Manchester United Banter 3

03 Aug 2026 13:23:55
Mark Skinner departs. Reports suggest the main reason is recruitment philosophy, with the club wanting to rely on home grown talent and in the belief that the numbers simply don't justify major investments in players.

Is this the same approach that's being applied to the men's team? There are strong indications that it is. To some extent it makes sense. Raising young players can be a good source of transfer income, and the few that actually rise to the level of being good enough to play in truly contending teams, can provide enormous financial benefit. But the question is, can you win anything major without competing for and bringing in a few of the world's top talents? They said you can't Winn anything with kids but the class of 92 proved them wrong. However, in those days all the squads were made up mainly from British players with a smattering of northern Europeans. Is it possible in this now global market for both talent and audiences to replicate such an achievement? I honestly doubt it.

So, 3 weeks to go in the window. There could yet be a signing or two that demonstrates an intent to actually compete with the top teams. I don't accept that, despite the debt, the money isn't there for a major signing or two. What may be absent is the will. What's concerning is that the apparent women's team strategy that caused the rift with Skinner is in fact the same as that being applied to the men's team.

We have some good players who demonstrated last year that they can play with the best teams, but I can't see us breaking through the ceiling into the top tier while competing on all fronts, without a few more truly top players.

03 Aug 2026 18:45:28
I highly doubt it. The reality is the women's game is a long, long way behind the men's team. Pretty much every single women's team runs at a loss currently.

Clubs need to cut their cloth accordingly. There is little to be gained by investing heavily in the women's team other than kudos and moral standing.

The prize money and the gate receipts just don't add up to enough to justify heavy investment.

Which is a very different situation to the men's game that generates billions each year.

03 Aug 2026 08:12:00
I get why some fans are frustrated with the lack of movement, but I think we also need to consider that the club's thinking may have changed based on what they've seen in pre-season.

At the start of the summer, the media had us all convinced we were signing three central midfielders. Santos and Tielemans came in pretty quickly, and since then it's gone quiet. Everyone's assuming we've stalled, but what if the plan has simply evolved?

Whether you rate him or not, Mount has been used in a deeper midfield role throughout pre-season and, credit where it's due, he's looked good there. If Amorim and his staff believe that's a genuine option, then suddenly the need for a third specialist CM isn't as obvious.

You'd then have Santos, Tielemans, Mainoo and Mount competing for the two deeper midfield positions. Santos has impressed, Tielemans is proven Premier League quality, Mainoo is expected to kick on again this season, and Mount gives you another option if his transition continues.

Then look at the No.10 role. Bruno can't play every game, and if the club believe Lacey is ready for first-team involvement, you've potentially got your cover there without spending another £50m on someone who blocks one of the academy's brightest talents.

Pre-season isn't just about getting minutes into players. It's also about managers finding answers within their own squad. Mount looking comfortable deeper and Lacey looking capable further forward could easily have changed the recruitment priorities.

I'm not saying we definitely won't sign another midfielder, but perhaps we're all still judging the window based on what journalists were reporting six weeks ago rather than what Carrick has actually learned from working with the squad.

Sometimes the biggest "new signings" aren't signings at all, they're players who the manager suddenly sees in a different role. If that's happened with Mount, and Lacey is trusted to cover Bruno, it makes perfect sense why the club may now feel that Santos, Tielemans, Mainoo and Mount are enough in central midfield, allowing them to focus the remaining budget elsewhere.

03 Aug 2026 08:42:53
I like all that Ports, but Mount's fitness record is poor, so his availability is questionable. If he could stay for, then your assessment is sound, but it's a big if.

I like Lacey.

He can also play out wide, and Cunha can play 10. We have lots of options for forward players, although we still lack a killer goalscorer. We may see Sesko kick on, we may not.

03 Aug 2026 09:08:14
I would not put much weight into pre season performances, they are fitness exercises against teams at different stages of their pre season.

If the club genuinely think Mount is an option for cm, fair enough, but weve had 3 seasons of evidence that he isnt. Still remember people believing he could play cm next to Casemiro under Eth, and that was a catastrophic failure.

03 Aug 2026 09:09:35
Maybe Amorim still being involved is what has people worried. 😉

03 Aug 2026 09:32:52
It's got that bad with our manager turnover, fans don't even know who is in charge any more.

03 Aug 2026 09:48:46
Getting 2 x CMs in already this window has alleviated the pressure on getting a 3rd. I think, if we do get one more in, it will be the right one, I'm sure the transfer dept are calm at the moment.

What I think is much more of a priority is the LB situation.

However, with the Rashford situation not being cleared up, it's creating a domino effect where he stays and Dorgu is a LB choice.

For me, it's not the worst scenario.

If that does stay the same, I would like us to get another CM and forward option in then.

I think it's going to be a busy last few weeks for the squad.

I would treat Mount and Lacey as bonuses if they can contribute. I wouldn't be hanging my hat on either of them. We still need a few more additions of quality to compete on all 4 fronts.

03 Aug 2026 10:13:48
Amorim 😂🙈 What a wally. 🤦‍♂️

03 Aug 2026 10:31:20
I just think Moynt's fitness is such a concern, you cannot rely on him being one of the four. I like him as a player, and, by all accounts, seems to be a good member of the squad, but he just cannot stay fit for extended periods. He would need to do that for a full season to change that view.



I also think that we would lack a more physically dominating player. I think Kone could be a good answer, but we might be waiting for one if the Madrid players. Not sure that will be resolved any time soon. Could be another case of rumours all summer and then Noone is signed.

03 Aug 2026 11:08:23
Mount reminds me of Owen Hargreaves, a really good player who we all want fit because of what they offer the team, but in reality is holding us back from moving on.

03 Aug 2026 11:37:04
Mount 'starring' against Atletico (and getting MOM in many match reports) will suit United down to the ground, as it's proof we won't need a third midfielder signing. Mbuemo grabbing a few at CF won't speed up the chase for a centre forward either. Maybe LB is the only addition we can expect before the window closes...

03 Aug 2026 13:54:50
You never rely on anything pre season, it's a warm up. If the club are basing signings on pre season, that would be amateur.

We still need what we needed at the start of the window.

Without those three key players, we are going to struggle to make top 5. With the right three, we have a good chance of challenging the top 3 positions. It would be delusional to think otherwise.

03 Aug 2026 14:01:02
That's a fair assessment, Spenno.

I watched the game as well, and Mount was brilliant. He deserved the MOTM award. My only worry is whether he can stay fit long enough to put together a decent run of games.

Shea Lacey impressed me too. He's clearly got bags of talent, but because of his size he'll probably get bullied physically at times until he fills out.



We've hardly spent anything this window when you take into account the wages we've freed up and the money we've brought in from player sales. I'm still hopeful we'll get a CB who can also cover RB, plus another CM before the window shuts.

03 Aug 2026 14:43:53
You make a very good point, Ports.
Plans can evolve.
Mount's injury record would be a concern, and as Red Man says, pre season is a different pace.
There is a need for a 5th cm on that basis alone.
A forward depends on Rashford. If he won't leave, we simply don't have space for another top tier signing or wage, imo.


LB Hall would be a great option at the right price. What that is, I've no idea.
I like Robinson at Fulham too.
Gore, Amass, Vietk, Collyer and Bayindir all need new homes. Obi and a couple of others' loan deals need to be sorted.
1st team exits look to be down to Zirkzee and Rashford at the moment.

03 Aug 2026 17:42:35
Red Man, nobody is saying the club is basing transfers solely on pre-season. But, it's entirely logical that performances in training and friendlies influence whether they sign three midfielders or two, or whether someone like Lacey earns a squad role.

That's called evaluating your squad, not being amateur.

The only delusional thing is insisting nothing can change over six weeks while claiming to know exactly where we'll finish in May.

03 Aug 2026 18:18:04
Ports,

Yes, young players at 18,19 can take a step up. A player like Lacey can take a step up and put himself in contention. Heaven can show his strength has improved. However, we knew what our squad of the more mature players was at the end of the season. We knew, and the club should know, what is there.

Unless a Ronaldo jumps out, the key signing requirements are not going to change based on preseason friendlies.

The ones buffing up Mount as meaning we don't need a class CM are only helping the Glazers trying to keep expenditure down.

02 Aug 2026 23:13:59
I can't see where Zirksee fits into our team but I can't help feeling that he is very underrated. Is an intelligent player and in the right team will do very well. In many ways he reminds me of Berbatov.

03 Aug 2026 08:10:15
5 goals in 56 appearances in the Premier League.

He is very clearly not good enough.

03 Aug 2026 08:43:50
He reminds you of Berbatov. Gemma Collins reminds me of Kylie, in that they are both female.

03 Aug 2026 09:04:28
Not fit to lace Dimitar's boots, and I doubt he ever will be.

But I stand to be corrected, at which point I will happily eat humble pie.

03 Aug 2026 11:32:36
He reminds me more of Sideshow Bob.

03 Aug 2026 12:37:34
Quite like Zirkzee. Clearly has good feet, and is technically strong. But, for the life of me, I don't know what kind of player he is?

He could have knuckled down and said right, I'll play No9 back up and learn the craft, but he's shown neither the ability nor the willingness to do so.

03 Aug 2026 17:44:55
I think Zirkzee is a good player in the wrong league. He has bags of ability, but that ability, imo, is better for a different league to the Premier League.

02 Aug 2026 22:23:44
Apparently Osimhen is available for £65m? Spurs bid £55m. I think he is a steal at that price and we should go all out for him. Only issue is his wages of course.

02 Aug 2026 23:14:39
Agree.

03 Aug 2026 00:49:10
He's on a guaranteed salary of EUR15m NET p.a. Plus EUR5m p.a. Image Rights, and EUR1m p.a. Loyalty Bonus.

That would equate to approx £600,000-£700,000 p.w.

There would have to be quite some willingness to take a salary reduction.

If he would do so, then come to O.T.

03 Aug 2026 06:21:11
Quality player and would definitely take him. Unfortunately, I think the opportunity to get him was a few years back. With the purchase price, likely agent costs, and salary, I don't see how he fits into any model the club are currently working to.

03 Aug 2026 11:57:07
If he is serious about ever wanting to play in the Premiership, he would need to slash his wage demands by over 50%.

02 Aug 2026 15:14:35
As talk of Lewis Hall has gathered some pace, what are people's thoughts?
I for one think he is a top player who could be our left back for a decade.
I do think, though, that Newcastle over the last 2 seasons have shown themselves to be an absolute shambles of a club when it comes to transfers.

02 Aug 2026 17:41:06
I think that, if he is a priority signing, the club has dawdled. Newcastle have already sold a few players for big money and can now afford to keep Hall if we don't match their valuation. He has years left on his contract, and if he's worth buying, his value will increase.

Personally, I don't think we will pay what Newcastle ask. My prediction is that the club will fall back on Rashford being lw backup and Dorgu being lb backup.

02 Aug 2026 17:43:11
Great little. Would be a great investment, imo.

02 Aug 2026 20:31:01
Just get it done.

02 Aug 2026 20:47:40
If Newcastle don't want to sell them, I don't want an iask type situation to develop.
If they say no or want 70m, if he forced his way out, then id say move on.
He is a good player, id like him to sign, but not at any cost.


Danny, if we can't shift Rashford, that may well be the case.
It will be interesting to see if he plays a part in the remaining friendly games.

03 Aug 2026 09:11:51
Hall would be a brilliant signing. At some point, Newcastle will likely say no; we're not selling any more players after Bruno goes.

I'd imagine that they are now in a good financial position. Hall will likely cost a lot more now, unless he asks to leave and will only go to Utd.



If Utd don't buy a CF, then a CB and LB are definitely required. A solid midfield and defence will be significantly beneficial for the upcoming season. We are almost there with our midfield.

03 Aug 2026 15:21:06
I don't think getting the huge figures they sold Isaak Tonali and prob Bruno G is shambolic.

02 Aug 2026 13:33:40
Casemiro already continuing his good scoring record in MLS. Unfortunately at the wrong end.

04 Aug 2026 11:57:35
Guess, 4 years looking at the black jersey and yellow stripes, if MUFC jersey is hard to forget and he forgot.

02 Aug 2026 13:22:35
Thinking of where we now stand facing into the season and what our best XI is with everyone fit:
Lammens, Shaw, Licha, De Ligt, Yoro/Maz, Santos, Tielemans, Cunha, Bruno, Mbeumo, Sesko with Mainoo, Mount, Amad, Heaven, Maz/Yoro, Dorgu, Lacey all likely to start a significant number of games and maybe become the regular starter.
Yoro could step up and be a strong option but RB and LB is where I think we're weakest. I do think we need another CM as depending the whole season on Santos seems a lot for a 22 year old.

I also think we lack physicality in the team. We're probably good enough for CL positions again and that'll put us in good stead. I think our negotiating team have done really well considering the constraints of years of mismanagement. But my hope for the rest of this transfer window is that we do business in the fullback positions. I think we can cope without another CM or striker.

02 Aug 2026 14:24:02
I like the Arsenal idea of a CB at RB. Yoro, Shaw, and Maz can do that.

Yoro at RB would be good for his development too.

02 Aug 2026 17:08:49
I'm concerned about Yoro at RB. He was skinned alive by Rogers last season, when he was forced to go wide to deal with him in the 3 at the back system. I think he lacks the pace.

02 Aug 2026 20:32:08
Have we sold Dalot?

02 Aug 2026 20:53:20
Yes, but he was returned. Faulty, apparently.

02 Aug 2026 21:25:11
Dalot is crap. I'm not even counting on him. I deliberately left him out.

03 Aug 2026 09:16:43
Dalot is a 6 or 7/10 week in, week out. He needs upgrading, but Utd don't have the funds to do this, unless they sell a few players. Next summer will likely be when a Dalot upgrade is bought, unless a youth player can step up.

03 Aug 2026 09:45:36
MH, he's a 4 or 5 each week with occasional 7s and occasional 1s and 2s. He's a catastrophic mistake in every game.

01 Aug 2026 20:23:56
Gutted that Brentford have signed Mamadou Sangare while we continue to play Mount in the centre. He played well today but it's too big a risk to have him as the 4th option for the double pivot. I think Sangare will be an awesome signing and will be the one to watch next season.

01 Aug 2026 21:01:51
Mount's ability on the ball and off the ball is not in question. Technically he is a very good player.

Mount's issue is that he gets injured far too often. I hope that this has changed, but I'm just waiting for the day now that he picks up a knock or something, even though it's pre-season.

01 Aug 2026 21:40:25
He is a players' player. Great to play with when he is at his best. It's been too long since we have seen it due to his injuries. He needs to nail down a regular starting place in the team. I'm not quite sure where he should be aiming for tbh.

If another midfielder did come in, I think he will struggle to do that.
Bruno won't start energy game, but being his understudy won't get him the minutes he needs to get any rhythm.

01 Aug 2026 22:09:11
Carrick hasn't used Mount as 10 at all.
Pre-season. There's a reason why he's doing it.

02 Aug 2026 00:34:15
Can anyone name a Premier League game where Mount has played outstandingly well?

He is into his 4th year now at the club, cost £60m, and is one of the highest-paid players at the club.

02 Aug 2026 07:05:36
I do not think for one minute that any player, especially Mount, is ecstatic to have been injured as much as they have. Nor did he go out to be injured.

I agree, however, 100%, that he has essentially been a flop of a signing to this point, but we all know there is a fantastic player there.



Let's see how he goes after a good pre-season and remaining injury-free. Then I think he can be fairly judged. If, on the other hand, he lasts 5 minutes, then it's game over for me as well.

02 Aug 2026 07:42:44
I think Mount has had a great pre-season and looks to be forming a great partnership with Santos. As others have already said, it comes down to fitness.

02 Aug 2026 11:08:56
I know he had started every game deeper, Eric.i. I suggest that he won't start there ahead of Mainoo, Teilemens, and a possible addition.
I think he is starting there as we had nobody else to play in midfield.
I think Mount will find it hard to command a regular starting berth anywhere.

02 Aug 2026 11:26:19
Sangare, I think, will be a very good player who'll end up moving to a bigger club in a couple of years' time. At this moment in time, Brentford might be the best place for him. A good size, well-established EPL club that is settled and well run. It's the ideal place for him to adapt to the EPL with less pressure and expectations, but at a club that won't stop him moving on to a bigger club in a couple of years' time.

I thought he'd be a savvy signing for us as a cheaper alternative to some of the other names. However, he's still very much a developing player, and someone who'll need to play regularly if he is to reach that potential. Would he have got that with us? Given we have both Mainoo and Santos as younger, developing midfielders, do we really want to add a third player in that category, or would it make more sense to sign someone who's 25+ who offers something different to what we have as a more experienced, rotation option who is pretty much at their peak and doesn't require development.



As for Mount, his quality has never been in question, just his fitness. Sometimes players get over their injury issues, and sometimes they don't. Having heard about Giggs and his injury issues in his late 20s, and the changes he made to his lifestyle (yoga) to help him overcome them, acts to highlight that players can get beyond those issues and continue to play well into their late 30s if they are prepared to put in the work.

Likewise, players can do things that hinder their ability to stay fit, such as Bale and his insistence in playing golf despite the evidence suggesting that it was causing him to pick up more injuries.

Sometimes it can be simple changes to your lifestyle, reducing or stopping doing something, or starting to do something else to help.

What I do know, though, is that if Mount can stay fit then he will be a huge asset to us this season.

02 Aug 2026 14:25:59
Mount on personality, professionalism, and ability vs his fitness and wages is just about net positive.

But he needs to step up this season, make or break for me. Money needs to be on the pitch.

01 Aug 2026 18:16:58
Ken/Tumbleweed - Just for my information, are you employed by Ineos? Just asking because you seem to take it personally every time anyone calls out or critics the club/Ineos on how they are going on about this transfer window.

Or should we just rename this page as "onlypositivebanter"? Can the people who are not lucky like yourself and do not have the godly positive attitude as yourself, have differing opinions?

01 Aug 2026 19:36:16
Of course, UA, you can say what you like, as can I. I'll try to counter any negativity with positives, if there are any. Or, ask where the negativity comes from. Just because you expect something doesn't mean it will happen, and if you want to play reality v a plan in your head, then you will always be disappointed.


In my experience, it's best to see what happens in most situations before commenting too much. Then you will at least have the finished result to debate rather than a hypothesis.

01 Aug 2026 21:03:00
I think that it's quite evident that since SJR has come in, there's been a massive change in the structure, a positive change that is. Despite what I think of him as a man and his business ethics, he seems to have made it his aim to bring this club back to its best.

02 Aug 2026 07:56:22
United Addict

I can see why you ask that. TW does stand up for the Glazers a bit. Different opinions are allowed and it's a banter site, so those who want to comment on the uninspired window so far or the (conniving leeches) Glazers, either way, should be able to without being ridiculed. Argue a different perspective by all means. That's simple for me.

I think we are clearly more business savvy. The clueless Woodward is no longer creating Disney.

My issue, and the one I keep highlighting, is what appears to be the overall aim being financial rather than football dominance.

I like the purchase of young players recently. As I have said many times, Heaven is a brilliant purchase. I was delighted to see the young lads bought from City and the lad from Spurs.

But we still have to compete this season and still need LB, ST and CM. It looks like we are too worried about cost.

02 Aug 2026 09:57:40
Do you keep highlighting it, Red Man? I hadn't noticed. 🙄

02 Aug 2026 10:27:09
Surely any analysis of the transfer window needs to be done when it is closed? So far I'm really happy with the signings, but it's pretty obvious we need 2 or 3 more, and then to supplement the squad with some of the quality kids we have seen through pre-season, and hope they can step up in cup games, etc.

Leave getting your knickers in a twist with a month left in the window to the bots on X.

02 Aug 2026 11:12:35
100% agree, GDS2.
Nobody would be happy if the window closes today.
But, guess what, it's not closing today.

02 Aug 2026 11:46:32
I think Ken is the kinda man who likes to take the contrary position sometimes, especially when people are very adamant about something with very little knowledge to make the judgement on.

He's also been in business at a high level for many years, and as such he has a little more understanding than most about how large multinational companies operate. So while not a perfect comparison to our football club, he will have a slightly better idea about how the people running the club will be thinking, and how they will look to operate.

The biggest issue I think is the extremism that modern society seems to demand. Like everything is binary, yes/no, agree/disagree, good/bad, etc., when the reality is that pretty much nothing is binary, with everything often falling somewhere between the two extremes.

The INEOS takeover, for example, some people want to oversimplify it into either they are amazing or they are awful. Maybe that is because it suits their agenda, or maybe they are a little bit simple and they don't understand nuance.

The truth is, as always, somewhere in the middle. INEOS will do some things that really benefit the club and the fanbase, both short and long term.

They will also do some things that work against the club and fanbase.

They've improved the running and structure of the club. We now have subject matter experts working in each area of the club, with clear parameters around their role. This has led to much clearer and more professional running of the club, as seen by the reduction of leaks around the club, as well as the improvements in recruitment.

Is it perfect? No, it probably never will be. They got the appointment of Dan Ashworth wrong, and they were wrong to keep Erik ten Hag in their first season (although the logic behind it made sense). They will make mistakes, but we have to remember not to throw the baby out with the bath water when judging how they are doing, and we also need to give it time and not react in the moment.

While the new stadium and how they manage season tickets is a little more questionable, only time will tell if they are making the right decisions there.

You don't have to be employed by INEOS to be able to see both sides, just someone who can be more impartial in their viewpoint. Someone who can see both the good and the bad, and, more importantly, knows when they cannot make a sound judgement either way.

02 Aug 2026 13:19:34
Tumbleweed is literally employed by Sky Sports. He has been one of their most prominent pundits for over a decade. How anyone would think he's employed by Ineos is baffling.

01 Aug 2026 16:39:42
Well, another good performance, this time against Atleti.

Totally deserved victory with some excellent football being played especially first half, this being the most important thing.

Man of the Match for me was Mason Mount, he played the full game alongside Andrey Santos, who again played very well. Mount though was excellent, some of his passing was top notch and even his defensive work was impressive. If only he can stay fit!

A player I really like, and have posted about before, Shea Lacey, also put in a top performance following his Man of the Match show last week against Rosenborg. Most of the time he was playing as a No10. I think Carrick is going to have some decisions to make here, he definitely deserves first team opportunities.

Leny Yoro also continuing to do well at right back and Ayden Heaven looked pretty comfortable.

JJ Gabriel also made his debut with 10 mins left, hopefully the first of many, many times we see him.

As for Atleti, as expected, it was 3 at the back and playing on the break. Even in a friendly their keenness for the dark arts shone through, some of the holding at corners made Arsenal look amateurish. It was just like watching the South Americans at the World Cup again.

To think an esteemed (? ) poster on here has often stated his wish for Simeone to be our Manger. I say No, No and indeed thrice No. There would be real reason to complain if that happened.

01 Aug 2026 18:16:55
I think Lacey should be in the squad, he's ready to play. I hope there's a couple of others who can step up this year, too. The club has high hopes for Tyler Fletcher, albeit his brother got more minutes than him last year.

01 Aug 2026 19:43:12
I think it's been confirmed both are in the squad for the season, AJH.
Collyer, Gore, Amass, Vietk look to be on their way out with Fredrickson.
Lacey did well today in the friendly. He still looks like he needs to strengthen up, but there's lots of time for that. He showed he can beat his man either outside or cutting in. Good option to have.

01 Aug 2026 20:26:06
Lacey did himself no favors last year with that very sophomoric second yellow red card. He looks like a talented player.

01 Aug 2026 21:00:06
Toro at right back again. Just saying.

Carrick obviously fancies him there, otherwise why waste a pre-season playing here.

01 Aug 2026 21:04:17
I love watching Lacey. Bit of a throwback street baller. Very clever on and off the ball. I'm very excited to see what he can bring to the team this season.

Excuse the overused phrase, but he really looks like a new signing.

01 Aug 2026 21:08:51
Lacey is our Foden, but the problem is where does he fit atm. He should be out on loan next season to develop and play week in, and not just cameos from the bench. He's going to be a brilliant player.

Have to say Yoro and Heaven were brilliant today.

02 Aug 2026 10:06:06
It has been said before that Carrick played at Middlesborough with one of his full backs being a centre back, allowing the other full back to be more aggressive. It looks like he is trying that with Yoro. He also looks comfortable moving forward with the ball, so could adapt to this role successfully.

It may be a needs basis at the moment, with Maz/Dalot still not back, but I would not be surprised to see it continue.



It will be interesting with Heaven, as I think he should get a lot of minutes this year, just whether he will get those over Martinez.

Lacey should definitely be in the first team this year. He does not appear fazed by anything, and, whilst we need to dampen expectations, having him come on as a sub against tired legs would be scary and offer us a different type of player.