Manchester United Banter
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06 Mar 2026 14:34:47
What more does Mbeumo need to do to get benched? He is already doing nothing, is there a phrase "more of nothing" that he can do? His poor form has sort of coincided with some of our poorest outings under Carrick (which by the way are quite a few).
The problem with Amorim supposedly was that he was stuck on the formation. Similar problem with Carrick is that he is stuck on the style which is counter attack.
Unfortunately it becomes slow and ponderous against teams that sit in a low to mid block which is I think 90% of the teams in PL. All the United DNA and understands United is trash unless you win majority of the games by playing well and playing bad and winning should only be a blemish rather than a norm. The question is who gets us doing that?
06 Mar 2026 16:39:40
United Addict, totally agree. Mbeumo has been absolutely awful the past 3-4 games. He's even struggling to control the ball at the moment. The problem is that he pops up with important goals.
06 Mar 2026 19:51:05
And play whom... Sesko has got a lot to learn, miles away from being United's permanent number 9. Cunha holds the ball too long, so who else do you play? I would say Mbeumo is best out of the 3, ok he had a few poor games, but what is the alternative?
Only two games, ok, everyone was waxing lyrical about our 4 summer buys.
06 Mar 2026 20:28:35
Lammens is still the standout from the signings; the rest have not been consistent enough. Lammens is making the same defence look good compared to last year, when they were truly exposed as to the level they are at.
06 Mar 2026 11:22:27
It feels like a bit of an over reaction to us losing to Newcastle. Fans turning on Carrick and Mainoo and revisiting past negative points.
It was really frustrating losing to Newcastle. Honestly, if I was a Newcastle fan I'd be asking why the team hasn't applied that much effort in their previous 6/7 home games, but United is their biggest game of the season and they are desperate to create a rivalry with United, so it was always going to be a tough game.
As for United, the next game will tell us what we need to know about Carrick and also the players and whether they have mentally turned a corner. I was gutted after Wednesday but on reflection, first game lost in 2026, been on a good run to get to 3rd and we've lost but still in 3rd place. We've certainly had darker days in recent times so just need to take a deep breath and look forward to the Villa game.
06 Mar 2026 11:45:48
I don't necessarily think the reaction was to the result, but to the performance. Let's not forget we were playing against 10 men.
Since beating City and Arsenal, we have been stumbling through games and snatching things last minute or against the run of play. Carrick talks a lot about 'the United way', but I'm certainly not seeing it.
If we were attacking, urgent, energetic, and taking hold of games, and we lost, that would be one thing. The reality is that we are not any of those things, and positive results have carried more than a slice of luck.
06 Mar 2026 12:40:24
Think most of the criticism is legitimate. Obviously, the people using it as some sort of stick to beat Carrick and reference Amorim are ludicrous. I mean, Carrick could lose every game for the rest of the season and have a better win rate lol.
But the last 3 or 4 performances have been underwhelming, no width, little tempo, and some poor substitutions.
We keep letting the game drift, which for a team playing once a week barely is inexcusable.
For the first 20-25 minutes of the second half, against 10 men Newcastle, we didn't have a shot, it was bizarre.
Best case scenario is we limp into the Champions League places, performing well enough to get results but not too well so that Carrick gets the job permanently and we can find a top manager for next season.
06 Mar 2026 12:56:11
Criticism of both is fair, so long as it is balanced, and we should also praise as well.
Carrick has done really well, steadied the ship, and brought results where we were not getting them. Performances started off well but have definitely dropped. Is this him, the players, or purely a case of getting the results being the only importance?
Mainoo has had good and bad moments, but the bad can look really bad. At times it looks like Amorim was right and he needs to develop physically, and other times he links play and is really good. Is he in the right position for him, does he need a certain type of player to allow his best attributes (a Kante-type, energetic holding midfielder who frees him to roam).
This season feels like an odd anomaly, we have few games yet do not look like we are hugely benefitting fitness-wise from this. We certainly have periods, but over the past few games we have not hit the ground running and maintained this. Whether there is an argument that we are lacking match fitness and have too few games.... who knows.
Let's hope that Newcastle was a blip, a reality check, and we go on another run.
06 Mar 2026 13:24:55
My reaction was due to lack of urgency, effort and energy. Not the result itself. I am frustrated that we put no crosses into the box for Sesko, particularly that, against 10 men, our fullbacks continued to pass sideways and backwards instead of overlapping, driving forwards and crossing.
Also, our midfield was tapping the ball around like they had no ideas. We should have been laying siege to their goal.
06 Mar 2026 17:05:44
Exactly, Dodgy.
06 Mar 2026 19:55:52
It's an average team with an average manager. Not sure what you all expect. We've got no real number 9, not one good CB at the club, poor full backs, and not the greatest midfield, and you're all moaning cos we lost one game. I would say we've been damn lucky it's only the one, but still a vast improvement over the RA debacle, so I will take that.
If we can finish 4th it's a masterstroke by Carrick.
After the World Cup, a new manager comes in and, looking like Martinez, Carrick will be offered number 2. Not sure Carrick accepts that though, but we need a more experienced manager, and certainly need some better players.
05 Mar 2026 22:10:40
Archie Gray was immense for Spurs tonight. Really tried. Had everything our lot missed yesterday.
Was watching Wharton too as much as I could from the TV coverage. Two excellent passes for their goals but I was left feeling underwhelmed. Obv a good player but is he good enough to take us to the next level? Maybe he will be better in a better team.
06 Mar 2026 00:48:37
We need 3 new midfielders. We will get linked with many. I hope they pick the right ones. Please buy 2 decent fullbacks too. Pretty please.
06 Mar 2026 02:28:11
Agreed, Dodgy, and 2 centre backs.
06 Mar 2026 05:16:48
Oh dear, you now agree we need CBs! At last.
06 Mar 2026 07:12:14
Ha, I have always said we need centre backs. God, you're boring, by the way.
06 Mar 2026 14:22:35
We always tend to do less than required, lol, so I doubt we'll be buying 3 midfielders. I hope Tonali is in the mix. He was incredible against us. He might be easier to snare than their captain, too.
05 Mar 2026 21:15:24
Two games in two days.
Two teams reduced to ten men
Two outcomes
Watch how Wharton changes the game, and what do we have.
Look at the players for the solution to the problem.
Our midfield needs a serious overhaul.
05 Mar 2026 22:11:39
Just sent in a post about him. Def agree about our midfield.
06 Mar 2026 09:59:37
Is Wharton really that good?
Not for me.
06 Mar 2026 17:09:19
On the evidence presented, he would be a vast improvement on Mainoo.
All Mainoo has to do is get in the gym, and build his stamina and fitness up to a level befitting the Premier League.
He would absolutely destroy it in Italy, or maybe Spain, but not the Premier League, unless he improves his fitness.
An amazing player, I have said that before, but he needs to do what Casemiro did when he was overweight and going downhill. Hit the gym, and the world's your oyster, Kobbie.
05 Mar 2026 18:50:00
First loss under Carrick, we should not overreact. Now a long wait until the Villa game.
Mainoo struggled last night, overrun time and again in the midfield. He is almost always second to a 50-50, and cannot run down a player breaking forward. He is a defensive liability, despite his good attributes of composure and close control on the ball.
We also get nothing going forward from the fullbacks. They are not creating 2-v-1 scenarios out wide enough.
Otherwise it has been a great run so far under Carrick. Still quite hopeful of making Champions League and finishing strongly.
05 Mar 2026 21:46:33
Free Mainoo. What a joke that was. Last night was a prime example of why we need new midfielders. Mainoo has not put a foot in since he's been back, and I've yet to see him do anything apart from pass back.
I'm not a massive fan of Ugarte, but at least he got stuck in when he came on.
The other thing that really frustrates me watching this team is the reluctance to put the ball up to Sesko.
He's proven he can get on the end of the ball when they feed him, yet they refuse.
Hopefully, Carrick changes it up for the next game. Some bad choices were made for this game, but I'm behind Carrick and think he might learn from this.
06 Mar 2026 07:13:17
Amorim was right to bench him. City and Arsenal games aside, he has been absolutely garbage.
06 Mar 2026 08:26:29
I worry for Mainoo, and do not see him as being good enough in too many aspects of his game.
06 Mar 2026 10:03:22
OMG, are we now saying let's start Ugarte over Mainoo..... lol, the world has gone mad!!
06 Mar 2026 17:10:58
No, Sim.
But Mainoo was and continues to be crap since the two stand out games vs Arsenal and City. Flashes of brilliance, but no consistency, and is quite often at fault for goals conceded due to fitness levels.
05 Mar 2026 16:04:01
Is securing cl football over achieving with this squad?
Never mind our 1st 11 i think
City Arsenal Liverpool and Chelsea all have stronger deeper squads.
Even playing Newcastle i'd say 3 of their back 4 walk into our 1st team as would bruno G tonali and Gordon.
So finishing in a cl position this year would be a great achievement.
5th place will get cl so we are still in pole position.
The honeymoon of the 1st couple of games under Carrick is long over. Sneaked a couple of wins against the ruin of play and last night at liked as bad as we did against 10 man Everton.
9 games left I think we will need to win 6 to be sure of 5th spot or better.
I always think we can and will do enough but I wouldn't put a bet on it.
I don't trust some of our players and I don't trust Carrick (not done enough to earn the trust)
Beat villa and its a huge blow for them and one they might not bounce back from.
Tight finish to the season will be nip and tuck all the way.
Its good we are not in Europe this season imagine this squad fighting on all fronts. 🤣🤣🤣.
05 Mar 2026 18:16:11
Losing to 10 men is unforgivable, and we've done it twice. Apparently Carrick was telling them to move the ball quicker, but to no avail.
I don't mind losing, or playing badly, but the lack of energy and urgency p1sses me off. As you know, I love Mainoo, but he looks disinterested and isn't putting the effort in.
Mbuemo and Cunha are also struggling a little at the moment, and the full backs are not penetrating. I think Martinez and Dorgu would help, but the depth is lacking.
05 Mar 2026 18:49:57
That's not an anti Carrick post, it's more that he has not convinced me yet that he is the man.
Personally, I find him dull and uninspiring.
Results have been good, and that's what counts.
Let's hope it's a little bump on the road.
6 wins, imo, guarantee us CL football.
Mainoo has been ok, but the last couple of games he has been below average.
The squad is so poor in depth in every way.
05 Mar 2026 22:53:31
We are seriously lacking in depth and quality. If we do make UCL, then this squad needs serious investment to be able to cope with the extra workload. Villa is huge. If we win, then I'd be confident of us getting top 4.
06 Mar 2026 05:23:15
Never thought I would say this, but we miss Dorgu and his energy, this team is just so slow as it's been for years and it never gets addressed. We still have not got a decent CB at the club with any pace, along with experience. Midfield has experience in Cass & Bruno and no pace anywhere.
If we get CL it's a masterstroke by Carrick, but anyone is better than RA, and I'm still not convinced he's the right man for the job. But whoever comes, looking like Martinez, hell, we need some pace and experience in this team, plus a good striker. Sesko has a long, long way to go.
06 Mar 2026 07:13:56
Finally something sensible coming out of your mouth, Je Suis.
06 Mar 2026 08:28:37
Jimbo, take a screenshot for posterity. 🤣🤣🤣
06 Mar 2026 19:47:19
Oh, so funny. How's your 'win the league' bet going?
05 Mar 2026 09:30:19
We did say the levels have been dropping since the Arsenal and City games. People blame players, say they aren't good enough, but they have shown they are. Its the attitude or desire for each game is the issue, we can blame the manager but until each player knows his place is always under pressure from the bench, this can happen. Its not right thry should wirk hard in every game, but if you are guarenteed to start each week you get comfortable.
Last night was a massive error, a chance to really secure 3rd, with Villa the weekend and Chelaea away to come we need to get back to the high levels we know they can reach. I don't buy this tactics, style of play talk, we can do it, just more desire to win games form the start is needed. Mr. Carrick time to get tough, get these players up for our remaing games.
05 Mar 2026 10:18:20
I think the introduction of Sesko has imbalanced the team. We don't have a natural left winger, and with Dorgu and Luke Shaw now out, we've lost all of our threat from that side. We look more threatening with Mbeumo through the middle, where he and Amad can actually run at and in behind players.
I appreciate that Sesko has chipped in with a few goals, but I still think his biggest impact comes from the bench. Hopefully, next game, Carrick goes back to a front three of Cunha, Mbeumo, and Amad.
05 Mar 2026 10:18:52
Redcon, these guys are playing for one of the biggest clubs in world football. They have European football within their grasp, but not yet guaranteed, and they need to be motivated by a manager? Behave yourself. All of the above should be quite enough motivation! Yes, I do blame the players. A bunch of entitled ponces!
05 Mar 2026 11:02:09
That performance last night was slow, pedestrian, and sloppy.
The amount of passes we gave away was alarming. The number of times we got caught holding on to the ball too long was unbelievable, especially in the midfield areas when Mainoo, Casemiro, and Bruno got the ball.
It's a wake-up: all is not well, the performances have been poor since the City and Arsenal games.
Massive improvement is needed if we want to secure this Champions League spot.
05 Mar 2026 13:10:02
I think our midfield, specifically, Mainoo, is the culprit. He really does so little to impact the game if you watch him, and last night against Tonali and Linton, the gap in quality is so evident in pace, passing, physical presence, and even being in the right position.
We just kept giving the ball away time after time.
I know Bruno does it, and so does Cas, but Bruno makes up for it with his assists and goals, his work rate, and a lot of other great attributes.
I have never been in the camp of "Kobe is great" or "he is rubbish." I just don't see him as the guy you build a midfield around.
I will take two Cas over two Mainoo's even today.
05 Mar 2026 16:12:57
Last night, you could kind of see with Mainoo why it is that Amorim wasn't putting him in the team. He's neat and tidy as a player, but the way football is going these days, the two players in the pivot need to be athletic and physical, as well as being able to play.
05 Mar 2026 22:13:25
Mainoo should not be playing so far back; it's not his best position. He needs a better midfielder alongside him, doing the defensive work, and we forget how young he is.
06 Mar 2026 02:38:23
imo it's nothing new - most players can't be arsed unless it's a big game (which I guess helps them with their profiles and what not). The quality is there, desire is not.
Was improving a bit, I think, but we need a proper reset to turn around years of neglect on the culture side of things.
06 Mar 2026 05:30:45
Mainoo is no world beater. Never been, never will be. He is a steady, average player, nothing special, lacks pace and the ability to make a killer pass, but we have not got anything else, and that is the problem....
The games since Carrick arrived have glossed over how poor this team really is. Sesko is no United number 9, he has got lots to learn yet; that is why we look better when Mbeumo plays through the middle.
He has some intelligence and experience. Cunha holds on to the ball too much and lacks pace, and they are our better players. We have not got a CB of note, no real midfield power and pace, and poor full backs, but hopefully we can just keep picking up more wins than losses. But, reality check for some of you who were predicting 2nd or winning the league: 3rd would be a masterstroke, I would take 4th all day long.
05 Mar 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - KeeDal has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool Concerns Over Slot, Standards and Squad Attitude
05 Mar 2026 06:49:13
What we saw last night and increasingly over the last two or three games was Gareth Southgate's England, I suspect tactically driven by Steve Holland. The lack of any drive cannot be fatigue, yet when playing against 10 there was no urgency, no Manchester United way of going at a team, little width or crossing a ball. The Carrick honeymoon is over, he can either continue setting us up like Southgate with Steve Holland in his ear, or be the manager who wants a chance at the job, attack with more energy, urgency. Last night has been coming, same set up over the last two or three and settled into don't lose Southgate football.
Great advert for why Southgate should never ever be considered as well.
05 Mar 2026 08:00:13
I could have put more energy into that midfield last night and I'm 50 years old. My issue is the same thing as always. The players can do it, they showed it against Arsenal. They hammered City, but the same effort has not been there for the last few games.
Sometimes they just don't show up, regardless of who the manager is. Trippier was racing forward yesterday, with Cunha following at a light jog, and the same with other players.
05 Mar 2026 08:32:34
Absolutely awful. There is something intrinsically wrong with the attitude in the club. No matter the manager, they revert to walk ball. Don't get me started, re Mainoo. I will bet that if the club decide to offload him, he will insist on his new club having European football.
Yet, whilst the chance is there right now, right in front of him, he can't be bothered to fight for it. Strolls around like an entitled nob!
Watching this dirge sickens me.
05 Mar 2026 08:42:17
Banjoe, every team could say this. People here have pushed yet again to make things player centred. We saw a clear pattern and improving trajectory under Amorim. It derailed due to AFCON and his feeling of being undermined. But we've thrown away a lot. The results have papered over a clear regression. But the main thing that's clear is we have two ways to reliably progress the ball: Martinez and Bruno.
Amorim had Bruno in CM, and he had no option otherwise. Carrick used Martinez, but with him out, we're clueless. The formation also has to either play Mbeumo out of position or sideline Amad. It's a more defensive set up now. Hopefully Carrick gets a grip of it. Ultimately, I think we're reliant on Licha getting back quickly and Casemiro lighting it up.
05 Mar 2026 09:04:38
That's a mental frailty the squad has had for years, not a physical one. We simply don't turn up mentally against the "lesser" teams.
The Geordies were excellent last night - energy, aggression, pace, desire. We showed none of that.
05 Mar 2026 09:30:13
I'm not reading too much into the game.
We've played eight games under Carrick: won six, drawn one, and lost one. Were we realistically going to go unbeaten until the end of the season? Absolutely not. Playing against ten men is always tough, and St James' Park is a difficult place to go at the best of times.
It is what it is. Overall, it's been relatively positive so far. People just tend to read far more into things than they need to, often without any credible basis. Sometimes teams just have bad games - it's happened all season to lots of teams.
Let's just get to the end of the season before making assumptions.
04 Mar 2026 23:57:44
Carrick just failed his interview.
That was Eth 2.0 at its finest.
What a shower of crap that was.
Amorim ball finishes that game off in the second half.
Where was the HT rocket up their behinds?
Nothing.
Pathetic.
Get rid of half that squad, asap.
You can say overreaction, I don't care anymore.
All bets cashed in.
I'll switch these flogs back on after the summer window.
Simply wasting my precious time otherwise.
Apologies if this offends anyone, but there is no defending this group anymore.
05 Mar 2026 08:33:47
No apologies necessary for me, Jimbo. You speak the truth. Awful.
05 Mar 2026 18:25:56
Amorim's ball finishes the game off in the 2nd half, like against Everton at home?
06 Mar 2026 05:37:35
That's ludicrous to say RA wins that; he was diabolical. Yes, we have some poor players and slow paced build up, and Carrick has done well so far. Now is the chance for him to prove himself. I'm not convinced he is the man for the job, never have been, but he is ok as interim; if he gets 4th he has done brilliantly. Let's see now, the work really begins on how he does.
It's a poor squad, poor team. Average manager. We all know that.
Some need a reality check, thinking we would get 2nd, some even better on winning the league... lol... I would take 4th all day long.
Reality is we have got no CBs. Where are all the ones now who said him being injured most of his career is a myth!!
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