28 May 2026 16:02:13
It's not before time that the club is prioritizing midfield acquisitions. The lack of focus in this critical area has been a hallmark of the Glazer era. Other than Bruno, what other longer term purchase of a top midfielder have we made in the last 15-20 years? Casemiro was a decent stop gap, not a long term solution.
The others all went to our competition. It's good that we finally seem to have a professional decision making team that actually gets it. Berada set his sights on 2027/8 to return to the top. Right now you can at least see a pathway to that end.
28 May 2026 16:35:55
I'm not really sure there are long-term solutions nowadays. Most players move on, like managers are doing now too. You can't fill your team with just young potential, as Chelsea just realised. You need those, what you call, stop-gaps for 3-4 years in their prime, as they bring the experience and know-how of how to win.
28 May 2026 21:02:08
Still, the way throughout Ferguson's tenure we had players who came in for 3, 4 or 5 seasons.
It's about having the right mix, and knowing when to shake it up and refresh.
City, Arsenal and Liverpool under Klopp had the luxury of doing that from strong bases.
We were like the gambler, chasing his losses with bad bet after a bigger bad bet.
I think now Carrick has to try and get a solid base and add bits to complement that as he goes. But, with the way it is now, he has to keep us in the cl and competitive while he builds.
28 May 2026 21:00:43
It isn't as simple as that. We have allowed our midfield to become dreadfully weak, and incredibly lacking in depth. But, whilst there have been several occasions that we have neglected our engine room to our detriment, arguably, it is less that we haven't signed young midfielders with the potential to be first team players for several years, and it is more that we haven't signed the right players.
Marouane Fellaini was 25 when we signed him in 2013. Unfortunately he simply didn't have the first touch, passing ability, shooting ability, vision, or defensive awareness to play as a holding midfielder at United.
Ander Herrera was 25 when we signed him in 2014, and although he was pretty solid and a great squad player that could be relied upon to perform a certain role, he wasn't technically gifted enough to take United to the top level. Also, we were very hesitant to offer him a new deal so he joined PSG for free when he probably had a few more decent years left.
Morgan Schneiderlin was 25 when we signed him in 2015, and although he had been a fantastic player for Southampton, he again wasn't technically gifted enough to allow United to control matches, and he struggled to adapt.
In 2016, we signed Paul Pogba, who was 23 years old and easily the most talented young central midfielder in the world at the time. We all have our opinions on Pogba, and whilst I believe he was consistently the best player on the pitch for United throughout his first three seasons, he was constantly shifted between different positions, and typically expected to play several different roles at once. In the right system, with the right players alongside him in midfield, I genuinely believe Pogba could've been the best midfielder in the world, he certainly had all the attributes. However, he clearly didn't work hard enough or have the tenacity to dominate matches, and he has somewhat admitted this himself.
We signed Nemanja Matic in 2017, who was 29 years old, but had never relied on pace, and seemed like the ideal player to sit deep and allow Pogba to roam. But we continued to play the wrong system at times and it never really worked, although we did manage 83 points and finished 2nd in the league.
In 2018, having finished 2nd in the league, we failed to back Mourinho, and failed to invest in the squad, only signing Fred and Dalot that summer. For my money, that was the single greatest error we have made since Ferguson left. With the right additions that summer, we could've progressed that season and potentially challenged City for the title, but instead it all fell apart.
There have been several other midfielders signed in the last 20 years that had the potential to make a significant impact over many years. Carrick in 2006, Hargreaves in 2007, Anderson in 2007, Kagawa in 2012, Van de Beek in 2020, Mount in 2023, Ugarte in 2024.
We've spent enough money on the midfield over the years that the current squad should be significantly better. Unfortunately we signed players that were not suited to the league, or simply not good enough on far too many occasions, and have wasted countless millions in the process. It is absolutely essential that we get it right this summer.
28 May 2026 23:53:38
Great summary, Gilly. I agree on backing Jose too. Fred and Dalot. ??
29 May 2026 04:13:42
It was a travesty not backing Jose, our best manager since Fergie left. But many on here seem to not remember also barracking him because he chose to live in a hotel instead of buying a house in the area. Absolutely pathetic, what difference that made was beyond a joke, but it happened.
Jose was not liked by many because of strong opinions and strong leadership. Strange how people of 2026 don’t like opinions that differ from theirs.
I agree we have purchased many players over the years, just that they have been players who are just not good enough or just don’t realise their potential, or attitudes waver. Hopefully more due diligence is happening now too on players we purchase, and more suited to our needs at the time and of a level required. Yes, they all won’t turn out to be world beaters, but it would be nice if most don’t turn out as duds, like seems to have been happening.
29 May 2026 05:27:57
Jose wasn't the first not to be backed. LVG openly criticised the club for not backing his preferred signings and going for 3rd/4th/5th choices.
29 May 2026 07:34:45
Eric, that's been the problem over the years, not signing the best targets that were actually wanted. It's how we always ended up with a mixmash of players.