24 Apr 2026 10:22:26
Seeing De Ligt back on the grass, good news but had me thinking how bad the summer transfer windows were under ETHs time in charge.
Window 1:
Licha - injury prone but good player
Casemiro - Expensive but overall worth it all things considered.
Antony - Useless
Window 2:
Onana - Calamity
Hojlund - In over his head
Mount - Waste of Time and Money
Window 3:
De Ligt - Crocked
Zirkzee - Underwhelming
Ugarte - Useless
Mazraoui- Steady.
3/10 - 30% at a push successful recruitment rate.
24 Apr 2026 10:40:04
It was a disgrace, wasn't it?
24 Apr 2026 11:17:56
Yep, agreed, Jimbo. Not really blaming Erik ten Hag, although there was that weird thing with the SEG agency and Keith Voss.
My point is more around how sometimes we are probably better off not making a signing than signing someone for the sake of it.
Would the club have been any worse off if Mason Mount didn't join and we didn't sign someone lol?
Something to think about this summer imo.
24 Apr 2026 13:14:39
If you read Laurie Whitwell's insight into those windows, it was a complete shambles how we operated. The players we and he wanted against the players we got, and how much was paid for it.
There definitely seems to be a change in recruitment since Ratcliffe has come in.
I think Licha, Mount, de Ligt have been unfortunate. They are good players, but haven't been on the grass enough.
Maz, I think, has been good for us to be fair, and now needs a good run in the team, but I wouldn't have many complaints with him.
I like Zirkzee too, I think he is a very good player, but not what we needed at all.
But like I said, it seems to be running a lot smoother and this summer is so important. Whoever the manager is, we need more quality on the pitch and we need the money on the pitch. We are looking at 60 games next year.
24 Apr 2026 13:23:41
I would definitely be looking at getting rid of Mount. Absolute waste of space. It's irrelevant if he's a good player or not, he can't stay fit, end of.
24 Apr 2026 14:55:31
Can the club even break even with Mount if they were to sell him? A loan with an option to buy is a more likely scenario.
24 Apr 2026 16:25:57
Mad Hatter, probably not when you consider his injury record and the obscene amount of money he earns.
24 Apr 2026 17:25:17
I don't know Mount's length of contract, probably 5 years with an option for a further year, so we would have a book value of about 20m at the end of this season, and an exposure to about 20m in wages over the next 2 years. So we would need a fee in the region of 30m to break even after costs, pay off, etc.
I like Mount. All the coaches he has had speak about him in the highest of ways.
But he just can't stay fit.
2 big questions are, will a club be prepared to take a risk?
Will he move to a lesser club and what financial sacrifice is he prepared to make?
So a loan with an option to buy and a contribution to his wage is a possible outcome.
If the right deal can't be struck, we can only hope he stays fit next season. If he was fit and available, he would be a good asset in a 60 game season imo.
I could see a club like Newcastle or Villa taking a risk on him. I think Newcastle will have to wheel and deal a little this summer.
I usually don't enjoy the transfer windows at all, and I doubt I'll enjoy it from a United perspective with the endless title tattle and links to nowhere. But I think there will be a lot of clubs selling and buying on a bigger scale than usual, so I'll enjoy that. Throw in the WC delays into the mix, it will be carnage.
{Ed025's Note - i say put him up for sale at 50p and hope you get an offer Ken, terrible player even when fit mate..
24 Apr 2026 18:22:04
I feel for Mason. There's a very good player there.
24 Apr 2026 18:43:03
Mason Mount reminds me of Jesse Lingard. Except, he can't stay fit.
24 Apr 2026 18:12:22
Terrible player even when fit ?? I mean he is definitely not that ed025.
{Ed025's Note - im afraid he is Angel mate...imo of course
24 Apr 2026 19:46:29
Good player for me when fit, but therein lies the problem. It's been too long since he has proved he is good.
It's hard to see a move coming. Sick notes usually tend to hang around due to lack of better options.
24 Apr 2026 21:40:29
I'd happily sell the lot.
Licha, with a heavy heart, is not it.
24 Apr 2026 22:39:20
You can not be terrible to play at that level, mate. Hyperbole at its finest right there.
{Ed025's Note - why do you think Chelsea could not wait go get rid of him?, him being injured so much has helped UTD no end if you ask me Angel mate..
25 Apr 2026 07:05:05
I dunno, Angel.
There have been a few shockers over the years and not just at United.