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Shappy's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's rumours posts
12 Aug 2024 21:24:10
Sander Berge left out of Burnley's squad for their first game of the season this evening.
Seems to suggest that there is something in the rumours of him leaving. Will it be to ourselves, or to someone else?
1.) 12 Aug 2024 22:06:16
He’s also missed most of pre season with the same injury that kept him out of tonight. Nice try Shappy!
2.) 13 Aug 2024 07:53:27
Romanoesque!
3.) 13 Aug 2024 08:58:48
Be a shame to not keep the trend of signing injury prone players going!
4.) 13 Aug 2024 11:45:59
Wazza, where did you hear he is injured, I've scoured the internet and not found any mention of him being injured. The Burnley manager didn't mention him as being out injured.
5.) 13 Aug 2024 12:47:50
He has not played any pre season due to injury so was not considered last night and it was reported at the match last night that he was left out due to that reasoning.
6.) 13 Aug 2024 12:50:09
Shappy, Parker said so, and confirmed it's what has kept him out of some pre-season fixtures.
You can't have Googled too long as it's the first thing that comes up when searching Sander Berge injury.
"He picked up an injury in Spain. He had a bit of discomfort in his quad. It's not a big injury, it's quite a small injury to be honest with you. "
Nice clickbait though!
7.) 13 Aug 2024 13:33:59
Wazza to be fair I searched last night and that article you've quoted was published at midday today, 15 minutes AFTER I posted saying I hadn't seen anything to say he was injured.
From what I read he was expected to be in the squad and wasn't, which seemed suspicious. As it was he is injured, so that's that then.
12 Jul 2024 18:16:32
Sancho back at the club and training with the first team.
Apparently talks between Sancho and EtH have taken place and they've agreed to draw a line under the situation.
He will now be available to take part in pre-season games.
Is this a case that Sancho has realised his options weren't as good as he thought?
Or is this the player and the club doing what is needed to push up the offers to facilitate his move away.
I guess we'll see what happens over the next couple of months.
1.) 12 Jul 2024 19:28:08
If true, my opinion of ETH has gone up a little. Sancho still has a long way to go.
2.) 12 Jul 2024 19:55:26
Or sancho has realised this board ain’t getting rid of another manager for players and he’s having to knuckle down
Still hope he’s gone tho.
3.) 12 Jul 2024 20:02:32
2 adults in a room, having a chat.
It's surely a bit of both, no offers and ETH drawing a line, giving a clean slate to align with the current mood of the club. Everything is new.
I hope he can put his head down and make the best of his second chance at the club.
4.) 12 Jul 2024 20:08:07
Hopefully just the club strengthening their position, and Sancho isn’t smart enough to be any the wiser.
5.) 12 Jul 2024 21:17:13
Well this is interesting. People can and do have the right to change their minds. He’s better than Antony who Ed said was available for transfer, and with Greenwood on the way out and likely Pellestri too, makes sense for him and Amad to compete.
Plus he can play 10. Why not let bygones be bygones. If he wants to come back and show the form he shows in Dortimund then awesome for both parties.
6.) 12 Jul 2024 21:41:06
I’m in the get rid camp. Glad they’ve come to an amicable cease fire, but a Leopard doesn’t change its spots and he’s still the petulant kid that fell out with the boss in the first place.
7.) 12 Jul 2024 23:45:46
I would suspect that the big boys “suggested” that ETH needed to sort it out between them both as well as Sancho realising he was damaging his chances.
I am also in the out basket.
8.) 13 Jul 2024 06:24:10
I don't really care about the detail of what has happened and him being back and no issues with it. The realty is he has been poor for us even before the spat under previous managers barring the odd game and not sure he can cut it at united and hence selling him would be ideal.
9.) 13 Jul 2024 06:54:52
Agreed Ahmad.
Beyond what happened, he’s not very good and needs to be moved on.
The laziness and ego are part of his personality, people don’t change.
10.) 13 Jul 2024 07:10:46
As Ahmad said he has been at the club three years now, hasn't set the world alight has he?
Maybe the wages are putting people off, clearly he has the ability and mentality as we saw at Dortmund, unfortunately the consistency might never be there and he is destined to sit the last few years of his contract out at United.
I guess this doesn't help our PSR and getting some of the big wage earners out.
{Ed001's Note - when was this fabled Sancho ability shown at Dortmund? If people had actually watched him play, instead of reading his PR bull, they would have known he was terrible there except when coming on very late as a sub. Even then, it was more down to rank amateur defending that he got decent stats. He is so far up his own backside that he can lick his own tonsils and will not achieve anything until he grows up.}
11.) 13 Jul 2024 09:20:52
Absolutely spot on Ed001. People saw highlights of that game against PSG and couldn’t see past it. He was no good for Dortmund, couldn’t hold down a starting place, and his G&A numbers were as poor there as they’ve been for us. That’s without mentioning his attitude and mentality.
The last headline I read started “England International Jadon Sancho…”. PR nonsense.
12.) 13 Jul 2024 09:44:51
I will still be surprised to see Sanchi still with the club once the window shuts.
However this allows for him to show what he can do in pre season, see whether he can reintegrate with the new coaching structure.
Would not be surprised if he still moves late in the window.
13.) 13 Jul 2024 10:11:47
We dropped a bomb buying him, and now we are paying for it, no one will pay the money we want or the wages either so to get rid we are still going to end up subsidising his wages.
Not surprised they made up, there wasn't really a choice, it doesn't look good on Sancho but neither does it on United. I rather suspect that's all parties are working together to find a solution that will involve him playing elsewhere next year.
14.) 13 Jul 2024 10:19:39
Absolutely bang on the money Ed001. Bang on it. Get rid asap.
15.) 13 Jul 2024 21:34:15
Get rid. Bad attitude and not good enough anyway. Not worth the hassle.
16.) 14 Jul 2024 07:25:17
Ed 1 is totally correct here. It’s total PR spin, because even though I know he’s not a great player, and all my Cory fan mates say the same, my mind still thinks he should get a (yet another) chance. It’s brainwashing. He’s done nothing positive of note since he joined the club, and Italian and German leagues are far more suitable for him than the rigours of the Premier League.
Being him back, get him training and fit, sell him for maximum value. Smart move by the club.
If he does stay, he now has to win back over the fans too who frankly want rid.
03 Dec 2023 12:53:13
Heard a rumour today that United and Barcelona are exploring the possibility of swapping Sancho and Raphinha initially on loan, but with a possible view to it becoming a permanent deal if it works out.
If there is any truth to this then I think its a possible deal that could work out for all parties.
United and Sancho need to part ways, while Sancho probably doesn't want to take a step down/ backwards.
United really need someone who can lock down the RW spot, and Raphinha was one of the best RW players while at Leeds.
Unfortunately for him it seems Xavi doesn't quite rate him, despite him playing well when called upon.
Stylistically I tend to think that Sancho does fit better in a side like Barcelona and Raphinha in a side like United.
I'd be pretty happy if the club managed to pull something like this off, what is everyone else's view?
1.) 03 Dec 2023 15:28:02
I mean I’d be delighted if we can pull that off. But I can’t see it.
2.) 03 Dec 2023 21:44:52
Sounds like a computer game transfer to me.
3.) 03 Dec 2023 21:52:43
Would rip your arm off for that deal but it’s all pie in the sky.
4.) 05 Dec 2023 01:58:03
We could do with new negotiators, or they might come back from Spain with a bunch of Rapini.
5.) 05 Dec 2023 09:07:03
Shappy
Wishful thinking. Why would Barcelona do that. He will end up somewhere in Italy as that's generally the league players end up when they don't work out in PL. He is not good enough for any of the top 3/ 4 teams in Spain and unaffordable for any in the next tier.
Its one of those players who will be hard to shift unless we take a bath on the transfer.
6.) 05 Dec 2023 21:09:51
Rumours today it’s Rashford ??♂️.
7.) 09 Dec 2023 20:22:57
I’d be happy if Rashford went tbh along with Sancho. The pair of ‘em aren’t bad players, as long as they get their own way. We aren’t currently in a place where we can carry talented babies though, so I’d get radical and get rid of the pair.
08 Jul 2023 14:41:19
DDG is gone, club just wished him well and said goodbye on Twatter.
1.) 08 Jul 2023 14:49:36
Great servant, but right time for MU and himself to move on, some of the replies made my blood boil though, clearly not fans but even still. he's got my respect and wish him well in his next venture.
2.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!
He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)
Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?
3.) 08 Jul 2023 15:43:50
Our best player over the last 12 years, gutted he is going but it is the right time for him and the club.
4.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!
He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)
Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?
{Ed002's Note - David De Gea (G) If Mr Mourinho stays at Roma, then perhaps interest. Perhaps someone in Spain or the Middle East. Manchester United have a list of potential replacements but want a new contract.}
5.) 09 Jul 2023 07:07:25
Good time for both parties to move on. Clearly looked very uncomfortable under ETH’s system. That being said, a brilliant keeper for us over the years. Wish him all the best. Italy seems an obvious move in the absence of decent Spanish interest - or of course Saudi!
28 May 2023 09:30:51
Heard a rumour this morning that United might look at Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, as well as closely monitoring the situation with Ryan Gravenberch.
Bayern yesterday sacked their CEO Oliver Kahn and their Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic, possibly opening the door for some players to leave who might have been intending to stay under the previous regime.
Pavard would be an interesting option, capable of playing both CB and RB he'd be a very good option.
Gravenberch too has great potential but just can't get the game time he needs with players like Kimmich and Goretzka ahead of him.
1.) 28 May 2023 09:50:18
Think Ed002 said that Pavard is reluctant to consider us because he wants to play primarily as a cb.
2.) 28 May 2023 11:30:14
A RB who can also chip in at CB is a good shout, as is Frimpong.
I think Bayern have a number of players who should be of interest. I assume the Mount thing has legs and if so that would probably kill off any interest in Gravenberch and De Jong, and what of Sabitzer.
3.) 28 May 2023 12:13:02
Interesting thread this and might have legs as we know Erik likes players who can play multiple positions to limit the impact of injuries in the squad.
4.) 28 May 2023 13:25:20
Back in February, it was reported that his expected fee this summer could be £26.8m because his contract is up next year - that would amount to a bargain.
That said, it's likely that Bayern would still want more than that for a versatile defender approaching his prime.
The problem is that he wants to play CB and there can be no assurances offered by United that he'll be first-choice ahead of Varane.
He can play RB, but he might be reluctant about coming to a club where that could be his only consistent option.
That does also render Barcelona as a questionable option given that the superior Kounde is already playing RB to accommodate other players.
Personally, I'd expect him to move to a Serie A club.
5.) 28 May 2023 22:50:42
We really need to be looking at Gravenberch. I’m not sure if he’s even available but if he is and a a low price it’s a no brainier. Le fee is another player I hope we take a look at.
6.) 30 May 2023 10:44:36
varane missed 14 league games, went off 6 times, efl only played 90 mins in the final missed 4 games and subbed off once. Class act but never been consistantly fit for games throughout his career. Any cb coming in would get a minimum of 25 games a season if fit/ available.
Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts
18 Feb 2026 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, What United Should Look For in the Next Manager
17 Feb 2026 17:18:37
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, What United Should Look For in the Next Manager
15 Feb 2026 11:37:29
The managers job will continue to draw media attention until we appoint a new manager. Every time a manager is sacked or signs a new deal they will report it as a potential candidate or scratching another name off the list.
I actually think that under this new regime the managers position is less important than it has been. That doesn't mean it's unimportant, just that it's less vital to our progress than over the past decade.
The problem we have had since SAF is that we have constantly been looking for the next SAF. A manager to fix everything and get us moving in the right direction. This sort of manager is even rarer in the current football landscape than it has ever been before. In fact they probably don't exist at all.
We looked to hire the biggest name manager we could, regardless of their fit to the club and the squad. Every time we did so we forced the rebuild of the team in a totally new direction, effectively restarting it from the ground up.
If we do this properly then the recruitment and the overall style of play shouldn't change with each new manager. The game to game tactics will alter with a new manager, but the way the team intends to play shouldn't.
As such who that manager is becomes less important, we aren't looking for a big name, or even a great CV. We are looking for someone who shares the same core values as the club (youth development, risk-taking front foot football) and whose tactical preferences best suit the current squad and more importantly the squad we are aiming to build.
1.) 15 Feb 2026 12:08:37
Probably why they changed the title to head coach.
2.) 15 Feb 2026 12:24:49
This ?
I think fit is essential, I know some don't agree but for me is it very important. That's why some of the names being suggested worry me, and why someone like Mourinho, amd dare I say Amorim were never right for us. And as we have seen so often, being successful with one club doesn't guarantee success with another.
I'm not wedded to some romantic idea, but we play on the front foot, we promote youth where we can, these things are part of our identity.
Some will say they'd don' care how we pmay as long as we win, bit if winning means defensive turgid football, endless 1-0 wins, then you can keep it.
Simeone doesn't look a good fir for me but would likely be hugely entertaining.
Glasner and Iraola also worry me, the United job is huge and a massive step up in terms of what is expected.
I like Tuchel, albeit he didn't tick all the boxes, I like the way he talks but that ship has sailed.
Ancelotti was not for me, a great Manager clearly but I worry he peaked a while ago.
Enrique would be awesome, but reports suggest he is staying at PSG
Nagelsmann is another interesting one but he was sacked by Bayern, who fails at Bayen?
Carrick gets the club and would not be phased, but he's a novice and has no track record of success.
I also like Poch but he hasn't set the world on fire lately either.
Its a doozy.
3.) 15 Feb 2026 13:11:38
Let's see where we are at the end of the season, I'm not pro or anti Carrick, at the moment he has done well, actually very well but will he improve on his in-game management, such as against West Ham, will he come up with a way to play against teams who are going to pack the defence and look for breaks when we make mistakes? I suppose we will see, he will certainly get plenty of chances to do so.
One thing I am against is not waiting until the end of the season, it would be crazy not to, as we all know what happened when we gave the gig to Ole.
There are quite a few managers I would not like to see, obvs Southgate is one, I'd love to see him at Liverpool, although I'd probably die laughing. Others include Poch, I feel that ship has sailed and Simeone.
4.) 15 Feb 2026 13:30:55
I think we need to show the ambition that city have showed the last 10 years and buy quality no manger will succeed without it city bought guehi and semenyo in January but it's been going longer than that.
Stones walker nunes ait nouri just some of the other names.
We done it under sir Alex with Ferdinand Keane berbatov Carrick we are slowly getting back there with cunha and mbeumo no manger will succeed if we don't back them.
5.) 15 Feb 2026 14:28:14
Key, to be honest that is what it should be in the modern game. Managers have an average shelf life of 22 months in the EPL. Very few last longer, only the successful ones.
If a manager is highly likely to be gone in less than two years then you can't be building around that manager, you need to build your club around an identity then hire a manager who fits that.
AJH, I can go through the list of potential managers with my preferences but it's probably not worth a lot. I'm basing it off of personal opinions of what limited information I know about them, often with a dollop of bias thrown in. I can't honestly say whether they did a good or bad job at previous clubs as I don't know the context of that job. Also we tend to make these judgements in a vacuum, forgetting that failure is the best way to learn. Only an idiot fails the same way twice, I'd like to think that most managers have a level of intelligence that allows them to learn from their mistakes.
For me I have a few basic criteria that I'd like to see from our manager:
1. Playing aggressive, front foot football that will play with a level of risk, rather than pragmatic percentage football. Team shape, or the exact tactics we deploy to do so I'm less concerned about. But what I want to see is us trying to win every game, and being willing to risk losing the game to try and win it rather than settle for a draw.
2. Give youth a chance, and this sort of ties in with the first one. If you aren't willing to take risks then you will be more reluctant to give young players a chance as they are more likely to make a mistake.
3. Be media savvy, this one is necessary due to the media attention that our club garners. We need someone whose good at saying the right things, in the right way, at the right time. They should be calming things down when we are struggling and taking the heat off of us. While ideally they will know what to say and when to put our opponents under pressure.
That's it, a good CV or a proven track record elsewhere are nice bonuses, but are not essential for me.
Jrred, I agree to an extent, there is no need to make snap decisions right now. Ideally we will wait until the end of the season. But you never know, what will happen down the road. What if Alonso turns out the be the right guy and he wants to start before the end of the season to start to get to grips with the squad? Or if it becomes obvious that Carrick is the right guy?
Getting it sorted sooner can have huge benefits for the summer planning and next season.
John, we need to improve the squad with quality over quantity, but we still need 10-12 new players to have a quality squad that is deep enough to challenge on all fronts, but I'd rather wait an extra year to get there with quality players, than to gamble of riskier options sooner to try and speed up the process.
6.) 15 Feb 2026 19:01:52
McKenna.?
7.) 15 Feb 2026 19:58:36
He's done wonders with Ipswich Jimbob. Two promotions and whilst they got relegated, he has them right up there again despite selling their best players. However, its a massive step up.
8.) 15 Feb 2026 22:48:58
100% Shappy, I was agreeing. Need to build a squad around a long term plan and not jump at signings for each manager/system. Which is why the Amorim appointment was odd, and telling they they didn't roll his system down through the youth teams.
Question is, would any external potential head coach want that rather than bringing their own way/methods.
9.) 16 Feb 2026 08:21:52
Jimbob, I certainly wouldn't rule out McKenna.
10.) 16 Feb 2026 08:28:40
AJH absolutely agree with your assessment of the likely candidates, for every positive there is a negative so it will likely come down to a case of pick the poison that you feel is less of a problem.
Following Shappy's logic, and I agree with this. I think we can build as a club whilst having multiple managers so long as the philosophy of recruitment and managers they choose is similar. For this to be true going forward we likely have to see the Amorim period as a trial as I don't see them looking at another predominantly 3 at the back manager.
For me if you can get Enrique then you do it, after that I think you take a punt and for me currently I would be happy if that is Carrick and give him next year. Assuming we see further progress this year.
09 Feb 2026 07:39:05
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, United’s Summer Priorities: Midfield First, Then Balance
01 Feb 2026 07:39:04
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, The Dalot Dilemma: Why United Should Keep Their Reliable Right-Back
1.) 01 Feb 2026 09:36:46
He is reliable alright. Reliably poor that is ;)
2.) 01 Feb 2026 09:44:26
I think his versatilty as either a back-up left or rightback makes him a useful option to keep around. But that's his only redeeming quality, he doesn't get anywhere near a starting XI IMO and a link to Real Madrid is amusing. I think if I was TTA I'd be quite offended.
3.) 01 Feb 2026 11:51:33
I've been exasperated like the rest of us with Dalot from time to time but unless it's a significant offer (i. e £30m+) I'd keep him. He's a decent FB, but he lacks the first touch, crossing capability and concentration to play the hybrid role Amorim was demanding of him. He's played really well in the last two games when his role has been restricted and the coaching instruction has been quite clear. His financial cost is modest, salary only.
Replacing him with the quality of left back that the critics would consider an improvement will result in a substantial yearly cost uplift from £3.5m to £10m+. Good back up/alternate to both Shaw and Mazraoui. United's priorities should be replacing Casemiro, Ugarte and Zirkzee. Only after that would I be looking to replace Dalot. If we get into the ECL we'll need a greater squad depth. even mope reason to keep him.
4.) 01 Feb 2026 13:56:08
Said it many times. He seems live a lovely lad, proper pro and you can tell he 'gets' Utd.
But I think it's a symbol of the club's decline over the years, that he's got so much game time.
5.) 01 Feb 2026 18:21:43
Shaw and dalot are both poor tbh. But both playing better last 3 games, particularly at passing in triangles on each side of pitch. This ball retention play has been a big part of how we have won 3 in a row.
If every year was a world cup year, imagine how good Luke Shaw would have been.
6.) 01 Feb 2026 19:31:53
NouCamp, absolutely agree with your first statement. He's been a top professional ever since he arrived, never once caused any controversy, he clearly loves the club, and he's also clearly a popular player in that squad. And having met him a couple times, he seems a really decent bloke too.
That said, I think your next statement is a touch harsh, he's a solid squad player, not spectacular, and makes the odd howler, but he's good enough to compete with first choice for that role with Mazraoui, another 'solid but not spectacular' player. Given how many players we have had in the last few years that have been leaking stuff to the press, complaining about the club or the coach, and generally not really giving a toss, Dalot wouldn't be anywhere near the chopping block this summer for my money.
31 Jan 2026 13:07:15
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, The Dalot Dilemma: Why United Should Keep Their Reliable Right-Back
28 Jan 2026 21:19:23
Jodler, to an extent I agree, however you don't want to stockpile players who all suit the same role/position.
Ideally you want a variety of different attackers who all bring something a little different, players you can rotate around or sub in to change a game.
It'd be foolish to bring in a player who is similar in style and role to multiple players we already have, while we have massive gaps in our squad that need addressing elsewhere. Adding another cherry for the top of the cake when we don't have any sponge would be stupid.
27 Jan 2026 21:42:35
Fallguy, the rumour might but the chances of it happening probably stay the same.
We signed Bruno's replacement in the summer when we brought Cunha in, we also have Mount in the squad. While if we decide to move to a 433 rather than a 4231 then Mainoo probably takes that more offensive midfielder role (ideally alongside Anderson and Baleba) .
25 Jan 2026 05:37:39
He's a good player no doubt, but with Mbeumo, Amad and the young Shea Lacey do we really need another left footed RW/No.10 type player?
10 Jan 2026 10:57:15
Ultimately young players need to be playing regularly if they are going to develop and reach their potential.
I think the original plan was to loan out Collyer for the first half of the season and see how he did while we kept Sekou Kone and gave him more first team exposure to help him continue to adjust to playing in England. Then assess where both of them were in January. However, Kone's injury and Collyer's limited game time, partially due to injury, has meant that it's hard to judge where either player is right now.
Realistically the club should loan out the player they think has the best chance of having a future at the club so they can continue to develop, while keeping the other one at the club as back up.
I think given the challenging situation our club is in right now and the limited options we have in midfield I'd be tempted to loan out the younger lad Kone somewhere where he'll get regular game time, ideally in the Championship, but abroad if necessary. While keeping the more experienced Collyer (whose still building up fitness after his injury) as without a midfield signing in January (due to being managerless again) it's more likely that whoever stays will be needed as the seasons wears on and players pick up more injuries. I would expect to see Casemiro to have to miss a few games given his age and the amount he has played for us so far this season. While the rarely injured Bruno has had a spell out, Mount will pick up injuries, Mainoo has missed a bit due to injuries and Ugarte has as well.
Given that we will have a caretaker manager and the difficult situation we find ourselves in it makes more sense to rely on the more experienced Collyer in a pinch rather than throwing Kone into the mix.
17 Feb 2026 15:14:43
Individually Bruno has done more than several of those players mentioned, yet football is a team sport and the others deserve their seats due to what they contributed to us winning while they were here at the club.
If you had to choose it's be either Ronaldo or Becks as both left as they were hitting their prime, while Bruno could have left to join a club that was better placed to win things, but dedicated the peak years of his career to us rather than choosing to take the easier and more trophy-laden route.
In reality though you don't kick legends out, you pull up and extra chair for them.
17 Feb 2026 13:45:25
He'd 100% improve us, if you don't think he's a better option in the double pivot than Ugarte or in the No.10 position than Zirkzee then I'd seriously question your football knowledge.
McTominay was a good solid player when he was here, and he's gone to Italy and done very well for himself. He is also a model professional and a leader on and off the pitch, something that we lack enough of in our current squad.
Would he come back and be first choice? Arguably depending on who else we signed this summer. With Casemiro leaving, if you're choices for the midfield pivot was two of Mainoo, Ugarte and McTominay then yeah, 100% he's first choice.
Should we resign him? Probably not, I think there are better options out there for us who suit what we want/need better.
16 Feb 2026 08:21:52
Jimbob, I certainly wouldn't rule out McKenna.
15 Feb 2026 14:28:14
Key, to be honest that is what it should be in the modern game. Managers have an average shelf life of 22 months in the EPL. Very few last longer, only the successful ones.
If a manager is highly likely to be gone in less than two years then you can't be building around that manager, you need to build your club around an identity then hire a manager who fits that.
AJH, I can go through the list of potential managers with my preferences but it's probably not worth a lot. I'm basing it off of personal opinions of what limited information I know about them, often with a dollop of bias thrown in. I can't honestly say whether they did a good or bad job at previous clubs as I don't know the context of that job. Also we tend to make these judgements in a vacuum, forgetting that failure is the best way to learn. Only an idiot fails the same way twice, I'd like to think that most managers have a level of intelligence that allows them to learn from their mistakes.
For me I have a few basic criteria that I'd like to see from our manager:
1. Playing aggressive, front foot football that will play with a level of risk, rather than pragmatic percentage football. Team shape, or the exact tactics we deploy to do so I'm less concerned about. But what I want to see is us trying to win every game, and being willing to risk losing the game to try and win it rather than settle for a draw.
2. Give youth a chance, and this sort of ties in with the first one. If you aren't willing to take risks then you will be more reluctant to give young players a chance as they are more likely to make a mistake.
3. Be media savvy, this one is necessary due to the media attention that our club garners. We need someone whose good at saying the right things, in the right way, at the right time. They should be calming things down when we are struggling and taking the heat off of us. While ideally they will know what to say and when to put our opponents under pressure.
That's it, a good CV or a proven track record elsewhere are nice bonuses, but are not essential for me.
Jrred, I agree to an extent, there is no need to make snap decisions right now. Ideally we will wait until the end of the season. But you never know, what will happen down the road. What if Alonso turns out the be the right guy and he wants to start before the end of the season to start to get to grips with the squad? Or if it becomes obvious that Carrick is the right guy?
Getting it sorted sooner can have huge benefits for the summer planning and next season.
John, we need to improve the squad with quality over quantity, but we still need 10-12 new players to have a quality squad that is deep enough to challenge on all fronts, but I'd rather wait an extra year to get there with quality players, than to gamble of riskier options sooner to try and speed up the process.
11 Feb 2026 18:09:39
I do find the concern fans have over a low block to be slightly out of proportion in my opinion.
There is a reason why poorer sides tend to use it against sides with superior players, it's effective and statistically the best chance they have of getting a result.
Only the very best sides can consistently play against a low block and beat it. Typically to beat a low block you need one of three things.
1. A mistake from the opposition, someone not tracking their runner, losing their individual battles, giving the ball away in a dangerous place, or gifting a penalty.
2. A moment of unbelievable magic and invention from a player who does something you just can't stop. Hitting a 40 yard screamer into the top corner, dribbling past 4 or 5 players with the ball glued to his foot, rising 2.5m into the air to head a ball home that no one else can reach.
3. Having a team full of world class players who can just relentlessly pummel the opposition until they break and concede.
That's it. There is no clever tactical plan to make good to average players suddenly capable of consistently beating a low block through the brilliance of their play.
I mean Arsenal have spent over a billion creating a top class squad, and even they tend to rely on starting 4 CB's to overwhelm the opposition at corners to consistently beat low blocks.
We are a long way from having a top class squad to be able to overwhelm the opposition and beat the teams that will let you have the ball and stick two banks of four in front of the ball. We will have to rely on either moments to brilliance or the opposition making a mistake. Neither of which you can consistently rely on.