19 Apr 2026 10:30:46
Lucky, belligerent performance, scraping 3 points but I want to look at three different stories.
Garnacho.
Well done to Amorim, plus the negotiators who got £40m. He had talent, outstanding talent when younger, some carry on and become great, some just don't develop. It can go wrong, look no further than Ravel Morrison or Mason Greenwood, it happens. Amorim spotted the wrong attitude and clearly saw a fall in standards, was decisive and got rid. I watched a young Garnacho but talent alone isn't enough. His attitude stank, now it is stinking out London. How telling none of his ex teammates went to him at the end of the game, that Luke Shaw posted a picture of his pushing Garnacho on the floor. Good riddance
Cunha
Brazilian with a tough street fighter attitude. He gets it, he is all in, love his attitude. A really good buy after all the mistakes of the last decade. Isn't it interesting, players bought during Amorims short reign have done so well.
Heaven
The £1m, an absolute snip. Applause for whoever did that deal. I have long said Heaven looks a player to me. Yes, have to watch the same thing that happened to Garnacho doesn't happen to him. Carrick hasn't played him, a huge error for me, then in an emergency he comes in last night. 19 and looks every bit the part. Yes, it could go wrong, but looks like a young Rio to me. Can pass with that left foot and I saw he won every single aerial battle. Deserves to keep his place. Not even 20 until Sept. Someone who could become a very good player indeed, future of England level. Next couple of years will tell us, see how he develops but he has potential to be wow.
19 Apr 2026 11:27:56
Agree with all of that, Red Man.
19 Apr 2026 12:30:07
Only saw the hls, unfortunately, but happy to see Heaven get the start. Long been a believer in his ability. Hope he nails that spot. And here's hoping we get a run going and finish third, and not just target CL qualification.
19 Apr 2026 12:49:33
Absolutely, Red Man. Hearing Carrick talk of reintegrating Rashford utterly depresses me.
Bringing it back to the game: I feel we're in the inverse of Amorim now. Performance levels are dropping, but we're getting results. As I've harped on about enough here, those performance metrics are much better predictors of long term results. Unfortunately, too many are short termist and I am fearful that Carrick gets the full-time gig.
There are really good alternatives - Nagelsman, Hoeness, Iraola, (optimistically) Enrique - and I hope those in charge don't share the short termism.
The foundations are there now in multiple positions, and we're in a much better position now than we've been for years.
19 Apr 2026 14:06:53
Don't forget Mainoo, Red Man. Man of the match last night.
As part of Amorim's short reign, he wouldn't play him. ???
19 Apr 2026 14:08:02
Can't disagree except to say that whatever one thinks of Mason Greenwood he does seem to have successfully resurrected both his career and his private life with the woman he allegedly abused.
19 Apr 2026 16:44:40
Newnameoldideas, how dare you suggest a person might actually regret doing something and try to make amends.
Seriously, if Greenwood really has changed, he should be applauded and held up as a role model for younger, impressionable kids.
19 Apr 2026 18:06:47
angel
Mainoo did ok, but whilst I know it suits your argument, he wasn't MOM, was he?
We couldn't control the game through midfield at all, so I am yet to be convinced that Amorim wasn't right about him. He plays a certain way, and Mainoo has talent, but I don't think he is a strong CM, more of a semi 10.
19 Apr 2026 18:35:53
He was MOM, and as one of his critics, it was a joy to finally watch him dictate a game. He still needs to cover more ground for me, but let's judge with a better team around him.
19 Apr 2026 18:43:39
The fans rating in the Beebs Sport site had Mainoo ranked second to Bruno. I've been critical of him lately, but he was excellent yesterday, as was Bruno. Kobe is able to turn in tight situations and find the simple pass, and when he plays well, he's like the oil that keeps the engine running.
Amorim was wrong about Mainoo, and he was wrong to play Bruno as a CM. Those 2 changes have had a huge impact on our play.
19 Apr 2026 18:34:48
A role model for how to batter your missus and get away with it? Or is this sarcasm?
19 Apr 2026 21:02:18
Bruno was the official MOM.
19 Apr 2026 21:25:41
He was Red Man. imo Mainoo was our best player by quite some distance. Heaven and Maz also were good. Dalot and Shaw did the defensive part of their job well, in the main.
As a team, I think we only had 1 shot on target or something like that. So imo any creative players from yesterday should not be getting a MOM.
19 Apr 2026 22:32:26
For the clean sheet, I would have given it to a defender. Heaven would have been mine.