Manchester United Banter 4

07 Jun 2026 16:31:53
Would everyone be happy to only get Ederson and Fernandes for midfield, around 100mill, no World Cup, can join full preseason too. Then spend on other positions? We conceded over 50 goals last season, that has to be addressed too.

I accept a stronger midfield helps, but think we need a stronger back 4. A lot will depend De Ligt after his op and if Martinez can rediscover his form at the WC. Maybe FBs need an upgrade?

07 Jun 2026 18:38:57
With European and cup football, three midfielders isn't really enough. Fernandes is young and had a decent season. Emerson has played in a mid-table Atalanta. I think these two are great squad players, Fernandes having bucket loads of potential. However, Mainoo is young. All three are right-footed.

We really need a mid 20s player who's got amazing leadership qualities and is a nailed-on starter to help Mainoo and Fernandes. Ideally two-footed and great with their left, tactically disciplined, able to cover a boat load of ground, looks to pass forward, has a great passing range, and is an astute defender.

07 Jun 2026 20:02:07
Ederson had just been called up by Brazil, I've read.

07 Jun 2026 20:02:57
Kevin Strootman fits the bill.

07 Jun 2026 21:19:43
Schneider.

07 Jun 2026 22:12:50
Emerson, did well at Boro, but unlikely we sign him.

09 Jun 2026 06:43:23
Rewz, if Ederson signs he has more CL experience than the rest of our midfielders put together.

09 Jun 2026 13:38:30
Vidal or Gaitan still available?

09 Jun 2026 18:03:38
Loved Vidal. Super player to have in your team, a 1-man wrecking ball, and he could play.

06 Jun 2026 21:27:49.
Having a little peruse through the old interweb tonight and came across a discussion about the song You'll Never Walk Alone. Obviously sung by our Scouse friends on a weekly basis. Celtic and Dortmund have also adopted it.

The article went on to suggest that the song was sung at Old Trafford in 1958 after Munich.

Which would have been before Gerry and his Pacemakers covered it.

It's all anecdotal and hard to verify. I never heard this before, any merit to it?

{Ed001's Note - it is 100% true. It is believed to be the first time the song was sung within a football ground.}

07 Jun 2026 00:45:27
Cheers ed, I did think if anyone would know it would be you.

doesn't negate the fact that it's Liverpool's anthem. Just thought it was a decent bit of trivia if true.

Funnily enough, I text a couple of mates who are Liverpool fans and they quite upset by it, said it was a load of old pony.

07 Jun 2026 07:32:28
I read a long time ago that it was something sung at Old Trafford before Liverpool took it on. It is now symbolic at Anfield and Celtic. I don't believe United hated it as much in the 70s as they do now, but when it was rammed down our throats by the press as wonderful and fantastic, sending fear through the opponents, when Liverpool had their very successful period in the 70s and 80s, it started to really rankle us, particularly around the end of the 80s. It was a popular wedding song at the time.

That's how I saw it anyway.

I said on here many years ago, when writing a piece about how to get the crowd going pre-game, that we needed a good song that got everyone going. 2, 4, 6, 8 United are great went back to the 70s, I think. Tom Robinson Band, or something like that. What's funny is that I was in Liverpool at a club a couple of months ago and they played the Country Roads song and everyone sang along. My wife told me do not dare sing the United words!

07 Jun 2026 20:17:42
Pretty sure Gerry (Marsden) did more than 'cover' it - he wrote it!!

{Ed001's Note - no he didn't. It was from the musical Carousel, written by Gilbert and Sullivan I think.}

08 Jun 2026 04:54:34
Correct Ed! I remember my musical loving, Man United supporting grandfather often shouting at the TV when they mentioned that it was adopted by the Liverpool fans after Gerry wrote it!

{Ed001's Note - no need to be offensive! If I have to edit that out again, in reference to any fanbase, it will mean a ban. Especially disrespectful to address me that way on my site.}

08 Jun 2026 09:37:38
Fair enough. I take the rollicking on the chin.

08 Jun 2026 10:19:00
Still don't like Liverpool but!

{Ed001's Note - that's fine, I wouldn't expect you to.}

08 Jun 2026 11:42:11
Hi Ed001, great site and great insight from you and all the ed's.

Just a quick heads up, it was written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the musical certainly was Carousel, featured on Broadway 1945, quite a few years before Gerry Marsden covered it in 1963.

{Ed001's Note - yes, you are correct, sorry, musicals is not my area of expertise at all. In fact I really don't like them, but I should have remembered the writers. So many times it has come up as a quiz question, I can't believe I forgot. Can I blame old age?}

06 Jun 2026 21:26:47
Apparently our $33m target Christos Mouzakitis (who? when?) is taking Spanish lessons amid interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona (you know, the club that hasn't any money!), interest.

Silly season is upon us.

Someone should keep a tally of where all the players who are linked to us end up going.

07 Jun 2026 11:23:07
We've been loosely linked with him a couple of times, but in all honesty it was probably more a case of using our name to flush out other interested parties or as leverage in contract negotiations.

He's a talented lad, but I think it's a bit early for a move to a top European club where the pressure and expectations will be sky high. He needs a good stepping stone club where he can develop against better opposition, while also playing regularly enough to continue to develop.

That's the thing we often overlook as fans when we are linked to a "wonder kid." They need to be allowed to make mistakes and still be first choice in the next game, so they can learn from it. At top clubs, if you make a mistake you are often dropped (or taken out of the spotlight) in the next game, but the longer between the mistake and being given the opportunity to rectify it, the harder it is to do so.

They need to be given the chance to try again while the memory of the mistake is still fresh.

If you think about the wonder kids who move to top clubs and then reach their potential, they tend to play in positions where mistakes are easier to forgive or they have less impact. Forwards, wingers, full backs etc. Rarely do we see keepers, CB's or CDM's given the opportunities at top clubs when they make mistakes as it often costs the club points. These are also positions where experience is a vital part of the role.

Leny Yoro, for example, is potentially a generational talent, yet his development has been very stop-start. He has looked great at times, but has made costly errors at others. While he keeps coming in and out of the line up, it will be harder for him to develop. It'll certainly take him longer to reach his potential, while it could ultimately limit the maximum level he gets to.

06 Jun 2026 15:45:03
I think our transfer plans have changed a little. Three midfielders was always going to be a push, but we'd have done it if any of Anderson, Tchouameni or Tonali has been obtainable. As it seems that they are not, it wouldn't surprise me if we 'just' got Mateus Fernandes and Ederson.

Those two plus Kobbie and Mount, with Thwaites and Fletcher being given some opportunities as 5th and 6th choice might just enable us to go big on Lewis Hall at left-back, for example.

06 Jun 2026 17:03:07
Why have things changed?
Why would it have been more likely to be 3 midfielders if far more expensive players were available?

Not sure I can see where you are coming from, Downsie. What's your logic, pal.

06 Jun 2026 17:53:35
Wouldn't be enough depth in that for me, Downsie. Mount isn't a midfielder either, same as Bruno.

06 Jun 2026 18:47:25
Fernandes, Ederson, Mainoo, and Fletcher(s). Tyler has just been called up by Scotland. Perhaps we need to give him an opportunity. Maybe we add Hackney too to give us options, that allows us to spend money elsewhere.

06 Jun 2026 20:34:38
Hopefully Fletcher plays well at the WC. It could really kick start his career.

07 Jun 2026 07:54:29
I Want Our Trophy Back -
The logic is that we had an apparent £200m plus sales to spend this summer.

Plan A was Fernandes, Ederson and Tchouameni/Anderson/Tonali, at around £180m, and then a cheap, experienced striker.

But, seeing as though those three elite options aren't available, I think we've shifted to other positions.

By just bringing in Fernandes and Ederson for the midfield, and not a third, we can probably go and get a left-back and attacker.

So to throw names out there:
Plan A: Anderson, Ederson, Fernandes, Welbeck.
Plan B could become: Ederson, Fernandes, Hall, Barcola and Mateta.

07 Jun 2026 09:04:58
When were those plans published and made public by the club? I'm not sure they were.

07 Jun 2026 10:43:44
Fernandes is just a rumour, plenty of other teams want him, so we should stop talking as if he is confirmed.

07 Jun 2026 11:44:42
I think the club are reacting to the transfer market more so than changing their ideas.

Anderson was the top target, but with Forest staying up and with him favouring a move to to City it doesn't make sense to spend in excess of 100m on him.

Beyond him there aren't many other players who are worth close to 100m, his combination of age, being British, and his talent make him one of if not the only one worth considering paying that sort of fee for.

Carlos Baleba appears to have dropped down the list due to Brighton asking for too much for a player who has had a down season. While the club will expect young players to have peaks and dips in form, the question of why Baleba had a down season is a pertinent one. Was it just the typical tougher second season where teams know what to expect and are better placed to deal with a young player who broke out the season before. Or did he struggle due to mentally not being able to handle the pressure/disappointment of a failed moved. The former shouldn't concern the clubs but if it's the latter then it does bring into question his ability to handle the pressure at a club like ours.

Sandro Tonali was a player supposedly high on our list of options, yet after Gordon's move to Barcelona Newcastle aren't under as much pressure to sell and as such are demanding a higher price than we are prepared to pay for him. Under the new ownership the club are determined not to make the same mistakes as the previous administration and pay massively over the odds for players. We have since pivoted and signed a player with a very similar profile in Ederson for around half the price (granted he isn't proven in the EPL).

Other names we have been linked to include Adam Wharton, who the club feel is too similar to Mainoo to justify spending big on him. Which is a good sign the club are making more thoughtful decisions and planning beyond signing fancy names.

That rules out many of the bigger name, typically more expensive signings we've been linked with.

Tchouameni is the other name, but that feels more like it was a potential market opportunity at the time rather than a player the club had intended on pursuing this summer. While the current presidential situation at Madrid and new manager means that it won't be clear for some time whether Tchouameni (or any Real Madrid players) will be available, certainly not until after the World Cup now.

Mateus Fernandes is someone the club seems very keen on, but West Ham are demanding a huge fee for a club that is now in the Championship. His failure to make the Portugal squad means the club don't have to move as quickly with him as they won't have to wait until after the World cup to sign him.

Alex Scott seems to be the other name more recently linked, he's a similar profile to Fernandes and could be seen as an alternative if West Ham refused to budge on their valuation. Although as he's with the England squad (for the preparations at least if not the tournament) then the club will probably want to wait until after he's back to explore him as an alternative.

I'd imagine there are other options and I'd still expect to see us try and sign 3 midfielders this summer. However, beyond Fernandes and Scott I'd imagine our other options will be at the world cup so I wouldn't expect to see us sign any players who are playing at the World cup until their country exits the tournament.

06 Jun 2026 12:37:24
Reading an article on Lou Macari today, whilst sipping an ice cold Mythos by the pool in Greece.

Obviously there was nothing in it I didn't know already as regards his sterling work to help the homeless over the years.

But my question is, how on earth has that great man never received any official recognition for his work?

In an era where knighthoods are given out willynilly for far less, Lou hasn't even received a lowly CBE.

Unless he's indicated he wouldn't want an official state honour, and that's fair enough, how can that possibly be?

06 Jun 2026 19:20:38
Good question, Stevie. He's a saint. It's bizarre he hasn't been recognised for his work outside football. It shows what a nonsense the honours system is, an anachronism we need to move on from.

07 Jun 2026 07:35:31
I lived on the same road as Lou when I was younger, and when he came to United, I never saw him. However, his charity work is legendary. Perhaps he has the "wrong" political opinion, so he will not be considered? There can't be many explanations, because I agree, Nou, Lou deserves recognition.

06 Jun 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Seano_ has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool Squad Assessment and Summer Priorities

05 Jun 2026 19:55:39
Listening to Berada's interview by Andy Mitten, it's clear he gets it. None of us know what the future has in store but we can rest assured that the new management team is working hard and professionally towards the right goals, in particular footballing excellence in keeping with the traditions of the club along with fiscal responsibility. This is not an executive team that's going to shrink away from hard decisions, as painful as they may be/already have been. It's all in pursuit of the necessary investments both to win trophies, improve the facilities and the fan experience.

The management team can't magic away the debt. That's down to the owners. The best they can do is produce profits/+ve cash flow to help reduce it. It was interesting to note a report in Bloomberg that some of the Glazer family are investigating how they can reduce or sell their stakes.

Why would they have any desire to remain as shareholders if the club is not appreciating in value and/or not paying dividends? Joel and Avram have Board roles so it's a different proposition for them. They won't want the family holdings diluted to the extent that they lose control. So you would think it would be a total sell out or nothing at all. They're already down to 49% overall, 69% of the voting stock.

Meanwhile the transfer window opens in 10 days, not before the World Cup, which is going to take 6 weeks this time around. It's hard to see how too many major transfers are going to be completed before top players start coming home. I guess we're going to be mired in a lot of speculation, most of it repetitious clickbait, until then.

06 Jun 2026 00:23:31
I think you may be a little naive there, buddy. Don't drink the cool aid.

The Glazers are going to make billions more by holding until after the stadium is built, and the club has bled as dry as possible. They will not be letting go until at least then. It would take a ridiculous offer.

European league will come at some point, Utd will only grow in value, and the fans have shown they will put up with anything.



What has Barada done that has been good? We are losing primary choices for players to rivals and other clubs. He has made more money off fans at the stadium. Might bring out an extra kit next year. Mitten will get a nice interview and some exclusives for putting out a soft glow up for Barada. That is all it was.

06 Jun 2026 02:24:02
They will be dead before a new stadium is built. Unless they get investors to come in, there is no chance a spade will be dug in the ground in the next 10 years.

06 Jun 2026 07:36:32
New name

"The best they can do is produce profits/+ve cash flow to help reduce it."

The Glazers are not reducing the debt though. Profit would let them pay dividends to themselves, potentially increasing the Net Worth of the business marginally. The debt is just sitting there. Stop kidding yourself. This is only about what the Glazers want to take out. Very likely the leeches have set Ratcliffe and hence Berrada an objective to be profitable so they can keep taking dividends.

It must have been tough for them in recent times to manage the upkeep of the mansions and yachts they have bought on the back of a northern working people's football club without precious millions in dividends. They even had to sell shares to keep going.

Do you think taking millions in dividends helps us?

06 Jun 2026 13:05:49
I'm no fan of the Glazers, and haven't been since day one. I've not had a nice thing to say about them. The LBO was an abomination and should never have been allowed. Their appointment and retention of Woodward was a disaster for the club. I'm no fan of Ratcliffe either.

The only naivete here is being shown by those who think investors should not be in it to make money, and resent them when they do. United is a public company. Why would I, you, or an institutional investor buy shares without the hope that they would appreciate in value and/or pay dividends? Any other reason is a vanity, whether it's one share or the whole club.



What I'm concerned about as a fan is the quality of the executives, who, as I wrote, have limited control over the level of debt, but have the responsibility for the product on the pitch. If Berada and his team get us back to competing seriously for and winning titles, and, preferably, playing exciting football on the way, it will not concern me one jot if the owners make out like banshees. As of now it's not Berada's fault if our lack of profitability and existing debt prevents us from spending £100m+ on individual players.

07 Jun 2026 00:22:43
Spot on, newname.

As a fan, I am really only concerned with how the team performs on a football pitch.

Two caveats, though...... I find it offensive and upsetting when loyal members of staff, who have worked at the club (sometimes for many years), are sacked whilst huge dividends are paid out and under performing players still get mega salaries.



Secondly, I hate that us working class fans are being asked ever increasing amounts for tickets to matches, and being priced out of attending.

07 Jun 2026 07:42:59
Newname

"The only naivete here is being shown by those who think investors should not be in it to make money."

Tell me exactly how much the Glazers have invested in the club at any time? I can tell you, zero, not one cent. Show me any time they have invested in the club.

I don't believe City owners take out a penny, nor, I bet, will Newcastle.

I hope Ratcliffe doesn't take dividends out of respect to the fans who pay hard earned money, and a lot of it. I have no issue whatsoever if Ratcliffe makes money on his investment in terms of asset value; at least he did put money on, however it was done (via Ineos?).

07 Jun 2026 12:05:35
I think there is a very clear difference between the people running the club and the people who own the club.

While ultimately the owners get the final say in club decisions, the problem we had previously is that the ownership was solely under the Glazers who had little to no interest in the clubs success beyond how much money it could make them. As such they left the running of the club down to those people who would ensure they got a return on their "investment".

The hiring of Ed Woodward for example was just full blown cronyism, they didn't even try to hide it and said in the statement of his hiring about how much he helped to owners previously.

That was not a hiring for the club but one for the owners.

Since INEOS have come in they at the very least seems to be doing things the right way. Initially people they knew came in to judge the lay of the land and to advise on what they saw and what would need to be put in place to fix the issues. People like Blanc and Brailsford for example could have easily have been given long term roles if they wanted to have "their" people in charge of the day to day running. Likewise Sir Jim and Dave Brailsford's close previous connections to Southgate could have got him the managers position.

Yet none of that happened, they've interviewed the best candidates and hired who they thought was best placed to run the club well. Not every hiring has worked out (no one every gets every decision right), and I'm sure there will be times when they need to replace people again in the future.

Yet they've seemed to manage to get a good blend of people, Berada, Wilcox, and Vivell seem to have a good balance and grasp of what is needed. They will of course make mistakes, but they are at least trying to make the club successful on the pitch.

The way they are clearing the squad of deadwood or those who just don't fit what we want to be. They way they have made a clear idea of they types of players we should be signing and how we are scouting and profiling targets, as well as how they are working to line them up. Whole club thinking, not just about this season with this manager, but future seasons under potentially different managers, how youth players fit in with potential first team signings.

Ultimately just being run as a proper football club.

The owners are a whole different matter, ultimately whether it's the Glazers or INEOS (Sir Jim) they will have their own agendas and ideas. They will want something from the club. What is important to remember is that the owners, just like the players and the managers, are just temporary custodians, they own the club for now, but they won't own it forever. Maybe the next owners will be better, or maybe they will be worse, who knows.

Personally, though I'm just happy that the club is being run as a football club again. Ultimately I'm here to enjoy the football, which I can say I am, and I feel hopeful again that we are on a pathway that will lead to future success. How long that takes I don't know, but it feels like we are at least heading in the right direction.

05 Jun 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - BlueNose1878 has posted a new article entitled, Everton Must Plan Properly If Ndiaye Goes

04 Jun 2026 18:52:00
Question really aimed at the people who are not convinced by Carrick but for all to answer.

What does Michael Carrick need to do to fully win you over as manager? And if United were to win the league playing a pragmatic, results-first style similar to Arsenal's title-winning approach, would you be satisfied with that, or is the style of football more important than the success? I'm just wondering what the line is for whether he is viewed as the correct decision for fans?

04 Jun 2026 19:14:59
Ports, imo, he has to keep doing what he has been doing. Winning football matches and improving players.
He is on a very steep learning curve. He has done as well as he possibly could have up to now, imo. With the players he has had at his disposal.
He has earned his opportunity.
I honestly think it could go either way for him. He will have an improved squad to work with.
He has had the media behind him so far; how he will cope with the bumps in the road ahead is unknown.
I think we will know after a dozen games next season in the league what our style of play is and will be.
We were counter attacking a lot, but it can be argued that suited the players we had.
With better midfielders available, that will change, I'm sure.
We were nothing like Arsenal, and we played some good stuff in games at times.


I'm not sitting on the fence; I'm 100% behind him and 100% hopeful. I'm just not overconfident.
He has lots to prove, and will have many questions to answer as games go by. All I do know is that he has answered every question put to him so far.
I like to go on what we do know and not what we don't; that's always a good place to start. We do know nobody won more points than United over the last 16 games. I think only 2 teams scored more goals. There is not much to complain about there.
Iraola will be who he will be judged against for many, as some believe he might have been available to United.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the season unfolds. I think it will be more open than ever.

04 Jun 2026 19:16:29
I want to see a clear and more dominant style of play. I want to see how he reacts in difficult situations, because that's the criteria sometimes. Until now, he has not had a crisis, and all was good. That, and results, need to continue being good. I think the style of play is more important than results, because if you play well, with clear patterns, results will follow anyway.

On the other hand, even if results are good, without playing good football, the form will fade sometime.
I don't think we can make an Arsenal anyway, we don't have the structure or the base. We don't have Rice, Maggalaes or Saliba.

04 Jun 2026 20:27:30
He has to show some evidence that his management and coaching results in positive impacts on the pitch.

My main issue is that our best football, under Carrick, was played during his first month in charge. Yes, we must give him credit for picking the right players and allowing them play with freedom. He did everything right to get the squad back to playing their best post-Amorim.

However, the true test of a manager's worth is measured by longer term improvements. Carrick hasn't shown this.

As the season progressed, the level of performances didn't really improve, even if the results were, broadly, good.

Particularly with attacking play, there wasn't much evidence of Carrick's impact. It often felt like the primary strategy was to give the ball to Bruno and hope that he creates something. In games when this wasn't working (Leeds and Sunderland, for example), there didn't appear to be any plan B, and, in general, Carrick seems slow to react when the opposition is controlling things.

04 Jun 2026 23:29:18
I think who he signs will be the biggest factor in determining how he does. If he gets a centre back, another midfielder and a centre forward, all of his choice and of high quality, he has a good chance to succeed.

He was a top player and I believe he wants to play attacking, flowing football, replicating the Fergie years.

He knows the supporters don't want boring football. I will forgive his relative lack of managerial experience and some bad results if I can see a clear plan which looks like it will bring long term results. We have to back him and give him the confidence to succeed.

05 Jun 2026 07:02:34
1. Clear style that is modern in approach, that brings good, winning, controlling, attacking, attractive football. Counter attack is not good enough. 2. Must demonstrate greater tactical sense, more dominant approach. Better use of width. Better control of midfield.
3. Better integration of youth. His handling of Heaven was very poor last year. Even in the last couple of games, he didn't really give any chances to youth.


4. Improved in-game management. His substitutions were not well timed and lacked verve at times. He seemed indecisive to change things tactically at times.
5. Finish no lower than third, must challenge the top two properly.
6. Win something.
Maybe I can then concede he should get a second season. I hope he does all the above because, whilst I feel he was the wrong choice, I want him to succeed, because the club succeeds.

05 Jun 2026 07:35:42
Win s***.

05 Jun 2026 08:12:59
1. Performances that match the results we have had - there has been too much luck for me so far.

2. Evidence of a plan B - in the games where we stuttered, Carrick was too slow and lacked invention to change the game.

05 Jun 2026 08:19:06
Wow, Red Man, I take that as you saying you've decided that Carrick shouldn't have the job and will not be changing that view.

I'd argue maybe only Pep achieved those 6 things last season, and even then there's a question mark over his use of youth players. Arteta (who I can't stand) won the league and only ticks a couple of those things off the list.

For what it's worth, I think we have to accept that there will be bumps in the road.

Qualifying for the Champions League again, good cup runs, and actually looking like a team that understands what Manchester United is actually about will be enough for me next season. Ideally, winning something is the aim, but realistically there are only 4 competitions and I think we all agree that there are teams in a much better condition than we are at the moment.

05 Jun 2026 10:09:42
Having a good start is crucial, not only for team confidence, but also for his own. If not, then the snipers will start shooting, the back stabbers will be out, ie the press/media are in waiting to slaughter him.

Results are the main factor, style will come with confidence, and to be up and ready is a must.

For him to have a chance, then this transfer window is huge. We need a much deeper squad, we need players stepping up, and if not in the team, then knocking and really pushing to be in the team.



If we have that good start and there becomes a buzz around how we do, then it could be a very good season for Carrick and the fans. A poor, slow start and we maybe start talking about what could and should have been, and the 'I told you so' gang will be in full swing.

05 Jun 2026 10:32:37
I think we need to see a team that plays well. We've seen it in patches, but we've also seen some very poor performances, despite the good results. Carrick apparently wants to play fast attacking football, which would be good to see.

He keeps finding ways to win, which is always useful. I'm hoping he uses more players next season as the squad is strengthened, and we have more games to manage.



I'd also like to see a bit more oomph from Carrick. I welcome the calmness and lack of drama, but he needs to get passionate sometimes.

We need to solidify what we achieved this year, whilst going further in the cup competitions, and we need to not lose to Grimsby.

05 Jun 2026 10:39:48
AA80,

What has changed, apart from his appointment, since I said clearly that I didn't believe Carrick had the qualifications to be United manager?
The OP question was, what would convince me, and I set that out. This is Manchester United. Why would I say 5th is ok? That answer would only be if I was previously comfortable with an ex player being put in charge because he was an ex player.



He has to show he is of the calibre to be the man, for example people said 2nd wasn't good enough for Jose. Carrick has it all to prove, hope he does but suspect it will be difficult given his experience. We shall see.

05 Jun 2026 12:59:19
All he has to do is get them playing like they did against the Bertie's at home. Simple.

05 Jun 2026 15:18:36
I've been very critical of Arsenal this season when it comes to the way they play, but ultimately, they won the league and made it to the Champions League final, in which they narrowly missed out on the trophy. I'm going to go ahead and assume that most of their fans are happy.

In an ideal world, we'd win trophies playing attractive football, but if we win a few playing Arsenal-style anti-football, I'm sure most of us (including myself) wouldn't be complaining, assuming the plan was to transition into a less pragmatic style over the next few windows.

The issue comes if we play terrible football and still win nothing.

05 Jun 2026 17:02:58
Win the treble.

05 Jun 2026 18:01:10
Redman: "Shoot cannon balls from his arse and lasers from his eye balls. Maybe then I will consider giving him a second season."

Tough man to please.

06 Jun 2026 00:31:07
Why did you not have any of that criteria for Amorim, Redman?

06 Jun 2026 07:23:42
Ken,

Amorim already had a CV that showed he could do it.

06 Jun 2026 08:46:54
In Portugal.

Translated well.

06 Jun 2026 09:08:38
Red Man, this is the reason I asked the question. Some of your points are developmental objectives and some are achievement objectives. You're effectively saying, "Develop the team for the future while simultaneously delivering elite present-day results." This is a pretty tough expectation.

Attractive, controlling, attacking football vs "Win something" and "Finish no lower than third." If Carrick finishes third and wins a cup through a more pragmatic approach, would that count as success? Your criteria suggest no. If he plays excellent football but finishes fourth, that also seems to fail.

"Better integration of youth" vs. "Finish no lower than third." The safest route to a top-three finish is normally relying on experienced players. You're essentially asking for, More youth minutes.

More attacking football. Better results than last season. Those can coexist, but each objective makes the others harder.

So my question is this, Red Man, Choice 1 - Carrick wins the League and FA Cup playing Maguire and Martinez all season and setting up to have less possession than the opposition or Choice 2, we set up with Heaven and Yoro, we dominate possession and are enjoyable to watch and finish 4th but have no cup. Which are you chosen for the first season that would make you accept a 2nd season for Carrick? Because, personally, I'm not sure all your criteria can be achieved in his first season. I appreciate and agree a bit with substitutions and at times in game management could be improved, but then those two areas will also determine the above outcomes.

06 Jun 2026 09:11:50
Also, you say better integration of youth. Mainoo didn't start a game in the league this season until Carrick became manager, so your criticism of that area is slightly misjudged.

06 Jun 2026 09:30:54
Ports,
Mainoo is hardly "youth", is he?

06 Jun 2026 09:42:52
Ports

Let's see what happens. I am there to be convinced, but failing at Championship Boro means he has an awful lot to prove. There will be objectives set for him by Berrada and co, against which he will be assessed. If you understand management, then you will know they will not, nor should they be easy. Those were my thoughts above & let's see how he gets on. I hope he succeeds in all, but suspect he won't. I don't get to make the judgement on his continuation, but I have my expectations of him and the club.

Not long ago, people were on here saying getting second wasn't good enough. Now it looks like 4th would be ok. The reason can only be because of who Carrick is, the 'one of our own' nonsense. That's setting him up to be satisfactory in failure. Like I said, that is how I feel and see how he performs. I want us to win everything, but Carrick has no history. He has been appointed, so there is nothing much to say other than wait and see.

06 Jun 2026 11:21:22
If you understand management, then you'll also know objectives need to be realistic and achievable, based off your start point, the resources you have, and a set timeframe.

06 Jun 2026 13:43:58
Ports,

Held senior management positions, and you have to be naive if you think all objectives are realistic or sometimes even achievable. Timeframe is relevant, I agree. But, whilst I am not setting Carrick's, is it not true the club have the clear objective to win the league in 2028? In order to do that, Carrick has to get us to the challenger point at the end of this next season, with a view to win it the season after.

No point in giving soft objectives in that case, is there?

06 Jun 2026 15:07:14
But that's the point, Red Man. We may win the league next season or the following. But will we win it the way you, and, to be fair, the majority of fans, want to win it, or will we win it the "Arsenal" way. But that way doesn't satisfy your point 1.

For what it's worth, everything you've said, I would love to happen, as I am sure the majority of fans would, but there has to be a realistic approach to what can and can't be achieved here in the short term.

Which is why I asked the question originally about what Carrick needs to do to convince people he's the right guy. Maybe I should have followed that up with to meet the club's objective of winning the league in 2028.

04 Jun 2026 15:01:47
I messaged some time ago saying that I thought Van Hecke of Brighton would be worth looking at this summer. Others disagreed. But if Spurs bid of 70M is true, that is certainly way too high. The rationale is that he's the centre of a lot of their progressive plays like Lisandro Martinez is for us.

But either way if Spurs are setting the bar that high, I hope we do our business quickly before it goes any higher!

04 Jun 2026 16:55:56
Don't think Spurs have bid £70m for Van Hecke; that is the supposed valuation Brighton have put on him.

One thing we have seen over recent seasons is that, when it comes to negotiations, Brighton are very hard to deal with.

They still want a lot for Baleba, despite his form this season.

Mind you, Van Hecke is a very good player. We shall see what happens there.

04 Jun 2026 17:27:34
Absolutely crazy money, if it turns out to be true. He is a quality player, but 70 million for a centre back is crazy.

04 Jun 2026 17:41:21
Would you not pay £70m for another Rio or Vidic? I would.

04 Jun 2026 17:54:43
I believe he has one year left, so the price is ridiculous, as he could leave on a free in a year.

04 Jun 2026 18:25:12
Vidic and Rio are hard to find. Salford, look what we paid for Maguire and how that worked out, but definitely, if we could find one, it'd be a no brainer.

04 Jun 2026 19:17:56
I've said before on here that I would love to sign Nico Schlotterbeck, think he is that type of player, tall, strong, athletic, very quick, very strong in the air, good tackler and good on the ball.

I would happily pay £80m for him. He has recently signed a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, but there is a release clause of approx.

EUR60m for certain clubs. Don't think we are on the list of 'chosen ones' though.

Worth trying a big bid and see what happens, although don't expect anything to come of it. What the hell!

04 Jun 2026 19:19:27
The BBC article has since been edited. It erroneously said the initial bid was 70m, and now just states that Brighton value him at 70m. I think he's good enough, even if only one year on his contract, to pay up to 40-50m on, but that 70m figure floored me!

04 Jun 2026 23:31:30
Maguire has actually proved to be a good buy. Went through a difficult time, but worked his way back into the team, and overall has been pretty solid. Scored lots of important goals too. Overpriced at £80m, but that's not his fault.

{Ed077's Note - he's not a good buy because as you said, he was overpriced ( massively in my view ). But, he's dealt with the situation really well in the past couple of years.

06 Jun 2026 09:52:30
Awful buy.