Manchester United rumours 5

25 Oct 2026 15:57:11
Wow, that was bad.
I was wrong. I really had hoped Carrick had it in him but that was a disaster.
Howe next I guess. Emery would be mad to accept it mid season if ever.

25 Oct 2026 16:14:55
Emery would be mad to accept anytime, we've got nothing left except the name and the history.

25 Oct 2026 16:27:46
I seem to have a feeling of deja vu. This is a re-run of what happened after Busby, manager after manager until Ferguson got lucky and United got some stability. Will they never learn?

26 Oct 2026 13:05:58
Part of the reason it happened after Busby was because Busby didn't walk away when he finished as manager, and then Ferguson did exactly the same.

25 Oct 2026 15:36:08
Thank god we are having a defensive overhaul NEXT summer .think there might be 1 or 2 that needs replacing ??‍♂️??.

25 Oct 2026 15:40:41
They should have sacked Carrick on Wednesday night, they didn't because wilcocks is trying to save himself too. This game needed a new manager and see if a bounce will happen. unfortunately its chelsea next and another hammering.
Utd will finish in bottom 3, that is clear and obvious. championship is a certainty now.

25 Oct 2026 15:48:35
Can't argue mate we are easily the worst team in the division. Last time we were down in this position we weren't in any real danger as the teams below us were awful .not now!

25 Oct 2026 16:17:54
Only hope and I mean its blind hope is its so bad but United somehow ain't bottom 3.my further hope is its 8 games in and a new manager might just get a bounce for 10 games.

but its blind hope and i'm coming round to the reality that United will be in the championship next season..not sure under this ownership United can be sorted. Too much of a mess now.

25 Oct 2026 17:16:12
They won't go down and will finish mid table but it's an awful squad from GK onwards.

25 Oct 2026 21:14:54
Not sure. mid table seems a gaint success at the moment. Just can't see where a win will come from. utd are absolutely friggin awful.

{Ed025's Note - i cant argue with that Nick..

25 Oct 2026 12:44:24
Can someone please explain to me how Eddie Howe is and advancement on Carrick and how he would change the fortunes of the team? Are there legs in this rumour or is the media just winding up? I'm at a loss.

25 Oct 2026 13:58:03
He's undoubtedly an upgrade. Plays better football, teams are attacking, and can manage under a budget.

I'm not saying he's who I'd be pleased with, but he's who we are likely to appoint and will have the team more organised than Carrick.

25 Oct 2026 15:07:25
He's definitely better but still nowhere near good enough to get us back to challenging for titles.

Wilcox probably adopt his transfer strategy ie change a bit at a time. Get a slightly better manager and hope there is an improvement and then if reaches a ceiling go again and get another manager.. Only problem is this method has failed spectacularly.

25 Oct 2026 16:21:25
If my daily turnout grew legs, arms, a head and a heartbeat, it would be better than Carrick.

He is, without a shadow of any doubt, the worst manager we have ever had in my opinion.

I do take you point though, he strikes me as another yes man. We don't need yes men, they get us nearer the championship than champions.

25 Oct 2026 17:17:20
Howe is far better then Carrick but he is not what we need, we need someone who done it as a player and manager and Conte is available so that's where I would go because Emery ain't coming.

25 Oct 2026 12:59:34
Well, Fernandes and Martinez both dropped to the bench.

Yoro and Heaven both playing with Harry and Dalot.

Santos, Baleba, Mount and Tielmans, Amad and Mbuemo.

There has to be significant reaction from everyone.

Think we could see some significant departures in January.

24 Oct 2026 14:22:06
We need Emery, if our owners have any ambition at all they will do whatever it takes to get him. World class manager, Premier League experience and can work under difficult circumstances and can handle the pressure. Know it ain't happening but he's the standout candidate for sure.

24 Oct 2026 15:18:16
I agree Tim, but you and I both know that Wilcox will go for Howe, the rumours are leaking out already. Emery is the ideal candidate for the reasons you outlined, but he isn't a miracle worker.

24 Oct 2026 15:26:45
I know he isn't but a number have said on here that we need a clear out, numerous under performers removed and new younger, hungry players brought in. Emery is the man to work under that setup, he's literally doing it right now at villa.

One thing for sure if we do want a squad overhaul and younger players brought in then we need a proper coach. Players like that need guidance, coaching and a clear direction to bring out the best in them.

24 Oct 2026 16:38:39
Villa won't allow Emery to leave, without being sufficiently compensated. Given all the issues at the club, I doubt Emery would be keen to join.

I'd imagine in the not so near future that one of Vivell or Wilxox will either leave or redeployed elsewhere.

I never expected things to get this bad. But here we are.

24 Oct 2026 17:47:28
Emery is being given the power and the trust to do what he's doing at Villa .does anybody seriously think that would happen with Big Sir Jim.

24 Oct 2026 18:18:01
I'm not saying we would get him just that he SHOULD be the number 1 target. However with the clueless lot running the club I know that won't be the case.

24 Oct 2026 19:43:08
I wonder if even given the offer whether Emery would stay loyal to Villa where he is building a really good team or risk coming to Utd.

24 Oct 2026 22:49:23
What's impressive about Emery is he's had to rebuild the team again after the club sold its best players. And he's still successful.

25 Oct 2026 05:26:46
Carrick to the end of the season. then clearout.

25 Oct 2026 08:59:22
Keane now for some entertainment!

25 Oct 2026 09:36:30
No more ex players who "know the club" please!! ?.

25 Oct 2026 09:56:39
I do agree Eric, but jeez Roy would be funny. And he is entirely different in that he cares about players caring rather than "knowing the club"

I would rather that than Howe. Would make the rest of the season enjoyable.

25 Oct 2026 10:54:20
Emery is one of the best managers in the league, but he would fail with the current structure. The only managers I could see being able to work with Wilcox are Southgate and Howe, though I'm not convinced that either has what it takes to succeed at Manchester United.

If/when the club decides that Carrick isn't the right man for the job then Wilcox should go with him, and we should replace him with a Director of Football who actually knows what they're doing. If it were me, I'd bring Ragnick back, but I can't see the club being open to rehiring somebody a outspoken as he was, and even if they were, his pride may prevent him from accepting.

25 Oct 2026 12:44:23
No manager will succeed unless they have the final say about all the important football matters related to the team. They will have to work within whatever financial constraints there are and would be foolish not to consult with others but that apart they need to be able to implement their vision unfettered.

23 Oct 2026 21:03:27
I think it's now a case of when Carrick is removed rather than if.

The problem we now face is finding the right replacement. This will be difficult as I suspect many of the top choice options will have multiple clubs to choose from and I doubt we are many top managers first choice right now.

Conte seems to want it, but I'd have big reservations over him, he also is the antithesis of what the club have said they are looking for since the INEOS take over. It would represent the club making a 180 degree U-turn.

Nagelsman would on paper looks like a solid option, but there are political ramifications that might make it a tough deal. He is tactically astute, but has had a few fallings out, and has been described as a little eccentric at times.

Of the more viable options Unai Emery is probably the pick of the bunch, tactically astute, knows the EPL, multiple winner, has a proven track record of improving players, and building a squad through a transition period, and he has big club experience. The downside is that Villa will want a massive fee to release him from his contract.

The other viable option is Eddie Howe, who might not be as glamorous, but also ticks many of the boxes. I think we need to stop seeing ourselves as a top club that needs a tweak, and understand that we need someone who has the experience and drive to rebuild us. Howe does have experience of that with Newcastle. He might not be the guy who ultimately sees us through, but he has proven that he's very good at building that foundation to build on.

Realistically I see it boiling down to either Emery or Howe, both would be an improvement on Carrick, but Emery is clearly the better choice. Ultimately it looks like it will be whether the club sees the value in spending 30m or so to get the better manager, or to save on cost and get the discounted version.

23 Oct 2026 21:08:16
I think you already know the answer to your own question there shappy. We will take the cheaper option and the one the will offer the least resistance.

23 Oct 2026 21:34:07
A 180 degree turn from what exactly? I sure as s*** don't know what the direction is and neither do they. Wasters!

24 Oct 2026 11:42:28
Keefy, the clubs vision is to have a consistency across multiple managers. They want a DoF who'll put that vision in place, a style of play, a consistency of squad building and recruitment. Which is why they advertise the job as head coach and not manager.

They want to move away from the previous model where you'd be reactive and lurch from one manager to another, whose style of play and philosophy are polar opposites, and then allow that manager to dictate the recruitment to suit their style of play, only to be left with a disjointed, Frankenstein squad with no identity when you inevitably sack the current manager. This was one of the things that caused tension with EtH who was hired by the previous regime, specifically as a manager.

However, Conte is supposedly demanding total control, over style of play, over transfers, he even wants specific people in upper levels of management (DoF). He is demanding the keys to the kingdom and total freedom to take the club wherever he wants.

That is the complete opposite to what the new management have been repeatedly been saying is their aim for the club.

24 Oct 2026 13:31:03
Any competent directors would get the best man for the job. I think that would be Emery.

But we don't have competent directors. They won't want to spend any money so it's cuts the field down to who is unemployed right now.

They won't touch conte as they know he will call them on their BS. Wilcox wants Howe apparently, and he always seems to get his way.

So Eddie Howe will be the next manager/coach.

24 Oct 2026 17:49:34
Shappy,

How do you think the clubs vision has worked out so far since Ineos got involved?

24 Oct 2026 21:07:39
Reactive and not lurch from one manager to another! And yet here we are.

23 Oct 2026 09:23:11
I don't know if this is true but there is a very strong rumour that then Premier League are considering appointing carrick and wilcox to roles in man city as punishment for their cheating.
Instead of a transfer ban they are insisting that city sign dalot shaw and maguire.

23 Oct 2026 09:27:14
That's too harsh Ken, if given the option they'd prefer demotion to league 2 lol.

23 Oct 2026 10:10:58
Love it.

But giving them Maguire is harsh. Nobody, even City, deserves that.

23 Oct 2026 21:04:24
Now we know why they are fighting so hard to get the charges overturned ?.

22 Oct 2026 08:38:53
Things that need to happen
1) Carrick sacked this morning
2) Wilcox sacked this morning
3) Captaincy removed from Bruno
4) Bruno put on Transfer list for January
5) Martinez sold in January

Whilst it is clear Bruno is correct you cannot have open insurrection like that. The club have got itself into the worst mess I have seen since 1973. Never seen players calling the manager out, let alone the Captain. The club appointed a sacked Boro manager and are now paying the price with the club at its lowest ebb in 53 years.

If the club do not act today, if they keep Carrick and Wilcox in place then i now genuinely fear the same result as in 1974.

22 Oct 2026 09:01:23
I'd be shocked if they sacked him today, any respectable club would but Ineos have no clue and it shows.

22 Oct 2026 09:15:59
What's so amazing is that all this has happened after such a good run in to the end of last season. What happened over the summer to destroy the apparent +ve feelings between the players and manager

1. A disastrous transfer window with major holes remaining unplugged. No back up striker, no full backs, failure to get rid of Rashford.

2. Very poor preparation for the new season. The defeat to Milan in pre season was a warning of things to come.

3. Failure, once again, by the club to bite the bullet during the summer and get an established EPL manager. Of course, what we don't know is whether any other managers were sounded out. Was the club insisting on a head coach role? Did anyone of any talent want the poison chalice? Why would you choose Man United over Liverpool for example? Why would you want to work for Ratcliffe and the Glazers with their extremely limited available funds with so many holes to fill and so many average players.

22 Oct 2026 09:20:18
Carrick could still be in charge come the international break. If he isn't sacked today, and loses at the weekend, then he can longer be in charge.

Carricks last chance was last night. He is losing the dressing room, if he hasn't already. If he had dropped Dalot and had played Kamason and Amass as full backs, i would have applauded him for doing so.

Unfortunately, Carrick is Mr Safe, zero risk. How Lacey hasn't played more minutes is beyond a joke. The kid is talented, has similar qualities to a young Rooney, in particular the aggression which is sadly lacking in this squad.

Those above have well and truly let Carrick down with poor recruitment this summer.

22 Oct 2026 10:34:26
Whilst we racked up points last season, performances were often poor, City and Arsenal games stood out for passion and commitment but many, if not most of the others were a hard watch.

It clearly seems there is open mutiny now, but as I have said so often before what next? Appointing a new Manager is just putting lipstick on a pig, the issues run far deeper.

ETH's interview is interesting, he wanted Rice and Kane and got neither. There was an article in the Times or Observer highlighting the random nature of our buys, players who play different systems being mashed together.

Carrick is toast, Wilcox has to go too, but I doubt SJR will do that.

22 Oct 2026 10:48:33
Yea let's sell Bruno! The only world class player we have. Sounds like a great idea.
I think he told the fans what the players are being asked to do. Most of us are wondering why like yesterday and many games this season, the players are static and no pressing.

Well that's what they are being asked to do.
As a player you get champions league football and you invest over the summer like a newly promoted club hardly inspiring.
SACK CARRICK
SACK WILCOX
GLAZERS NEED TO SELL UP.

22 Oct 2026 11:06:38
Ajh the evidence was there in the Leeds and Newcastle performances last season .what happened then is happening now every week. The club ignored the evidence because they don't have a blooming clue.

22 Oct 2026 11:14:04
So, Wilcox gave ETH and new contract, only to sack him, recruited Amorim, and sacked him within 12 months and then appointed Carrick who will likely suffer the same fate. If SJR is the amazing businessman he is alleged to be, when is he going to notice who the issue is here.

22 Oct 2026 12:57:20
May Big Sir Jim is the issue.

{Ed025's Note - RATcliffe certainly is Bilko..

22 Oct 2026 13:53:36
I'd sack Wilcox first. Appoint his successor. Then let that person sack Carrick and choose our new head coach.

It's the only sensible option.

22 Oct 2026 14:16:17
We don't do sensible Eric.

22 Oct 2026 23:34:05
Why stop at Bruno and Martinez?
Why not put Dalot, Shaw, Maguire, De ligt, Amad, zirkzee, mount, Rashford etc etc etc on the transfer list.

All of those are a dog's dinner. Get rid asap. Ay the youth, they will try!

23 Oct 2026 05:48:16
Not replacing Casemiro was the club's biggest mistake.

That should have been the number one priority this summer, followed by an understudy for Bruno, a backup striker, and two new fullbacks.

But of course, the owners never invest when we've secured Champion's League football, so is anybody really that surprised?

23 Oct 2026 15:14:08
We went for the cheapest option
We always do the same after securing CL.

26 Oct 2026 02:50:27
Wanting Rice and Kane should mean nothing for blessed people like us who had the privilege to read the great 002. I remember, at the time, Rice wanted to stay at London, as per the great man. Kane is a different case, Spurs would sell to us only for 120-130 or more.
*My humble opinion is that Kane wouldn't be as good here. He is my favourite striker, but with clear weaknesses.

He is a liability off the ball can't press and makes Maguire look quick. He would probably kept having some injuries because of the rhythm compared with age. He made a perfect choice going there and i think its like a win win. He would be useful here and he would score goals no question, but nowhere near what people think.

22 Oct 2026 08:04:55
Went to the Como game last night, I've been living abroad for over a decade and waiting for United to play in a country I've been living in for a long long time, so was very excited for the game.

Safe to say, United were abysmal, utterly woeful and Como played us off the pitch.

Still a cracking night, the stadium is amazing, if you ever get the chance to go, do it, Como and Cesc are building something really really special, the way they pop the ball around is incredible.

I saw Nico play a few years back and was really impressed by how much his physicality has improved, he looks ready made for the Premier League, big, strong, tenacious and technical, a real real handful.

If we're looking for a long term Bruno replacement we could do much worse - get the chequebook out, the boy is a star in the making.

22 Oct 2026 08:26:10
They play lovely stuff. Fabregas has done a great job.

22 Oct 2026 10:59:57
Paz coming to United laughable why would he want to come to our joke of a club. He eilgi back to Real Madrid if his development continues.

23 Oct 2026 07:28:47
Tongue in cheek, will never happen obviosuly.

21 Oct 2026 22:29:49
I've got a funny feeling that we'll end up sacking Carrick and hiring Conte, who'll then have us playing with a back three system again.

21 Oct 2026 22:42:16
See for years we've complained about chopping and changing tactically so Conte might have been a good idea if it was straight after Amorim but that's not our club is run.

21 Oct 2026 23:36:23
I see no problem in back 3 if it works and Conte has shown multiple times he can make it work. Came to Chelsea and won the PL in his first year with the back 3. The problem with him is that you need to plan for your next manager very soon, he doesn't stick around.

22 Oct 2026 00:13:27
Let's not kid ourselves now Shappy just as with Amorim ten hag before him and now carrick these players regardless of systems cannot play in any formation

They are clueless,

That back 4 is probably the worst back 4 that we have had in over 30 years or more

How we are still playing Harry Maguire and the likes of dalot as our starting defence is criminal.

And that is down to the club for continuing to keep crap

They shouldn't have gave Carrick the job but the next man that comes in still has to deal with the fact we have a shocking back line which consists of full backs who are crap the cbs are either kids in yoro and heaven or injury prone fodder that have been here for far too long long. We was playing not so long ago Evans and Maguire as a pairing both were relegated at one point.

Carrick playing Bruno out of position is baffling either play him in his position or drop him completely

But then we have 1 striker who's out until rumours are saying feb and then we have Zirkzee who is stealing a living pretending to be a footballer

The club have let carrick down and his decisions and subs are baffling to say the least.

Come Christmas we could be looking at being in a battle to stay up as shocking as that is we are crap and don't have anything about us

We don't run, and we look worse now than we did under Amorim you can't trust anyone at Ineos to get it right as there history says otherwise

Look at what they have done at nice and how many managwrs they have had there

There decision making is just as bad as the players

Weekends game is a must win against a very poor Bournemouth side compared to recent years

But like I say we are a shambles and it doesn't matter what formation and tactics these play when you have players who don't have the passion.

22 Oct 2026 00:46:29
Zirksee is better than you make out. Never had a proper run in the team. Never been played. In his preferred position and for the most part played in a team which under performs. You could put Messi and Ronaldo in this team and they would look poor.

22 Oct 2026 07:50:02
I am less bothered about the formation than most, what I hope and expect if Conte was to come in is that there will be a plan/structure and he will get the players motivated. Whether he can get them playing at a higher tempo without a pre-season (feels very similar to pre Amorim).

Also, plenty of the players were brought whilst Amorim was here, so the switch should not be too drastic.

22 Oct 2026 11:56:28
I'm more than a little weary of managers like Conte. He has a phenomenal CV, but he is very temperamental. Managers like that need to be at very stable clubs who are able to provide the right climate for them to stop them imploding. I really don't think you could describe our club as that right now.

That's putting aside that his playing style isn't a way of playing football that I particularly enjoy and his development of young players has been very, very iffy throughout his career (it's also really difficult to track as he rarely stays at a club long enough to really see how young players develop with him, although he is a manager who typically prefers to use a more experienced player over a younger player with higher potential).

I only highlight that he's a manager who often uses a back three system as that was a big bone of contention for a lot of the fans who wanted Amorim sacked. Ironically, I actually feel that out currently squad is still probably better set up for a back three system rather than a back four system. The extra CB gives our declining/recovering/or inexperienced CB's the extra cover they typically need. We don't have any natural wingers or top quality full backs, yet Amad and Dorgu did well as wingbacks. While the likes of Mbeumo, Cunha, Mount and Lacey probably suit playing as inside wide players more than as traditional wide players. The issue we had with the 343 under Amorim was the lack of athleticism and energy in midfield, yet Mainoo has improved in that area, and we have added Baleba and Santos who also provide more of that. The other issue Amorim had was there was no natural position for Bruno, yet his recent comments probably mean that he shouldn't be here this time next year.