03 Sep 2026 17:33:45
We invested all our money in one position - because Mainoo has shown that he will be started unless we are resting him.
So what we spent in fees is for one new starter, plus 3 backups (2 midfield and 1 keeper) - which critically provide depth in a year where our games total will increase dramatically.
We then invested in another backup left winger who will possibly barely ever play.
Then there is Rashford. He undoubtedly has talent, but the club could look weak if it blows up with him during the season.
Frustration abound from many fans, but I think the most obvious issue is that we look over stocked in some areas of the squad and threadbare in others.
Many hoped this would be addressed, but without outgoing we seem stuck.
I think Zirkzee and Rashford staying shows us our current issues. So too the pathetic fees we took for those who left - see Toby Collier as an example.
Some interesting benches to come, where some players are going to miss the match day squad because we need balance on the bench. Can Carrick keep everyone happy and harmonious? Will Rashford and Amad, or Cuhna and Sesko happily sit on the bench?
We do look more stable in the team due to lack of movement in the squad. For our season I feel this 3 or 4 month period we need to be pushing towards the top of the table, before other teams settle down.
03 Sep 2026 18:34:11
I have no problem with bringing in 3 mids. You need a minimum of four good options to compete in more than one competition. Midfielders need the most rest, so rotation is key to avoiding injuries.
I think that one or more of the attacking players will get frustrated before Christmas.
We have 5 players that expect to be starters competing for 3 positions, and Dorgu in the mix too.
My opinion is that, when everyone is fit, Rashford should stay on the bench unless his form is world class. He has already checked out of the club, and we need to make sure that the players who are part of the long term plan are kept happy.
03 Sep 2026 19:33:55
The midfield options we have now are going to change this team imo. More control and more ability to progress the ball to our top 4, who have enough quality to do damage.
I know it was only Ipswich, but 5 goals scored last weekend is something we haven't had in 5 years, and I believe more shots than we have had in 10 years or something.
We will be okay, I think.
This is a gradual build. Unfortunately.
03 Sep 2026 19:35:24
Would give the window a 6/7 out 10. Signed 3 good to very good midfielders for reasonable prices, and I assume reasonable wages.
The strategy of fixing the attack last summer, midfield this summer, and defence next summer makes sense and is logical.
Just think not signing a backup left back is pretty ridiculous, tbh.
It was only two years ago we had to start Andrew Tate at left back in the Champions League. Also, I do not believe any of Martinez, Dorgu or Baleba could play there for a significant period if Shaw gets injured.
03 Sep 2026 19:37:54
I think I read somewhere, in the limited minutes Rashford has played so far, he has already given the 2nd best stats for chances created in the league.
Not a chance that Dorgu gets in front of Rashford, that's for sure. I don't see anyone else in this squad dislodging Rashford either.
If you like him or not is irrelevant, really, and is clearly clouding judgement. If he is producing, he plays, no matter if world class performances or not. That's ridiculous.
03 Sep 2026 21:22:36
Dorgu scored a great goal for Denmark, coming off the right. He might be more versatile than some give him credit for. Thus far this season, including during the friendlies, he seems to have stopped playing with his head up, but hopefully that will change. He's been going for the spectacular every time, when a pass would be the better option.
The issues around the transfer window have been done to death. There's pretty much unanimous agreement that we needed to strengthen the LB and possibly the right back. There's some who doubt the relative quality of our new midfielders. I guess all of this will be settled one way or another by what goes on on the field.
03 Sep 2026 21:35:19
I said we should trust in the management and listen when Wilco said judge us at the end of the window. Whilst I disagree with the vitriol of Red Man and Twenty, I agree they let us down badly.
Yes, I agree we needed three midfielders, because Carrick had tested a whole range of the academy players several times and, sadly, they're not up to the task as of yet. That doesn't mean another fringe year won't see improvements, but those who were coming through like Collyer, Moorhouse and Fletcher aren't there yet. Collyer missed his chance.
But to ignore a back up for Sesko and a left back is just negligent, and I do have to concede that those who claimed that we made the ECL and the owners would wing it — I have to begrudgingly agree that's definitely the result. It's a 4 out of ten for me and no more. We sorted the midfield and I don't agree we needed showstopping megabuys, as we have seen across the window; it so very rarely works out that the top price was the bargain. We saw that with Pogba. It seems to bring arrogance, complacency and a lack of desire, a mentality of 'ah, I've made it', and there's a drop-off almost always before any catch up and especially for any advance.
But that aside, they absolutely could afford to and should have sought another striker and another LB. They let us down badly. Very badly. And proved they're not to be trusted. I believe they improved in approach and negotiation to bullying and also applaud not to repaying, but our sales unit is utter garbage, incompetent still, and the owners failed to support the manager and have set up yet another manager to fail who made great strides. Same errors. One thing they categorically do still fail at despite the claims of having a plan, bcde is to have a failsafe loan with option negotiated for key positions earlier in the window to take the pressure off and maintain momentum. Failing to do so does seem to support the idea they talk a good game and don't back it up. Making Rashford and Zirkzee the fall guys for their own lack of competence or diligence is cowardly. I'm no fan of either, but our woes are not of their making; it's entirely on Wilcox and Barrada.
04 Sep 2026 00:37:11
They should drop Shaw and have Dorgu operating as a hybrid LB/WB.
That probably works well with Cunha in front of him, as between them they'd cover the yards required in both directions.
Rashford has to prove he is up to that.
If he is not, we end up with having Rashford as an out and put LW and Shaw as a dedicated LB. That is very predictable to play against, and limits our attacks to the centre and right hand side, to a degree.