21 Sep 2026 14:39:17
It's not the Manager, it's the club. Stay with me.
I'm not saying Carrick is the right man, far from it, but sack him, appoint a new Manager and rinse and repeat.
Look at Briggton and Brentford, they change the Manager and they keep on rolling, because they have a sound structure, a clear ethos, a robust transfer strategy, yada yada yada.
Compare that to United, the DOF overruling the Recruitment Director on targets, a squad that appears unprepared for the season, a player that asks to leave is now first choice, and that's since we put professionals in charge.
Moyes was never qualified for the job, Van Gaal was but got his 4th or 5th choice targets. Jose said finishing second was his best ever achievement, Ole was a sentimental but flawed choice, ETH and Amorim were promising coaches who struggled massively, and depsite the Ile mistake, here we are again. I like Carrick, he did very well last year, but in the cold light of day, he isn't qualified for the job, and that's before you factor in the mess behind the scenes.
Ralf called it out, Jose did to a lesser extent, and the change of ownership dhould have addressed the core issues, but it seems not. How is Wilcox qualified to be DOF at United? He isn't. I'd also love to k nw what Berrada does all day.
Conte would last 5 minutes before flouncing out when he sees behind the scenes, Howe would be another nodding dog, and whilst I love Emery, would he really achieve anything in this environment?
Aim your vitriol at Carrick all you like, and he certainly isn't helping himself at the moment (nor did Amorim), but do you see anything changing if we change Manager?
21 Sep 2026 15:12:47
Famous last words, but I think we will be fine this season and the international break has come at a good time for us.
By fine i mean, will finish in the top 5 and get out of the group stage of the champions league, which is clearly the aim from the top to become a regular champions league team again as a foundation.
The return to fitness of Baleba and Amad will bring much needed energy/intensity to our game and Sesko staying fully fit will allow us to have a focal point to play off.
21 Sep 2026 15:34:30
Maybe DSG, but if the problem is a fall off in fitness standards leading to a general inability to match other team's effort on the pitch, then I don't think it matters who we put out there, we will be outfought, outrun, out-tackled and outplayed. The EPL is a very competitive physical environment and every team is stocked with hard working players who take pride in what they're doing. Thus far this season we have shown some flashes of quality but it's not enough. Without matching the physical effort, doing the hard work, running, sprinting, engaging the opposition in all areas of the field, quality is of limited value.
I was one of those who believed Carrick deserved a chance, but maybe it's absolutely the case that his success was built on the changes Amorim brought in. If the root of the problem is poor training methods then the pusillanimous start to the season is entirely down to Carrick and his crew, and it will continue. Buying a new full back will not solve the problem. Every new player just sinks into the old rut, their ability and promise withering on the vine. That's pretty much the story of United since SAF and Gill departed. There's simply no excuse for the team being unable to match or outmatch our opponents work rate.
21 Sep 2026 15:39:41
I completely understand the argument that the club's structures are the biggest problem. In fact, I agree. The second the Ineos crew sided with Wilcox over Ashworth, I stopped taking them seriously.
However, Carrick's appointment is another one of their mistakes. Regardless of his success as interim, he should never have been in the running for the job, let alone got it. He's woefully out of his depth and isn't helping. I don't see how dawdling on replacing him has any benefit.
My view is that the club should admit that appointing an inexperienced manager was a mistake, correct it, and hold the people responsible for his appointment accountable. Wilcox should have been fired after the whole Amorim fiasco, and needs to go too.
Carrick isn't responsible for the state of the club, but he is responsible for getting the most out of the squad. Yesterday's game wasn't a simple case of lack of effort. I every time Fulham had possession, the players formed into 3 stationary lines behind the ball. For me this must be what the players were instructed to do. The manager clearly identified maintaining a rigid defensive shape as the takeaway from the Brighton defeat. That's why he was so personly when reporters called out the lack of intensity. Not because he was protecting his players. Because they were doing what he asked them to do.
21 Sep 2026 16:46:26
AJH,
I don't think Howe would be another nodding dog, otherwisenhe would have stayed at Newcastle.
Utd are in an unfortunate position, whereby picking an unknown manager such as Jaissle, would be seen as potentially unambitious, due to the statute of the club and a lack of EPL experience.
However, juat look at Hurzeler, he is doing a brilliant job. Even Andrews at Brentford is doing well. Those clubs have solid structures, and generally buy really well.
Personally, I think Wilcox loves himself, and likes to dick swing alot. We know he caused problems for RA, where even SJR considered sacking him.
21 Sep 2026 21:27:50
This is hilarious AJH. When you had a bee in your bonnet about Amorim, it was the win rate and not the club, it was squarely the manager.
People said it was the club and the crop of players, you shot them down.
Next time exercise some patience, the grass isn't always greener.
We now have player power back at the club about to get another manager sacked.
Here's a blueprint.
Install a manager that kills player power dead, from day 1
Trust SJR to make the necessary change to the hierarchy (Wilcox and probably berrada need to go at this point)
Stabilise the foundations
Grow from there, one season at a time, brick by brick.
21 Sep 2026 23:03:22
The only reason the internsti9nal break has come at the right time is because I don't have to watch that utter shyte one or twic3 a week for at least a few weeks. Gives me time to develop other habits on a weds and a Sunday.So I am not tempted to tune back in. I cannot 2atch any more of that. Ever. Its disgusting. This is not Man Utd. When we were garbage in the late 79s and most of the 80s, it was a thrill to be in the Stretford end and feel the passion drive and desire albeit we didn't have all the better players. But the players were men, they bled, hobbled and went out on their swords. I used to join them in the Deanwater on a Sunday to celebrate or dornw sorrows and put the world to rights. They did everything in a committed, cavalier and yet brave way. Remo moses whitesid3 Robson macgrath, Wallace macilroy albiston Anderson, davenport, Thomas, and many more. This lot, pull out of tackles faster than a 14 year old lad when his girls parents arrive home 3arly. They're gutless and weak willed.