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04 May 2025 21:57:34
Luis Campos linked with Utd now, interesting.
1.) 05 May 2025 07:54:50
I remember Ed002 (RIP) saying Campos would be a great DoF for United. He has had a phenomenal career, certainly an interesting option.
2.) 05 May 2025 08:33:06
But, unfortunately for United fans, Romano has claimed that there is nothing in these rumours.
He said about Campos in a video on his YouTube channel: “We had links with Manchester United. But, I’m told, in this moment, Luis Campos is not negotiating with Manchester United.
“That’s my information.
“In terms of links, I’m receiving many of your messages, guys, I understand the excitement because when there is a link with a director like Luis Campos, it’s normal for fans to be excited.
“We had some links to Chelsea, but Chelsea are very happy with their structure. We had links with Manchester United, but I am not aware of anything on this. ”.
3.) 05 May 2025 10:52:21
When was the last time Romano broke a news story?
4.) 06 May 2025 07:18:53
When was the last time he actually predicted a single outcome rather than covering his proverbial with a bail out option?
The Harry Maguire of journos. Does lots of pointing and posturing, completely unreliable and sometimes, only sometimes gets it right and builds his season on it.
Makes my blood boil more than the dirge on the park!
Breathe Keith, breathe!
5.) 06 May 2025 12:16:28
Given Maguire's form of late I think that's extremely harsh KEEFY Lay off the guy a bit maybe.
6.) 06 May 2025 21:58:14
Two games. Meh!
7.) 07 May 2025 15:53:15
Listen to none other than those boys over at the Athletic, Mitten, Whitwell and Ornstein. Proper journalists.
8.) 08 May 2025 10:33:01
#Keefy - It's not about predicting transfers, it's about sharing news when there is some. A lot of u look at transfer window like some kind of reality show. I don't see any logic in following people who play guessing game. When Romano says here we go, it's 95% done deal. I would rather wait a bit more for that and be sure, than follow people who get 1 out of 10.
9.) 14 May 2025 19:43:08
Angel red is bang on.
24 Mar 2025 00:19:39
Ed001,
A quick question for you, can Chelsea play Utd a fee for terminating their obligation to buy Sancho?
I wouldn't have thought it would be that easy or straight forward.
{Ed001's Note - yes.}
1.) 24 Mar 2025 01:49:49
Cheers Ed001.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}
2.) 24 Mar 2025 05:46:54
Don’t worry about Sancho, sign up Pirlo……. you either got it or you not!
3.) 24 Mar 2025 08:19:53
Sounds like they can pay £5m to break the clause, there does seem to be a danger then for them on clubs doing future similar deals with them though but they probably won’t care as there is no way they will want to keep Sancho. Hopefully we can still sell him this summer though.
4.) 24 Mar 2025 09:49:36
The irony is that technically, Sancho would work very well in Amorim’s system as one of the No10s. However, he’s very much burned his bridges with the club and fans and needs to be shifted asap, and the fact Chelsea want rid too speaks volumes. Just doesn’t have the mental strength to be a top level pro sadly. that's not a criticism, just fact. he's 25 now, so time to grow up and be an example to others.
5.) 24 Mar 2025 11:22:22
Eric, no he's not. Sure he can play as a no 10, but remember the training video which RA asked every player to run back all their might when they lost the ball? No way sancho's going to run like that.
6.) 24 Mar 2025 11:23:07
GDS2 yeah The Athletic had a report in the last couple of days that Chelsea could pay 5m to break the clause. It also did say that their intention is to keep him and that it's Mudryk that they want to ship on, but then again they would say that now wouldn't they. His output for them has been poor, but ultimately I think it'll depend on what wages he's willing to accept to play for them. There's a talented player there. He just doesn't seem to want to put in the effort.
7.) 24 Mar 2025 14:32:09
If Chelsea don't want him I would rather we paid up the final year of his contract and sent him on his way.
Surely Sancho realises that the gravy train is about to end for him.
8.) 24 Mar 2025 15:57:20
Not got the physicality or intensity for PL.
Hopefully will do well in European club.
9.) 24 Mar 2025 21:29:22
If we get 5m from Chelsea and his book value is 15m i think we will easily find a taker that will risk 15 m. Bd and bayer leverkusen are both said to be interested.
He imo is not a problem anymore. No matter how it shakes up we shouldn't incur a loss on his book value which is key.
10.) 24 Mar 2025 21:41:40
Maybe an e-sports team will sign him to play fifa from his sofa?
11.) 24 Mar 2025 21:49:27
Imagine the insult, Sancho would literally be the first player in history a club has paid not to sign ?♂️.
12.) 24 Mar 2025 23:27:24
On the something here, maybe a lot of clubs would pay us not to seel them our dross.
13.) 25 Mar 2025 12:36:49
I think we should move forward with the idea of the Sancho Cup.
Heard it somewhere online. One off match between United and Chelsea at Wembley after the season ends. Loser gets Sancho. It’s the fairest way. Imagine how hard players would fight to win?
17 Dec 2024 16:48:55
ED001,
Do you know of any targets Utd have in mind during the January transfer window?
Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - I don't at the moment sorry.}
1.) 17 Dec 2024 19:37:14
Hopefully a striker and left back.
Osimhen would be worth a punt if we could shift Rashford on. At lb I’d like us to go for Kerkez.
11 Jul 2024 21:14:04
ED002,
Are Utd conducting their transfer business in a more professional manner this summer?
Previously you mentioned how "Amateurish" the club was when dealing with transfers. Of course it is still early days.
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - They are shaping up to move to a better approach, so I guess yes.}
1.) 12 Jul 2024 09:34:53
It's almost criminal that the previous individuals involved in transfer business were so poor, you not only wonder how they even got to that role in the first place but also how they held on to it! The argument can't be that they were there to save Glazers money because they wasted millions of pounds.
I don't know the ins and outs of the process for transfer business but how they previous lot appear to be so spectacularly poor compared to, current performance of new individuals is amazing really.
2.) 12 Jul 2024 09:46:08
That's a good guess ed ?.
3.) 12 Jul 2024 15:56:56
Ports, it comes down to Woodward. He was arrogant enough to think that he actually knew something about football. I am led to believe by one of the football directors that all the decisions were his.
You may also recall him saying (echoing Arsenal? ) something about how winning the title was not important from a financial point of view. I remain amazed that the Glazers kept him in that position for so long. Maybe he had some kompromat on them!
The buck, as they say, stops with him.
4.) 12 Jul 2024 16:08:58
Shaw, I disagree. The book stops firmly with the Glazers. They appointed Woodward with no past experience of such a role. Woodward's ego was never going to stand up and say "thanks, but no thanks".
Business owners employing incompetent people to positions of power should not happen at this level, and if it does, it should be identified and that person (s) be removed very quickly.
This tells you all you need to know about how much the Glazers care about football.
30 Jun 2024 07:48:08
ED002,
Do you see Utd pushing for a deal for Branthwaite today?
Do Everton still need to sell players before the end of today?
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Manchester United and Everton are miles apart in valuation.}
1.) 30 Jun 2024 11:22:37
If this deal is to happen it'll be after today's PSR deadline.
In truth the PSR deadline has already passed. Clubs need the funds in their account by today, it's not enough to just have the deal agreed, but the transfer of funds has to have happened. Transfering large sums of money on a Sunday isn't likely or even possible in many cases.
I think United offered as much as they could while staying inside the PSR boundaries for themselves. That's why they looked at including players to bring the offer up as they needed to sell those players to raise the funds to add to the deal. As they couldn't sell them they looked at including them in the deal instead. Which was flatly rejected by Everton.
Once the deadline has passed and one of the really bad years (where we made a big loss) has dropped off United will be able to offer more. This increases further once they start selling some players and bringing in funds.
I fully expect United to go back in for Branthwaite and for a deal to be done for around the 60m mark, maybe including add-ons or with additional add-ons. Depends on how well we can negotiate and how much Branthwaite pushes for the move, as Everton don't HAVE to sell and they know that he will likely increase in value over the next season or so. Keeping him means they keep a great player and have an asset that is increasing in value. Absolutely no reason to sell on the cheap. That said I think United will still push hard for this deal. He is also one of the few players that might be worth paying a bit more for.
2.) 30 Jun 2024 13:01:29
Shappy I would be surprised if your interpretation of football club finance is correct, at least if clubs are run like traditional businesses, the money does not need to be in the bank account.
As for Branthwaite I’d be hoping the club is looking seriously at other options if Everton are demanding in excess of £60m.
3.) 30 Jun 2024 16:00:04
Wazza, that's the interpretation I've heard from several "football finance experts".
Any income after midnight tonight counts to next year's accounts not this year's.
4.) 30 Jun 2024 17:11:13
Shappy sorry pal but you are blurring the lines between cash in the bank and signed agreements. They are two very different things. At least from my experience running businesses. I’d be surprised if it was any different for a football club.
5.) 30 Jun 2024 17:34:32
No it doesn't.
6.) 30 Jun 2024 20:26:48
This is why accountants exist, to make sure the money on paper is where it needs to be when it needs to be.
United seem to think that the have the chance to get a player for a price that suits them quite possibly because of the position that the other club find themselves in.
Everton don't want to sell him cheap, United ont his circumstance have to be prepared to walk away if Everton will not sell for what they are prepared to pay.
Branthwaite isn't the player I would be prepared to go all in on, Silva is if we are looking at young CB.
7.) 30 Jun 2024 22:41:24
Oakbark, while I think Silva and Yoro for that matter are talented young CB's, I don't believe either is any better than Branthwaite is right now, having watched both of them on 5 or 6 occasions.
I think there is a lot of snobbery when it comes to talents playing in the EPL for "smaller" clubs. With fans preferring the fancy foreign name who they've never seen play more than once if at all.
Maybe Silva and Yoro go on to become better players than Branthwaite, they are both a couple of years younger after all.
Yet neither have shown themselves capable in the EPL, a league that has chewed up and spat out many top class players with more than 5 times the experience of either Yoro or Silva.
Absolutely no guarantees that either of them will adapt to the EPL.
While has proven he can excel in the EPL, that has to be worth something over the the others. He can also comfortably play at both RCB and LCB, meaning he can play with or cover for Martinez. Something neither Yoro or Silva could do. He also ticks a box in terms of homegrown players. Something that we have to consider given that both Evans and Heaton will either leave this summer or next. Along with Sancho, Greenwood, AWB, Maguire and McTominay. Which would only leave Rashford, Shaw, Mount to fulfill the 7 homegrown spots we need. None of which are guaranteed long term options.
Branthwaite is on par with both Yoro and Silva currently (albeit he is a little older), he is EPL proven, and counts as homegrown. For those reasons he is worth paying a bit more for as he is less of a gamble and offers more.
8.) 01 Jul 2024 05:17:19
Branthwaite being on a par with anyone is another completely unmeasurable opinion of course, he’s English and young and I get the appeal. I saw him completely rinsed on several occasions last season and don’t see the fuss. I suspect we’ll get him though and hope he rises to the occasion.
9.) 01 Jul 2024 05:57:58
shappy/ spenno
Everytime i have watched him against better teams and players he has been poor. maybe its everton and who he has around him. he does not strike me as a guy who is a transformational defender to build around. On yoro not being better I would have to disagree shappy. Totally different player and ceiling is very high.
Shappy you keep saying pl proven. The last two pl proven defenders we signed for a total of 130 mill have not exactly proven as good business. The only one I can think of that has being a success is Rio but then again he was different.
{Ed025's Note - you have obviously not seen a lot of Branthwaite ahmad, he is top quality mate and miles better than you have, i think he will end up at Old Trafford but not at the low ball price you are offering im afraid..
10.) 01 Jul 2024 06:17:57
Branthwait is potential. He's nowhere near the england team even when HM is ruled out with injury. So he is nowhere near a $70m player today.
Everton have every right not to sell him. Utd have every right not to buy. If we do end up getting him it will be a slow burner.
{Ed025's Note - he only just missed the cut for the Euro,s DB, so him being nowhere near the England team is not actually true mate, i agree that if slab head was fit he would have been selected before Jarrad but that says more about the incompetent England manager than anything else, i believe he will go to United though as he wants the move but i would have loved him to stay at Everton...hes the future..
11.) 01 Jul 2024 06:30:54
I wouldn't be upset with us getting any of three mentioned. Everyone will have the favourites amongst them, I suspect all three will be good buys over time.
As an aside supposedly as the 30th is a non working day, deals that go through today can be registered for the purpose of the accounts as occurring on the 30th.
12.) 01 Jul 2024 09:13:50
Ahmad, all three are young defenders learning their craft. As such all will make mistakes, it's how they handle those mistakes that will define them. Silva had a nightmare the other night for Portugal. It happens.
There is also a world of difference making a mistake for Lille or Everton and making a mistake at Manchester United.
Branthwaite has more experience, is a little older and has played for different teams and in different countries. From what I hear from people who have worked with him he has a top class attitude and mentality. Maybe Silva and Yoro do as well, but I've not spoken with anyone who would know that.
Considering that all three will be around the same price, and are probably all around the same level currently (potential might be different between them, but that means nothing unless it's realised) . We need to consider other aspects to see which is a better deal. Branthwaite is EPL proven, will have a lower chance of failure, is British and counts as homegrown, and is more flexible and able to offer more tactical flexibility to the squad. It's also likely that Branthwaite has more longevity at the club as English players rarely push for moves to big continental clubs. We know Yoro has his sights set on Real Madrid, and I wouldn't be surprised if Silva would want to got to either of the two big Spanish clubs if they came calling in the future.
Branthwaite isn't the sexy name, but for all those reasons when all three will cost the same it means Branthwaite is probably better value and the better option.
The only argument I've seen anyone put forward for either Yoro or Silva over Branthwaite is the very wooly and subjective "more potential" debate. Maybe they do, maybe they don't. They are different players who at this moment in time suit different styles of play. All three in my opinion have the potential to be amongst the best CB's in the world in 2-4 years time. Which for me means their potential is fairly similar. Yet as I've said potential is also potentially nothing.
They could flop at a bigger club, or in a different country, or they could pick up serious injuries that detail their progress.
While there is an argument that Yoro and Silva are performing at a similar level at a younger age, you can also argue that the physical nature of playing CB on a younger body that is still developing and growing could bring about more injuries in the long term. When I think of CB's who were playing regularly at the top level at 17 or 18 years old I think of Varane or more recently De Ligt. Both have struggled with injuries throughout their careers.
I hope that neither Silva or Yoro go on to have injury issues, but it has to be a consideration. While bringing them to the most physically demanding league to play in one of the most physically demanding positions at such a young age and while their bodies are still growing/ developing should also be something to consider.
13.) 01 Jul 2024 08:44:14
ED025,
I've not really seen much of JB, but he what I have seen of him, is that he does slightly remind me of Vidic.
Personally I think he would thrive alongside Martinez at Utd.
{Ed025's Note - i would think so too MH..
14.) 01 Jul 2024 09:52:33
Ed25, correct me if I am wrong but you support Everton? If so can you tell me if he is predominantly left footed or not? Obvs if we got him he'd play next to Licha, so would be on the right hand side and I've seen JB say himself he is both, but just wondering what your thoughts were. Thanks.
{Ed025's Note - hes left footed Elvis, i do support Everton mate and thats why i can tell you you would be getting an excellent young player if you did sign Jarrad, him and Martinez both being lefties would not be a problem though imo because they are both decent with their right foot as well..
15.) 01 Jul 2024 13:57:28
JB is best option available imo and I think he will do well.
Much better option than Silva or yoro imo if they are looking at him coming straight into the team. Miles ahead of yoro in terms of experience and proven ability.
All 3 are very good players obviously with JB carrying the least risk imo due to his epl experience.
Personally I wouldn't go near de ligt.
I think that ajax team had a freak season. None of the star players sold went on to achieve very much after their moves. All talented players who were young at the time had momentum on their side that season but no real superstars and they have proven that over time.
16.) 01 Jul 2024 14:52:22
ed025
I have watched him quite a few times given we got linked to him early in the year. I do actually watch a lot of games just to see players we get linked to or if its someone who all the big clubs get linked to. I am not slagging him but not a player I have watched that grabs my attention and I go wow. Solid decent young Pl defender but vey basic passing and distribution imo.
Tarkowski has better stats than Branthwaite by the way, that's for Shappy who loves stats.
All I am saying is maybe maybe the club did not low ball the bid and genuinely see him for that kind of value and there is a major valuation gap between us and Everton.
I think we would have already signed Todibo had it not hit a snag, which I would assume is a priority for us to get a right footed CB and might have nothing to do with BT signing or another left footed CB.
IMO if we are going to sign a left footer, Inacio from Sporting is a better player and makes a lot more sense, Release clause not too far away from BR bid that we made. age, passing, technically no comparison and speed all tick the box.
Finally, Is the Branthwaite interest really a back up for Martinez. Lots of reports last few days about us signing two CB's and maybe the club thought we can get him in as cover for Martinez at a reasonable price given ETH desire to have a left footed CB on the pitch at all times.
Finally, if he as good as some think, where are the other bids given Everton's need to sell. Chelsea, Villa, Spurs, United and even city who seem to buy a CB every year and a host of teams are looking for CB's.
If people are advocating paying 60 or 70 million for branthwaite then i am not in that boat. I would put that on the table on someone like arujo from Barcelona and see if we can get someone like him. oceans apart imo.
Finally, united fans never change, we all get transfer heat and want the club to splash money to only later say we were stupid paying that much for this player and that player lol.
{Ed025's Note - i think he will end up at UTD for £50m +add ons ahmad, but he will not be back up to anyone mate, if you get him he starts..
17.) 01 Jul 2024 15:02:05
@shappy you should go back to your 'several' football Finsbury experts and tell them they are not exists. They are talking rubbish or else you have missed heard or misinterpreted what they told you.
18.) 01 Jul 2024 15:17:45
Ed025
You may be correct on that one. I am just going by what eth has said in the past, where he wants a natural right footer and left foot cb combination.
Last year we had 5 right footed and one left footed cb in the squad and he always talks about balance and passing lanes. I don't believe he will play BR and Martinez together but let's wait and see. It goes against his philosophy, which btw most other top teams do the same thing.
I trust whatever the club decides to do and believe we are in the market for two cb's. Lefties are harder to find and he may be our best option if Inacio is not gettable.
{Ed025's Note - you want him and he wants you ahmad so i believe there is a deal to be done mate, top players can play on either side imo..
19.) 01 Jul 2024 15:42:09
50 mill is decent ed. I think anything around 70m is just crazy.
They're also quoting DeLigt at 40m+, I think that would be a better bet. But I'd imagine they are looking at both. God knows we need it ?.
{Ed025's Note - yeah angel but the home grown factor and the fact he is young may make Jarrad the better option for you mate..
20.) 01 Jul 2024 16:20:57
And now I feel truly old, with de Ligt at 24 being less than half my age. Not even in his prime.
21.) 01 Jul 2024 18:49:52
Ahmad, with Martinez being out most of last season which left footed CB did we play to meet EtH's preferences?
Hell, we played most the season with a right footed left back let alone a left footed centre back.
Yeah, sure I'd imagine most coaches would like a right foot/ left foot balance throughout the team, but given that less than 12% of people in the world are left footed that makes it practically impossible.
22.) 01 Jul 2024 18:51:39
I wouldn't go near De Ligt personally. Massive wages, patchy injury record, and he hasn't truly convinced at either Juventus or Bayern since leaving Ajax.
He has potential flop written all over him.
23.) 01 Jul 2024 19:52:20
Thanks Ed, yer I think so too. Still not certain we will definitely sign him but he is a top prospect for sure.
{Ed025's Note - yeah Elvis, that SJR needs to put his hand in his pocket mate and start spending, its not as if hes spending it on hairdressing or anything is it.. :)
24.) 02 Jul 2024 22:34:20
If your club was not in the PSR door do and needing to make transfers prior to the end of season deadline, I would be delaying sales until after the new season start, could also be the case that teams spending want to wait. There is also the Copa and Euros going on which I think may slow down a fair few deals. I think it's quite understandable if a player wants to sort I tbout post tournament and just concentrate on that for now.
I know the American sports with salary caps, yearly bonuses etc are strongly guided in their actions by the financial aspect and what counts and when and would assume that the number crunchers in football are thinking along the same lines whilst the mechanisms are very different, the timing of the deals will now be important to clubs, they need to account for PSR, amortization etc etc you have to know what you spent over the last 5 seasons and what your still accounting for and then freeing up in sales on the accounts this year money to spend which you may account for over 5 years but knowing that you have to also consider you need to potential nake sales in each of the following four years for this year's purchases.
Football manager is going to start getting really complicated now.
Mad Hatter's banter posts with other poster's replies to Mad Hatter's banter posts
05 Oct 2025 11:07:21
How many people would have snapped their own hands off to be 6 points behind 1st place, going into the October internationals?
Whilst we have been far from glamorous, there are promising signs. It is Utd's inconsistency that is my main concern.
Other teams are having blips aswell. It is nice to see CP and Bournemouth doing well. The league is certainly competitive.
I watched part of the RM and Villareal game last night. They definitely get all the decisions going there way. The second yellow
Card the mourino got was shocking. The way VJ went down was embarrassing. Unfortunately this has been part of the game and almost a prerequisite.
1.) 05 Oct 2025 12:09:04
Really surprised how Villa, Forest, and Newcastle have started. Probably a little less surprised about Forest after appointing Ange.
It does feel like anyone can beat anyone at the minute. Now is the time to pick up some consistency so we can start to create some space away from the bottom half of the table whilst others are in a bad run of form. Still early days, but a real chance to capitalize on others playing badly.
2.) 05 Oct 2025 13:04:15
Its become a very competitive league. Particularly at this point of the season. Bournemouth have a playwr that would get into amy team in the league imo. He is the difference make for them. Same as palace they have a couple of top epl players in super form.
The gaps have narrowed.
Im not sure that any team will dominate this season and I think it will be a season where consistency will be fairly hard to come by. We are 2 missed pens away from being 2 points off top spot.
We are improving and getting better with a squad with obvious deficiencies. Learning a new way of playing. It takes time.
We will improve quite dramatically year on year imo and that's what we all asked for.
Time for cool heads some tolerance understanding and patience.
Players and coaches thankfully are not answerable to the fans. That would be like giving the keys to the loonies in the asylum.
3.) 05 Oct 2025 15:00:07
Geez ken, when did you become so tolerant of a struggling manager ?
I wholeheartedly agree btw.
4.) 05 Oct 2025 15:18:31
Db the only 3 managers I've ever called to be fired are sexton, ole no brain and eric the dope.
5.) 05 Oct 2025 16:38:18
Tumbleweed,
That's a good summary. The competitiveness of the league might just benefit Utd come the end of the season.
Hopefully a top CM can be bought in the January transfer window.
6.) 05 Oct 2025 17:52:44
It’s strange to think that had Bruno scored that penalty last week and we’d gone on to win the game, we’d be three points off first place right now. Things clearly need to improve, but I still find it strange that so many people are calling for Amorim’s head when the margins that we’re dealing with are so fine.
7.) 05 Oct 2025 20:22:19
6 points off now is like 33 points off top at the end of the season. It’s an improvement at least.
8.) 06 Oct 2025 08:58:58
We have this post every season lol.
9.) 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.
10.) 06 Oct 2025 10:06:51
We will get smashed by the scousers back to reality in a couple of weeks.
11.) 06 Oct 2025 11:09:56
Then you can revel in your pessimism and misery.
I would love RA to be in Manchester for years and ideally buy a house next door to you ??.
12.) 06 Oct 2025 12:12:58
Shashank is German, another upset, timsurely, he's lost the plot with his MPD desperate for attention. More faces than a town hall clock.
13.) 06 Oct 2025 14:19:21
I don't think so captain this chap is a relation of mystic meg. The sterotypical antisupporter imo. Just miserable in his outlook for the team and manager.
But says he goes to the games so tbf sees a lot. I feel for the optimistic fans who have to sit near him.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to follow the team in their own way. Having a positive and hopeful outlook for the team is not for everybody.
Even though I didn't like ole or eth i predicted a united win before every game as I refuse to contemplate anything thing other than a united win before any game.
Each to their own.
Once the game is over any joy or despair lasts about 20 mins after a game for me and then my mind moves on to the really important things in life.
14.) 06 Oct 2025 15:35:49
Would be like sitting next to the dementors in Harry Potter.
15.) 06 Oct 2025 16:08:13
Or the 2 old guys from the muppets?? stadler and waldorf.
28 Aug 2025 11:50:41
The should be Onanas laat appearance for Utd now.
Sign lammens and sell Onana. The guy is completely useless in goal. It should be a sack able offence if RA picks him again.
1.) 28 Aug 2025 12:16:46
I would also add that clown Dalot to that list.
Absolutely gutless, no passion, no fight and looks absolutely terrified when he's out on that pitch.
07 Aug 2025 08:51:41
Maybe the club should try a cheeky bid for Maigan. He would be a great signing and would add a lot of experience to our defence aswell.
15 Jul 2025 09:36:02
Hopefully the club can wrap up Mbeumo soon and move for Matata. I think he woukd be ideal yp front and a better option than Watkins.
1.) 15 Jul 2025 09:58:33
I love your optimism MH. I do like Mateta — he’s a quality finisher. My only concern is that he relies heavily on service, and that’s something we’ve often lacked. Without the right support around him, he can struggle to make an impact.
With the pace we’re moving at on transfers, its more likely we’ll end up with neither option than both. But hey, we can dream.
2.) 15 Jul 2025 12:35:25
Further doubts about the Mbuemo deal today apparantly United and Brentford are still millions apart on the price.
{Ed025's Note - i believe it will get done though Sim0, the longer it drags on the better for United i feel, they will be desperate to get players in and they know they cant keep hold of Mbuemo because he wants out mate..
3.) 15 Jul 2025 13:13:39
Ed025 - ihope you are right. it's becoming farcical.
{Ed025's Note - the domino effect will happen shortly Sim0 and things will start to move mate..
4.) 15 Jul 2025 17:02:39
Utd are being bent over here and should walk away.
Mbeumo 1 year plus 1 on his contract yet we’re being screwed. It’s embarrassing.
Tell BM to strike and we offer £45M or wait until his contract is expiring.
We can buy whoever you want up front but with Onana, 3421 and our defence we will won’t win anything. Start building the team from the back.
5.) 15 Jul 2025 17:10:40
How are United being bent over?
Brentford don’t want or need to sell the player. They set a price at the start of the window. Either United are willing to pay this price, or walk away. It’s not rocket science.
The problem isn’t Brentford, the problem is United spending months haggling rather than making a decision.
6.) 15 Jul 2025 18:11:30
It’s ridiculous if they really want him and he been identified as part of the jigsaw, they should have just got it done and move on to the next, pointless all the bad press if it is a few million, in the grand scheme of things.
7.) 15 Jul 2025 18:21:37
Paying £65M for a 25 yo with 1 year to run on their contract. Bent over.
A proper club would have a viable alternative lineup or push the player to make it happen.
Let’s be honest the summer isn’t going well, bomb squad are going nowhere and it’s shaping up for a new manager come October.
8.) 15 Jul 2025 19:00:46
He’s also got an option the club can trigger at any point we are not getting bent over
The fee they want in this market for the player he is, is more than fair when you compare the prices elenga, Pedro, gibbs white are going for
We are just doing what we have done for years, just pay the money get him done and move on to other targets
Manager is getting hung out to dry, this squad needs players and so far this has been a very poor window
If we had just won the title you could understand but we’ve just finished 15th.
9.) 15 Jul 2025 21:00:26
As Bolger says, he’s Brentford’s player for the next two years, and they don’t want to sell him.
United went to Brentford and said - we want to buy your player.
They said - we’re happy to keep him for the next two years, but if you want him, this is the price.
United have spent two months trying to haggle them down, despite knowing that Brentford don’t need to sell.
If United don’t think he’s worth what they want, they should move onto a different option. The issue, as usual, is that United are wasting time by not making a decision. Buy him if you’re willing to pay the price, move on if you’re not. Just don’t waste the entire window pissing in the wind in the hope Brentford will lower their valuation.
10.) 15 Jul 2025 21:34:03
We always get bent over. If it was city in for him i'm sure they would have a deal wrapped up in no time and pay under 50 million.
11.) 15 Jul 2025 22:21:29
From what I've read of Mbuemo, he's not the type to go on strike.
And I wouldn't want him here if he did.
12.) 15 Jul 2025 22:27:18
? Danny C
United get bullied and our own fans don’t see it.
So many people accepting mediocrity across every facet of the club. Sad times.
Mbeumo is a decent player but I wouldn’t lose any sleep over not signing him or see it as a priority to waste half the summer negotiating just to pay the original price.
Bent over fc.
13.) 16 Jul 2025 07:42:10
United Road, we are all capable of bolloxology from time to time, but you have that baton firmly in your grip on with this.
Bent over, haha.
14.) 16 Jul 2025 10:02:25
Considering what some players who we wouldn’t have are going for I think Mbuemo is well priced. I can imagine Brentford who quoted early on in the window are wishing they’d asked for more. Think Cunha was also a good buy. We do need more though most of our players top performances were in Europa, Shaw, Cas, Maguire dare I say Ohnana etc could be a blood bath without a couple more upgrades. Hoping Ugarte has come on.
27 Jun 2025 18:26:19
ED001,
Which GKs do you think Utd should target if they replace Onana.
Martinez has been linked with Utd. Whilst he is an improvement, given the length of his current contract, he would be quite expensive given his age. Admittedly I'm not a fan of his either.
Potentially Ter Stegen may be available for a relatively cheap price. I think his best days may already be behind him. Yet he would would still be an improvement on Onana.
Previously you've mentioned some young Championship GKs, woukd those still be your options?
Verbuggen, would be a great choice, but i can't see Brighton selling him, unless they received an astronomal amount for him.
Moving players on this summer will determine whether the club go for short or long term fixes.
Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - there are obvious answers like Costa, but for me, I like the look of Cooper at Sheff Utd. I think he looks very promising.}
1.) 27 Jun 2025 19:21:03
Cheers ED001,
I wouldn't confident of a successfully season, if Onana was still playing.
English keepers don't seem to do well for Utd. I can't remember the last one that did.
{Ed001's Note - fair point, but there is always a first.}
2.) 27 Jun 2025 20:07:29
Alex Stepney!
3.) 27 Jun 2025 20:51:57
Before my time Patrick. I was born 1985.
4.) 27 Jun 2025 22:38:28
Ed001
I mentioned Cooper recently - nobody engaged.
I also think he looks promising - very good shot-stopper, decent passing range, always appears calm and composed.
The only issue for me is that, because he's not really a 'name', there'd be so many fans feeling uneasy about him that he'd probably only be accepted by them as back up - he's No1 at Sheff Utd so I think he'd want to remain the main man.
I think he'll be EPL-bound soon enough though.
{Ed001's Note - I expect there to be someone in for him this summer. He looks too good for the Championship.}
5.) 28 Jun 2025 00:02:17
I was born 1885!
6.) 28 Jun 2025 05:56:51
I would much prefer an experienced keeper with strong personality and hands of course, I would prefer TerStegan on loan, not sure with the remark best years behind him, that’s for sure, been injured for 6-8 months but sure is massive upgrade on Clown.
7.) 28 Jun 2025 10:31:08
Goalkeeper is a real conundrum for us. Looking around there aren't many top level or potential top level keepers available.
Diogo Costa at Porto looks to be the best option available for a top keeper (one who actually has world class potential) . Yet he'll cost 45-55m from Porto if they agree to not demand his buyout fee of around 60m.
United simply won't have that much to spend on a keeper this summer. We have spent 60m on Cunha, will likely spend another 60m on Mbeumo and probably 50-70m on a striker. That's 170-180m spent, with us still needing a GK and a midfielder. We cannot spend 50m on a keeper alone.
We can't even raise much money from selling keepers to pay if it. We need to sell Onana for 35m to just breakeven which seems unlikely. While Bayindir might sell for 10-15m, half of which we still owe on him. Meaning we might raise 5-7m from selling Bayindir to spend on a new keeper.
We are limited on who we can sign both by a lack of funds available, as well as a lack of genuine top class options available to sign.
While I'd prefer to see Onana leave this summer, I doubt he will. Supposedly he doesn't want to leave, while there certainly isn't the interest in him at the fee we need to sell him for without taking a loss.
I expect to see Bayindir leave and for us to sign a solid No.2 keeper who can genuinely challenge Onana and maybe even take his place.
Then next summer with Onana having lost his place and us needing more like 22m to breakeven I'd expect him to move on. At which point maybe we sign a younger keeper with world class potential to become the understudy to whoever we sign this year. Giving them time and grow into the roll without the pressure of being the guy right away.
While there are potentially better keepers out there I'd expect to see us signing someone like Vanja Milinkovic-Savic or Andriy Lunin for around 15-20m. A keeper with good experience but is still young enough to be ambitious to push Onana for the starting position. A solid keeper who's a great shot stopper, good with crosses and commands his area as a priority over being a sweeper keeper or ball playing keeper. Someone who is reliable and dependable, who won't try anything flashy, but is really good at the fundamentals of being a keeper. A calming presence who can sit behind some of the younger and less experienced defenders we have and talk them through the game.
I think that last aspect is a massively undervalued aspect of keeping. We praise Rio and Vidic as great CB's, but it's telling how much more consistent Rio became once we signed VDS. Someone who while a phenomenal shot stopper and ball playing keeper, was the epitome of calmness and spent the entire game talking his defence through the match.
I don't think we can afford to go down the DDG route of signing a young keeper with huge potential. We have seen at the other end of the pitch how placing all the pressure on young shoulders can break a promising young player. Especially when there isn't the quality and experience around them to help carry them at times.
When we signed DDG he had Rio, Vidic, Neville and Evra all playing in front of him, and even then he had a few wobbles in his first couple of seasons. He had to be taken out of the team and Lindegaard had to come in for him.
Any keeper we sign won't have the luxury of playing behind players of the calibre of Rio and Vidic. In fact they could have equally inexperienced players like Yoro and Heaven playing in front of them.
That's just too much inexperienced in one area of the team. Not just any areas either, but in defence where experience is more important than any other part of the pitch.
While we want the Keeper position solved long-term this summer I doubt we can do that. I expect a solid short to medium term option to sign to battle (and hopefully win) against Onana for the first team spot and to then be the experienced option to help guide a younger long term option signed next summer.
{Ed077's Note - what about Maignan?
8.) 28 Jun 2025 11:02:49
Ed077, he's a great keeper and at 29 is a good age for a keeper. I'd be concerned about his injury record though.
Ten separate injuries while at AC Milan in four seasons is a worry for a keeper, especially given the increased protection they get on the continent compared to the EPL.
He'll also be expensive both in terms of transfer fee and wages.
I certainly wouldn't be totally against signing him if the fee and wages were reasonable. He's a massive upgrade on Onana. But I don't think we can afford to spend a huge amount on him (or any keeper), especially given his injury record.
{Ed077's Note - the fee rumored when he was linked to Chelsea earlier in the month was pretty reasonable.
The injuries is a bit of an issue but the Modern keepers do seem to, in general, pick up a lot more injuries than before. Which is why most top clubs have 2 good GKs in the squad nowadays.
9.) 28 Jun 2025 23:53:20
Why does nobody think of Trafford ad being worth bidding for?
10.) 29 Jun 2025 06:07:51
We DO NOT want anyone to challenge Onana. We need someone to replace him. Full stop!
11.) 29 Jun 2025 11:26:46
Salford, Trafford would be a good signing, but as Burnley got promoted to the EPL last season his price apparently shot up. If they were still in the championship then maybe you could have got him for around 20-25m, but now they are back in the EPL they don't want to lose him and his price is now supposedly 35-40m.
While he was excellent in the Championship last season, his only year in the EPL was average at best and poor at times.
Given that I can see why teams were happy to take a chance on him for 20-25m, but are maybe thinking twice at 35-40m.
There's a good chance Burnley will be relegated next season, it's very hard for the promoted sides to stay up. They not only need to really step up, but they need at least one established EPL side to have a mare of a season to give them the chance to leapfrog them.
If Burnley are relegated and Trafford has shown he is a very good keeper in the EPL then maybe next summer is the time to go for him.
Keefy, I agree that Onana needs replacing. But if we can't get someone to pay 35m for him then we are stuck with him next season. The only other option is to take a loss on him and reduce the funds we have to buy players this summer.
If we sell him and take a loss then we will have to buy a keeper to replace him, but that loss means we either cannot sign either a striker or midfielder, or we have to bring in one of those positions on the cheap.
As no one in their right mind will pay 35m for Onana on the back of last season then we are stuck with him. Which also means we have a limited budget to buy another keeper. There are few top class options available and the few that are will cost 40-60m, and our budget is probably around the 20m at best.
For that much we will either be able to sign a very young and inexperienced keeper with a lot of potential (someone like Senne Lammens), or we can buy a solid more experienced option who can challenge Onana for the starting spot (someone like Vanja Milinkovic-Savic) .
While I'd typically prefer the younger potentially world class option. That sort of player is far less likely to be able to push Onana out of the line up anytime soon. I also don't see Onana as the ideal mentor to a young keeper, someone who can come in for them and be a solid option to steady the shop so that the younger keeper can go back into the team once performances/ results have picked up.
For those reasons I think we are better off buying the more experienced steady eddy keeper to battle with Onana and take his place this season. Then next summer sell Onana when we don't need as much for him to avoid taking a loss and then buy the younger potentially world class option. They can then be mentored by the solid steady eddy we sign this summer.
Amorim's system/ style doesn't have as complex demands on his keepers. They aren't expected to be Neuer like sweeper keepers who spend most of the game 25-30 yards off their line. Nor does he expect them to be deep-lying playmakers hitting 60+ passes a game with at least a 90% success rate.
They need to be great shot stoppers, good at dealing with crosses (the 343 shape means most attacks come from wide areas), and commanding of their area. Beyond that everything else is a bonus, good with their feet, happy to leave the penalty box to sweep etc.
The problem with Onana is he is stronger at the less important things and the key things Amorim wants are the weaker parts of his game.
Therefore if we get a keeper who is a great shot stopper and better at dealing with crosses, and has even a average command of his area then he will be more suited to what Amorim needs and will therefore push Onana out over time if not right away.
09 Oct 2025 10:44:32
Culpable for many goals conceded. He has never been at the required level for a top CB.
As per Keefy T, he is slow and ponderous. Utd need to continue to add quality and not mediocre players to challenge for the top 4, even top 6.
I think it was down to Southgate picking him for England that has kept Maguire at Utd for so long.
03 Sep 2025 08:33:38
Both Amass and Collyer have got good loan moves this summer. Now it is up to them.
01 Sep 2025 14:39:51
Its a WC next summer, if Onana doesn't play he won't be picked. It it AFCON this December aswell.
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.
25 Aug 2025 15:48:13
Mainoo should have been given minutes against Fulham. RA went defensive instead.
10 Oct 2025 09:22:49
Blackpool Red,
I agree with you.
05 Oct 2025 16:38:18
Tumbleweed,
That's a good summary. The competitiveness of the league might just benefit Utd come the end of the season.
Hopefully a top CM can be bought in the January transfer window.
29 Sep 2025 15:25:09
Both did a very good job at City. They went with a younger manager who was doing exceptionally well in the Portuguese league. He had SL play some very entertaining football.
Flip the switch and nearly a year later, RA is clearly obstinate. Yet he doesn't have the players to play the way he wants. His fixation on the 3421 formation appears to be his downfall. Some would call it tunnel vision to a certain degree.
Behind the scenes Wilcox and Berrada are slowly transforming the way the club is being run. Years of purely focusing on the club as a business instead of a football club has been detrimental to Utd and a huge part of their demise.
The reality is that Utd have beena mid table team since EtH second season. The FA Cup win masked over a poor season.
Maguire, Shaw, Dalot and Casemeiro, are still playing in the first 11 for Utd and are no where near the level required to be top players in their positions. Rashford regressed and had a poor attitude and clearly stopped trying. Sancho never tried unless it was on Fifa. Onana, Anthony, Hjolund all flopped. All of which was prior to Berrada and Wilcox coming in.
A culmination of buying poor players, letting players leave for free and paying exceptional high wages is down to the previous regime. To reverse this takes time and patience. Mistakes will happen.
The club can't simply click their fingers and be rid of these underperfroming players.
Unfortunately an obstinate manager and players who aren't bright enough will continue in blight our performances. Perhaps a simple formation change woukd change things. RA appears to favour losing his job over a change in formation.
29 Sep 2025 00:32:45
If the current players aren't performing or capable of performing then look to the youth players and give them a chance.
If he plays with 3 at the back then play heaven, mdl and Yoro as the back 3.
27 Sep 2025 15:45:48
Carrick was a disaster at Boro.