Manchester United banter 5

25 Oct 2026 14:35:09
30 minutes in and this is terrible. It's like watching a league one team against a prem team in the cup.

Fair play for dropping bruno, I agree with that. But then plays Mount?? This team has zero width. No idea what Amad is doing, seems to be playing right back with Yoro.

And I've never seen a player get caught on the ball more than Tielmans.

25 Oct 2026 13:01:10
So Carrick has shown bottle and dropped Bruno and Martinez
So fair enough on that. How is Dalot still starting though? Honestly he's awful, I'd have played amass but oh well. What's the predictions then? I'd say 3-1 Bournemouth.

25 Oct 2026 13:28:09
Good news but Dalot and Maguire still start.

25 Oct 2026 13:28:42
I would credit Carrick with having bottle if he dropped Bruno and didn't revert to playing 4 central mids.

My assumption is the formation will be 5-4-1, with Amad and Dalot playing wing backs. Tielemans and Mount offer zero pace. This looks like a cowardly continuation of the past few weeks. Keeping everyone behind the ball, and swapping Bruno for Mount.

Carrick had the opportunity to come out fighting, but again is playing without any clear attacking intent.

25 Oct 2026 13:41:34
Bruno has never come out against any manager and he's had a few! yet he does against carrick I think it tells you everything about his methods. Hopefully the fans sing his name throughout the game. Carrick hopefully gone by the morning.

25 Oct 2026 13:43:54
We've been lacking in workrate and energy which everyone has mentioned but we also want to see a clear tactical plan and a style of play. The written media etc seem to ignore that tactics matter, can't help but think that if carrick wasn't English the media would be harsher on him. Let's see what happens today, I'm not hopeful.

25 Oct 2026 12:54:15
Many of us definitely expected a big drop in performance if defensively we didn't address the glaring deficiencies and sign a striker too. Perhaps not as big a drop but it's was a definite possibility.

Foolhardy to expect Bruno to repeat his form of last year especially after a World Cup. The loss of Casemeiro was also pointed out last season as being huge because of his experience and knack of scoring goals too.

What's baffling to most of us fans is that if we could see the obvious pitfalls ahead why didn't the United management team and properly address the issues.

25 Oct 2026 12:08:54
Looking at the upcoming fixtures fills me with some dread. There are a few where in present form we might pick up a point or two, but right now relegation is a distinct possibility, especially if we lose to a handy Bournemouth side today.

I'm still amazed by the drop off from the end of last season. We're clearly missing Casemiro whose enthusiasm and reading of the game, plus his goals, were possibly as important as was Bruno. However, there's no excuse for what's going on, whether it's the players, the head coach, the DOF or the club's limited resources, or all of the above. I'm not here to defend anyone.

25 Oct 2026 12:19:23
Newname,

I expected problems when they appointed Carrick permanently, more when he integrated Rashford and pushed Cunha to one side, even more when we didn't bother with a LB and Striker. Thought we would be about 6th but didn't expect we would be down at the bottom like this.

To me the result today either way will not affect my thoughts on Carrick. Hope we win but that would only put back what has to happen.

24 Oct 2026 21:55:47
I watched all our pre-season games, and while it was quite underwhelming, there were some very good passages of play, where our players were beating the press, one-touch stuff getting us out of some tricky positions, good first touches and accurate passing.

It was clear we were trying to hold on to the ball more, and a lot of the time, especially with Mount and Santos in the middle, we succeeded in doing that.

Fast forward, and the same group of players look like startled rabbits in the headlights, once any sort of pressure is on them. Miscontrols, wayward passing, panicking when pressed for the ball.

Which is down to mentality. I obviously don't know the players individually, but as a collective, for years now, we've shown such a weak mentality when the pressure cranks up a bit. The shirt weighs heavily on a lot of players. Always has. Some very good players never made it here because of that expectation.

One of Fergie's many strengths was putting as much emphasis on a player's character when he was thinking of signing a player. We need to get back to that. Looking for players who'll stride onto OT for their first game, and know they belong.

I don't see that in any of our players. Maybe Cunha, and there's obviously something up there.

Sorry for the long post. Just retired yesterday, so I've a lot of time on my hands just now.

24 Oct 2026 22:51:49
Or it could be they're simply not good enough.

Pre season has zero correlation to playing in competitive matches where there is less time, better and fitter opposition and the result means something.

24 Oct 2026 23:19:17
They might not be good enough to play for Utd, Eric, but they're professional footballers. They obviously have ability or they wouldn't have made a career out of it, either at United or somewhere else before.

25 Oct 2026 00:17:22
Don't apologise. Retirement is awesome!

25 Oct 2026 01:33:30
If we are really honest how many of our players would get into the first teams of City Arsenal Villa Chelsea Liverpool? The answer is none or just a few. Why do we get so little back in player sales? Because they aren't good enough

Then add that to a patently wrong way of operating in the transfer market and we end up with a mess.

In terms of character I think Martinez Cunha Mbwuemo Amad Mainoo Lammens Baleba Bruno and Sesko all have good character in terms of wanting to do well and fight. Shaw and Maguire too but those two are past their best. Mount is just too fragile. Mazraoui not good enough and Dalot too.

It's too early for me to comment on Santos and Heaven and Yoro are youngsters who shouldn't be relied on in such critical positions and wpukd benefit from a proper experienced centre half alongside them.

We will only start to see sustained progress when the defence is sorted and we get a striker to aid Sesko.

Interesting rumour that Rashford might be of interest to Everton. Talking on Talksport this week an exbCity and England defender said he is a friend of Rashford and that Rashford really does love the club and wants to do well with Utd. If that's the case and I know it's not his fav position but why not play him in the number 9 role whilst Sesko is out.

25 Oct 2026 07:40:50
Salford
I would be looking at Left Back for Rashford, Left Back at Carrington

Nou
Happy Retirement
Pre season games do not have intensity and are nothing really to judge on. I agree on Character in players, but that throws shade on Carrick for the way he has treated Cunha, who you picked out. For me we are being coached as if this was the 1990's and can't get away from that. World football has developed and individual skill in beating players has diminished. Movement, pressing and off the ball running is vital, look at the best team PSG. Carrick is out of his depth with no clear vision, no modern approach.

25 Oct 2026 08:23:26
Good post and on the money Noucamp. TJF. Welcome to retirement and the 6th OTM club. ;)

25 Oct 2026 08:29:36
There needs to be a massive reaction from the team after the midweek debacle. If not, then this bunch of bluffers should be sacked for failing to comply with their contracts in terms of effort and caring for the club, badge and supporters.

25 Oct 2026 09:29:39
Happy retirement Noucamp, i've got another 25 years to go. I thought United looked really good pre-season until they played AC Milan, then it went down hill after then.

The Leeds pre season game was a warning as well. The first game of the season against Hull, showed exactly why you can't play a high line with Maguire in defence. He is a hinderence.

Today, will either see Carrick sacked or in charge for at least another game. Regardless of my feelings on Carricks reign, I'd like him to grow a pair and assert his authority on the teqm, and drop the likes of Dalot, Maz Bruno and Martinez.

25 Oct 2026 09:44:28
Sounds daft to say but he's got nothing to lose by doing this and dropping Bruno today.

Going form game to game surviving is no way for a manager or a club to operate. If he wants to make a long term success
If this he has to control the dressing room now. And that has to start today. He's a dead man walking, so why not make a stand and see where it gets him. A 2-1 win or whatever doing the same things is not going to make any difference to his future. A defeat and he's gone.

But a defeat showing some character might save him.

25 Oct 2026 09:58:42
Happy retirement Nou.

25 Oct 2026 10:13:16
Suspect the club are trying to get to the International break in terms of the manager situation.

25 Oct 2026 10:25:28
To go through this endless cycle of sacking managers, only to eventually arrive at Eddie Howe as Wilcox's preferred choice, would be an extraordinary admission of just how little direction there is at Manchester United.

25 Oct 2026 10:47:08
Congrats, bud. Now you can really put the time into being frustrated by United.

25 Oct 2026 12:35:45
Fizz,

Howe is a decent manager but how is he best in class? Looks more like who would accept restrictions from above.

25 Oct 2026 12:59:37
Red Man,
'Decent' is about the best one can say about him. He won't have the nuts to call the anchors in the squad to heel.

25 Oct 2026 13:05:54
Congrats on the retirement, use all the time you will have as foolishly and self indulgently as possible.

As regards to the mentality side, you are quite right in that it is a hugely important aspect that needs to be a part of the recruitment process.

In fairness, a policy was introduced in summer 2025 whereby all potential signings were assessed on:

a) Personality
b) Mentality
c) Character

There also had to be a clear and stated desire by the player to play for Man Utd. No more of players like Pogba, Sancho and Sanchez whose motives were highly questionable. ££££s?

That desire was certainly shown with Mbuemo and Cunha when they made it very clear they had no wish to go anywhere else, even when they were offered higher wages. The same applied to Sesko later that window when other offers came to him. Again, he made his wishes clear.

This summer, well Baleba could not of been more obvious. As to Santos, Chelsea did say that they did not wish to lose him, but agreed to the sale only when he made it very clear he wanted to leave.

I am not sure these recent buys are the problem, it does seem to be more the old lags who are causing the problems.

Finally, don't get an allotment Stevie, there's always a pub somewhere nearby!

25 Oct 2026 10:06:44
Cheers, lads. I thought I might get a few weeks to put my feet up, but the wife already has one of her lists made. Women love a list, don't they?
Fizz, it well and truly is.

Mad Hatter, if you're in the same line of work as I was, good luck! It could be 30 more years the way things are going! ?
Anyway, it'll be interesting to see the line up, today.

I'd love to see a few changes, but I suspect it'll be more of the same.

24 Oct 2026 20:47:16
A little ray of light amongst the gloom. The U18s played Liverpool earlier today and we beat them 6-3.

A 16 year old playing at centre forward absolutely worked his socks off and pressed relentlessly. Although he did not score, he put one on a plate for a teammate. A strong looking lad, young Kai Rooney seems to have inherited some of selfless attitude of his father. He certainly will not be looking to be released!

We have a young Spanish lad, an attacking midfielder (can also play at right back) just a few days ago turned 17, by the name of Jaume Camacho. He scored 4 of the goals against Liverpool, remember the name, an exciting prospect.

25 Oct 2026 08:35:10
I just watched the highlights on YouTube IWOTB and have to agree on Camacho, scored with both feet and also hit the bar with a right foot curler from outside the box. Looks a good prospect.

24 Oct 2026 15:41:08
Team i'd like to play tomorrow with the team i expect to see:

Lam,
Yoro, Maguire, heaven, amass,
santos, baleba, tielmans,
Lacey, mbeumo, cunha.

I'm expecting:
Lam,
Dalot, maguire, martinez, shaw,
Balaba, mainoo,
Bruno,
Amad, mbeumo, rashford.

24 Oct 2026 16:41:24
TW,

That's a good shout. If Carrick had a pair, Bruno and Martinez wouldn't be anywhere near the first team squad.

24 Oct 2026 17:51:42
I agree he should shake thing up and drop the neg heads but I doubt he has the balls.

As a fan I can accept we won't win every game, I can accept we will lose some games. But I want to see effort and commitment and energy, things that have been sadly lacking this season.

Amass and Lacey are good shouts at least you would see 100% effort.

24 Oct 2026 18:20:07
It'll be same again Ken, can nearly guarantee it. There's a number who should be dropped but Dalot for me shouldn't be anywhere near the starting 11. Total liability. Will carrick show and balls?? I highly doubt it. Will the players?! Same probably.

24 Oct 2026 19:51:27
I fully expect the players to put in a shift tomorrow after Carricks press conference. If they show a lack of effort they know they will be canned by the media. He has cleverly and rightly focused attention on them.

Problem is one game a season of hard graft is not enough.

Also if he drops Bruno and Martinez and United lose then they will be "vindicated" and the pressure is back on him.

24 Oct 2026 19:55:36
I think he will drop a few of them now but it's all too late. A confident coach in control does that 3 games ago, brings in the likes of zirkzee and other players and modifies setup/tactics to get a result. It's easy to do it now when he's a lame duck and the fans are also upset at the players.

25 Oct 2026 01:57:53
The next few matches will determine whether Carrick stays or goes before Christmas. If he's smart, he'll drop the two players who have publicly made it clear that they don't think he's the right man for the job and any who may have have done so behind the scenes.

I fully expect both to start, and for Carrick to be sacked after a convincing 3-0 loss.

25 Oct 2026 02:32:47
Would love to see that team tumble. Hard work and effort.

24 Oct 2026 10:00:07
I am totally fed up with people saying keep Carrick, no one else is better, he loves the club, he gave a wonderful speech, a PR written prepared speech. Is he looking forward? No, he harks back to what he knew as a player, that's basically his experience, what Giggs, Sir Alex told him. This is 2026 not the 1990's. We are talking about someone who could not cut it at Middlesbrough, who was sacked in the Championship. Someone who failed to prepare for this season by not ensuring the team were trained sufficiently so they could run. Someone who is so hopeless tactically that his own players are calling him out, something I have never seen the like of. Someone who cannot change a game, too rigid to make subs to make a difference, frozen like a rabbit in the headlights. Someone who is not giving our youth a chance. Someone who pushed Rashford in front of players who got him third. Not that we couldn't see it coming, Middlesbrough fans told us what to expect from him, then lo and behold it happened exactly how they said.

The dark suggestion is yes keep Carrick, get relegated and let's see the owners suffer like we have and in the hope they go. The irony is that if the PL doc City points that might prevent even that.

Right now I am frankly shocked by the club decisions. Perhaps they don't want to sack Carrick on the basis of the player revolt, yet they are asking him to go into what must be the worst dressing room I can imagine. We often speculate about whether a manager has lost the dressing room, don't ever remember being utterly sure of it.

My guess is the club are making a stand that they will decide on the fate of the manager not the players, the crowd may give the players a hard time and force them to try harder. It's short term, so suspect they want to get to the international break and give themselves chance to deal with it. I suspect they may have even told Carrick, he loves the club enough to carry on even in those circumstances.

Yes, Carrick isn't the only one, Wilcox needs to go, yes Berrada is on thin ice, yes I want the owners gone. Yes I warned when sunny Jim came in that he was enabling the Glazers to stay, called him the Rat which I got told off for, yet now look at us. All that is what we need but we must have manager change and Wilcox gone at the same time. This absolute love in on Carrick would never ever happen if he wasn't a nice guy who was a good player for us. It's emotional garbage, it's one of the reasons we are in such a mess. We have to be more clinical in our decisions.

Lastly, I am disillusioned with football, the City stuff makes me feel like it is so devalued. I am extremely disillusioned with my club, I am at the older end, seen it all as a few of us have, yet right now the club seem more incompetent than at any time since 1973.

It's just a sea of incompetence fed by fans who love Michael Carrick, a yes man. Shambles.

24 Oct 2026 10:54:36
Have to agree here. I'm all for backing the manager, but only if the manager has shown themselves to be worth backing. For me, the only managers we've had who've come close to doing that since SAF left are Mourinho and Amorim.

Yes, we need to get rid of Wilcox (and in an ideal world, the owners along with him), but their incompetence doesn't mean that we should keep a manager who's clearly out of his depth.

24 Oct 2026 11:19:52
I'm normally someone calling for the manager to be backed. I also don't think Carrick is a bad manager. However, it's pretty clear that there is a lot of discontent within the dressing room, and that is spilling out into the public sphere which just feeds the toxic atmosphere that is seemingly always bubbling below the surface around our club.

It's a real shame as the club seemed to make massive steps forward under Amorim in terms of dressing room harmony, in uniting the players. Even during Amorim's darkest moments all the players were behind him. In fact its been reported that several players contacted him to apologise to him after his sacking.

Yet in 12 months under Carrick and it seems like it's back to its worst. Players coming out and taking shots at the board, at the manager, in fact everyone but them is to blame for our poor form. The lack of accountability is astonishing, especially when compared to their actions 12 months ago.

Unless we see a blood and thunder performance from them against Bournemouth (which I highly doubt) then we have to assume that the players just aren't backing and fighting for the manager. Which sadly is when you have to call time on a manager.

24 Oct 2026 12:08:06
If I start reading a post and within 10 words I know who the poster is I think the poster may have already got their point across enough on here.

I'm not sure I've seen anyone say that they love Carrick or that he should stay really. He's got a problem in that we aren't winning any football matches, nobody can be a fan of that or think that's acceptable. I think he is pretty much done now and the club will be looking to replace him, but under the current regime no manager will be successful, they will likely just be a bit better than this.

24 Oct 2026 12:57:10
I'm pretty sure everyone is fed up and I love the passion everyone has and the certainty that they are right.
It's been a shambles for so long and we keep following the same pattern but getting the same outcome.
If you sack the manager every time conceding to player power then we'll never get off this merry-go-round ?.

24 Oct 2026 12:58:26
Where's the Carrick love in and people wanting him to stay? I've seen the odd post, but most seem to acknowledge change is needed and is coming.

I agree with GDS that whoever is appointed will struggle, and I agree with Red Man in that I am also massively disillusioned with the game in general.

24 Oct 2026 16:10:23
AJH,

I can hardly read or listen to what Rio Ferdinand says, plus many football reporters, social media apparently has quite a number and yes Red Douglas right below this.

Whoever is appointed, if Wilcox and co can finally stop themselves weeping over Carrick, will need strength of conviction like Amorim. If they appoint the right calibre then improvement will come. Wilcox has already shown some terrible decisions and I would feel uncomfortable with him behind me. I think the club should sack Wilcox immediately and bring in a DoF and manager who can work together, where there is trust.

Disillusion with the game may be lifted if City are suitably punished, without that the league doesn't feel right, but also the owners we have need to be expunged.

24 Oct 2026 16:49:56
Let the head coach, coach. Let them be involved in transfers. Areas that they feel need to be prioritised and strengthened accordingly.

Ironically, SJR and Barrada were shocked that Ashworth only picked UK managers, with Wilcox's solely focus has been on players with EPL experience. Consequently, Ashworth was sacked.

Personally, I'd like Vivell to pick the next manager and be solely responsible for player recruitment.

24 Oct 2026 22:21:26
The love in came last season AJH and got him appointed. People have short memories.
It was the worst decision then and it has killed another season.
Those fans advocating for Carrick should give up their season tickets ?.

24 Oct 2026 10:12:39
I can't believe that more isn't being said about our lack of pace. For me, in every game this season, the lack of pace has been the single biggest reason we've struggled.

A spine with combinations of Maguire, Martinez, Mainoo, Tielemans, Mount and Fernandes in it must be comfortably the slowest in the Premier League. Yes, they may be neat and tidy on the ball, but what's the good in that if you can't get the bloody thing off of your opponents due to the low physical capability of your side?

Carrick's made a team in his image, rather than acknowledging the physical demands of elite football in 2026 and if he's left in charge, we'll be bottom 6 come May.

24 Oct 2026 11:11:54
Maguire neat and tidy on the ball! I damn near spat my beer out!

25 Oct 2026 09:20:34
Downsie

Generally agree there, it's not just pace, it's physical agility, strength and movement.

Elite football needs that physical strength and agility, this isn't the 90's. I said on here before they are a bunch of robots now, it's all about running, pressing, making space. Players can be coached so runners can have top careers without being skillful.

Carrick is clearly confused about running, just listen to his comments, he doesn't understand where modern football is now. We are in trouble right now. The thing is, win today and suddenly there will be some saying he is the messiah again. He is not, nor is he a naughty boy (refer Monty Python for those that don't know) but is a nice decent man unsuited to be manager.

23 Oct 2026 21:49:26
This won't be popular but I really think they should keep Carrick at least until the end of the season.

None of the available replacements are going to be any better.

We have a s***, threadbare squad.

Who's going to work a miracle and turn them all into world class players?

Let Carrick carry on. Let him learn a bit more and then keep improving the squad.

We currently have zero centre forwards.

Wingers who can't beat a player and get a decent cross in.

A totally new midfield.

A total embarrassment of a defense.

A half decent keeper, who's definitely lost a bit of mojo since the world cup.

No decent back up keepers.

I can't see how changing the manager is going to make the squad better.

Changing the manager tells the players it's not their fault.

It ficking well is their fault most of the time. It's got nothing to do with tactics, systems, or any of that. It's mostly down to them making amateur hour mistakes and giving up..

Keep Carrick. Invest in the coaching setup and structure. Let the players own this s*** show.

23 Oct 2026 22:52:34
I completely disagree RD.
They finished 3rd last year.
There are coaches that can have them better organised.
Timing is good for a new coach to come in in some respects.

24 Oct 2026 00:21:05
Either carrick lays down the law, or we bring jn a coach who will. I don't mean shouting and screaming. I mean tangible consequences for failing to do what is asked.

Problem with carrick is he was publicly saying that poor results we okay, and we were unlucky. He coukd have said it is not acceptable and we need to work harder etc. But he chose to look for all the positives in a loss against 10 men, or against supposed weaker teams. Any loss against anyone is unacceptable. Set a higher standard. show it. Take poor performing players out. Sub players off earlier when they are not performing. Basic stuff. It's not rocket surgery.

24 Oct 2026 04:16:25
They finished 3rd last year with Carrick and the same coaches.

This is the team that started against Como:

Lammens - no issues with him
Mazraoui - consistently not good enough
De Ligt - first game back after a year out, which just shows the lack of depth that we had to put him in
Maguire - Too slow
Dalot - Isn't a left back and is barely good enough at right back.
Tielemans - I think proving to be a weak signing
Santos - has some potential but shouldn't be starting CL matches.
Mbeumo - generally ok
Mount - occasional sub at best. why do we still have him?
Fernandes - not playing well generally
Cunha - totally out of form.

So for a CL match we field a patchwork team that has never played together before as a starting 11, players playing out of position, no recognised striker.

And that's all Carrick's fault?

He's going to make mistakes. He's a young, inexperienced manager. They knew that when they gave him the job.
They must have liked his vision for the team. They must have had good feedback about training.
They must have had good feedback about how he was dealing with players.
Sacking him let's the players off the hook.

If anyone has to go it's Wilcox. If this summer's recruitment was 'the plan' then they should be honest about it, but it looks like it was a botched job.

If Carrick goes, the only managers who we can get in that state 'we want to win trophies' are Conte and Emery. Anyone else is just accepting that at best we're hoping for a CL spot and will settle for a European spot. With them, you can't say the manager wasn't good enough. So go get one then and we'll soon find out it's the players and squa are good enough. The circus will rumble on.

Unfortunately we can't seem to get rid of the owners, which is probably the only real cure.

24 Oct 2026 11:50:47
RD.
I take some of your points i understand where your coming from but i disagree strongly.
He took over a fit squad that had one game a week. Imo the football regressed the more he had them but the results stood up.
They finished 3rd there was a good feeling within the camp.
Since the summer he has made poor team selections. Most of his major decisions (playing rashford playing deligt playing mainoo and teilemans shunting bruno around the pitch ) have all backfired his subs have no impact 7 games without a win players speaking out in frustration.
He has not had things go his way injury wise or recruitment wise but his football is rubbish the plan seems to change game by game.


He is not the man to turn to in a situation like we are in imo.
There is nothing to suggest that he can get is playing better. No positive trends at all.
We need a fresh start.
We need a fire sale in Jan
Bruno rash martinez need to be down the door for good imo.
Wilcox has made too many mistakes so he should also be shown the door. I don't see enough green shoots from any of his work to overlook the errors.
If i were sjr i'd be going down the vivvele naglesmann route.
It is a complete leap of faith and would require a shift in direction on the pitch but imo that is completely what is needed.