliability with regard to fitness.

He probably will not be available at a sufficiently satisfactory level, but he can still play a part.

Let's not forget he is out of action at the moment because of a foul committed upon him, and not because of his body giving out.



We still do need an additional midfielder, as we have done all summer. Rumour has it that Brighton are prepared to accept £65m for Baleba, if true, I think we should be all over it. Although he seemingly has an ankle problem and will not be available for the start of the season.

14 Aug 2026 20:39:39
Iwotb,

The problem is that in football you get fouls committed on you. Do you think Bruno doesn't get any fouls on him, and that is why he's always fit? No, he just gets up and gets on with it.

Mount gets a kick and he's out for 4 weeks. Martial was the same. They have to be 100% to play, when some players are desperate to play even at 80%.

14 Aug 2026 21:26:23
Gds, Of course you get fouls committed on you, but they clearly can vary in severity.

Using Bruno as a litmus test is hardly a fair comparison, as we know he is freakish in his appearance stats. Plenty of players miss games following this kind of incident.



Also, we do not know the severity (or otherwise) of his condition. It may well be a case of just showing extreme caution, knowing his history, as it is a friendly match, and, of course, the new season is almost upon us.

14 Aug 2026 23:21:21
I like Mount. He seems like a decent guy; he was good at Chelsea. But I never quite got why we signed him. It wasn't as if he was cheap, about 60 million. He plays the position we have Bruno playing in, they can't play together, bit like Gerrard and Lampard for England.

I hope he does get fit and stays fit, and he can play a big part, but I think, like someone said above, he has to be 100% to play and that is a weakness you can't overcome. If I couldn't work every time I had an ache or pain, I may as well retire now. ?

14 Aug 2026 12:31:10.
A week tomorrow our team step out to play our first game of the 26/27 season.

Any new player needs to be integrated so it is becoming less likely they would play as every hour passes.

They installed Carrick, who many wondered whether was the choice because he would accept whatever the owners delivered. Now even he is asking for two more players, albeit nicely.

I saw it reported that even without the net spend figure, the actual spend was below Ipswich and Coventry. It’s starting to become embarrassing.

There again it’s difficult when the spec for recruitment is a top class Premier League proven player that can play LB, CM and ST. Wages must be low and the cost must be less than £60M paid on instalments.

14 Aug 2026 12:42:40
I read the first line, Red Man, and I knew it would be you, highlighting the lack of spend.

I don't disagree with you, but you really don't need to tell us every other day, it's starting to sound like a fixation. Other big clubs are also slow to get going, there's plenty to happen between now and the end of August.

14 Aug 2026 13:13:59
Let him moan away. It gives most of us a little giggle every day, waiting to see moan of the day. Unfortunately, it's just the same old crap, regurgitated to look a little different.
If I had my way id buy the house either side of him, and let Joel rent one and give the other one to Avram.

Really is so funny. ??

14 Aug 2026 13:17:35
Red Man, just chill out, fella. Take a break off monitoring it and come back at the end of the window. It's just rinse and repeat at this stage. What are you expecting? The same people will agree with you that we're incompetent and fecked, and the same people (me in that group) will point out that we've done really good business already, that the window is not closed yet and that there are still indications from Carrick and Wilcox that more will be done.

14 Aug 2026 13:33:35
Sorry, one must not criticise our beloved owners, or flag that it takes time to integrate players, and, given every point is vital, that we are in effect taking Hull and Ipswich for granted. Or that Carrick is being sent into the start of the season without the strength even he is asking for.

The owners would like silence.

14 Aug 2026 14:31:03
Great observation. I think I'll let Carrick worry about that one. Seems like a happy chappy to me.
He has said he would like a couple more. Let's see if he gets them.
My, oh my, deadline day would be quiet every year if everybody did their business early.

But that's never happened. Arsenal made 5 signings on deadline day last year; they integrated well, didn't they? Duh.

14 Aug 2026 15:29:20
Better to put pressure on the club now than moan once the window is shut. Relax, fellas, we have not done enough business yet and it is okay to bring it up on a rumours page.

14 Aug 2026 15:44:24
Ok, you're free to do what you like, but it strikes me as extreme hubris to imagine that these posts put any pressure on the club whatsoever.

14 Aug 2026 23:09:05
No amount of griping is going to change the club's mindset. Certainly, they are not looking at this site and going into work the next day and changing it because a few of us soccer "experts" disagree how they are going about the transfer window.

Similarly, not one of us truly knows what they are doing and who may or may not be in their sights.



Have they signed enough by this stage? Probably not.
Am I personally happy about it? Definitely not the window I was hoping for. But until it's closed, I shall sit and wait patiently.

But we cannot judge them at this stage. Let the process take its course and have a whinge when it hasn't worked and not before it has a chance.

Wine, cheese, relax, repeat!

14 Aug 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - phil_LFC has posted a new article entitled, Aroujo to Liverpool: What He Adds and What Worries Me

14 Aug 2026 13:30:29
I read about him taking leave because of depression. I have to say that it's a really good sign for anyone to seek help, and that a professional athlete doing so - given all the pressures to present yourself in a certain way - helps to normalise this. This guy was called out as a leader, and this is another good example of it.

13 Aug 2026 16:51:42
It seems there's a shared feeling we probably need another number 9. What type of profile would people go for (experienced first choice with Sesko backup, experienced backup for Sesko, young etc) and who?

Realistic options only.

13 Aug 2026 17:22:23
Personally think Welbeck would have been a great choice at the cheaper end, but I'd say, for me, Ollie Watkins.
We could realistically play 60 games next season, so there would be plenty of minutes on offer.

13 Aug 2026 17:24:07
If Rashford doesn't leave, it's hard to see another forward coming in.
If he does leave, then we need a 2nd striker, as you say.
I'm not bothered who it is. Carrick and the DOF will have their own ideas.
I think Sesko will be 1st choice, so we need someone to step in and share the load with him.

13 Aug 2026 17:53:46
I would have liked Kroupi, but it's clear we are not that ambitious, and he has an injury. Watkins would be good.
Wouldn't surprise me to see a loan like Jackson from Chelsea.

13 Aug 2026 18:02:51
Well, Jackson has scored more goals than Kroupi, so not a bad shout.

13 Aug 2026 19:57:14
I'd go in for Mateta. His contract expires in 2027, I think. Not a bad back up if the price wasn't too high.

13 Aug 2026 23:38:20
Get Endrick in, on loan, from Real Madrid.

14 Aug 2026 09:32:38
We do need at least one more striker, 2 would be great, and with experience.

We will never win the prem again without more fire power, and Sesko seems a bit injury prone to me. I'd be looking at Watkins, Tony, Thiago and others.

Just look back to our prem winning era, and we had top top strikers, they were the jewel in Fergie's crown.



They do tend to cost, but if you want the trappings of success, then you need to show ambition and spend. I very much doubt the rat will, he'll be stuck in his bargain basement.

14 Aug 2026 10:16:13
Jrred

When successful, we had four central strikers. Now we have one. It looks like they are trying to fudge it with wide forwards, so they don't have to spend.
We must get another centre forward.

14 Aug 2026 11:17:28
I would be surprised if any attacking player comes in if Rashford stays.

14 Aug 2026 11:48:25
Agree spenno, but I really hope he doesn't.

14 Aug 2026 12:06:03
Mbeumo will be our striker to start.

Him and Sesko will rotate, along with Amad and Mbeumo for RW, then you have Lacey also for the right, Dorgu and Cunha left side, and then Rashford can play LW/ST if needed, and you also have Zirzkee who can play there.

I dont think we will get a striker; main concern is a LB and another CM.

They must not trust Amas to play as back up to Shaw, and, tbf, in that second half against Leeds we look very poor on that side.



I still think defensively we will struggle, de Ligt and Martinez cannot be trusted to have a season playing with no injuries, Maguire is not good enough and the two others are kids.

RB is also a concern; neither Dalot or Maz are good enough, and I cant see us selling Dalot anytime soon.

14 Aug 2026 12:49:27
Osimhen!

14 Aug 2026 13:04:23
Redman, we had 4 strikers, but football changed. City won the league with Gundogan as top scorer, while Liverpool hit 90+ points with Firmino. How many goals did Firmino score? The need for a goalscorer isn't always there. Different styles require different kinds of players.