Manchester United banter 10

09 Nov 2025 21:31:15
Regarding Ugarte, not sure if its been mentioned on here, but his reading and anticipation is really poor. Gave him a pass since it was his first season in a new league, more intensity, pace etc, but he just doesn't seem to have learnt, crazy how many times he dives into challenges and doesn't win the ball, even duels that are blatantly obvious he won't win, he still goes in for them and we're a man down on the opposition counter.

But the team looks to be getting better, his subs are sketchy to say the least but let's see if he learns, we have got better as the seasons gone on. However we do obviously need more signings; lack in quality from the bench is costing us points atm. Lwb is a priority, hear Mendes hasn't agreed a contract at PSG?, would be a hell of a signing but i'm dreaming.

Would really like to see a midfielder come in who can just control the game to put it simply, just pass and hold, we never have a good grip of the game when we have a lead, it's way too end to end but also unfair imo to ask Case and Bruno to do something they've never done.

Got some winnable fixtures after the break so onwards and upwards. Note, Mbeumo is bloody brilliant; so good. Will be a huge plus once its clicks for Cunha too.

09 Nov 2025 13:39:47
We all know, as does the club, that we need DMs. The club was clearly prepared to spend for the right player but was not able to come up with £100m plus over the summer. Not every hole could be fixed in one transfer window. Ugarte is obviously not good enough. I think it was him that lost his man in midfield as Spurs set up their equalizer. He's simply too slow and not strong enough. Another expensive mistake who will need to be moved on over the summer along with Zirkzee. Bruno has been doing well in the early stages of games of late but once we're ahead and, inevitably good teams start to press us more and build up momentum in search of saving the game, how weaknesses are exposed. We looked pretty brittle yesterday from fairly on in the second half.

Can anything be done in January? Qualifying for the Champions League should undoubtedly be the goal. How much would doing so be worth it to the club? One expensive midseason acquisition? You would think so. And if we can move a player or two on and someone is available, perhaps it could happen.

09 Nov 2025 19:00:20
Re central midfield, for me it is pretty simple at the moment.

CAS and Bruno start, they have done a good enough job to keep us withing striking distance of the top 4.

The issue arises when CAS legs get tired and a swap is required.

When this happens, retaining Bruno with either Ugarte or Mainoo doesn't work, they have not got the same wavelengths. Ugarte and Mainoo works, but not one of those pair plus Bruno.

I suggested it once before on here but when CAS is being changed, if Bruno isn't also being hooked, then we need to take off a 10/sesko and move the front 3 around.

Not ideal, but if we are in a winning position you need to ensure you make necessary changes to protect the game.

Don't disagree that a new mid wouldn't be welcomed, but am not going to advocate for one as it was kind of suggested by the upper management that we weren't really in for January or purchases.

09 Nov 2025 19:23:10
Anderson to play alongside bruno would be good. Honestly think we would be playing better as a team without bruno and two solid epl cms in this formation. We are a work in progress and top 4 this year would be an over achievement.

09 Nov 2025 21:41:30
Cannot believe people who think we would be better off without Bruno. He is consistently one of the best goal creators in the league. That said it is obvious that he can't keep playing game after game for 90mins at peak performance.

He is also going to drop his levels of performance as he gets older. So it is a no brainer to get another player in and introduce them slowly.

09 Nov 2025 22:41:07
Agreed Salford, bruno has to play.
From my side, I'm okay with the case/Bruno pairing as a starting pair. As highlighted though, my concern comes when CAS goes off, then Bruno doesn't work with Ugarte or Mainoo.

09 Nov 2025 23:20:35
I think we go for a DM ib January of one of our targwta is available and not too overpriced. If not i think we sit and wait, i just don't see the guys in charge moving if it means overpaying or settling for a guy not one of the targets to make do.

I also see us shifting on some playera not starting who want to puah for a WC spot.
Mainoo and Zirkzee stand out but Mazraoui is another whom i think could jump at the right chance.

10 Nov 2025 00:32:16
I really don't understand why we would get rid of Mainoo. He is so talented. Not had a lot of game time to get his rhythm. We need a strong squad. Played so well for England as others mentioned.

It pained me to see Scott go. Also upset that Garnacho wasn't kept as he is also young will def improve and showed yday what he is capable of.
If Mainoo goes that's three young payers who should be developing with and then playing in their prime years for Utd.

10 Nov 2025 08:31:25
Wouldnt agree on Garnacho, billy big boots who of course will have the off purple patch here and there but he's not special.

10 Nov 2025 15:28:41
If Bruno plays play him in his correct position he isn't a central midfielder.

10 Nov 2025 18:02:50
Salford I also agree on Mainoo. He should come on instead of Ugarte at least. He needs to improve but he has ability which I don't think Ugarte has. McTominay is doing great but he's not the answer. As for Garnacho, he and his brother are poison. He has ability but he was a big part of a toxic culture. We were going nowhere with him.

10 Nov 2025 18:16:56
I hear you Don but he is a youngster and needs to mature. I can't help feeling that if Fergie was still in charge he would have handled Garnacho better and developed him.

10 Nov 2025 23:15:15
Maybe so. I hope the lad sorts himself out, because he'll have a very good career if he does. Maturity is one thing, but a lack of team ethic is another. I'm not sure that actually is something that can come in time tbh.

09 Nov 2025 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - 24jamger has posted a new article entitled, Rangers' Shape, Press, and Energy Issues Exposed Against Roma

09 Nov 2025 04:24:12
Just saw a crazy stat.

So far this season we've conceded 20 goals, fifteen of which have come when Casemiro has not been on the pitch.

So I looked into the numbers a little more.

Cas has played 620 minutes out of a possible 1080. With him on the pitch, we're conceding a goal every 124 minutes. Without him, we're shipping a goal every half an hour (or 30.6667 minutes, if you want to be precise) .

I've mentioned a few times on the live chat how impressed I've been with him this season, but I hadn't quite realized just how important he's been for the team. The lad deserves tremendous credit, especially when you consider some of the criticism he was getting last season (some of which, I'm sad to say, was from me) .

09 Nov 2025 10:15:26
Agreed Casemiros performance levels have been impressive considering he was being written off for the past 2 seasons.

But the fact even with 1 game a week, he can’t complete a full 90 is not sustainable and from that stat of conceding every 30 mins when he's not on the pitch, that doesn't look good for Ugarte who was supposed to be his replacement, who is subbing on for him every game.

Not talked about enough how bad a signing Ugarte has been, cost £50m and we had to sell Scott Mctominay to fund the transfer.

09 Nov 2025 11:04:35
Casemiro had been phenomenal this season, especially for a players whose legs went last season.

The shift in tactics and team shape has really helped him, moving from a high press to more of a mid block, as well as the defence pushing up higher has meant he hasn't had to cover as much space as he did before. Which is definitely getting the best out of him.

The problem is that his performances start to dip after 60-70 minutes, and we need to be careful not to run him into the ground, so we do need to sub him off more and manage his minutes. The problem is that we don't have anyone else in our squad with the same profile as him. Meaning we have to play slightly differently when he's not on the pitch, which probably plays into us conceding more when he's not on the pitch just as much as the his absence affects us.

We desperately need to sign a natural replacement for him in January if we want to make the most of this season. In truth we need to sign two naturally defensive midfielders, one in January to rotate with Casemiro, and one in the summer to replace him as his contract is up.

The other issue with our midfield that is clear to see is that Bruno's performances are starting to trail off later in games. I can't remember exactly what the stat was but it was something like his defensive actions and distance covered are dropping by nearly two thirds after 60 minutes compared to before.

Bruno has played a lot of football, has hardly ever been injured, or missed a game for us. I think he's missed something like 17 games for us in nearly 6 years. There was even a couple of seasons where he played 96% of all the available minutes for us across the season for us in all competitions. That will start to catch up with him. While his new role playing deeper is also more physically demanding than he is used to when playing higher up.

The problem is clear, we lack depth in midfield, we play well when Casemiro and Bruno are fully fit and playing, but we drop off badly when they aren't playing or when they start to tire. Unfortunately Ugarte just doesn't seem suited to the EPL, he's got talent and skills, but he is a bit of a mad dog chasing wrappers in the wind. The transitional style in the current EPL leaves him chasing shadows, it requires someone who reads the game well and acts on where they know the ball will be rather than chasing where it currently is. While Mainoo needs to start being given more game time, I'm a little unhappy with his seeming desire to try and force getting game time, and his willingness to leave (even on loan) to get it. It doesn't show a real commitment to the club that have trained him and given him his chance. He's 20 years old, and probably wouldn't and shouldn't be a starter for a top club challenging for major honours. He still has parts of his game he needs to work on. That said I think we should be looking to introduce Mainoo in games around the 60 minute mark and even start him in a few games. Whether that is by giving Bruno a rest (which he will need) or by pushing Bruno higher up (where he can still be impactful even if he's starting to tire later in games) .

I think it's clear that Amorim would rather play Cunha as a false 9 over Zirkzee, so there can be times when we rest or sub Sesko where Cunha can be played through the middle creating a space for Bruno to play in that left side No.10 position making space for Mainoo in the No.8.

09 Nov 2025 12:23:10
I don't know if you noticed but there is a world cup in the summer lol, pretty clear why mainoo wants game time.

He literally started the knockout games in the last euros when england made the final.

Should be allowed to leave in January on loan in my opinion.

09 Nov 2025 12:43:06
You've hit the nail on the head shappy.
Casemiro going off at 60 mins leaves the team much weaker but it over looked that Bruno tires off around the same time.
i think a double sub of mainoo and ugarte coming on with casemiro coming off or Bruno pushing further up the pitch to make a 3 would be a big help.

09 Nov 2025 12:51:48
This not about mainoo england chances, this is about the team. If you don’t take your chance when you come on you don’t deserve to start.

09 Nov 2025 13:08:24
DSG, are you serious? You'll be happy going into the second half of the season with only 3 senior midfielders, two of which are over 30 and their performances start to drop after 60 minutes?

Amorim has said Mainoo needs to work on his endurance and mobility, that takes time. Months of training to build it up not weeks.

I fully expect to see Casemiro and Bruno tire more at the season wears on and as such their will be more game time available, it's down to Mainoo to prove himself when he gets a chance. Let's be honest, he hasn't played as well as either Casemiro or Bruno in the minutes he has had.

If a club wants to be successful then minutes have to be earned not given. Mainoo needs to step up when he gets his chances. So far this season he hasn't, that isn't on the manager that's on him.

He is very talented, and I understand his frustration. But he needs to develop the right mentality, running away from a challenge rather than rising to it is not the right mentality.

Wanting to leave on loan, what does it really say about him and where his head is at?

Effectively he's admitting he isn't good enough or he doesn't have the right mentality to earn the minutes at our club so he wants to go somewhere where it's easier.

If he wants to realise his potential he cannot afford to have that mentality. He needs to be a fighter, take the knock backs and use them as fuel to be better and to overcome those challenges.

Surely he's better placed to be successful here both in the short term and the long term. Surrounded by people who knows him, where he is comfortable and knows what he needs to do, where there is a plan for him. Moving to another club, even on loan brings as many challenges and potential pitfalls as it might minutes on the pitch.

What if his new manager sees him in trainings and decides he isn't right, or doesn't fancy him, what if that club changes manager and coaching staff, what if he doesn't settle at that club, in that new city or potentially new country, what if he picks up an injury.

He's a young player, a player who isn't the finished article, he shouldn't be focusing on short term aims such as getting into the England squad. He should be focusing on maximising his talent, and realising his potential. If he focuses on that then the short term things will fall into place.

From the rumours I've heard his agent seems to be the one poking the bear, trying to either get him a new big contract (which of course lines his pocket) or a big move (which again he will benefit from) .

Young footballers need to remember who they are listening to and what that persons motivations are. If he wants to be a great footballer he needs to listen to his coaches and manager, if he wants to earn more money then he needs to listen to his agent. It's that simple.

09 Nov 2025 15:47:06
Shappy. While I agree to a certain degree, I do think that Mainoo has a right to be a little peeved. He’ll improve through general training, but the thing that he needs more than anything else right now is minutes, and 138 of them so far this season just isn’t enough (especially when you consider Ugarte has more than double that) .

In an ideal world, we’d be wrapping games up early so that we can bring Mainoo on when Bruno and Cas start to get tired, but I can’t remember the last time when a game felt like it was well and truly won before the full time whistle.

I have a feeling Mainoo will end up leaving in the summer if things don’t change soon, although if his departure allows us to bring in two new CDMs who are better suited to Amorim’s system, that may not be such a bad thing. I’d love to see him succeed with us, but I don’t think he’s a good fit for the type of football the manager wants to play and he doesn’t seem too keen to adapt his game.

09 Nov 2025 17:15:54
Redseven, Ugarte has more minutes because he is more suited to replace Casemiro. Mainoo is better suited to replacing Bruno who tends to be able to last longer in games and is the captain.

It's unfortunate, but he will get minutes as the season wears on. He just needs to be patient, keep his head down and work hard with the coaches.

09 Nov 2025 17:35:56
John Reese, do you not think a lot of the reason that Bruno's level drops after 60 mins is because of Cas going off.

09 Nov 2025 18:45:42
Probably a bit banjoe.
Still think though he is just getting tired he's played a hell of a lot of football for us and isn't getting any younger either.

09 Nov 2025 19:11:36
I replied above to Maze's 709th login, when we replace CAS, we need to move Bruno either to the bench or up the field, it really is that simple. Mainoo with Ugarte can close out games as required. Yes they'll make some mistakes, but until we have more suitable replacements, we cannot play Bruno with either of them as we start to go backwards.

09 Nov 2025 19:22:24
Glad everyone caught up now and admit that Ugarte is not good enough, that took long enough though! I disagree that Bruno gets tired I would say he is one of the fittest in the team… have always said that Cass is best midfielder by a country mile, now everyone again caught up! Yippeeeee
We still need a decent experienced striker and wing backs like I said Dorgu is just not good enough.


But if RA is staying he needs to sort his in game management because it’s dreadful and getting no better…
Swapping out Rasmus for Sesko was not great business either…. Sesko is Raw as Rasmus, it’s flip of coin which one turns out better, but neither are what we need at the Mo.

08 Nov 2025 14:43:01
Ken these next words are for you ? another point today in a difficult away game in a place we've struggled lately, add that to similar last week an although not victory's it's 2 more points on the board. We definitely lose both those game last season. Is there plenty to work on? Yes. do we have key deficiencies? Yes.

but the team spirit and desire is coming back and that has been missing for a while. International break now and we go into it on the back of 11 points from 15, nobody would have saw us getting that a month ago so will happily take it. Enjoy your weekend everyone and let's hope we kick on again after the break.

08 Nov 2025 15:50:39
Improving in almost every respect Tim today's all you can ask for.

08 Nov 2025 16:08:50
Maybe 2 points from 6 will bring people back to reality, that two weeks ago we’re saying we will win the league this season, how daft was that! We have a striker who is actually not very good and not much better than Rasmus, we have poor wing backs and not great midfield.

08 Nov 2025 17:13:05
Draws usually go one of two ways: it feels like one point gained, or two points lost. Today certainly felt like one point gained.

The performance was poor, but the difference this time was we were able to fight until the very end with 10 men.

I'm not one to agree with Ken, but 11 points out of 15 is certainly an improvement.

Do I still have issues? Certainly. Sesko, for me, doesn't look better than Hojlund, and I don't see the obsession with using 5 substitutes every game, as today we were left vulnerable having to go down to 10. But, in spite of this, we ground out a result.

08 Nov 2025 17:22:03
Plus more shocking substitutions. No one can say that RA is very good at in game management I think he is truly awful with 90% of his substitutions that appear to make no sense at all…. sure many will defend him on here but how I really don’t know, nice guy, talks well but really he don’t even appear to be learning on the job.

08 Nov 2025 17:46:04
Who is Notimesoon?

Amorim is turning around the supertanker steaming full speed in the wrong direction,

There is positivity now, Amorim, Manager of the Month. We are improving and there is clearly team spirit.

08 Nov 2025 18:13:58
Think we all know who it is redman.

08 Nov 2025 20:04:38
We're definitely improving. Dorgu and Dalot are very limited in attack. I'd like to see Shaw out there when Martinez returns. The drop off when Casemiro comes off is alarming. Hopefully that can be addressed in January. We continue to play considerable portions of games with 2 or 3 players that are well below average.

It means when our better players have an off game - like Cunha today - it is very noticeable. But the resiliency in the team is great and I'm encouraged. We need to get wins on the board again but staying unbeaten is important.

08 Nov 2025 21:38:57
We have one game per week and a large squad. You have to play them. Good battling point today. This year the epl is very competitive and spurs are a bit of a bogey team for us recently. Until we complete the squad we can't expect a top 4 side.

We are no where near a top 4 side in reality, but they are almost there on recent form. Keep improving, bring a few in in Jan (please! ) And see how the season finishes.

09 Nov 2025 09:16:51
We will still win the league this year.

08 Nov 2025 10:50:14
It seems Fletcher has been drafted into the squad to maintain the record of having an Academy player in every squad. Whilst I applaud this decision, it shows how far off our Academy is, we lost 3 first teamers in the last couple of years and there's a lack of new ones coming through. Hopefully, the new structure will get this fixed.

08 Nov 2025 12:21:40
I don't think that's a fair summary. We have a lot of gifted players coming through.

08 Nov 2025 12:29:25
Window dressing to keep a record alive but with that sort of naming in the squad the record is false and not worth upkeeping.

08 Nov 2025 13:24:24
DonRed, maybe, but they aren't ready yet.

Ken, you and I have debated this before, I take your point, but after 88 years, I can't see anyone letting it slip. I wonder how often this has happened in the past. The big issue is having to do this, and not having anyone automatically in the squad.

08 Nov 2025 14:45:38
Who would you have put in the squad that wasn’t from the academy then Ken?

08 Nov 2025 15:11:00
With the expanded benches these days, no excuse. It is about rewarding the players in the youth set up. They get to experience what the en environment is like around the senior team and in some games maybe they will get a chance to play.

Fletcher is not a 16 year old kid and is very well thought of. He may have been knocking in the door of a league cup appearance this year, this is about the best we can do for him this season.

08 Nov 2025 15:48:44
I don't put anyone in any squad gds2. But we have been window dressing this for some time. i'm all for keeping the record if they're are no better options. But sticking a kid in with no intention of playing them to keep the record alive is daft.

It may not hand been the case today maybe nobody b better was available but going on about a record like its meaningful imo is a complete vanity metric.

08 Nov 2025 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - craigs8688 has posted a new article entitled, The 49ers' Gamble: Have Rangers Lost Their Way?

07 Nov 2025 15:22:33
Congrats to RA, been voted Manager of the Month for October, also Bryan Mbeumo voted Player of the Month.

Makes you think we are doing something right!

07 Nov 2025 07:54:17
Predictions v Spurs?

I'll go 2-2, although my heart says 0-2.

07 Nov 2025 08:40:38
“Lads it’s Spurs! ” 5 - 3!

07 Nov 2025 09:40:57
I always predict a united win but I don't bet on it thankfully?.

07 Nov 2025 11:11:11
Same Ken, I always think we're going to win but I will never put my money where my mouth is! Going 2-0 United.

07 Nov 2025 11:45:19
Patrick, you're suggesting we lose 5-3?

07 Nov 2025 11:45:51
Likewise, I never bet.

07 Nov 2025 12:51:09
No Fizz! Remember we were 3-0 down and at half time Alex said, ”Lads, it’s Spurs! ” We went out and put 5 past them in the second half! I should have written 3-5! As we were playing at theirs!

07 Nov 2025 15:21:56
They are missing several players but will be on a high after their midweek win. Their home. Record is very poor so sods law they beat us. We owe them for the cup defeat so here's hoping we beat them heavily.

07 Nov 2025 16:38:34
Their home record is terrible but their record against us over the past three seasons is fantastic. I still don't think we have turned the corner, there will be a few more bumps in the road in my opnion.
I hope i am wrong.

07 Nov 2025 22:58:37
I think everybody would agree with that sim0.
I n my opinion we are improving. That's the important thing at this stage. No doubt its a more unified and motivated squad.
Due to a few weaker areas of the squad still its obvious we will have some bumps in the road but hard work and running and good organisation can overcome those deficiencies a good percentage of the time.

I think we will do some business in both directions in Jan.

08 Nov 2025 00:11:15
I'm going 2-1.

08 Nov 2025 01:02:09
If it's any kind of omen, I've just stuffed them 5-1 on Football Manager ?.

08 Nov 2025 05:18:31
3-1 Utd.

08 Nov 2025 16:28:36
Sadly, I was correct.

08 Nov 2025 19:20:07
I put 3 quid on 5-1 at 80/1 as well! ?.

07 Nov 2025 07:39:04
{Ed's Note - LukesWolf has posted a new article entitled, Do Wolverhampton Wanderers Fans Think Fosun Has Lost the Plot?