Manchester United discussion 3

27 Aug 2025 22:38:49
I like Amorim. Like the cut if his job.

But his inflexibility when it comes to tactics may well cost him.

All the top managers fit their tactics on a game to game basis.

Is he a top manager?

27 Aug 2025 23:27:01
Talks a good game but doesn't back it up.
His post match comments suggest he has lost the dressing room. Question is does he resign or get sacked.

28 Aug 2025 09:06:43
While all managers adjust their tactics slightly, top managers tend to have a specific style or system that suits the players they have, and make smaller adjustments within that set up.

Yes you need to consider how you are going to counter your opponents strengths and take advantage of their weaknesses. But a top side is always better off playing to their own strengths as they tend to have the better players.

How many times do you see Pep, Klopp, or Slot dramatically adjusting their tactics? Slight adjustments maybe, but they mostly focus on getting their team to play their way.

Is Amorim a top manager? I'd say he's on his way to becoming one, but just like when it comes to players we aren't a top draw anymore for the top managers. We approached Tuchel and he said thanks but no thanks and then took the England job.

We are able to attract top players in the EPL who are at "smaller" clubs, and we can attract some of the best young talents from Europe who are still developing and aren't top players yet. But we can't get the very best players right now.

It's the same when it comes to managers. Which top manager will be willing to risk their career and everything they've worked so hard to achieve on us in our current state? Younger, up and coming managers with potential will see us as an opportunity to make a name for themselves and might be willing to take the gamble.

That's the markets we find ourselves in now. Young potential, not top level proven quality. Over a decade of mismanagement which have seen us become a graveyard for players and managers has put us in this position.

Just like with young players who will make mistakes, young managers will do as well. And just like with the young players if we want them to improve, grow and become the top players their potential suggests they can become we will need to support them.

Otherwise they will wilt under the pressure WE put them under by not supporting them. The media only has as much power as we let them have influence over us. If we stop letting them lead us around on a merry dance that leaves our club stuck in a state of perpetual limbo then our club might have a chance of climbing out of the doldrums.

Amorim talks a good game because he knows a good game, it's the players who then need to go out on the pitch and show it. Again it's the players who are letting us down.

{Ed025's Note - how can you say Amorim is on his way to becoming a top manager Shappy???, he is so stubborn and has not addressed any of the problems we all know that has turned United into a laughing stock mate, i get your loyalty and this changing managers all the time doesn,t work but come on you have to be realistic..

28 Aug 2025 10:00:41
Ed025, I said this months ago, he went in there with this stubborn and direct style. Called out the players, squad, refused to adapt tactics etc. And to my shock, the players have performed even worse.

When he labelled them the worst united squad in history, for me that was also putting all the nails into the coffin at the same time.

{Ed025's Note - its just not working Angel, and all that cowering in the dug out in the penalty shoot out whats that all about? it shows you how much faith he has in these players mate, hes out of his depth for me and even though we all know this is not a quick fix the least we expected to see was some improvement, nobody wants to see managers sacked every five minutes of course but if its yellow, looks like a lemon and smells like a a lemon...it usually a lemon..

28 Aug 2025 11:28:58
He looked close to tears during the penalties. I like him too, but he continually gives the impression he is way out of his depth.

His obsession with 343 is bizarre, playing 3 CBs against a League 2 team shows he has no other ideas.

28 Aug 2025 11:41:57
Bad optics, reminded me of Wally with the brolly, that and the magnet board that I use to show 9 year olds where they should be playing ?.

28 Aug 2025 11:51:29
Ed025,

Brilliant ? ? ?.

30 Aug 2025 09:10:05
Every manager uses the magnet board, this whole nonsense of picking on every little thing he does has to stop. He used the magnet board against Lyon, didn’t see anybody complaining. We scored 2 after he used it this time as well.

24 Aug 2025 20:40:20
Gents,

It's been an awfully long time since I posted on here - and I'm way behind in doing this but love and respect to Ed002 who I understand is no longer with us - awful.

A short assessment of where we are -

We have ridden, and are in the process of ridding ourselves from the bad eggs. Great. The team we have assembled looks good on paper, they look to be good pros who care. Minimum objective ticked.

Now the problem - Amorim. Or more specifically, the system.

As a philosophy, 3-4-3 just doesn't seem to work in this league. There's no need for 3 central defenders, wingbacks are all well in good but we don't really have any good ones, other than shoehorning attackers like Amad into the roles. A midfield pivot hasn't worked for years as midfields are packed, and so finding control is very difficult to come by AND we don't have the legs for it (Casemiro is long gone) . Bruno doesn't work in this system either, and regardless of his performance today, he's still our best player.

For me, the squad assembled lends itself to a 4-3-3. De Ligt and Yoro is a good pair, Dalot and Shaw or Dorgu is sufficient too. A midfield three, with Bruno roaming, Mainoo's quality on the ball and Ugarte's physicallity (or ideally someone new) would get more control. Sesko in the penalty box with Cunha and Mbuemo either side and given license to roam. What's not to like about that? Great options on the bench in Mount, Amad, Zirkzee etc who also fit the system.

Amorim has said on countless occasions that he won't change, and so, unfortunately, he must be the one changed.

Who? I've no idea, but Xavi and Zidane are available.

25 Aug 2025 11:01:01
Good to see you fresh. But I don't agree. Rip it up and start again, no thanks.

4-3-3 is not too dissimilar to what we are already playing. We are looking too much into formation etc. We are just a group devoid of absolute confidence. Those first 15 mins, we should've been 2-0 up, put away the penalty and it's 3, hypothetically speaking and we are all on here saying how different we look.

Unfortunately it didn't happen that way and we reverted to type. It's a mentality issue with a lot of these players, scars of the past. We are very close to changing that, and I'm sure we will. I don't believe our business in the window is done, I can still see a good CM come in.

I've seen enough to know it's in them. The tide will turn.

25 Aug 2025 15:19:39
I hope you’re right, Angel.

It’s hard to have confidence when the managers record is 4 wins in 28 league games. Confidence has to come from the top - he doesn’t look particularly confident - to me.

25 Aug 2025 21:23:07
I'd be having serious issues if we weren't creating or looking dangerous. Thankfully we did against arsenal and should have been 2-0 up v fulham on Sunday.

I've said it 100 times before, confidence, confidence, confidence. It's like waiting for the Domino's to fall.

26 Aug 2025 08:18:00
But that’s where the likes of Roy Keane bang on about character, character, character. Thurs players that transcend confidence and drag the players through this. We don’t have any of those who can do that that I can see in the squad?

26 Aug 2025 07:11:30
I tend to agree Fresh 100% this just don’t work
I am not a lover of Deligt, but have said all along him and another would be much better as a two, this system leaves us so weak in midfield and does not suit any of our CBs
Midfield just gets overrun and now we have 200 million of forward talent and what nearly 200 mins of football not one of them put the ball in the net yet!

Now this fan base started on Bruno, Rashford not scapegoat this season…… it’s what happens when our best player yes still is shoehorned into a position that everybody apart from RA can see don’t suit.

But apparently it’s ok cos we are now entertaining! Delusion.

27 Aug 2025 11:09:53
I think with the system he is playing he still play Bruno out of position

In my opinion, i think SESKO upfront, CUNHA AND BRUNO behind him

Then DORGU, MAINOO, CASEMIRO, AMAD

Back 3 to be SHAW, DELIGT YORO

ONANA

We will do better and get goals with this.

27 Aug 2025 14:44:22
And what about Mbeumo, Abbey?

15 Aug 2025 17:57:01
I can see Mount starting Sunday in a false nine with Mbeumo and Cunha, Sesko on the Bench coming on in the second half. We need Casemero to have one of his better games and Bruno to play good passes not the Hail Mary efforts losing the ball. We need to push up together as a unit on Arsenal create pressure and keep Old Trafford very loud. If we can get a result, get the confidence going, we can build on that. We have a tough start, need points early. I watched the preseason some games were average, but we did look very good v Bournemouth, more of that please.

15 Aug 2025 19:57:28
My biggest worry for Sunday is midfield. Zubimendi is a brilliant addition for Arsenal who already had a good midfield.

15 Aug 2025 21:39:31
Surely we aren't even contemplating Casemiro, he should not be part of the first team thoughts.

16 Aug 2025 13:21:53
2toms

That's my worry too.
Zubimendi, like Rice and Odegaard, is great on the ball and pings off passes so fluidly - Bruno and whoever will be chasing shadows.

17 Aug 2025 16:50:06
Ork…is that Dalot starting in front of Amad?
Ken did Rashford get registered?

17 Aug 2025 18:29:05
And this shows exactly why Ugarte is never good enough and Cassermiro is our best midfielder by far legs or not!
And Deligt is just not suitable for this team, he can’t bring the ball out, no point in playing this 3 at CBs with no one capable of distributing the ball properly….

22 Aug 2025 16:00:31
Yes German, you were right.

Who did better though?

As for De Ligt - that's not the task he was given. He was up against Gyokeres who is quicker and more powerful than all of our CBs, De Ligt with his experience and positioning was the best option - he was tasked to Vidic him and did it well.

23 Aug 2025 19:27:56
Ork I’m not saying that at all about Deligt and I did not say he did not do OK what I am saying is whilst he done that side of his job, which he can Hence why he suits a back 4, but it’s not the only bit of his job when playing 3 CBs, the CBs need to step out into midfield and also be a playmaker, he is just not capable of this, because for a number of reasons, one huge one is lack of pace…

That’s the problem I see with Deligt, if we played a back 4 where this is not a requirement he would be very good, but it’s horses for courses and he is not a horse for this system at all, neither is Martinez for different reasons, Yoro and Heaven maybe, but both lack experience atm so difficult to play them both together without a better leader.

It’s my same with Amad, who is good player and 100% should be in team, but never ever against good teams at RWB, that’s what I don’t understand with RA purchases, we are now trying to shoehorn Bruno and Amad into a team because he bought players for there best positions who maybe even not as productive as they would be and that means they go where they are not very good, in Amad case that’s the bench, which is all a bit stupid to me, yes we needed goals but your going to take Bruno’s away and Amad’s away playing this way, so what is the achievement, it’s ok if we did not need players all over.

15 Aug 2025 17:44:33
All of it seems weird. If BHA didn't have the intention to sell Baleba, why did they give us permission to speak with the player? Then we go ahead and loan out Collyer too. Did we get an indication that Baleba was coming in? Surely we won't be thinking of going into the season with Casemiro, Ugarte and Mainoo as the midfield options. If we go ahead and purchase the backup option then obviously Baleba chapter is closed for the future too.

16 Aug 2025 16:59:28
When did they give permission to speak to the player?

17 Aug 2025 09:32:25
So you telling me that we were tapping up the player without Brightons knowledge. If I remember from what Ed002 had informed about how a transfer works is that the club seeks permission from the seller to speak to the player in question.

18 Aug 2025 19:40:27
Ken you seem to be particularly quiet on me being correct about Rashford getting registered, which is fine, but should not just dig out others comments and say nothing when your proved wrong!

15 Aug 2025 07:49:47
So, a lot of question marks on how United are making big money signings this window. I read that the protests for Arsenal game by the 1958 group have been postponed due to this window and new training facility but will be revisited on the 23rd August which is when the share freeze ends. This is the 18 month lock in period where the Glazers can make Radcliffe sell up unless he matches any potential offer. It feels like something could be happening and I can’t believe SJR and INEOS are throwing money at something they won’t have long term with. I think something is in the pipeline and Glazers will be gone. Here’s hoping anyway.

15 Aug 2025 08:57:12
????????????.

15 Aug 2025 18:12:27
LOL. Is that’s woman’s intuition! Sounds like it….

14 Aug 2025 12:41:34
If you were given a striker option out of Ekitike, Sesko or Gyokores at the start of the window before they moved, who would you have picked and why?

I see a lot of fans saying Sesko is the best option for us out of the three, but don't know if that is people justifying after the event.

14 Aug 2025 13:42:21
Gyokores for me by far the most finished article of them all at the minute and will Definetly score lots of goals for arsenal.
Ekitike looks a real player too though from the looks of it can't comment on sesko as none of us has seen him in a united shirt yet.

14 Aug 2025 14:04:21
For me, I'd still have preferred Gyokeres.

Sesko, potentially, could be the best No9 of the three, and, imo, is already a better out-and-out striker than Ekitike who is actually a more versatile attacking option - 9, 10, LF, RF.

Gyokeres is already in his prime and for a club who need goals ASAP, I think he would still have been the better option, albeit a shorter-term one.

Still happy with Sesko though, looking forward to seeing how he develops.

14 Aug 2025 14:14:33
It's a bit like when SAF went after Les Ferdinand and Stan Collymore, but ended up with Andy Cole. That one worked out pretty well.

14 Aug 2025 16:26:13
TBF never seen Ektike before seeing him for Liverpool the other day and if Sesko shows anything like what he did then we OK….
would not have gone for Gyokores which I said before he went for Arsenal, I think the step up from Portugal is huge.
So atm it’s Ekitke, Sesko, but I would have preferred an experienced epl number 9 not potential, I think we need goals now, like I have said before I think and hope our front 3 get 10-15 each max this season so probably happy if all get into double figures but not confident about that.

15 Aug 2025 11:34:38
If I’m honest, I would’ve preferred Gyokores from them 3. Although I really wanted Osimhen. I think he would’ve been the ready made world class no.9 we needed.

All that being said, with the added goal threat from Mbeumo and Cunha, I’m happy with Sesko. He looks like he could be the real deal from what little I’ve seen.

11 Aug 2025 18:38:30
I read this elsewhere and have copied it here. Worth discussion?

This “no sentiment” approach from INEOS is making me optimistic.
As someone who’s been a big critic of INEOS, I have to admit that for the first time in a decade, we’re acting like a proper big club.
A serious club doesn’t cater to a player’s feelings. If you’re lucky enough to wear the Manchester United shirt, you should be doing everything in your power to seize that opportunity.
If you don’t and you’re not good enough, nothing should grant you a free pass. Academy graduate? Doesn’t matter. Young talent? Go develop somewhere else.
Big clubs miss out on good players all the time. It’s not a crisis because there are plenty of quality players out there to buy.
Look at Real Madrid. They’re willing to let Rodrygo go and if Vinicius doesn’t step up this season, don’t be surprised if they sell him too. They bought Endrick and Güler without worrying about “wasting” careers. If you’re good enough, you’ll shine. If not, pack your bags.
INEOS are taking the same stance with Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho, Antony and now most likely Hojlund. You had your chance, you didn't take it for whatever reason, now close the door on your way out.
It’s the same stance Sir Alex Ferguson had. The moment a player stepped out of line, it was goodbye. No hesitation and no exceptions.
If they revive their careers elsewhere, good for them. But not everyone is meant to make it at Manchester United.
So hats off to INEOS for that.

11 Aug 2025 19:49:51
Oh dear Fizz you’re not being negative are you! Or is it you just don’t like those players no more!

11 Aug 2025 20:14:14
Fizz that's a good post. Fair and balanced.
They have made a couple of big errors decisions on keeping eth and the ashworth debacle were very costly and lost them a lot of fans who were sitting on the fence.
They then doubled down on that with the cost cutting drive that list them a lot of support.
They have had 18 months of PR disasters. Some of their own making some as a result of a process the business needed to undergo and understood by too few. Processes like that often look on the outside as callus and acting like a bull in a China shop, but its not like that is had to be fine for the greater good.
Now this window the have imo done a great job and I think their will be more to come.
I like the ethos as per your post above. I like that someone is setting standards.
This season will be rocky I think the team will do well in fits and busts but unless we get the cm gk and cb consistency will be hard to find.
For the 1st time in a decade I see real progress behind the scenes. A manager players want to follow. Real leadership from the top down. Little sentiment being shown.
With Some momentum and a bit of luck on injuries we could be in and around the top 6 if we get baleba and a gk then we can make a real showing for a cl place.

13 Aug 2025 13:05:11
Thank you, Ken. Herr Maze is ignored to argue with himself and his other personas.

11 Aug 2025 10:56:39
Let's just say that the likely scenario of ins and outs occurs and we are left with the following as our squad until at least January.

Where do you think we'll finish? I'm going 6th.

GK
Onana
Bayindir
Heaton

RCB
Yoro
Mazraoui
Fredericson

CCB
De Ligt
Maguire

LCB
Martinez
Shaw
Heaven

RWB
Amad
Dalot

LWB
Dorgu
Leon

RCM
Bruno
Mainoo

LCB
Baleba
Ugarte
Casemiro

R10
Mbeumo
Zirkzee

L10
Cunha
Mount

CF
Sesko
Obi.

11 Aug 2025 20:24:32
I have to say I'd be disappointed if we went into the season with those 3 keepers.
Id be happy enough not to have Shaw and casimero in there and ideally no maguire and 1 more cb.

So your squad above less maguire onana Shaw casimero plus a new cb and gk.
Then i'd be hopeful of pushing for a cl placement.

12 Aug 2025 15:10:39
Out of that big list from Downsie be honest with yourselves who honestly would RA sign out of the first 11…on the list…. Yoro and Heaven that’s it, or who out of those 11 would we as supporters be be banging down the door of any team to buy! Yoro, maybe Heaven like we did for potential.

13 Aug 2025 11:26:25
We have had a number of years of so called superstars arriving and failing to deliver, let’s try something different.

10 Aug 2025 14:51:18
Whoke pirate transfer qindow has been very positive so far, l really thunk a CDM and GK should have more of a priority that a second 10. We have lots of players who can play the 10 role, but no top CDM or GK signed yet. Hopefully there are a few deals waiting other movements and hopefully we have tge money to get these players. A aCDM.

11 Aug 2025 08:33:25
What? Whoke pirate?

04 Aug 2025 15:27:52
With the first game fast approaching what 11 would you start v Arsenal after watching the preseason? For me Heaton is our best GK, back 3 of Yoro, Deligt and Shaw, Dorgu and Amad wing backs, Bruno and probably Casemero and then Cunha, Mount and Mbeumo if his fitness gets there, if not Mainoo. The top 3 rotating. Bad when we could be playing Heaton as GK, Casemero as CDM, and a false CF as our first game of a new season. Hopefully a few more to come in.

04 Aug 2025 16:39:04
Shaw for me lacks the tactical intelligence to advance the ball from the back that anmorims system needs so I'd prefer heaven to start.
One the false 9 I'd start rasmus over mount neither are great options but we would be better with a focal point and Cunhas beat position is on the left only my take
Heaton would be my number 1 as it stands which is a scary thought.

04 Aug 2025 17:06:31
We could get a smacking if that’s our starting 11 against the gunners!

04 Aug 2025 20:19:45
Altay
Yoro MdL Heaven
Amad Dorgu
Ugarte Bruno
Mbeumo Hoiljund Cunha

As our squad stand right now with injuries/ transfers etc, that is the starting lineup.

Final score, 3-1 to united.

05 Aug 2025 10:45:02
My god If that team starts against Arsenal, we will get spanked Ugarte and Bruno in midfield will be totally overrun…. any team would love playing against that side.

05 Aug 2025 22:51:49
Shaw needs to be sold too this summer. That ships sailed years ago.

06 Aug 2025 11:58:44
Jim I think that a decent shout at the first team, maybe he will drop Hojlund (if he is still here) and have Ugarte, Mainoo and Bruno as midfield, we Bruno used on the counter attack.
As Sesko seems to be nearing a conclusion, I suspect he could be used as a sub for the last 30min.