23 Dec 2025 08:19:20
So, no Bruno for a month maybe. Newcastle coming up. They're average. Wolves have to be despondent. Leeds looking much improved and then Burnley. If this wasn't United with its history of blown opportunities, one might be thinking of a string of wins, but this is a United without Mbuemo, Amad and now its talismanic captain, as well as both its 2 experienced CBS.
It'll be interesting to see how Amorim sets up without his playmaker. and it will be interesting to see what's left of the squad can achieve without 5 starters for what looks like the next 3 weeks or more. Cas and Licha in midfield? Cunha, Sesko, Mount? Dalot and Dorgu (had a better game v Villa? ) and the same back 3 of Yoro (been disappointing), Heaven (stepped up), and Shaw, who thus far has been pretty good all season. Opportunities to shine?
With a full squad many of us would have been interested to see how we coped without Bruno.
23 Dec 2025 10:39:47
We are in stage 1 of the 3 stage whole squad rebuild.
We've moved on the players who have no future or were causing issues. We've brought in a a raft of young players who with a bit of luck will be quality squad options in a few years time. We have also bought well last summer helping go a long way to fixing our misfiring front line.
Yet the squad isn't just paper thin, there are clear and obvious weaknesses even when all players are fit and available. When we are missing several key players (and Mbeumo and Amad are easily amongst our best 3 players this season), then of course we will struggle. This is when we get to see what Amorim can do when his hands are totally tied behind his back.
On the evidence of the Villa game I'm actually fairly pleased with what I saw. We were the better team across the game and were unlucky to lose. That's away against a team that had won 9 games on the bounce going into that match, while we were robbed of our best three players this season due to the AFCON and a suspension. To be the better team in those circumstances was very impressive, and for me a sign that we are on the right path.
Just to have a great first 11 we still need at least 4 more likely 5 new players (two midfielders, two CB's and a wingback), let alone adding squad depth right across the team to allow for injuries, suspensions, rotation and to add competition for places.
Stage 2 is next summer, where hopefully we add the remaining 5 players or so that we need to finish rebuilding the first 11. Then stage 3 summer 2027/28 adding quality squad depth and competition for places both through signings and hopefully having some of the younger players we've added to the academy be ready to step up and really start to fight for places in the first team.
Without a doubt this period while the AFCON is on was always going to be the toughest run of the season, adding the unfortunate injury to Bruno only makes this run harder.
We need to temper our expectations and not let our hearts rule out heads as there will be disappointing results and probably performances during this spell. We need to make sure we don't get overly emotional, abandoning logic and common sense. We need to not give in to the hyperbole that the media will try and stoke after every bad result, and stand by our club and our manager, who is about to face an impossible task. Remember to apply the context, and manage those expectations, I know it's Christmas but don't go expecting miracles.
23 Dec 2025 10:43:12
I wouldn't underestimate Newcastle. I think they will beat Utd on boxing day.
23 Dec 2025 10:14:20
Realistically this is going to be a tough period with the players at Afcon, still missing De Ligt and Maguire and now Fernandes. However, I am actually looking forward to seeing some of the other players stepping up and getting a chance. Whether it will be Mainoo (who knows what is actually going on! ), Licha stepping into the midfield or the youth players gettimh more game time it could be a real opportunity to assess what we have actually got in the squad.
Whilst we did not get the result against Villa there were definite signs of progression and we just need to be more clinical up front and eradicate the odd individual errors.
All part of the progression this year. with its ups and downs.
23 Dec 2025 16:09:24
Mainoo Gets his chance now be Bruno is finally injured and gets injured himself.
This is his Utd career chance. Get fit and take it or he’s gone.
23 Dec 2025 17:25:28
Shappys spot on here.
There are positives and probably the most frustrating thing. We’re close but not there and probably lacking talent to execute this system.