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29 Aug 2025 21:50:05
Looks like a deal for Antony is done for £21m + 50% sell on clause.
Maybe the best we could get with him adamant that he only wanted Betis.
Not sure whether we are at risk PSR wise but assume we take a hit for selling below the amount still on the books.
With this deal, Garnacho and Hojlund I wonder if we are trying to get in as much as possible to make a late midfielder push on top of the keeper Lemmens.
1.) 29 Aug 2025 22:24:22
Brad, there has to be a push for a cm.
2.) 29 Aug 2025 22:26:13
Deal being reported to collapse due to Anthony's demands can't make this up spent all summer saying only wants betis to then potentially collapse the move.
3.) 30 Aug 2025 01:58:16
Let him rot. This was clearly their plan all along.
4.) 30 Aug 2025 06:54:52
Looks like he waited till the last minute then demanded United pay the remainder of his salary, United refused and Betis decided to walk away.
Someone said we set a precedent with this on AWB contract, not sure if that is true.
5.) 30 Aug 2025 09:21:20
Let him rot in the reserves. Anthony only wanted Betis. Now he decides to play hardball. I'd tell him that the club will no longer negotiate a sale for the player and that he will have to wait until next summer.
It's a WC year, if you were serious about playing football you'd want to move to a club to fight for a place the the WC squad.
6.) 30 Aug 2025 09:40:16
That’s what happens when you have idiots on changed that give big contracts to average players
Just like with sancho and rashfird
These players will run their contracts down unless it’s a loan move
More problems at the club than just what’s being delivered on the pitch still.
7.) 30 Aug 2025 09:44:56
Turkey on loan or Saudi beckons if he doesn't lower his demands.
These players are taking bback control and are refusing what they don't want.
Its a real conundrum.
Easy to stay stick him in the reserves but there are unintended consequences by doing that. Such as buying a keeper or midfielder.
8.) 30 Aug 2025 10:20:41
Looks like another year of trying to reverse the reputation we have got as a club when it comes to selling. I genuinely believe we need to be strong on this one and all transfers out otherwise the cycle continues. Betis are chancers, Anthony is a chancer (which I’m surprised at actually as he’s appeared to have been quiet and not rocking the boat) . The fact it’s World Cup year gives us some leverage, Anthony isn’t in the next Brazil squad, Garnacho wasn’t in the Argentinian squad. I read yesterday United have supposedly said to Sancho they’d activate his year extension if he doesn’t accept some of these offers. Yes he’s on a big contract so may not be fussed but if he has an ounce of pride in his football he’ll want out and playing. I like the hardball approach, I thought maybe we were past this but if it takes another season and prevents us buying a CM or GK in next couple of days then let’s ride it out for longer term success in the market and set the market down for players and future buying clubs.
9.) 30 Aug 2025 11:38:00
I mean, it's a complete mess, a mess started by the predecessors at the club and carried on by the incumbents. It only really changes when players bought are not on such ridiculous wages. The problem was caused by the club and has to be fixed by the club.
As much as I don't want Sancho, Antony etc around, they are well within their rights to protect their earnings whatever we think about them personally.
They were given terms, signed them, and now they want what they signed. It's very admirable that Rashford has significantly lowered his demands to play but not everyone has to do that.
I certainly would not do it for my employers.
10.) 30 Aug 2025 12:51:29
Sancho? Pride? The lad would sell his own mother for a bag of cheesy Doritos and a chance to play the next FIFA game a few days early.
11.) 30 Aug 2025 12:54:13
That's not the point angelred. Antony tried to engineer a move that was completely unfavourable to the club. He did so by gambling that the club would be financially constrained into accepting anything for him. It's dishonest and it has eroded any goodwill there was for him.
12.) 30 Aug 2025 12:58:07
"The Player agrees to conduct themselves at all times in a professional and responsible manner, adhering to the club’s Code of Conduct, both during and outside of official match times, training sessions, and public events. "
This would also be a typical clause if you like in any players contract so yes they maybe entitled to what they believe they’re owed but they also have a responsibility when contracted to the club so the club are well within their rights to now bow down to the players demands to leave or the buying clubs wants. If Anthony wants to leave for Betis, put in a transfer request, same with Sancho, but we all know why they won’t.
13.) 30 Aug 2025 20:17:17
Sancho clearly has mental health challenges, so not sure we’ll see a logical outcome for him.
As for Antony, he needs to go. Not good enough for the Premier League, but a decent player in the right team and league. Just leave and be happy. Sadly, players like him will be bitter and blame the club Esther than themselves, as most pro footballers are nothing more than overgrown children, so will seeking his pot of good before leaving.
14.) 31 Aug 2025 16:30:06
So Antony tried to engineer a move? Or he was told he wasn't needed by the club?
Because if it's the latter (which it is by the way) he is more than entitled to get what is owed to him.
Ports, both players were told they haven't a future at the club, not training with the team etc. so you just want them to say, thanks very much, I'll leave you with the millions you owe me ? do ye lads live in the real world or what? ?
Eric? Mental health challenges? What sort of ? is that? Leave off.
15.) 31 Aug 2025 19:08:27
Owe him? How come? He can get that money, if he stays at the club. But then, he might miss on the WC and also he will lose out on his next contract, since he won't be playing. It is not that easy angelred.
05 Jul 2025 14:32:21
Reading that we are possibly close with a Sancho move to Juventus if salary can be resolved with potentially Luiz coming the other way.
Has anyone seen Luiz since he left Villa, if we get that version we will be adding a quality player suited to the PL that will help. but not seen much since he left.
1.) 05 Jul 2025 15:16:50
I like Douglas Luiz and he's a great player to have in the EPL. I'm not sure he's the ideal partner in midfield for Bruno, and seems more suited to play alongside an Ugarte type player.
A swap deal could be very smart, as the clubs can inflate the value of the players in the swap to show a greater profit on the books. For Juventus it means they can breakeven on Luiz, for us it will probably show a small profit.
2.) 05 Jul 2025 15:44:31
He was terrific at Villa, but according to all reports has been very poor at Juve, hence them looking to sell.
If it happens we shall have to hope we get old Luiz.
Tend to agree a bit with Shappy, not totally sure he is the ideal fit for Bruno.
There is much talk we are after Fabian Ruiz of PSG, he is a fabulous player, but again not sure he would be a good fit for Bruno, he's great at advancing the ball but not great defensively. Surely we need someone good at that aspect of play.
3.) 05 Jul 2025 16:57:48
I’d absolutely love Luiz.
Can’t see it happening though.
4.) 05 Jul 2025 19:15:14
I’d really like Adam Wharton.
Hayden Hackney would be an interesting gamble.
I think Douglas Luiz would be a good addition too if Casemiro moves on.
5.) 06 Jul 2025 05:22:49
So are we now saying Luiz is better player than Cass….?
6.) 06 Jul 2025 09:44:14
Cass despite some decent games in Europe last season can't cope with the pace of epl sp yes at this point Luiz would be a lot more effective than casimero 100%.
7.) 06 Jul 2025 14:24:59
So have you seen Luiz in the EPL last year to know he be better at coping, he not coped very well in Italy!
I would take Cass all day long over Luiz because he already here and he got bucket loads more experience and also a game a week will suit him fine… so I see no point in Luiz in Cass out, that’s for sure, no problem Cass out if a proven midfielder but Luiz ain’t that.
8.) 06 Jul 2025 16:14:15
German, Douglas Luiz made 175 appearances for Aston Villa between 2019 and 2024.
He's very much proven in the EPL.
He's a different kind of midfielder to Casemiro. Less combative, but better on the ball.
Peak Casemiro was a better player than Luiz has been, but right now in the EPL Douglas Luiz would be the better player. Casemiro just hasn't got the stamina for the EPL anymore unfortunately.
9.) 06 Jul 2025 17:14:23
In your opinion you mean…. I know he was at Villa but hardly pulled up any trees for them and looked awful in Italy last season, so the jury out if he be any good here, another year later… I would totally disagree though that he better passer or better with ball at his feet than Cass… or even able to score goals like Cass can……. I have no objections to getting Luiz I just don’t see an upgrade if Cass goes for him to come in, maybe an upgrade on Ugarte but not on Cass imo.
10.) 06 Jul 2025 18:46:53
German your hate for Ugarte is comedy gold.
11.) 06 Jul 2025 19:22:18
Why Redpaul, is he great then? Am I missing something and did PSG miss something too? In fact are all clubs missing something with him, even RA don’t start him in bigger games is he missing something too!
Please enlighten me what’s good about him or is he comedy gold and that’s what you mean
I don’t hate him, I don’t know him, I judge him as a player and he is not very good, that’s not hate…… your being woke with that word.
12.) 06 Jul 2025 19:31:41
German, he did pretty well at Villa, was chased by Arsenal and considering by City, won the supporters and players player of the season awards in 2022/ 23, and Juventus ended up paying €50m for him. Not an insignificant amount.
He got 10 goals and 10 assists in his final season at Villa while playing deeper in the double pivot.
I think most people who have watched him in the EPL for Villa appreciate he is a very good player.
13.) 07 Jul 2025 05:56:22
He might HAVE been a very good player at Villa, but Cass WAS an exceptional player at Real Madrid…if we are talking in the past tense! So bit of a non starter comparison in my view…. As usual you’re masking your view with stats so why not show stats of last season then? Maybe for them both? Thought not….
14.) 07 Jul 2025 06:09:27
I agree on ugarte. He’s not great. Arsenal have a decent set of midfielders and they’ve still added real quality in zubimendi. That’s what we did when we were good. Added high quality when we were already strong.
Even if we had have been lucky enough to have got Cunha, Mbeumo and Gyokeres I still feared for our midfield of ugarte, Bruno, Mainoo and collyer/ Casemiro. There isn’t a natural pairing of 2 amongst them.
Get the spine right first. That’s always the first rule in forming a team and right now ours is way below the standard, especially compared to Liverpool, Arsenal, city, Chelsea. I’d even argue that the two cop winners newcastle and palace have a better spine.
Out of those teams just considering
Keeper
Centre back (in our case the middle of the 3)
Centre DM
Attacking midfield we’re stacked but then we’re moving our best player back into a role that isn’t a natural fit. Remember it was Bruno that was dispossessed for the spurs goal in the final.
CF
Onana worst of them by far.
Maguire and deligt are “ok” but far below van dijk, Dias, Saliba, chelsea have 3/ 4 better.
Ugarte - nowhere near at the level of zubi, caiceido/ enzo, Rodri, gravenbach.
CF - least said the better.
We needed to improve up front but in reality we’ll struggle if we don’t upgrade the entire spine. It’s going to take 2–3 windows to get right and challenge again.
No wonder gyorkeres doesn’t want to come. We’ll improve this year, no doubt, but I still don’t see us breaking top 6. The road back is going to be long and painful.
15.) 07 Jul 2025 13:18:29
Agree airforce.
Gk cb cm still weaker than a new born kitten
But it will take time and unraveling the mess of dumb contracts to crap players will take some time.
That said we i'm very hopeful we can address keeper this summer along with the forwards. BUT WE HAVE TO SELL PLAYERS BEFORE WE CAN BUY.
16.) 07 Jul 2025 14:09:44
At last someone agrees, that we are very weak at CB I banged the drum for an age that the spine of the team is terrible and that’s what is being worked on, but we have to remember many don’t want to come to United it’s a long term project, especially they don’t want to come if we not now over paying on salaries, what else we got to offer.
I also agree top6 is going to be a push, but least one we will be aiming for next season.
The club is working to get the spine…GK, CB, Mid and strikers RAknows what he needs the club knows too, lots on here seem to think the glass butcher the fridge carrying CBs and can’t pass a ball 5 yards midfielders are good enough…. the same players that got us 15th last season
Garnacho, Rashford Sancho possibly Mainoo will all be gone. If RA had his way Ugarte, Onana Malacia, Rasmus and Zirkee will be gone too, but that might be wishful thinking….
17.) 07 Jul 2025 16:31:30
German i she on those with the exception of mainoo.
Technically and very good player and has time on his side. Had a bad season with a couple of muscle injuries last season and was clearly not up to standard.
However I think he has got lots of the fundamentals required.
Ra has put him on a special endurance and speed programme reportedly. If he can improve his athleticism he will rock most boxes.
Not a list cause by any means.
The rest of your list will all be gone sooner rather than later imo but can't all be done this summer.
18.) 08 Jul 2025 04:40:52
I did not say he is a lost cause, but he lacks mobility for a midfielder and speed that’s needed in today’s game especially when surrounded by no pace as is at United, if a good bid come in he would be on his way, but I don’t see a bid coming, because every club is aware of his shortcomings, that’s why I said possibility of him moving only… the rest are total waste of time, I would also add Deligt and Martinez the glass butcher to that list, they are both average at very best and again both too slow, both too injury prone too….
04 Jul 2025 13:29:59
Looks like we may have heard some positive news today around Rashford. Firstly Bayern are showing an interest and apparently Rashford is open to this.
Secondly it looks like Nico Williams has signed a new 10 year contract with Bilbao so at least for now he is off the list for Barcelona which maybe opens them back up.
On the Williams news whilst I am sure he is being paid well you have to respect a player who puts happiness and where he wants to be, playing with his brother for a team he obviously loves over everything else.
1.) 04 Jul 2025 16:01:44
Barcelona are not stupid enough to stump up 40 million for that clown absolutely no chance.
He will either end up back at United or on loan somewhere and we will be footing half of his wage bill.
Both Rashford and the club are a complete embarrassment for ending up in this situation.
2.) 04 Jul 2025 16:20:13
He will be on various loans for the rest of his United contract. Nobody would get close to paying his current salary. Always a chance he could come back to United, but I doubt it unless the manager changes.
3.) 04 Jul 2025 17:21:03
The press were telling us he was back to his best at Villa, yet they chose not to try and exercise their option.
4.) 04 Jul 2025 19:20:23
He scored more for united than villa last season. I never understood the big improvement headlines.
I can see a deal done with Barcelona if they are allowed register new players. I think he would do well there.
5.) 04 Jul 2025 20:47:28
He proper rattles people on here. It's very amusing.
6.) 04 Jul 2025 23:11:45
Same could be said for you angelred. ?.
7.) 05 Jul 2025 07:37:30
He does Angel, as does Sancho. He doesn't rattle me, I just find it massively disappointing that a local lad who could have gone to achieve great things has lost his way, for whatever reason.
8.) 05 Jul 2025 08:14:04
I'm not sure what 'lost his way' means AJH. He had been playing okay this season for us, scored 7 right? Given the way the season went after he left, and how every else played in the team, didn't everyone 'lose their way' then? But no other player takes pelters. He is forever hammered via the media.
The club were the ones to tell him to move on so he went to villa. And I watched the majority of his Villa games and tbh he played really really well. I don't think he wanted Villa, but the narrative is, Villa didn't want him.
Sancho on the other hand has just been a horrible signing from the get-go.
9.) 05 Jul 2025 08:46:09
Nonsense angel. He was not playing well. He scored a few goals 7 I think 2 sets of 2 so he scored in 4 or 5 games and didn't try to fit in with the teams philosophy on top of the same last year. abject performances.
Having mediocre personal stats in a team game is often not an i dication of how you fit into a team.
Villa didn't want him. They had an option to buy him but never tried.
10.) 05 Jul 2025 09:39:41
Hes always blown hot and cold, he had a remarkable run before he hurt his back and then the blinding season when he came back, but he's always been streaky.
He suddenly had loads of tattoos, jewellery, flash cars, and a high profile lifestyle. Nothing wrong with that, but when you are ambling around the pitch appearing not to be trying, the criticism is justified.
Remember, I was one of his biggest supporters and regularly defenderd him, United Addict and I used to clash on Rashford, but there comes a point when enough is enough. I 5h8nk h8s head had gone, again, for whatever reason.
11.) 05 Jul 2025 10:37:26
AJH,
You've perfectly summed Rashford up.
12.) 05 Jul 2025 15:18:25
Rashford will do well if he goes to a top side. He's a very good player, but lacks consistency. With better players around him his dips won't be as noticeable, while he will also get more time and space on the ball so will likely score and assist more.
13.) 06 Jul 2025 11:15:56
Most here would say Rashford has lots of talent but he doesn't seem to work on his weaknesses. His pressing is awful and that's just application. Ambling around when the ball is in our defence isn't the worst thing especially if he puts in the effort in attack. He doesn't jump for headers, make decoy runs or generally work as a team player. His output doesn't justify the rest of the team putting in the effort on his behalf. There are numerous reports of him being almost uncoachable and that he doesn't listen to instruction. I hope he changes and makes the most of his talents, but we need to move on.
14.) 07 Jul 2025 14:12:37
Rashford is not as bad as everywhere on here tries to paint, if he goes to Barcelona which is very good possibility he will do very well, with much better players around him all the focus won’t be on him, he appears to lost his way and needs the move to resurrect his career, much worse players are moving for well over 40 mil, so Rashford going won’t be a problem.
17 Jun 2025 10:19:33
Any genuine noise around Sancho? Feels like it would be best for him to go back to Germany where he knows he performs but will not get the salary or us the sale price. Saudi would provide both but at his age and deluded belief in his ability not sure he will go for that.
I wonder whether we need to follow the Arsenal route with some of there over inflated players and pay off some wages in the last year. if we can cover what we would get from Chelsea (£20m) and then offer him maybe £3/ 5m in wages to offset the last year of his deal this may work all round as would not impact our PSR.
1.) 17 Jun 2025 12:03:50
If Chelsea found his wages too much to handle, there are going to be a very few clubs that will accept Sancho on the wages he is on.
The club may have to look at reintegration into the squad as one of the 10s as a backup, he is better than Mason Mount at football and he didn't fall out with the current manager so might be worth a shot tbh.
2.) 17 Jun 2025 16:08:30
It's not the manager he needs to worry about, DSG.
3.) 17 Jun 2025 17:35:48
Genuine noise around Sancho is that he's lazy, and utterly deluded.
He won't drop his wage demands despite not managing a single performance over the past 4 years to suggest he is worth even half of what he is demanding.
At best it looks like we might have to loan him out with the loan club picking up most of his wages and the rest being covered by a loan fee. Otherwise we will lose more Mon on him next season and he'll leave for free when his contract is up.
Personally, given the fee, wages paid, potential/ expectations, and the trouble he's caused he has to go down as our worst ever signing.
Chelsea actually paid us to avoid signing him. Chelsea chose to effectively set fire to 5m rather than pay a reasonable fee and give Sancho a contract.
4.) 17 Jun 2025 18:49:52
There’s no way back for Sancho. He has openly mocked the club, and continues to say how much he hates it here. Amorim is trying to build a strong team mentality, and bringing Sancho back creates more division.
Not to mention his continual failure to perform in the EPL.
Terrible attitude, overrated talent, and zero evidence that he is capable of putting in work and effort.
He hates the club, but would rather stay and not play than take a pay cut. Tells us everything we need to know about him.
5.) 17 Jun 2025 18:56:19
I wish I got 5m for every time someone said no to me.
6.) 17 Jun 2025 22:17:47
Key, that probably doesn't sound the way you intended ?♂️?.
7.) 18 Jun 2025 14:37:15
Chelsea didn’t pay a loan fee for Sancho originally due to the obligation to buy clause of £20m. The £5m ‘cancellation clause’ was in essence the loan fee.
8.) 19 Jun 2025 12:08:43
I wouldn't shift my wage demands either, if I was on that contract ?
He probably knows he has to significantly change the figures that he is on. But he's not going to take a massive hit for one year, it's not going to happen. As much as I don't like him as a player, he is well within his rights to dig his heels in.
And then next year, if his demands haven't been met, not doubt he will lower them to ensure he finds a club.
United are the ones at fault here, they gave into incredible demands for a player that wasn't worth it. It's their fault, not his.
13 Jan 2025 21:34:40
Looks like Nkunku could be on his way out of Chelsea with PSG or Chelsea interested. With the Sancho deal in the summer and potentially good relations between the clubs is it worth looking at a loan to buy option for him?
I think he could work well in our number 10 positions.
1.) 13 Jan 2025 22:51:22
Nice company for Mount and Shaw on the treatment table?
2.) 14 Jan 2025 09:04:51
On his way out of Chelsea but Chelsea are interested? How does that work lol?
3.) 14 Jan 2025 09:08:33
With Chelsea anything is possible Fizz! I meant to say Bayern.
Had not considered he was that much of a health risk Eric, you are right though looks to have had a few issues.
I do like him as a player and think could fit, maybe for the money there are other alternatives out there.
4.) 14 Jan 2025 10:39:18
Fair shout re Chelsea Brad LOL.
5.) 14 Jan 2025 13:33:21
Love it Brad.
Brad76's banter posts with other poster's replies to Brad76's banter posts
29 Aug 2025 09:22:59
Talk this morning that Mainoo is interested in a loan to get game time with this being a World Cup year. Whilst I would sooner he stayed maybe this works for all parties if we are not able/ want to move on Casemiro/ Fernandes this year.
Maybe if we are still looking at Baleba/ Wharton there is an opportunity to include as part of the bid that Mainoo gets 12 months loan with the club.
Both managers at those clubs would have a positive impact on Mainoo and increase his performance in the CM role.
Maybe pie in the sky and maybe we do not want to let him leave even on loan.
1.) 29 Aug 2025 09:50:17
Manager has said he's effectively competing with the club captain for a singular spot in the team.
With 36 leagues games and one fa cup 3rd round tie left to play this season, agree its quite reasonable he wants out for game time as He could effectively see no minutes for the rest of the season now.
Its a bit of an odd situation where he has more chance of playing for England at the world cup than for us under Amorim lol.
2.) 29 Aug 2025 10:11:58
Competing with a guy who is our best player, never injured, rarely misses a game ? what's RA on about?
I'm watching Casemiro trying his best to keep up with the pace and Kobbie is sitting on the bench.
3.) 29 Aug 2025 10:18:10
I fully understand his stance and to be honest if we are going to persist with Bruno as a No.8 and Kobbie as the back up for him then his game time will be very limited. Even more so now we only have EPL and FA cup games this season.
Given the high regard he is held in and the need for him to actually play games to develop I'd strongly consider this. However, if I was the club I'd insist on him signing a new deal before we sanction a loan move to protect our interests. It would also mean we would 100% need to sign a new midfielder this summer just for numbers.
Collyer has left on loan already, Kone is not ready and will spend some time on the sidelines with his facial injury. That leaves Casemiro (who is aging and will need to be subbed regularly), and Ugarte, who still has a lot to prove, as our only natural deeper midfielders. Along with Bruno and Mount who can play there but it's not really their best position.
The only real downside of letting Mainoo head out on loan is that he won't be training with the squad and potentially not developing the areas of his game the manager wants/ needs him to so that he fits in the system long term. That is a risk.
However, we have to face the reality that we might only have 37 more games this season, if we go out of the FA cup in our first match. Even if we make the final then that is 42 more games this season. Bruno has played over 22,500 minutes for our club since 2020, that averages out at over 50 full games a season. He's also the club captain, so unless he picks up an injury (which he doesn't tend to) or unless he is dropped, it is feasible that he plays every single minute for us for the rest of the season. Even if he does play every minute then he'll still be playing less than he has over the last 5 years.
So when exactly will Mainoo get any game time. We need him to play at least 2000 minutes this season and given our schedule and who he is competing with for a starting spot, there is no chance that he gets even half that number.
Either Bruno is shifted to play in one of the No.10's to give Mainoo a fighting chance of playing or we need to seriously consider sending him out on loan, both for his own personal development and for the long term benefit of the club.
4.) 29 Aug 2025 12:54:46
Of course you fully understand his stance mate. It's complete waffle, much like a lot of your posts in recent weeks shappy ?.
18 Aug 2025 21:01:29
Having chat with my boy on the goalkeeper position and we were discussing that if we are not getting a new keeper this year is it worth giving Bayindir the first month especially with Onana still recovering.
If Onana is not the answer let's see if some game time and confidence from manager can see if Bayindir can be at least the equivalent of Onana.
At this point neither is the option but try something different if we are stuck with them.
1.) 19 Aug 2025 05:33:44
Bring Vitek back, throw these two to the bomb squad.
2.) 19 Aug 2025 07:47:49
And when Vitek makes a mistake, as all keepers do, does he go to the bomb squad as well?
3.) 19 Aug 2025 20:28:01
No Grim, I haven't suggested you go to the bomb squad for an error.
But the two GKs in question are not good enough, end of story.
03 Jun 2025 13:02:29
With Fenandes declaring that he does not want to take the riches of Saudi and assuming another club in Europe does not come in for him there are a couple of questions that need answering:
1. Where will he play - assumption that he will play as the transitional player in midfield/ option as 10/ false 9 if needed
2. Who is the best option to play alongside him from within the existing
3. Who is the best option to play alongside him from if we brought player in - Ederson?
1.) 03 Jun 2025 14:00:16
Assuming we're going for another no.10 as well as a no.9, it would seem he could well push back into midfield as an option as he has done a lot last season, although I do feel we're weaker in that system. The player alongside him needs to be athletic and disciplined. Ederson seems to have fans here, I've not seen much of him myself. In terms of Prem proven Wharton needs to be in the mix.
2.) 03 Jun 2025 14:16:36
With Chuna and possibly Mbeumo, I could see a slight shift in formation.
Bruno as a false 9, with Chuna and Mbeumo playing higher and cutting inside. This would give an extra body in midfield, and give us two goal threats from wide. Similar to how Liverpool played with Firmino, but with Amorim’s system.
3.) 03 Jun 2025 14:23:59
I would prefer Felix Nmecha from Dortmund
He's also young with potential to develop (24)
4.) 03 Jun 2025 15:44:48
I think it’s quite clear RA will play him further back to orchestrate for the new front 3 (hopefully) just means we need steel/ power/ legs in there too and more commanding CB with pace and a decent keeper, but the deal being muted of a swap with Rashford for TerStegan would be a great deal if at all possible to solve keeper problem.
I am very pleased Bruno is staying.
5.) 03 Jun 2025 17:02:02
No reason a player of his quality can not drop deeper into midfield and still perform well.
Just needs to become more disciplined and not run around pressing like a headless chicken (looks good on tv and can dupe the fans but it kills the team when he presses like a headless chicken) .
Also if he can be a bit more disciplined on the ball keeping possession as well (gave the ball away in the europa league carelessly for example) .
6.) 03 Jun 2025 17:50:21
That will be up to the manager. I'm sure he has a plan with bruno he wanted him to stay.
7.) 03 Jun 2025 18:11:09
Let’s not discuss anything ever then lol.
28 May 2025 08:58:10
The Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia is getting some traction with potential deals agreed already with City and Barcelona.
One interesting point on the Barcelona deal is that due to their financial position they may need to loan him out for a year, if this is the case we should be looking to do a deal with them.
With finances tighte this year we would be getting an upgrade on Onana (based on the small bit I have seen and reports read. not extensive! ), we can sell Onana for money now and kick the decision on our long term goalkeeper into next year when we may have less issues in other positions.
I think we need to think outside the box this year on recruitment and sales. would be one option.
1.) 28 May 2025 10:24:55
Brad selling onana at a loss will restrict our ability to buy new players.
Selling him at break even will give us no money to invest.
Reading these pages underlines how little the average fan understands the finer details around club finances and the psr and ffp rules. I don't believe everyone is stupid just ill or non informed.
But it's easier to perhaps to just ignore than it is to read up on it to at least try and understand the nuances and educate ourselves.
Selling any player below book value will generate a loss.
Selling any player for their book value say onana has a book value of 35m. If we sell him for less we have made a loss this restricts our ability to invest. If we sell him for the book value of 35m it gives us no money to invest on new players but won't generate a loss.
If we sell him for 40m we have 5 m towards our transfer kitty as we will have made a profit. Not 5m as taxes fees and associated costs for the transfer come out of that 5m profit.
There is a reason ed002 would not get into the finances as some struggle to understand.
Before the club spends 1 penny this summer we owe 197m for previous transfers.
This is the primary reason that HG players and others like bruno dalot Shaw maguire are the more attractive sales because they have no debt against their book value and generate 10o% profit when sold. This enables us to invest in replacements without generating an in-balance on the accounts.
You don't sell 200m worth of players and them have that 200m available unless they are all sold at 100% profit.
{Ed025's Note - if you got £40m for Onana Ken i will show my bare arse in John Colliers window mate...£4 would be nearer the mark..
2.) 28 May 2025 10:49:26
If it was any other position I'd probably agree with you. But the keeper position is so key to a side I think having a keeper play as first choice for a year only to definitely leave at the end of the season no matter how well they play is more disruptive than beneficial.
The only way I'd agree to loan a keeper is if we had a purchase option included in the deal.
As for Joan Garcia he is a player I think we should be trying to sign outright. If City come in and want to make him first choice then he'll definitely go there. A chance to play for Pep and challenge for the biggest trophies is probably too good for him to turn down. Joining Barcelona would be a tricky move for him as he plays for their fiercest rivals, that move would make him very unpopular in Catalonia. Also to move to them and then be loaned out and not even play for them would be hugely insulting to the Espanyol fans.
We need to ideally sign a keeper who can be our first choice for the next 5-7 years, if that isn't possible this summer then it needs to be a top class second choice who can dislodge Onana this season then be back up to a top class keeper that we sign next summer.
Rumours of the two most likely signings are Senne Lammens who is that young keeper with top class potential, and Vanja Milenkovic-Savic who is that older top class second choice who'll kick Onana to the bench next season, but probably needs a better long term option signed next summer.
I think the club is more likely to go for someone like Lammens if Onana cannot be sold, if Onana leaves then I think they will be more likely to go for a more experienced option like VMS.
3.) 28 May 2025 11:44:37
That is in an ideal world shappy but we are not in that position.
Letting ddg go and spending 47 plus huge wages to this dope with the same agents as eth was as dumb as move as we have made over the past 10 years.
The fee for onana would have paid ddg for 4 more years.
He was prepared to take a cut so maybe 5 plus more years. Honestly one of the dumbest moves in the clubs history imo.
But you live and learn.
Most important position in any team and we screwed it up so badly. He also signed the worst no2 I've seen at the club since paddy roache in the 70s.
Gk needs addressing as badly as a striker.
I wonder will dopey hole sign him for leverkusen. its a possibility if their DOF has been in a coma for past 2 years.
4.) 28 May 2025 12:36:12
I wonder if Erik could be interested in a few Utd players he signed, depending on Lederhosen's current options. They have the Finnish no.1 GK. Not sure of Onana is an up/ downgrade for them.
5.) 28 May 2025 13:07:58
Onana mistakes cost us at least 4 or 5 places last season, so £12m to £15m. In business, ypu also look at sunk costs and ROI. If there's 1 player I expect we would happily take a loss on its Onana. The lack of confidence leads to defenders making mistakes, he comes for it when he shouldn't and doesn't when he should, he can't read danger when playing out and his long game has gone to pot. I doubt he will be here next season no matter what. Even at a £10m loss the psychological gain for the defence and the reduction in errors, which are always called costly errors because that's exactly what they are, makes it a no brainer for me. Info's sold 2 chemical plants last year at a $400m loss, so they get the idea of staying in a bad investment makes no sense for anyone.
6.) 28 May 2025 11:25:53
Ed025 exactly. Unless we get a mad Saudi bid then we are better off financially keeping him or loaning him. It's a binding we find ourselves in with several players.
It's catch 22. It will take time and hurt us to resolve so many of these issues. There is no quick fix. If the finances were not so poor you could take a hit on a player like onana but we have 6 or 7 we need to take ahit on and that would cause psr failure and points deductions. So it's not a case of ripping the plaster off and taking the hit because that would have catastrophic unintended consequences. It's very complex so we need patience. We can't fix them all this summer. If we make a lot of profit on others we could perhaps take a hit or 2 but not on all of them.
{Ed025's Note - i agree Ken, this is not a quick fix mate..
7.) 28 May 2025 13:36:22
Ken absolutely agree that the average fan does not fully understand PSR and the finer details around financials, I fully put myself into that boat. even less sometimes.
My point still stands for me, regardless of whether we make a PSR profit (unlikely), PSR break even (maybe could get £25m from Saudi as 2 years will be off his purchase price), or a PSR loss (potentially £5-10m) the benefit of bringing in a better goalkeeper would outweigh the performances he has put up this past year and the points he has cost us.
I am not sure the club will do it for the reasons you say, but as I have said in this and previous posts we should be thinking outside the box with recruitment and sales this year. Profit will come from other sales to offset this.
8.) 28 May 2025 16:14:14
Loss or not, he needs to be gone one way or other! Total Clown and to think some were so excited when he was coming in and DeGea was going!
9.) 28 May 2025 16:21:03
Brad i don't disagree.
10.) 28 May 2025 23:19:29
Garcia and Lammens, move onto other areas thereafter.
02 Feb 2025 13:10:29
Regardless of incomings which we know we will need over the next few windows I think the club are doing good business with players leaving which we know is difficult based on salaries and how much we paid initially.
Loans for Rashford, Sancho, Antony which hopefully will turn into permanent moves. Malacia being discussed as loan this window. Casimero, Lindelof and I expect Shaw to be moved in the summer will mean big wages have gone and we have recouped some money.
Not saying all our problems are solved but it is a step in the right direction and I like the age and profile of the players being discussed coming in.
Turning us round will take a while but the first few steps are happening.
1.) 02 Feb 2025 13:43:19
Agreed on all but Shaw. He staying or leaving will depend on how he gets on till end of the season. We should have salary space but I don't know if that will reflect in enhanced budget. Getting in a starting midfielder, forward player (or two) and squad reinforcements won't be cheap and probably need to happen in the summer. It's going to be busy.
2.) 02 Feb 2025 14:24:19
Hopefully Shaw can stay fit and have an impact for the rest of the season, so much that another club comes in for him.
That would be the perfect scenario.
3.) 02 Feb 2025 15:51:14
Come to the conclusion it doesn't matter who comes in, they're a disaster. yoro today, my god how gad.
4.) 02 Feb 2025 16:07:05
The team is awful, you could bring in a front 3 of Haaland, Salah and Mbappe and the team would still look awful and not score.
5.) 02 Feb 2025 17:33:37
At least Martinez will come back from injury not like Shaw, Shaw no excuses needs the door.
6.) 02 Feb 2025 18:26:40
Nick,
What did Yoro do today that was worse than any of the others? Seems random to just pick him out for abuse.
7.) 02 Feb 2025 19:24:01
Where do I start? Throughout the fame he qas just weak, he didn't have a clue where the players where. and his passing, wow not sure he actually managed a hit a red shirt. Maguire was poor, in fact all 11 to 15 were, but he was as bad as I've seen from any defender. not first time either, been hopeless since he's started playing.
8.) 02 Feb 2025 20:37:18
Yoro had a 94% passing accuracy from 57 passes today, Maguire 79% from 73 passes and Martinez 86% from 68 passes. Martinez was actually the 2nd highest in the team. 94% is extremely good for a player that never hit a red shirt. For context Van Dijk had an 89% pass success in their game yesterday.
Interesting how different people see the games isn’t it and how you see what you want to see, but stats are a good way to check if what you’re eyes are telling you is correct.
9.) 02 Feb 2025 21:58:53
I am not in the slightest bit interested in passing accuracy. A totally skewed statistic especially for defenders that pass it 5 yards (eventually) sideways.
10.) 03 Feb 2025 00:03:03
Keefy,
Absolutely fine but Nick said Yoro never passed to a red shirt when in fact he passed to a red shirt more than any other player on the pitch.
11.) 03 Feb 2025 09:19:48
Yep not arguing that mate. Just that skewed or totally irrelevant stats are my absolute bug bear.
26 Aug 2025 08:20:34
Amorim is taking a longer term view with players (as seen with Sesko yet to start/ Zirkzee still being eased in) . I expect Mainoo to be a key player for us as the season goes on getting more and more minutes either alongside or in place of Bruno.
We are 2 games into the season. good game poor result against Arsenal, good start then ultimately poor second half. not what we wanted result but point on the board against Fulham.
I expect us to win the next 2 games and then be competitive against City and Chelsea with maybe a surprise win against one of them. Optimism.
24 Aug 2025 14:13:05
I expect Bruno will make the same decision as previously and want to stay this season.
What would be interesting is if a deal was agreed for next season, deal to be completed before End of June that gives the club certainty of money to maybe spend for this season.
If he decides to go then the Baleba conversation becomes real again.
18 Aug 2025 17:04:00
Wallace you may be correct on that front. If we believe the stories nothing he does makes any logical sense to his words.
Wants to get out of Manchester and be a big player somewhere
Rejects Chelsea as he wanted more than the £150k they offered
Rejects Juventus and Roma who are offering between £100-120k
Rejects Saudi/ Turkey who potentially would pay him his salary demands as he thinks he should be in a higher league/ team
Pick what version of freedom you want. other than none of it and believes that we will be forced to give him a loan and he can negotiate a bigger salary with no fee.
Crazy situation and potentially he needs to be careful of the message he puts out there with clubs having buyer beware fear going forward.
14 Aug 2025 14:11:45
Best idea for him at hopefully a top championship club. Will either mean he comes back ready to compete or we are able to sell on.
Good luck to him.
10 Aug 2025 21:39:52
I have the feeling the Sancho situation will run towards the end of August and he will end up back at Dortmund. Whether as full sale or one more loan!
09 Oct 2025 12:38:34
Baleba and Wharton for me could be the ideal midfield 2. Mix of ball playing 6 and the all energy player next to him.
I think neither are realistic in January so we could look at a loan to get through this season and that could impact what we do long term if that player does well.
Going forward I would then like us to bring through at some from the youth team, even if that means some loans are required to get them ready.
07 Oct 2025 09:33:53
We need all of our loans to be performing so that we are able to maximise the sale values, or be able to sell. Rashford does not fit the system Amorim plays so unless a manager change is made that is a non starter coming back, plus with his Salary he does not fit with the future model of the club. £35m
Sancho, I assume we have not extended him for 12 months so he will be walking away on a free but we are at least rid of his salary/ attitude.
Hojlund, seems to be done with Amorim so again unless manager change he will move on. Hope he does well as seems a good person who wants to succeed. £35m
Casemiro and Maguire we will let them go on a free. Good pro's but salary not justified by output.
Shaw and Martinez, whilst both are still under contract I wonder if there are deals to be done in the summer that suits all parties. Even if we look to take less in a fee it could be best in the long run.
07 Oct 2025 08:59:16
I love the stat of having an acadamy playing in the squad for 80 years, at the moment and over periods during that time it is a
false impression with the acadamy players not really contributing.
I would be surprised if Amorim, who feels fully aware of the club history, would allow that record to break under his tenure. We regularly have youth players stepping up into the first team squad and I would expect that to continue if Mainoo was to be injured or go on loan.
Under Amorim we have seem Tyler Fredriksom, last year Chido Obi, Harry Amass. I think he wants to get players around the first team but feels like we are not in a position to experiment.
06 Oct 2025 11:05:27
Agree Ken, all basic stuff that we should not be worried about in a goalkeeper but we have had to worry about for the past few years.
Hopefully it contiunes and it will breed confidence for the defence which will help them improve.
06 Oct 2025 09:02:50
I am sure all teams can go with what if. but what if:
- we had Lammens in goal vs Arsenal and the keeper not gifted them the only goal of the game (1 more point)
- Fernandes scores penalty v Fulham we go onto get the win (2 more points)
- Fernandes scores penalty v Brentford, Collins gets red card for foul on Mbeumo we can assume we get draw at least (1 more point)
We would be on 14 points joint second, 1 point off Liverpool with Arsenal losing 2 points from the top point. The same issues would be there but we would be feeling a lot differently about where we are. (lets not consider the what if's the other was as I am sure we have had some lucky moments! )
Point is whilst we have not been great, we have been better just not consistent and we have certainly not had the luck/ or helped ourselves. I can see us getting a result against Liverpool after the international window and then let's see heo we do from there.