Manchester United Banter 2

24 Jul 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, United's Squad Balance and the Left-Side Dilemma

23 Jul 2026 20:24:28{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, United's Squad Balance and the Left-Side Dilemma

23 Jul 2026 23:13:52
Is Amass ready to take a squad place? I'm guessing, like many, he is being very closely assessed during pre-season training and friendlies?

The club may wait a few weeks longer before committing to another left back purchase.

24 Jul 2026 07:16:16
Eric, Amass was good in the game against Wrexham, and personally I think he's probably ready to be our 2nd/3rd choice LB option.

However, I have absolutely zero faith in Luke Shaw's ability to stay fit.

Historically, his most injury-free seasons have been those leading up to a World Cup. It's almost as if he's working harder to make the England team.

By contrast, his most injury-impacted seasons have typically been those after a World Cup.

How many games will he actually be available for next season (the final year of his contract)? There is also the chance that we might need him to cover at CB.

If Shaw is injured, then that leaves Dorgu and Amass in the squad as our LB options. Again, this is a personal opinion, but I feel like Dorgu is far better when played further forward as a LW, not a LB.

Amass might be ready to be our 2nd choice LB and start 10-15 games next season, but with Shaw's injury record and Dorgu playing further forward, he might have to start 30-40 games.

That's throwing him in at the deep end without armbands.

It's very risky.

I'd prefer us to sign a top LB, such as Truffert, who can be first choice, with Amass as the backup. This would give him the opportunity to bed into the first team without the pressure of having to perform as a title-challenging LB in his first season as a first-team regular. Then Dorgu can play further forward, and Shaw can be squad depth, covering LB and CB, if he's fit.

I have high hopes for Amass, but youth development means having a structure and a pathway for them, not just throwing them in and hoping they immediately step up. Youth players need to be able to be rotated in and out of the line up more than senior professionals. Their bodies are still developing, and they need more rest to ensure you don't overwork them and risk long-term injury issues. They need taking out of the firing line sometimes after sub-par performances. There are some games that just aren't suitable for them at their current stage of development.

Can we guarantee that we can do that for Amass next season if the only real option to play instead of him is Luke Shaw?

24 Jul 2026 10:40:57
The unknown here is how much Dorgu is really going to play at left wing.

In reality, he has only played 3 games there for us, I think: City, Arsenal and Brighton. 3 goals and an assist in those three starts, mind, so he was clearly productive.

But are we really going to say he's a converted forward now on the evidence of three games, two of which we clearly played in a lower block to best utilise his pace on the counter-attack? Is he still going to be a useful forward against teams that sit back and we have to make the game?

If he is now a converted forward, then we need to sign a left back.

If he can play 20-25 games as a left back, I think we can potentially not sign a left back this summer and be okay.

24 Jul 2026 10:45:14
I think we should be looking at bringing a LB in, with the intention that the secondary cover is either Shaw or Amass, with hopefully Amass growing as the season goes on to allow Shaw to be moved on. At this point, I have not seen enough to think Amass can take Shaw's current position as the 1st LB.



Hopefully, this season we will have a lot of games, so there are enough games to go around for everyone, especially as Shaw can cover CB if needed.

24 Jul 2026 12:35:30
Hopefully, Shaw not being picked for England will benefit him and us. He has had a good break, and presumably will be wanting to show Tuchel that he was wrong.

24 Jul 2026 12:37:42
Shaw is not good enough to be first choice left back.

Shaw cannot play two games a week.

Shaw is highly likely to have an extended period out injured in the year, just based on what we have seen these past 10 years.

We either need to develop Dorgu into a left back, when he looked more effective further forward, or we buy a ready-made first choice left back.

At some point, we do need to start acting like a club that is being aggressive and trying to win the league.

If we save money and make do and scrimp and save, it will be a long season ahead.

Long way to go yet. I would expect a left back to come in, and would be surprised if a left wing came in.

A second striker is probably dependant on Rashford and Zirkzee leaving.

A third CM signing is likely, but Ugarte getting injured was probably not in their plans. His wages should be covered by his international federation, so maybe it won't block something from happening.

23 Jul 2026 19:54:08
Kings of Manchester - Elliot Anderson

Best of luck buddy, you have put a target on your back. You have now entered the era where Daddy Pep is no longer here.

We will show you who the real Kings of Manchester are, you cheeky pup.

23 Jul 2026 20:40:00
He's hardly going to say, "Delighted to have joined the second biggest team in Manchester."

23 Jul 2026 20:52:02
Yeah Danny, of course, that is the only thing he could have said. 😂

Kings of Manchester, give it a rest lol.

23 Jul 2026 23:09:34
What about the here and now, Angel. They have been sitting in first for nearly as long as it's been in the EPL. Still a few wins behind.
Don't want you sounding like a Liverpool fan pulling out wins from the 60s, 70s, 80s.


They are the kings of Manchester in the recent past and present. Now that Pep is gone, I'm hoping they hit a long dry spell.

23 Jul 2026 23:10:43
Citeh = Arab blood money.

24 Jul 2026 04:03:12
...King cheats!

23 Jul 2026 17:39:19
I know I'm early to the party but is anyone doing the fantasy football again this season?

23 Jul 2026 18:32:41
I'll set it up next week and post the code.

23 Jul 2026 12:31:22.
First of all, I have absolutely no idea how our two new midfield signings will fare and/or will be enough, or whether history will show we were actually buying smart rather than big. Our rivals have new more experienced managers and are splashing the cash, which does tend to stoke a fear that we will be ill-equipped for the new season. I can see why fans are generally dissatisfied. It seems like the club's actions lack the ambition to really contend for the EPL title next year, let alone survive and prosper in the much more intense season coming. Is the club prepared to put its money where its mouth is?

Signing young players may pan out in the future, but then it may not. We've all seen the flash in the pans like Macheda and Januzaj. Teams are not judged on what they may or may not do in the future, but what they achieve in the current campaign.



What surprises me is just how penny-pinching the club is being. We could have revenues approaching £800m, so we have plenty of room from a squad cost point of view. I was really expecting us to spend £250-£300m this summer. There's still 5 weeks+ to go in the window so all is not yet lost. And, in the end, as Spain showed this World Cup, none of the stars with the biggest names, other then Yamal who actually had a relatively quiet tournament, ended up on the winner's podium. It's a team game. If the club doesn't make any more significant purchases (because there still isn't any value in the market?), then Carrick will need to reveal his inner SAF, creating a team that is far greater than the sum of its parts.

23 Jul 2026 14:10:32
As SAF said, there is no value in the transfer market. I think this quote suits now, more than ever. You say splash the cash, I see none available that can come here and elavate our team, or maybe there are only very few available. I really cant see the reason to spend huge money for someone, says Fernandez, that maybe will improve you very little. Maybe the club sees it this way. Otherwise, history and researches suggest that big money moves, more often than not, fail for different reasons. So instead for overpaying for decent players, we buy decent players with half the money, no pressure on players (one of the reasons of failing), not big book value so we can sell if doesnt work out and to summarise, a team that are united without big names but good hardworking players who wants to be here.

We have a proper structure again. Its not ideal, we are not favourites for the league and maybe not even close, yet, but finally we see improvement and we are miles better than we were before Ineos who cleared a lot of the mess and keep clearing.

23 Jul 2026 16:21:09
I said other teams were splashing the cash and that I had no idea whether what we're doing will be successful. In the end, it's a team game, and high cost players don't necessarily get you where you want to go. Isak and Wirtz last year were a great example of that.

I also said that we should have the money should the right player be available, but I am concerned that the notion that there's no value in the marketplace is taking hold again, and, in the long run, we will be doomed to challenging for European places rather than actual titles.

23 Jul 2026 16:37:52
I think we have been caught out in a summer where prices are probably 30 million dearer than they should be, New Name, and unfortunately we aren't gonna go to them prices.
I'd imagine our board saw Anderson as an 80 to 85 million player.
Fernandes as maybe 55 to 60.

23 Jul 2026 17:28:06
Are fans panicking or feeling underwhelmed? That's not the impression I get from the United fans I speak to. Sure there is always a little hyperbole online, as there always is. But on the whole I get the impression that most match going fans are fairly happy and content with how the club is being run currently.

Personally in terms of our signings under INEOS, I don't think I can fault them.

We've missed out on a couple of targets such as Delap, Semenyo, and Emi Martinez last season, but signed Sesko, Mbeumo and Lemmans instead, personally I think we signed the better options in the end.

We've missed out on Anderson and Mateus Fernandes this summer, but have managed to get deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans instead. I'm happy with the two we have signed.

Comparing our signings pre and post INEOS is like comparing chalk and cheese. We no longer panic, we no longer over pay. Our targets are signed to fit into a plan and are well scouted, rather than short term, poorly chosen flip flopping of targets.

The only two signings I think you can categorically say haven't worked out under INEOS are Ugarte and Zirkzee.

You could see the logic behind signing them, and when all is said and done I expect we'll come close to breaking even on those deals, so no big loss.

Lets go through the other signings:

Mazraoui, been solid and I don't believe there was a better value for money option that we could have bought.

MdL, I'd probably give a 6 out of 10, mostly due to the games he's not been available for. When he's played he's been great.

Leny Yoro, still looks promising, he was very good in his first season, but had a slight dip in his second season.

Dorgu looks very promising, and for the fee looks like a great deal.

Lammens, was genuinely probably the EPL signing of the season last year.

Cunha has been a joy to watch.

Mbeumo has been a really good signing.

Sesko has shown great quality and looks like he will go on to be a EPL great.

We've then signed a flurry of youth players, Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi, Sekou Kone, Kana-Biyik, and Diego Leon. These are guys signed with the intention that they can supplement the first team, but are maybe a year or two away from really being able to make an impact. They've been signed for practically nothing in today's market, 3-5m for the 5 of them. If even one of them makes it (and Heaven looks like he will) then it's money well spent, we will almost certainly make money by selling the ones who don't make it with us.

There is a clear logic to our signings under INEOS, a clear plan, and a professional approach.

This summer already we have brought in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to improve our midfield (and managed to get both of them for less than Mateus Fernandes would have cost on his own). We have signed a solid back up keeper on a free to enable us to move Bayindir. We have also signed a young lad from Spurs (Tynan Thompson) for a low fee (4m plus 4m in add ons) who can hopefully have a similar impact as Ayden Heaven has.

It's also clear that the club won't stop at those four signings, with us heavily linked to another midfielder, a striker, a LB, a LW and possibly a CB. I doubt we'll get all of those 5 signings, and in truth with Thompson signed I expect we can cross a LW off the list this summer. I expect we'll get another midfielder, a defender and possibly a back up striker. They might not the biggest names, and the signings probably won't be over the top, and ridiculously expensive, but they will probably all be good value and improve the squad, making us stronger.

23 Jul 2026 17:36:43
When Sir Alex Ferguson said there's no value in the market, what he really meant was the Glazers weren't going to give him money to spend, and he was covering for them.

23 Jul 2026 18:38:15
I don't blame you, Newname. I must make this clear because English is not my first language. When I say "you say splash the cash" I don't mean you, but the majority of fans who always want the team to spend big. I know your post is balanced, and you are not overacting.
Bilko, that's one explanation.

Then, if it's true, the only person that had the power to oust the Glazers was him. I think he did not have any problem with them. My opinion is, SAF would never be a puppet of the Glazers or anyone's puppet. I believe what he then said; he truly believed it.

23 Jul 2026 18:52:04
I think it comes down to what each club needs.

Now, every single United fan was in agreement at the end of last season.

We needed at least 2, ideally 3, midfielders.

We needed a ST, a LB, a LW, a CB, and probably a back up keeper.

That's 7 or 8 players needed for the first team.

You simply cannot sign more than 4 players if you are spending between 60-100m per signing.

So, the club had two options.

1. Sign 4 bigger named players for larger fees and accept that we would be light in 3 or 4 other positions of need.

2. Find more value in the market and sign 6 or 7 of the players we need.

Given the extra games we will be expecting to play this season, and the lack of squad depth, it makes sense to add more players, rather than fewer.

We've currently signed:

Darlow - free
Tielemans - 35m
Santos - 48m
Thompson - 4m

That's the back up keeper, two midfielders, and a LW player signed for an initial outlay of 87m.

Now, if that leaves enough in the kitty to then sign let's say:

Sander Berge - 40m
Adrien Truffert - 45m
Jean-Phillpe Mateta - 25m

Taking our spending up to an initial 197m while signing 7 players to strengthen the first team squad, will people still accuse them of penny pinching? Or would they have just found good value in the transfer market.

Especially when you consider that all of those players have EPL experience (with the exception of Thompson, who has at least grown up in English football).

All of those players are needed, and that still means we don't sign a CB, and our LW signing is more for the future rather than the here and now.

Or would you prefer to spend the 197m like this:

Darlow - free
Anderson - 116m
Ederson - 38m
Rafa Leao - 43m

I don't see it as penny pinching, I expect to see us spend a fair bit more, probably around the same again as we've spent already. It's about trying to find the best value for money to make sure we maximise how much we can improve our squad.

23 Jul 2026 19:19:29
So quantity over quality then, eh, Shappy? We are shopping in the mid-table market, and that's where we will end up, then. Manchester United are a dinosaur, shopping cheap, becoming a cheapasaurus.

23 Jul 2026 20:01:20
I think our business so far has been good. There is still plenty of time left, and I think a few more will come through the door. I don't think we've bought in the 'mid-table' market so far; we've bought quality at sensible prices. I'm intrigued how the season will go.

24 Jul 2026 06:43:55
It is not as easy as "spend big on 4 players, or spend medium to nothing on 7-8 players".

We need a combination of those. For now, it is great, but I certainly wouldn't mind if we signed an expensive player now.

24 Jul 2026 06:56:50
Heaven.

SAF did not go in hard on the Glazers, I suspect, because he was the reason they were there. The racehorse. He compromised himself. He also loved the position. There was no value in the market because the Glazers would not spend the money.

When they sold Ronaldo and didn't buy big, it was because the club would have made a loss. SAF went along with it, sadly. They would just have sacked him if he didn't, or pushed him into retirement.

24 Jul 2026 06:57:13
UA, have you ever heard the quote "you know the cost of everything but the value of nothing"?

Do you really believe the quality of a player is based on how much you spend on them?

Would Senne Lammens be a better keeper if we paid 70m for him instead of 18m?

Were we shopping in the "mid-table" market when we signed Peter Schmeichel from Brondby? What about Eric Cantona from Leeds?

What constitutes this "mid-table" market that you've invented in your head? Is it linked to the size of the club we sign players from? Or is it linked to the price we pay? How does it differentiate from "well scouted signings"?

Why is paying lower fees a bad thing in your head?

How many of our most expensive signings have actually been great signings?

Paul Pogba: EUR105 million from Juventus (2016).


Antony: EUR95 million from Ajax (2022).
Harry Maguire: EUR87 million from Leicester City (2019).
Jadon Sancho: EUR85 million from Borussia Dortmund (2021).
Romelu Lukaku: EUR84.7 million from Everton (2017).
Rasmus Hojlund: EUR77.8 million from Atalanta (2023).
Benjamin Sesko: EUR76.5 million from RB Leipzig (2025).
Bryan Mbeumo: EUR75 million from Brentford (2025).
Angel Di Maria: EUR75 million from Real Madrid (2014).
Matheus Cunha: EUR74.2 million from Wolves (2025).

Do you really believe that paying more money guarantees us signing better players?

24 Jul 2026 11:16:34
It's great we bought those players and not spent a lot, but surely the main question is, are they good enough! What's the point in buying because they are cheap if they don't take you where you want to go, surely that's just false economy.
I'm not saying if the players signed are good or bad; what I am saying is, what a crazy logic that you should be happy because you only spent 80 odd million on them...

You can buy 6 suits at C&A, will it look as good as the only one you can afford from Savile Row, will it even last as long... I use the term C&A, as that's the era you're basing that statement on... yesteryear.

24 Jul 2026 12:31:15
That's a stupid argument, Shappy. You can list 100 players that didn't cost much but weren't successful either. It's not the money that makes a signing successful, although it does play a part in them not being counted a success. Like Harry Maguire, if he had cost 40m, he would have been considered a success, but at 80 he is said to be a disaster, and yet he was the club captain. How many clubs were after Santos, or 29-year-old Tielemans? You can buy 100 wagons or a Rolls-Royce, and you should know which is better.

The current recruitment is ok to keep us in the 4th to 7th bracket, provided Bruno reproduces last season's numbers, but if we are to go deep in the CL and at least challenge for the league, then we need better players. I am guessing you have forgotten how dismal our last CL campaign was; else you would be demanding better quality.

24 Jul 2026 19:08:11
UA, you said something similar this time last year, complaining that signing players from Wolves and Brentford were not going to get us from 15th back into the UCL places.

How did that prediction pan out?

We don't know which clubs were interested in Tielemans and Santos. Maybe there were others, or maybe there wasn't. Maybe they only wanted to join us, or maybe we forced the issue and other clubs didn't think it was likely to succeed.

Would your wife's value be based on how many other men proposed to her?

It's an odd way to value something.

Tielemans was Villa's best and probably most important player. The difference between him playing for them and not was that, when he was on the pitch, they were a top 3 team in the league; when he wasn't available, they dropped down to 6th/7th.

Santos was one of the most highly rated young midfielders when he signed for Chelsea. He then had a season on loan in France, where, despite being 20 years old, he was given the captaincy at Strasbourg.

He was one of the top 5 midfielders in the league; the only ones who could be argued to be better than him that season were Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fabian Ruiz. He came back to Chelsea and didn't get as much game time initially due to them having two 100m+ midfielders playing ahead of him. Yet the team's performance levels never dropped when he did come into the team for one of those vastly more expensive signings. By the end of the season he was genuinely keeping them out of the team at times.

I think the problem you have is that you don't watch enough football. You seem to have very little appreciation for anyone bar the well known elite players.

Which is fine, no one expects you to watch 10 or more full matches a week. Just remember that, if you make judgements based on very little knowledge of something, you will more than likely end up with egg on your face. As you did last season after bemoaning last summer's transfers as not being good enough to get us back in the top four.

24 Jul 2026 19:19:55
And please do find me that post from last year.

24 Jul 2026 18:52:37
Je suis, so your argument then is that you think you know more than the clubs scouting department?

Because you don't see the value in the players you think the club are wrong to sign them.

I suppose that's why you're a top rated football scout and our club is an abject failure.

24 Jul 2026 19:18:43
How did my wife get involved in all of this? I can reply to you using a similar analogy about women from your family but i am not cheap like yourself. Do you teach your students that?

23 Jul 2026 11:33:10
Another week goes by.
Not worried yet.
However, another week when we have not made an impression on a significant CM purchase, or a CF or a Left Back.
Another week when we still look to be Bargain hunting.
Another week when we give the impression we turning away from top players because we won’t pay.

Not paying is fine, but if it puts us in 7th next season is it a false economy?
Is it just the impression we want to give to get the price down?

On Scott, Chelsea wouldn’t bid unless there was some encouragement from the player. What are we doing?

What is going on with Rashford? Villa would rather risk Garnacho than England’s Rashford, who they had on loan.



Yes, plenty of time yet the noises are not good, and at a time when our main opponents are not being so reticent in spending to buy. We look a bit amateur right now. How does it fit with the club's avowed aim to win the league in 2028? Or has that now been changed?

We can judge in September, but I have to say the lack of visibility of real ambition is worrying. Great to sign kids for the future, but that is circa 5 years' investment.

23 Jul 2026 12:16:32
I saw the first line and knew exactly who it was. Hahaha. Noises are not good? One thing is for sure, you nor I, nor most of the media know anything of what noise is coming from the club. If we should have learned anything over the last summer window and this one, it's that no noise comes from the club and they go about their business.

5/5 last summer, remember.

Darlow, Tielemans, Santos, Thompson all signed for the first team already this window. I'm sure more to come.

A raft of younger individuals brought to strengthen the academy and ensure growth and future answers come from within.

But it wouldn't be a Red Man post if it wasn't a good old moan. 😉

23 Jul 2026 13:05:27
I like that he's said he's not worried yet, but the lack of visibility of real ambition is worrying. 😂

23 Jul 2026 13:05:59
Angel,

My follower, or more like a stalker.

My comments on young players are on rumours, inc the first info on the Spurs lad. They are for the future.

It's August next week. See above, it's a banter site, and luckily you are not the adjudicator on what we can post.

23 Jul 2026 13:24:31
Stalker? Jesus 😂

I mean, this is a forum and we share views and opinions, like you have many a time in reaction to my posts, don't flatter yourself, wrong gender and far too old red man haha.

I've never claimed to be the adjudicator red man. You keep moaning away! Must be an age thing.

23 Jul 2026 13:55:37
Angel,
You jump on nearly all my posts and are critical. I suspect you will be the first post after my post most times. That's stalking!

Actually, my background has been that of driving and ensuring the highest standards. So, whilst yes I am still old, I know what needs to happen to have those high standards in business.

Moaning, if that is what you want to call it, well, watching the club pull stunts in the market, like they did when Jose got 2nd, is knowing your history and flagging it.

Standards have slipped, and fans accepted 3rd. Aim should be first, and we won't do that with what we have.

23 Jul 2026 14:58:25
Red man, get down off yourself, honestly, that's pathetic.

All you do is moan, and when I point it out, you don't like it. Now you've just put a word on it.

The club showed last year that they were able to work it in the transfer market. I can not remember the last time we had 5/5 signings basically hit the spot. There were some incredible bits of business done. Wasn't lammens given the award of signing of the season.

Those that were driving the jose era and other eras post SAF are not the ones in full control now and there is an obvious different way of the club doing things. There's a lot that I don't agree with, and I am definitely not a fan of The Glazers of Ratcliffe. But the one thing I can't deny is the way in which they have moved in the transfer market and putting things in place that betters is from a footballing perspective.

I am certainly not accepting 3rd place and never had in life, but I am a realist. There are many cracks in this club and they can't wave a magic wand and make them all disappear. It's going to take time.

I'll stop commenting on your posts now mate, cause you're clearly a bit touchy over the internet.

23 Jul 2026 16:38:01
Angel

No problem with you commenting on my posts.

Where was the midfield player or second striker last summer?

I am expressing concern at what I see, so you call me a moaner, but dont give it if you cant take it back.

23 Jul 2026 19:52:13
I can take it back, not a problem, ever. You're the one getting upset, not me.

Not everyone that engages with your posts is a 'stalker', Red Man. Very OTT stuff.

23 Jul 2026 20:42:27
I love both of you, but you do jump on each other a lot. Just saying.

23 Jul 2026 20:43:30
When you two lovers have finished your little tiff, it's going to be great make up sex!

22 Jul 2026 21:14:35
One £65m+ midfielder to cap the rebuild.

Who and why?

Baleba?
Scott?
Tchouameni?
Camavinga?

Does anyone else realistically see it being anyone other than one of those four?

22 Jul 2026 22:18:40
Zaire Emery is strongly linked. After him, Manu Kone is stylistically very similar to Ederson, so he'd have to rank highly. Of your list, I think only Scott is someone we'd actually go for this summer. Too many doubts over Baleba and the Real duo; I'm not sure they were serious targets.

23 Jul 2026 09:09:45
Rumours are we don't want to pay big, so in any auction we will likely lose out. But then rumours say Scott prefers Arsenal, whilst other rumours say he prefers Chelsea. 🤷‍♂️

23 Jul 2026 09:11:22
I like Zaire Emery a lot, but I thought Camavinga would've been perfect for us.

23 Jul 2026 09:21:27
Agree, Angelred, I've always liked Camavinga but didn't think he'd be realistic. Things maybe, hopefully, have changed there. I like Zaire-Emery also.

With Arsenal strongly linked with Guimaraes, I wonder if Lewis-Skelly becomes an option again. We apparently were linked earlier in the year, but I thought he'd saved his Arsenal career with his performances in Europe for them.

If they are successful in getting Guimaraes, they have quite a few options in CM, and I'm not sure Arteta likes him at LB.

It would be a smart move, with his versatility to play LB but also move into CM.

23 Jul 2026 09:28:30
Ports, I think it's obvious we need a great engine/legs in there, but someone who can play.

Alex Scott is also an option, and it will be interesting to see what Bournemouth do, as he has seemingly said no to an extension. Do they cash in now?

Either way, I really really believe that the recruitment and transfer team are ready for all eventualities.

Santos and Tielemans were not on the list whatsoever, and they were done quickly.

I've also seen them make some interesting transfers at youth level. It bodes well for the future.

Another couple of good signings to bolster the first team squad, and it's going to be an eventful season.

23 Jul 2026 10:58:58
I definitely don't see it being a Real Madrid player, as things stand, although if they get Rodri or Ferndandez they may opt to sell one. Camavinga is useful to them, as he often fills in at the back.
I don't think we'll want to meet Bournemouth's price for Scott.

They don't want to sell him, and we won't overpay.
Baleba is still most likely from that list, but I hope not. The PSG guy would be awesome, and we've looked at him previously.

23 Jul 2026 15:58:52
Baleba or Kone are my preferences, wouldnt touch Scott for the money.

23 Jul 2026 17:47:09
My thoughts exactly, Ken.

23 Jul 2026 17:41:14
Spenno

Did I see something about Rodri having back issues? If so Madrid would be unlikely to buy him at vast cost and that could stop the sale of midfielders from them.

23 Jul 2026 17:51:55
I don't think it needs to be a big name expensive signing to finish off the midfield.

I mean, currently we have Tielemans, Mainoo, and Santos for two positions.

Tielemans will almost certainly be a regular starter. You don't join a club at 29 to sit on the bench.

Which means the other position will be fought for by Mainoo and Santos.

Looking at the options, the thing we are missing is physicality, a big, strong unit who can battle in midfield.

Tielemans is the playmaker, who can also win the ball back.

Mainoo is the dribbling, tight-space, press-resistant ball progressor.

Santos is a passing, ball-winner.

It's a real physical player that we are missing.

That could be Carlos Baleba, but you don't need to spend 65-80m for this kind of player, especially if you aren't signing them to build your team around.

We don't need this kind of player for every game, but we need them to be able to rotate in and out when needed.

Personally, I really like the idea of signing Sander Berge. He's EPL-proven, has great experience, and is exactly what we are looking for in terms of player profile.

He wouldn't cost more than 40m.

Having Tielemans, Berge, Mainoo, and Santos as the four options looks really nicely balanced, both in terms of profiles as well as age and experience.

Also, if we compare those midfield options to what we had last season, it's a massive improvement. And we could sign all three (Tielemans, Santos, and Berge) for around the same amount as Elliot Anderson did on his own.

If you're looking for a midfield rebuild, then signing those three over just Anderson is the right way to go.

With a bit of luck, that will also leave enough money in the kitty to improve in other positions.

LB and ST are the ones I think we need to focus on the most, followed by CB, and then LW if we can move on Rashford (although we have signed Thompson, who plays LW and could have a similar impact as Heaven, as, just like Heaven, he is also on the cusp of the first-team squad).

While we can't rule out Amass stepping up at LB either.

22 Jul 2026 18:16:35
Just wanted to start a new thread.

22 Jul 2026 19:39:43
Just wanted to highjack your new thread to ask the burning questions.

Was Rooney world class? Is he a club legend??

22 Jul 2026 21:53:32
What about Rashford chat?

23 Jul 2026 08:42:48
Order! Order!

23 Jul 2026 09:12:07
We should start a new thread about new threads.

23 Jul 2026 12:23:08
I used to sell thread back in the day! What shades/strength are we looking for?

23 Jul 2026 17:01:07
I'll get me coat!

22 Jul 2026 17:59:37
Outside of Warren Zaïre-Emery (who would be an incredible signing), why wouldn't United spend less to grab Berg and Lewis Hall?

22 Jul 2026 19:38:27
We could probably pick up 16 players for the same price from non-league Northern Conference.

22 Jul 2026 20:13:58
My grandchildren and their friends will pay to play with their pocket money.

23 Jul 2026 10:59:31
Because we'd be even more crud lol.

22 Jul 2026 14:11:04
I'm starting a new thread about the same subject because I believe people don't really read beyond the first few contributions and in any case, if I do add a comment at the end of a long line, I won't get any recommendations, which would be a shame because I'm sure my opinion about Rashford is completely original and absolutely on the mark.

22 Jul 2026 18:11:31
Everyone's starting to get a little punchy in here! A long way to go yet in the window yet, folks.