Manchester United banter 5

06 Sep 2026 16:11:56
Another dodgy performance from United. At least it wasn’t a loss!

Average of 2 goals conceded a game so far, won’t get far doing that.

So many of the players are bang average. No idea how Dalot keeps getting picked, shocking. Nice cross from Shaw. But both full backs drive me made, they never want to rush out to a winger and stop a shot or cross. And with how our back line and keeper deal with crossed they should maybe try and stop a few.

Playing with no striker and instea Cunha floating about doesn’t work. Cunha is usually everywhere apart from inside the box.

The keeper wasn’t great today. Clueless as to why he punched that easy shot away instead of catching. I was never on the band wagon of him being the answer in goal. He gets away with a lot due to being fairly cheap and not a complete idiot like Onana.

But if you’re honest, he’s not a top level keeper. You rarely win anything without a world class keeper, and he’s not that. Maybe he will be in 4-5 years, but not yet. However, he’s not helped by the headless chickens playing right in front of him. Conceding 18 shots to Everton is a disgrace.

No kind of any plan. Slow, slow and slow just like all the other games. The only time you see any kind of urgency from United is when they are behind, which we are likely to see quite often this season based on the first 3 games.

They need to get it together, and soon, or some of the better teams will have a field day against them.

Fingers crossed they put in a better performance in mid week.

06 Sep 2026 16:30:32
Was screaming all game for fullbacks to overlap. Shaw did a handful of times, and got a really good assist. Dalot is pure s****! Didn't do anything all game, as usual. Poor management after taking the lead twice, did not take control and kill the game at all. Cunha was poor today too. Very disappointing result.

06 Sep 2026 16:31:43
You can add how the full backs don't make overlapping runs to support our wingers.

I think 4-3-3 would work better. One thing that is concerning is a lack of plan B. It's like watching Southgate's England team today.

06 Sep 2026 16:32:17
That's another game where we have failed to hold on to a lead... It's happened a lot over the past few years, so it's no surprise. The common theme is that back 4! Just no composure, and they just look panicked at the end of games.

But, hey ho, the board don't think it's a necessity to invest in that area. Lots of work to do. PS Sesko has to start now, Cunha doesn't work upfront.

06 Sep 2026 16:33:33
Conceding 2 a game is a big worry for the season ahead. We're so poor out of possession. Teams harass us, get in our face... we just stand off relative to the effort the opposition show.

Subs were poor, just hold onto possession rather than defending deep and lumping it long.


Thought the whole point of our midfield rebuild was so we could control games with press resistant pass masters. So far 3 dross teams have scored 2 against us, and we've failed to control the game. Ipswich was a deceiving scoreline.

City up next, which I'm really not looking forward to.

06 Sep 2026 16:36:13
Lose to City next week, and we are 8 points off the pace after 4 games, but it's ok. Shappy says we are over reacting.

06 Sep 2026 17:18:41
The results and performances need to get better. And soon. Watching the Arsenal and Chelsea game, when United play these, it could be a cricket score.

06 Sep 2026 17:21:52
Agree, Fallguy, I'm genuinely worried about playing the big teams.

06 Sep 2026 17:32:48
Well, we won at the Emirates last season, so not sure why it would be a cricket score this season. This Arsenal game is manic because there was an early goal and Chelsea are good this season. We will get better. We were pretty unlucky today.

06 Sep 2026 21:20:11
Maybe because we look worse than last season so far, GDS2.

06 Sep 2026 23:07:03
Damn, now we are blaming Lammens. ? This fan base gives me the ick.

06 Sep 2026 13:22:39
Same back four today as Ten Hag’s first league game as manager.

06 Sep 2026 16:02:35
Utd are cheap nowadays.

06 Sep 2026 10:13:39
I may not get to see the game today, hey ho.

This is a game we should be winning. Mainoo is restored, we had a confidence building win last week creating a lot of chances, Everton had a horrible window and we need to go and dominate.

Our continuing issue is our away form, at home we have been very strong.

I am hoping Hull was a freak result and today will help us see where we are, everyone back, hopefully all fit and sharp now, I want to see energy and desire.

Predictions? I'm saying 3-1 to United.

06 Sep 2026 11:56:32
1-1. Hope I'm wrong.

06 Sep 2026 12:03:46
2-2

Everton away is always tough, no matter what they are going through. The crowd will be up for it, and Moyes will get them fighting.

United will create chances, but United's shaky back line will give up chances.

06 Sep 2026 12:09:19
Shame you can't get to see the game, hope you have a letter of excuse, Tony!

This is the type of game that can be worrisome, I think Everton will be mega pumped simply because of what happened on the last day of the transfer window.

Also, because they are playing us! It always gets them going.

You mention Kobbie, interesting numbers here. Since the start of 25/26 season we have played 40 league games.

Results are as follows:

With Kobbie starting-----Without Kobbie starting

Games 17 23.



Won 13 8.

Drawn 3 8.

Lost 1 7.

Goals for 37 37.

Goals per game 2.17 1.6.

Goals against 18 36.

Goals against per game 1.05 1.56.

Points per game 2.47 1.39.

Win % 76.4% 34.7%.

Loss% 5.8% 30.4%.

You could well say the figures speak for themselves!

Don't think it will be easy, but I do expect a win. Happily take a 1 goal margin.

06 Sep 2026 12:22:21
I think Barry's speed could be an issue for us today against our CBs. I'm hoping last week was a blip from Shaw, but he's going to have a tough day if Johnson starts, as he's in the top ten fastest recorded speeds. I think, if we play well, 2-2.

06 Sep 2026 12:38:47
Everton away is never easy, and Moyes will have them tough to break down. What we really need is an early goal. The longer that Everton can keep us out, the harder it will get for us to score.

Going forward, Everton have lost both Beto and Ndiaye late in the window and they weren't able to replace them properly.

The threats will come from Grealish, Johnson, Barry and Dewsbury-Hall. Johnson and Barry have pace in behind, and Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall are dangerous with their delivery from set-pieces, crosses and through balls.

For us, rather than trying to keep pace with Barry or Johnson, we might be better suited to looking to cut the ball in behind out at source. Ultimately, it doesn't matter if they can outpace us if the ball never gets through for them to chase.



It'll be a tough game, and we'll need to play with concentration and real attacking intent.

As with all our games this season, I am fairly confident that we will score, but less so that we will not concede.

Unless we have a mare, I don't see Everton scoring more than 1 or 2 goals at most, they are lacking strength and depth in the forward areas. So it'll come down to whether we can score 2 or 3 goals at least to take the win, and to score 3 or more goals against a David Moyes Everton side I would think we will likely need an early goal in the first 15 minutes or so to disrupt their game plan and force them to come out a little bit more and give us the space to punish them and get a couple more goals.

06 Sep 2026 13:02:41
AJH,

Good post. Unfortunately, Everton have been a bit of a bogey team for Utd. They always seem to save a performance for a Utd Everton match.

Would I be surprised for Everton to win? No.

06 Sep 2026 13:32:58
They will probably park the bus. It would help if we could score early, but even then, we're not renowned for our solid defense.

06 Sep 2026 13:34:33
2-0 Everton.

06 Sep 2026 13:56:18
Mad Hatter, not sure that's tru3, I read somewhere they rarely win against us.

06 Sep 2026 16:12:55
Well called, Fallguy.

06 Sep 2026 17:34:01
I don't think we've lost against Everton away for about 6 years.

06 Sep 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - EHL2020 has posted a new article entitled, SFA Youth Minutes Plan Feels Like a Quick Fix

05 Sep 2026 21:07:40
It seems Louie Bradbury got his Stoke career off to an interesting beginning (see below).

He made his debut for Stoke's U18s this morning against Man City, a very strong start for him by scoring a debut hat trick.

Only problem was City scored eight! Stoke lost the game 3-8. What a way to start!

05 Sep 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

04 Sep 2026 21:09:05
If there was a competion where players represented the league, would the Premier League win?

What would everyone's PL team be?

Only 2 players allowed from any one club.

Here's mine: 433.

Allison
R. James, Van Dyke, Gabriel, L Hall
Rice, B. Fernandes, Tonali
Doku, Haaland, M Rogers

(I really struggled for a LB once I ruled out Calafiori.)

04 Sep 2026 23:14:16
VVD is no longer an elite player.

05 Sep 2026 08:05:29
Raya
Porro, Saliba, Vvd, Hall
Caicedo, Anderson
Palmer, Cherki, Bruno
Haaland.

05 Sep 2026 14:57:34
Several close calls, like Anderson, Mbeumo, and others I didn't include, but this is what I ended up with.
Raya
Timber, Saliba, Murillo, Hall
Caicedo, Szoboszlai
Cherki, Bruno, Gibbs-White
Haaland.

05 Sep 2026 15:03:23
Donred, 3 Arsenal players?

05 Sep 2026 18:49:59
He's always at it, Dodgy! Bit of a cheat, is old Don. I'd say he goes out with 6 lads, has 5 pints and disappears off home when it's his round. ?

05 Sep 2026 20:47:39
Don't know why my responses weren't posted! I was looking to swap Allison in for Raya. Should have had him in there from the off, in fairness. Important to get whatever edge you can, though, Ken!!

06 Sep 2026 01:49:03
I was lazy and asked AI:

David Raya, Arsenal - 2 Clean Sheets.

Nobel Mendy, Hull City - 23.4 DA, 15.4 Clearances.

Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal - 1 Clean Sheet, 2 Assists from progressive overlaps.

Jacob Greaves, Ipswich Town - 9.6 Clearances, Blocks, Interceptions, & Tackles per 90.


Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United - 3 Goals, 1 Assist (Joint-Top Scorer).

Cole Palmer, Chelsea - Top projected FPL xG, xPts for midfielders (36.5 xPts).

Phil Foden, Manchester City - 2 Assists & high shot-creation actions.



Rayan Cherki, Manchester City - 2 Assists, elite final-third chance creation.

Erling Haaland, Manchester City - League leader in Expected Points (40.1 xPts), Golden Boot favorite.

Alexander Isak, Liverpool - 3 Goals (Joint-Top Scorer).

Cody Gakpo, Liverpool - 3 Assists, 1 Goal (League Assist Leader).

I would never have put two Liverpool players in there, but maybe the unemotional machine knows better than we do.

06 Sep 2026 10:47:38
3 City players, DB.

06 Sep 2026 12:14:59
Assuming everyone is fit.

Raya.

Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Califori.

Caicedo, Rice.

Bruno.

Semenyo. Haaland, Cherki.

Or you could just put Bruno and Haaland in the Arsenal team and be done.

06 Sep 2026 13:45:28
Lol, and that is why you can't trust AI.

I would play Mainoo in place of forensic. Because I recognize you actually need midfielders to compete, even though attacking midfielders might have better stat padding potential.

06 Sep 2026 20:34:57
I don't think you understood the mission, Fallguy.

04 Sep 2026 13:16:47
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

04 Sep 2026 21:16:58
Reading this i was thinking about the brilliance (as you say) of Gibbs White. I too agree he is a very goodz or potentially top player. Ed001 and posters, do you think he can be the long term replacement for Bruno ; I think he was supporting us when he was a child

{Ed001's Note - he is probably the best possible option as of now to do so. That is a good shout that.}

05 Sep 2026 07:36:22
His contract expires 2028. I think he will move next summer. I'm not sure whether Utd will try and develop Lacey this season, with a view that he could replace Bruno long term.

I was surprised MGW didn't go to the WC.

05 Sep 2026 13:10:02
Thanks Ed001. Do you think he would be a good addiction Mad Hatter ;

05 Sep 2026 18:52:20
I think he is a super player, Heaven. Great attitude too. His delivery from wife areas is top class. Very underrated imo by many.

05 Sep 2026 19:48:10
I think we'd all like to see his wife areas.

05 Sep 2026 19:56:04
I agree, Ken, although he must make the next step, I think, if he is to be the Bruno successor.

06 Sep 2026 06:42:35
Heaven,

He would definitely be up there as a choice to replace Bruno, especially if he doesn't sign a new contract. I've always been impressed with his work ethic and eye for goal.

03 Sep 2026 20:37:04
Talking of signing free agents, what about Carvajal? Obviously 34 now, but experienced and arguably still an upgrade on our right back options.

04 Sep 2026 01:39:19
Hasn't got the pace to live with flying Premier League attackers.

04 Sep 2026 10:07:57
And the rest of our back line do?

04 Sep 2026 10:37:51
JD, Maybe not, but adding another player lacking pace into a league that is faster and more physical than what he has previously played in is probably not the best idea, especially when that player is 34 and doesn't have the time on his side to adapt.

03 Sep 2026 17:33:45
We invested all our money in one position - because Mainoo has shown that he will be started unless we are resting him.

So what we spent in fees is for one new starter, plus 3 backups (2 midfield and 1 keeper) - which critically provide depth in a year where our games total will increase dramatically.

We then invested in another backup left winger who will possibly barely ever play.

Then there is Rashford. He undoubtedly has talent, but the club could look weak if it blows up with him during the season.

Frustration abound from many fans, but I think the most obvious issue is that we look over stocked in some areas of the squad and threadbare in others.

Many hoped this would be addressed, but without outgoing we seem stuck.

I think Zirkzee and Rashford staying shows us our current issues. So too the pathetic fees we took for those who left - see Toby Collier as an example.

Some interesting benches to come, where some players are going to miss the match day squad because we need balance on the bench. Can Carrick keep everyone happy and harmonious? Will Rashford and Amad, or Cuhna and Sesko happily sit on the bench?

We do look more stable in the team due to lack of movement in the squad. For our season I feel this 3 or 4 month period we need to be pushing towards the top of the table, before other teams settle down.

03 Sep 2026 18:34:11
I have no problem with bringing in 3 mids. You need a minimum of four good options to compete in more than one competition. Midfielders need the most rest, so rotation is key to avoiding injuries.

I think that one or more of the attacking players will get frustrated before Christmas.

We have 5 players that expect to be starters competing for 3 positions, and Dorgu in the mix too.

My opinion is that, when everyone is fit, Rashford should stay on the bench unless his form is world class. He has already checked out of the club, and we need to make sure that the players who are part of the long term plan are kept happy.

03 Sep 2026 19:33:55
The midfield options we have now are going to change this team imo. More control and more ability to progress the ball to our top 4, who have enough quality to do damage.

I know it was only Ipswich, but 5 goals scored last weekend is something we haven't had in 5 years, and I believe more shots than we have had in 10 years or something.



We will be okay, I think.

This is a gradual build. Unfortunately.

03 Sep 2026 19:35:24
Would give the window a 6/7 out 10. Signed 3 good to very good midfielders for reasonable prices, and I assume reasonable wages.

The strategy of fixing the attack last summer, midfield this summer, and defence next summer makes sense and is logical.

Just think not signing a backup left back is pretty ridiculous, tbh.

It was only two years ago we had to start Andrew Tate at left back in the Champions League. Also, I do not believe any of Martinez, Dorgu or Baleba could play there for a significant period if Shaw gets injured.

03 Sep 2026 19:37:54
I think I read somewhere, in the limited minutes Rashford has played so far, he has already given the 2nd best stats for chances created in the league.
Not a chance that Dorgu gets in front of Rashford, that's for sure. I don't see anyone else in this squad dislodging Rashford either.

If you like him or not is irrelevant, really, and is clearly clouding judgement. If he is producing, he plays, no matter if world class performances or not. That's ridiculous.

03 Sep 2026 21:22:36
Dorgu scored a great goal for Denmark, coming off the right. He might be more versatile than some give him credit for. Thus far this season, including during the friendlies, he seems to have stopped playing with his head up, but hopefully that will change. He's been going for the spectacular every time, when a pass would be the better option.



The issues around the transfer window have been done to death. There's pretty much unanimous agreement that we needed to strengthen the LB and possibly the right back. There's some who doubt the relative quality of our new midfielders. I guess all of this will be settled one way or another by what goes on on the field.

03 Sep 2026 21:35:19
I said we should trust in the management and listen when Wilco said judge us at the end of the window. Whilst I disagree with the vitriol of Red Man and Twenty, I agree they let us down badly.

Yes, I agree we needed three midfielders, because Carrick had tested a whole range of the academy players several times and, sadly, they're not up to the task as of yet. That doesn't mean another fringe year won't see improvements, but those who were coming through like Collyer, Moorhouse and Fletcher aren't there yet. Collyer missed his chance.

But to ignore a back up for Sesko and a left back is just negligent, and I do have to concede that those who claimed that we made the ECL and the owners would wing it — I have to begrudgingly agree that's definitely the result. It's a 4 out of ten for me and no more. We sorted the midfield and I don't agree we needed showstopping megabuys, as we have seen across the window; it so very rarely works out that the top price was the bargain. We saw that with Pogba. It seems to bring arrogance, complacency and a lack of desire, a mentality of 'ah, I've made it', and there's a drop-off almost always before any catch up and especially for any advance.



But that aside, they absolutely could afford to and should have sought another striker and another LB. They let us down badly. Very badly. And proved they're not to be trusted. I believe they improved in approach and negotiation to bullying and also applaud not to repaying, but our sales unit is utter garbage, incompetent still, and the owners failed to support the manager and have set up yet another manager to fail who made great strides. Same errors. One thing they categorically do still fail at despite the claims of having a plan, bcde is to have a failsafe loan with option negotiated for key positions earlier in the window to take the pressure off and maintain momentum. Failing to do so does seem to support the idea they talk a good game and don't back it up. Making Rashford and Zirkzee the fall guys for their own lack of competence or diligence is cowardly. I'm no fan of either, but our woes are not of their making; it's entirely on Wilcox and Barrada.

04 Sep 2026 00:37:11
They should drop Shaw and have Dorgu operating as a hybrid LB/WB.

That probably works well with Cunha in front of him, as between them they'd cover the yards required in both directions.
Rashford has to prove he is up to that.

If he is not, we end up with having Rashford as an out and put LW and Shaw as a dedicated LB. That is very predictable to play against, and limits our attacks to the centre and right hand side, to a degree.

04 Sep 2026 09:10:38
We can all agree that we could have done with bringing in LB/ST, whether as cover or first team.

That being said, I think the additions that we have brought in, alongside the players from last summer, will give us a good core to the squad, and, assuming they gel and we see the second half of the Ipswich game as the norm, we should have a good season.

Midfield - we definitely needed 3 additions, and now have a core that can rotate and offer different options.

Rashford - I did not want him back, but now he is here he needs to be viewed as an option to start/sub the same as the other players.

If he is performing and we are better with him in, play him... If not, have others play. We will see how he goes, and if it does not work out, he will be moved on next year.

LB - I am hopeful that Amass will be our cup LB and we get to see if he can develop. Whether he sees much league action over Shaw/Mazroui/Dalot, I am not sure.

Zirkzee - I hope he gets his head down and we can utilise his obvious talents. Whether this is as Sesko replacement (will need runners) or as a second striker in games.

04 Sep 2026 12:19:05
Fwiw, we were unable to move as many players as we thought (Ugarte, Rashford, Zirkzee) and got a pittance (as usual) for many that we did. That meant the club couldn't do more, and made some choices re prioritization. We may agree or disagree, but it's what it is and won't change stuff.



What I am looking forward to is whether the coaching and medical teams can make a difference in how much we can get out of this squad. I am (still) cautiously hopeful. ?

04 Sep 2026 18:09:12
Urgarte and Zirkzee - we wouldn't have bought additional. With amortised book value it wouldn't have brought much in profit.
Rashford is pure profit. So his wages gone and 20-25 million wouldn't get you much.

04 Sep 2026 18:54:45
I really don't buy the argument that the lack of sales financially prevented us from making further signings. Our net spend was lower than two of the promoted sides. I don't believe for a single second that adding a left back would have tipped us over the ffp line.

Our spending in this window is completely down to the decisions of the club and nothing to do with falling foul of the rules.

The club decided that their top targets, Anderson and Fernandes, were overpriced. They shifted to cheaper targets. Fair enough, good players were brought in. I have no problem with that.

My issue is that the club completely f'ed up the left back signing. I think they expected to sign Hall, and didn't prioritise negotiations for him. By the time they decided to make their approach, Newcastle had already sold a number of key players and were under no financial pressure to sell Hall. Despite the club deciding that Newcastle's valuation was too high, they dithered about bringing in an alternative. By the sound of things they only looked at loans without an obligation to buy. The expectation being that they'd sign Hall next year. This strategy didn't work, and the window closed without a left back.

Last weekend, even Carrick was saying that our transfer business wasn't done. Despite all the noise about having proper football people in charge, we ended up scrambling about on deadline day trying to solve problems that were evident before the window opened. This isn't to do with concerns over breaching rules, it's solely about what the people running the club are willing to spend, and this summer says a lot about their inability to back their talk of title challenges with cash.

04 Sep 2026 19:28:25
Who cares, the windows shut. This is the squad at least until January.
Let's get on with it and hopefully some of them might surprise us.