Manchester United banter 8

19 Feb 2026 13:53:55
Mourinho, what a clown. Apparently Vinicius brings all this racist abuse on himself. Seriously, I know he can be erratic but this is a new low, unless he's suggesting he makes it all up.

On a completely separate subject, Alonso hasn't come up in our discussions yet, views?

19 Feb 2026 14:21:39
Jose is doing standard Jose stuff. It's what the Spanish media has done to Vinicius for years. I'm not a fan of trolling celebrations, but he gets abuse because of his skin colour. It's what Ian Wright was saying about Bellingham: if you're black and not completely humble, you're seen as fair game.

As for Alonso, given his ties to Liverpool and his preferred system, I don't see him as an option. Tbh, I suspect that he's waiting for Slot to be sacked.

19 Feb 2026 22:57:24
His mitigation was nothing short of disgusting, and a new low for him.

20 Feb 2026 10:19:16
I hope it was something he said in the moment without fully thinking it through and that he now regrets saying it. The fact that it even crossed his mind and that he thought it was an acceptable thing to say though brings his character into question.

As for Alonso, I think he's a great young manager who achieved phenomenal success with Bayer Leverkusen. However, like all young managers he is far from the finished article and he will make mistakes over the next few years, how successful he becomes will depend on how well he learns from those errors.

I fully understand why he took the Real Madrid job, but most clued in football fans/pundits all thought it could be a mistake when he first took the job. Much like Amorim his success at Leverkusen was built around having the right players who all bought into his system/style of play.
The question at the time was whether he chose the system because that was his preference or whether he chose a system that he thought would get the best out of the players he had available.

He was forced to use a different system at Real Madrid, and while he was effective with how he had them playing, he seemed to struggle with the egos and with getting the best out of their biggest players.

In essence he went from a club where it was team first, players second at Leverkusen to a club like Real Madrid where it's players first, team second.

Which just caused tension and ultimately led to his sacking. His next club has to be chosen very carefully. There will be obvious questions in the media as to whether he goes back to the system he used at Leverkusen or whether he adapts to something new. No doubt he'll have that question in his own head. Ultimately whatever he chooses to do has to be the right path otherwise he'll face the media backlash.

Personally I think at his next club he has to play a system that gets the best out of the players he has available as he needs success more than he needs his philosophy to be proven right. I would say that is the same for Amorim.

However, if he feels strongly about returning to the philosophy/style/system that brought him success at Leverkusen then the best solution is to find a club where the players suit his preferred way of playing. Marrying up both his preferred style with what is best for the players he has.

For that reason I don't think he's the right fit for Manchester United in a post Amorim landscape. He won't be able to use a three at the back system without heavy skepticism from fans and pundits, and would need instant success with it. Likewise if he chose to use a different style and wasn't instantly successful with it then people would question his decision not to go back to what made him successful in the first place. He would also need quick success as his Liverpool affiliation would mean he probably won't be given much slack by the majority of fans.

I still really rate him as a manager, and I would support his appointment if he was given the job (as I would whoever gets it even if it's not my preferred option). However, given how the last 18 months have gone for him and that he is on a slight downturn rather than an upward trajectory, the pressure and expectations at Manchester United, and the limited grace he would be given due to his past with Liverpool, he does represent a risk.

However, history does have a habit of repeating itself within football, Sir Matt was a former Liverpool player and he was a pretty successful Manchester United manager.

20 Feb 2026 12:23:47
Jeez Shaps, it must be school holidays. ?

20 Feb 2026 12:34:03
I don't want to defend Mourinho, but when I heard what he said, I assumed he was saying that Vini Jr was lying about it being racist abuse, and that, in his opinion, Vini Jr is jeered because he's just dislikable rather than it being anything to do with his race. Just because Mourinho can be a prat, I don't think this approach of saying he is condoning racism is fair, or indeed is the correct interpretation of what he was saying.

My interpretation is probably wrong, but I do think everyone should cool their jets. As for Prestianni, Mbappe is verifying what Vini Jr has said. I think he should face a very serious ban. Banning him for the rest of the season would show people that - finally - people are taking racist abuse seriously (that is assuming the allegation stands up, which I expect it will).

21 Feb 2026 07:19:26
Is he only racist towards Vinicius, or towards his ~10 teammates and other Real players as well? Is he racist every day, or just in that one minute where he said SOMETHING (and we do not really know what). I mean, it gets thrown out there so easily these days. To me, it is starting to have the opposite effect. What is racism and what is an insult? If he called him a "monkey", is that racism? What if he called him a "donkey"? Would that be too? What would you call it if he told him he was a little girl? I personally dislike Vinicius, but it has nothing to do with his skin color; it has everything to do with his behavior on and off the pitch.

Mbappe is probably lying; he could not hear what was said. I also would not trust Prestianni or Vinicius, just as Mourinho said.

21 Feb 2026 11:28:32
Can you be a racist if you're not racist to everyone around you, every moment of your life?

Or can you only be racist when you cover your face to say something to a black man, who then says you racially abused him?

If he called him a long established racial slur with the clear historical connotation that black people are less evolved that everyone else, is that racism?

What if he called him an insult without racial connotations, would that be racism?

Who's to say in this crazy world.

Anyway, I think the black people are lying, but that's nothing to do with racial bias.

21 Feb 2026 11:48:50
Trololo, if he called him a monkey that is absolutely racism. It is not the same as calling someone a donkey. That's a shocker of a comment fella

21 Feb 2026 12:32:06
Trololo, go and educate yourself, you donkey.

22 Feb 2026 22:37:22
Tumble, I know its hard for you not to be a horse ass, but try it for once, it just might feel good.

DonRed, it actually is not such a shocker, as you put it.

Where I am from (and I believe where you are from as well), when we joke around or want to trigger a person, or just plain insult him, we use those name callings all the time, especially "monkey", but because we are white, it is not racist?

What I mean is, it can't always be racism, it sometimes is "just" an insult. Especially in football, where you want to trigger someone.

Also, when people insult someone, they often use the first word that comes to their mind, in the heat of the moment.

Im not saying there is no racism in the world, but we really need to make a difference between an insult and racial slur.

23 Feb 2026 14:54:21
Trololo, I get what you are saying, but nobody can live in a vacuum. Calling a black man a monkey is undoubtedly racism. And I do think it's right not to label someone a racist so easily, but let's suppose next week you call a black man a monkey; then that would make you a racist, as it has been pointed out to you. Everybody should be given the benefit of the doubt, and everyone should be given the opportunity to adjust.

But the reason I called your comment a shocker is because it seemed, from reading your post, that you were saying that, even if people continue to engage in this type of behaviour, they should continually get this benefit of the doubt, and that is most certainly wrong.

23 Feb 2026 17:57:29
The guy at the BAFTAs says, Jose, hold my beer. ?

24 Feb 2026 10:18:27
Don, to me, it isn't that simple, it depends on the culture you come from, education you had and what not.

As I said, we use the "monkey" insult to people who behave certain way. So, if a black person comes to our society, and acts in that way, and someone calls him a "monkey" it isn't racism automatically. He still might feel like it, but the insult wasn't meant in that way. The point is, it does depend on your background.

Also, do you expect a 20 year old boy, who probably barely finished high school, and focused more on practice, to have the same education as you?

Not to mention that nothing was (is) proven, but everyone jumped to conclusion. For example, Thierry Henry called him out and told him to man up, although he himself didn't man up when he handballed against Ireland. Yes, it is not the same type of incident, but I hate people giving lectures, when they aren't great themself.

Im sorry, I don't think I wrote anything about condoning repetitive racism, especially since this is Prestiannis "first time" (which still isn't proven).

25 Feb 2026 10:37:29
Trololo, there are multiple campaigns to kick racism out. That is UEFA-wide. You are talking about this as if it is happening in a vacuum, when it isn't. If his claim is ignorance, and he comes out and apologises, and says that he now has learnt his actions were poor, then I'd have sympathy for him. I think we all should allow for people to learn and adapt.

But this isn't what you're saying. I grew up in a very rural area, and plenty of people who didn't progress far beyond primary school. But if any of them called a black person a "monkey", I know full well they'd be called out for it. And that they'd know they were saying something racist.

26 Feb 2026 16:43:49
I do agree with the first part, although we still don't really know what he said, and what I hate most is jumping to conclusions. We suddenly believe Vinicious just because he said it was racism. I can't agree with the second part, perhaps you didn't understand what I was saying. If you come to a totally different culture, which hasn't enslaved black people, and doesn't use "monkey" as a racial slur, but it is still a regular insult in that society, then you can't expect them to just "uninstall" that insult from their vocabulary just because a black person came along.

Doesn't really matter tho, UEFA made their bs decision without any proof and that's that.

{Ed001's Note - Argentina has a culture rife with racism, so not sure you can use that as any way to claim he was innocent.}

27 Feb 2026 09:56:59
I was talking in general, Ed. But even in his case, we don't know if he does or does not understand it, and more than that, we don't even know what he actually said.

{Ed001's Note - it doesn't matter, it just means your defence makes no sense. Any racial slur used would not be out of context, like you are suggesting, as Argentina has a long history (as does 99% of the world) of using those slurs in a racial context. Also, you seem to think that being ignorant of the law would be a defence, which is quite clearly utter bollox. It doesn't matter what culture someone came from, it is the culture they are residing within that decides what it right and wrong. If they are ignorant of the norms of that society, then that is on them.}

19 Feb 2026 11:47:15
I know they only have ten points but the few games i have watched Wolves play this season, they haven't looked half bad tbh.

Mane especially looks like a talent, would not be surprised if we were in for him in the summer when they go down.

19 Feb 2026 12:01:37
DSG, funny you should mention this, I was watching last night and thinking to myself they have a few players you wouldn’t mind taking. I’d take the GK as back up (if he was up for it obvs) J Gomes, Mane and the big fella who came on up front as back up striker.

Think they’ll have their work cut out to keep a lot of their players next season.

19 Feb 2026 14:48:51
Are they really good enough? We need players that are going to go straight into the first 11 and take us to the next level to challenge Arsenal, City, Chelsea and Liverpool.No doubt, Wolves will also want north of 50 million pounds for each of the players that you have mentioned above.They are nowhere near worth that kind of money.

19 Feb 2026 23:22:56
I think Andre is the player we need badly even Ed001 said he would be the better of the 2 Wolves players and I totally agree. He always makes himself available for the defence to play out, and he keeps it simple. Better than Gones in my op.

20 Feb 2026 10:39:18
Wolves will go down this season, and when they do there are a plethora of great players that will be hoovered up by other EPL teams.

Jorgen Strand Larsen has already been snapped up by Palace.

You then have the likes of Jose Sa, Mosquera, Hugo Bueno, André, João Gomes, and Mateus Mané.

While Tom Edozie coming on and grabbing a goal against Arsenal on his debut will mean the hipsters will be keeping a close eye on him over the remaining games this season.

For us there are a few players there we could look at in the summer.

Jose Sa at 33 could be a great back up keeper for Lammens, someone with experience who could help the young Belgian though those inevitable sticky patches that will come.

Hugo Bueno is someone I've been quietly impressed with since Aït-Nouri left for City. He's stepped and in while he hasn't got the kind of assists that Aït-Nouri managed he does create some really good chances that just haven't been put away this season. Not the strongest in the air but generally good defensive positioning. However, that is mostly playing as a wingback, personally I'd like to see how he adapts to playing at fullback before making a move for him.

João Gomes could also be an excellent pick up for us, especially as that second/third midfielder we sign. He is basically everything we hoped Ugarte would be. Aggressive, athletic, covers ground and makes generally good decisions when on the ball. He'd pair well with Mainoo, with both of them bringing things the other lacks.

However, Mateus Mané is the one I'd prioritise from Wolves. He really impressed me when they played us. For an 18 year old in his debut season he is stronger than he has any right to be, so hard to knock off the ball. He also has that scrappy nature where he doesn't shy away from rough treatment, in fact he seems to thrive on it. His ball carrying ability and how tough he is to disposses draws opposition players to him as one Vs one he'll have them on toast. That ability to not only force the opposition to double up on you, and still come out with the ball or finding a way to get it to a teammate really opens teams up and creates space for teammates. He's exactly the kind of player you want/need to breakdown low blocks. Young and homegrown, along with him spending a lot of his youth in and around Manchester just further sweetens the deal. He has also shown great tactical flexibility for Wolves this season playing on the left, the right, up front and in midfield. Wherever he has played he has also been impactful, highlighting a real tactical intelligence.

20 Feb 2026 18:24:30
Yeah Shappy, Mane looks like a guy that will make it to me. Love his attitude, and he has very good ability. I think most of the players you mentioned above will leave. However, Mane will be on less than the average Championship wage. I'd imagine they will see the most expensive 1st and may look to hold on to Mane in order to bounce back up.

If they raise enough from others, I'd be holding on to him if I were Wolves for at least another season if they think he is the real deal. But money talks. Definitely one to watch.

19 Feb 2026 11:00:12
What do you guys make of the Mateus Mané links?

I'm actually pretty excited by them. He's the type of player I love to see us sign. Young, homegrown, strong, quick and exciting, clearly an intelligent player.

We talk a lot about the issues in midfield, and 100% that is where we need to focus our attention first this summer.

Yet if we include Bruno and Mount more as number 10's, that really leaves us with Mbeumo, Cunha, Amad, Sesko and Zirkzee for the two wide positions and up front. Of which Zirkzee might leave and is arguably better suited as a No.10 even if he does stay. We definitely lack som quality in depth in those wide positions.

Now Dorgu might come in and play some games as a winger, that might even be his best position. Yet we still feel slightly light up top, especially if we are going to play an extra 20-25 games next season with Europe and cup runs.

I really like what I've seen from Mané this season. He's powerful and difficult to knock off the ball, he definitely doesn't look like an 18 year old. He can play right across the front line and remains impactful wherever he plays, which suggests he's an intelligent and adaptable. The way he carries the ball and that teams need to double or even triple up on him to try and win it back also makes a lot of space for his teammates. If he was at a bigger club with better players around him then his impact would be greater.

I like the idea of Mané and Dorgu playing on the left, Mbeumo and Amad on the right, with Sesko and Cunha as the striker/false 9 giving you tactical flexibility depending on whether you want a focal point or a more free flowing attack.

That looks to have a lot of really good options, with some great young players who should only get better over time.

19 Feb 2026 14:59:32
Mount and Zirkzee need to be gone by the end of the next transfer window.
Also, we need fullbacks a long time before we reinforce the forward positions again.

19 Feb 2026 22:19:22
Zirkzee for sure needs to move on. Don't see where he fits in our team. As for Mount - time is ticking for him, for sure. Not reliable enough to persist with, as always injured. Technically a brilliant player - one that should consider a move to Italy or a similar league.

20 Feb 2026 10:50:44
Jimbo, if we got rid of both Mount and Zirkzee this summer then that would just leave Sesko, Mbeumo, Cunha, Amad and Bruno in the first team squad to cover the four forwards positions (LW, RW, ST and No.10). Five players for four starting positions isn't even enough for a league campaign, let alone playing in Europe and in two domestic cups. Even if we permanently moved Dorgu forward as a winger, that still only gives us 6 players for 4 positions. Personally, I think Zirkzee will leave, as he's the guy who doesn't have a natural starting position in the team and he's someone we could get money for. I doubt Mount will leave, as his wages and his injury record mean very few clubs will be interested. Also, if he can stay fit he is actually a real asset to the squad.

That would give us 7 players for 4 spots (Bruno, Sesko, Mbeumo, Cunha, Amad, Mount, and Dorgu). Common belief is that you need two players for each position to have the squad depth needed to compete in 4 competitions. This means we would still need one more forward player, especially as Mount will likely miss part of the season injured, Dorgu might be needed at LB, and Bruno's future is not certain. Someone like Mateus Mane would make a lot of sense, as he's tactically flexible enough to cover all four forwards positions, is young enough to be happy to be a rotation option and not start every game, and with Wolves being relegated shouldn't cost a ridiculous fee. Probably something between 30-40m, which should be around what we would get for Zirkzee.

20 Feb 2026 16:31:14
You're assuming we won't promote anyone.

20 Feb 2026 22:17:12
Or indeed, make some squad additions in the summer which are not only inevitable but critical.

21 Feb 2026 03:51:00
I've been piecing together positions for next year, trickle-feeding these front players in as on-topic. This assumes we are competing in 4 comps and go deep into them. If we exit FA and League Cups early, you can drop one of the 4 for each position. Wide Left Matheus Cunha Patrick Dorgu Shea Lacey James Scanlon Wide Right Bryan Mbeumo Amad Diallo Bendito Mantato Enzo Kana-Biyik Centre-Forwards Benjamin Sesko Chido Obi-Martin Gabriele Biancheri JJ Gabriel Immediately, though, I feel that to truly 'compete' the striker position possibly needs something more, but I am happy enough as both Mbeumo and Cunha can, and will, play in that position.

Assume that players who currently play in these positions and are not named should be sold.

19 Feb 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 26 - Quick Round Up

18 Feb 2026 18:14:04
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 26 - Quick Round Up

18 Feb 2026 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, What United Should Look For in the Next Manager

18 Feb 2026 13:36:50
Who on here would have suggested Carrick as our permanent manager when Amorim was being questioned? I'd go as far as to say no one.

We have been short sighted so many times before. In my opinion a few good results (if you call a draw at West Ham and almost collapsing against Fulham good results) shouldn't put Carrick at the front of the list. But this is all about opinions.

I really enjoyed reading your article Shappy. For me I'd be leaning heavily towards Luis Enrique as you suggested. I think he would be unobtainable though and Marco Silva becomes my second option with McKenna third.

18 Feb 2026 15:25:44
I wouldn't have suggested him and I still don't its too early.
I wouldn't suggest mckenna under any circumstance
Nor would I consider Silva.

18 Feb 2026 19:39:36
A lot of people were very happy when we appointed Jose, and ETH, and Amorim. I'm kind of lost what to think now, there are no guarantees whoever we appoint. Enrique is the current flavour of the month but as we have seen on here, we all have different thoughts on who we might want, or more clearly who we don't want.

One thing that is true is that up until last year our recruitment had been bang average, and that's being generous. That hasn't helped any of the Managers we have had, even LVG and OGS were clear they didn't get the players they asked for.

18 Feb 2026 21:41:31
Agree ajh no standout. I wouldn't be too keen on Enrique.
De zerbe intrigues me.
Glad its not tuchel.

19 Feb 2026 07:08:22
Honestly think it’s the worst pool of managers to choose from that I can remember. Not 1 standout. A bit like the standard of players around also just pretty average all around.

19 Feb 2026 08:23:09
JD, it's all about opinions. No manager in the EPL has more points than Carrick since he took the job. He is currently the best manager in the league based on form.

Obviously the old saying is form is temporary, class is permanent, and we still have a lot to see from Carrick before we can safely give him the job.

But right now I see him as being in the driving seat. Managers are similar to players in that they need to find the right club to show the best of themselves. Great players have moved to the wrong club and looked awful, average players have found themselves at the right club and look top class.

Just because a manager has a good CV and has been great at another club that is no guarantee that they would be great at United. We've seen plenty of evidence of that over the past decade.

I've currently got Carrick as first choice because he is actually showing success in the role. If the performances and results drop off then that opens the door to other candidates. But if Carrick goes unbeaten for the rest of the season and finishes 4th or even 3rd then I think that makes it very difficult for the club to pick someone else who is not guaranteed to do better than him, especially as there is little to no evidence to prove they would do better.

There are a lack of standout candidates right now. Probably only Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann neither of which are guaranteed to be available or have even expressed an interest in our club of they were.

Everyone else is probably on a similar level to Carrick, shown promise but ultimately unproven. It wouldn't make sense to replace Carrick with someone at a similar level but would actually be less proven than him in the role.

For me it's Carrick's to lose.

19 Feb 2026 09:50:56
Blackpool, I think it's the result of a shift in how clubs are run.

The all powerful manager who runs the club is a thing of the past, we are seeing more of a shift to a "head coach" model, where the responsibilities of the head coach are far less impactful than that of a manager.

The money involved now means clubs simply cannot afford to give so much power and control to one person, especially a person who is unlikely to stay more than 3-5 years at most even if they are successful, often less than 3 years.

With this new model we are seeing younger managers/head coaches than ever before. Guys in their 30's and in some cases in their 20's in roles that 20 years ago wouldn't have been given to anyone before their were 40 at least. Possibly because innovation is valued higher in a manager now than experience.

Just look around at who is managing some of the top clubs in world football right now.

Alvaro Arbeloa is manager or Real Madrid having never managed at senior level. He took over from Xabi Alonso who was only a senior manager for 3 seasons at one club before taking over at Real Madrid.

Vincent Kompany managing Bayern Munich, not even 40 yet. He had two years at Anderlecht and two years at Burnley which culminated in relegation to the Championship before he got the Bayern job.

Mikel Arteta hadn't managed at senior level when he was given the Arsenal job.

Liam Rosenior had 2 years at Hull and 18 months at Strasbourg before taking over at Chelsea.

Fabian Hurtzler was 31 years old when he was given the Brighton job.

Cesc Fabregas at Como, Inigo Perez at Rayon Vallecano,

19 Feb 2026 10:46:15
Hit send by accident ?‍♂️

Managers like Julian Nagelsmann and Will Still managing top level clubs at the ages of 28 and 30 respectively. Along with many other managers who got top level jobs in their 30's such as Dominic Tedesco, Andoni Iraola, Thiago Motta, Edin Terzic, Sebastian Hoeness, Ruben Amorim, and Carlos Cuesta to add to all the others I've mentioned.

When managers are given reduced control, and they are being sacked sooner and sooner it makes it harder for any of them to cement themselves with the kind of reputation that some of the older managers who were given more freedom to forge.

They had more coaching and life experience by the time they typically started managing at the top level, they were given more time and freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. All of which enabled them to build a stronger reputation.

Younger managers are given less, thrown in younger, and judged more harshly. Which makes it much harder for them to build a strong reputation. Look at Nagelsmann for example, he was one of the best young managers, doing bits at 28 in the Bundesliga. Yet his time at Bayern is considered a relative failure, despite him having one of the highest ever win percentages of all Bayern managers. Despite him being younger than some of the Balon d'Or winners when he took over the biggest club in Germany.

We've got highly talented young managers who are being thrown on the scrap heap as "past it" or "not good enough" who are still younger than Cristiano Ronaldo. Guys who have achieved more in their short managerial careers than people like David Moyes.

Marco Silva is a perfect example, many fans are turning their nose up at him probably on the back of a short unsuccessful spell at Everton (who were in a total mess top to bottom at the time) . Yet he's gone to Fulham and has managed to get them playing some great football, and last season managed to get them to finish with their highest ever points tally.
How many managers can we say in the league are definitely better than him? Pep sure, Glasner and Emery probably (as they have achieved more with not to dissimilar resources), Slot and Howe possibly but hard to tell as both have had clubs with far more resources to achieve more. Think of it this way if Silva and Slot swapped places last season would Liverpool still have won the league? Probably, but would Fulham have managed their highest ever points total with Slot? That I'm less sure about. The rest he's better than, or at least has shown himself to have achieved better than given his resources.

So only the managers of City and Liverpool, along with Howe, Glasner and Emery (who all play far too defensive/pragmatic to be considered for the United job) have shown themselves to be better or possibly better than Silva. The rest potentially could be better, but haven't yet shown it. The one I feel I might be being a little harsh on here is Andoni Iraola who has managed a club on a similar scale to Fulham (and done better than Silva), yet I don't think I say say he's definitely proven himself a better manager yet as he has been fortunate to have some fantastic players at Bournemouth due to their excellent recruitment.

Last season they had Kepa on loan from Chelsea in goal, Huijsen who moved to Real Madrid, Zabarnyi who moved to PSG, and Kerkez who moved to Liverpool, they also have lost Ouattara to Brentford and Semenyo to City (in January) losing 6 of their starting 11 from last season, mostly to top UCL sides. Highlighting the quality of players Iraola has had to work with.

That also ignores that he still has the likes of Petrovic, Sensei, Truffert, Korupi, Evanilson, Scott, Kluivert and the new lad Rayan (who alongside Korupi looks like a future top class player, while Scott is someone I'd strongly consider as a third option in midfield if we can/need to sign a third midfielder this summer) . Can we just have some appreciation for Bournemouth's recruitment. Rayan signed from Brazil in January, 19 years old, and he has 2 goals and an assist in under 200 minutes of EPL football.

As Iraola has had far better players to work with it's tough to say yet whether he's a better manager than Silva (although I suspect he will prove to be in time) .

19 Feb 2026 10:59:03
I have to say, I cannot put my finger on a preference. Given that we have tried many different 'types' of managers, some of whom have been serial winners elsewhere, none have been a success at United.

I can, however, say that I'm very pleased it won't be Tuchel and hope beyond all hope that it won't be Southgate.
Too early (if at all) for McKenna. Stumped really.

19 Feb 2026 22:16:44
I'm not saying Carrick won't be the right choice - he definitely could be, and you make a valid point about current form and finding the right club. I think I'm actually just a bit disillusioned after Amorim was sacked. It wasn't because I thought we were playing great football or that the results were close to good enough, but I did think we seemed to have broken the continuous cycle of changing managers after they lose the dressing room. I sense that wasn't quite the case with Amorim, but either way we are back to searching for a manager when this time there are no exciting options in the market.

Surely the fact there doesn't seem to be a standout must be a worry for us. I do sense the club thought Tuchel was there for the taking and that didn't materialise. It might end up being Carrick, rightly or wrongly, based on a law of attrition. The main worry is that it shows how far we have fallen and the poisoned chalice we seem to have become for managers. They would have been clambering over each other to become our manager 10 years ago.

19 Feb 2026 22:25:53
I don't think Poch can be discounted yet from the conversation.

19 Feb 2026 23:04:57
It's the late arrival that concerns me with all the wc managers. Such little time to prep, Eric. Mind you, Poch will probably be available at training before a lot of our players.

19 Feb 2026 23:08:13
Opinions are fine, Shappy, but to say Silva would probably have won the league with Liverpool last season is an opinion formed on what rationale? That can be nothing more than a gut feeling.

20 Feb 2026 11:08:14
Ken, It's based on the fact that Liverpool won the league last season with Klopp's team playing in a way very similar to how Klopp would play.

Liverpool have dropped off this year due to big changes in the squad and the manager trying to get the players to play in a different style of play to what they are used to.

Marco Silva has a preference for attacking front foot football, he likes to play with quick transitions from defense to attack, and has used both a high press and a mid-block.

Given his preferred style of play, and the squad he would have had at Liverpool last season (that really suited his preferred style) then I think there is no reason to believe he wouldn't have got the same kind of performance out of that squad.

I think Liverpool even with the big changes in their squad this season would also be doing better right now with Silva as their manager looking to play in a way that they all know, enjoy playing and that suits that majority of squad.

Slot seems to be a little too pragmatic for them, he tends to make the "safe" decision, the cautious one. I think that to the players it probably comes across like a lack of faith in them. Especially given how much faith Klopp used to give his players. If the players don't feel like the manager has faith in them then that tends to knock their confidence which lowers their level of performance.

We are seeing that right now at United under Carrick. I was a big supporter of Amorim, but he was too pragmatic, bringing on CB's to see out games, or adding Ugarte to midfield later on in games. That always seems to lead to a drop in performance and often us conceding goals later in games.

Yet Carrick does the opposite, he brings on more attacking players, he doesn't coach cautious play, but how United can hurt the opposition.

The players are the same, we haven't changed the squad. Yet they all seem happier, more confident and are all playing better football. In fact football that we didn't think they were capable of. Things like the quick, and slick one touch rondos we played against the likes of City and Arsenal, leaving their players chasing shadows.

That kind of football is only possible when the players are confident, and to feel confident they need to believe the manager has faith in them.

Which is why I firmly believe pragmatic managers just won't work at United, and probably at Liverpool also.

17 Feb 2026 17:18:37
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, What United Should Look For in the Next Manager

17 Feb 2026 08:09:16
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Sunderland v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

17 Feb 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Loveawaydays2 has posted a new article entitled, Leeds and the Run-In: Can We Reach 40 Points?

16 Feb 2026 23:35:49
I saw an interesting question earlier today.
There are only 10 seats.
Who do you ask to leave the table to give bruno a seat at the united legends table.
Best law Charlton Ronaldo scholes giggs Beckham Cantona Rooney or Keane?
There are others of course but these were the ones that I was presented with.

17 Feb 2026 04:19:36
Legends are additive, no need to take one out. Pull up another chair.

Can't believe Robson doesn't make this list myself, so grab two! Many others who deserve a seat, as you say.

17 Feb 2026 06:14:49
Of those listed, Ronaldo, his best years were post united.

17 Feb 2026 06:58:57
None, Bruno can stand. Those are great players, Bruno is not their level.

17 Feb 2026 08:13:33
If there is no option to pull up another chair, I'm with Red Man.

17 Feb 2026 08:18:05
He can sit on Erics knee or nothing!

17 Feb 2026 12:41:22
Beckham.

17 Feb 2026 14:05:17
Becksss.

17 Feb 2026 14:05:44
Bruno done more then Becks.

17 Feb 2026 15:08:13
Singh he did in his hole????.

17 Feb 2026 15:10:38
I agree no room at the inn. Maybe he could be the waiter
Robson is my fav player if all time so yeah sorry not to see him in there.
I suppose its hard when they have all won multiple titles.
Maybe next year bruno will get his title but it could be a German saudi or spanish one.

17 Feb 2026 15:14:43
Individually Bruno has done more than several of those players mentioned, yet football is a team sport and the others deserve their seats due to what they contributed to us winning while they were here at the club.

If you had to choose it's be either Ronaldo or Becks as both left as they were hitting their prime, while Bruno could have left to join a club that was better placed to win things, but dedicated the peak years of his career to us rather than choosing to take the easier and more trophy-laden route.

In reality though you don't kick legends out, you pull up and extra chair for them.

17 Feb 2026 15:19:27
You are joking Singh? Maybe check becks trophy cabinet and if you think he wasn't integral to utd winning then you can't have been paying attention.

17 Feb 2026 15:50:35
Who tried to buy him shappy? no offers from any top European team in his prime years.

17 Feb 2026 16:57:15
These questions/posts have started to irk me whereas DodgyB's reply is a breath of fresh air!

17 Feb 2026 18:22:57
I watched Beckham and Ronaldo win Champions League titles, Ronaldo was the best player I have seen and I go back to Charlton and Best. The 2008 team was the best I have seen. Bruno has been a good player but is not in any of those players league. Yes Becks and Ron left but I would not swap Bruno for any of them, I wouldn’t have missed 1999 Beckham or 2008 Ronaldo for anything.

Bruno is recent but stats do not mean everything.
In honesty it prompts a conversation but elevating Bruno to the status of those other players is pure folly.

17 Feb 2026 19:39:39
I think the question is that someone has to leave.
At least that's how I took it. It didn't say, pick one to leave unless you think none should leave and then add in loads of nonsense.
As is often the way with this type of question, it goes off on a tangent.
I stand by my Ronaldo comment.


Singh wash your mouth out saying Becks goes before him.
I assume that the question is also on their UTD time only, again that is how I took it.
I also assumed it did not factor in their out of school activity.
If so you could scratch a few from that list.

17 Feb 2026 20:22:02
That is not the question jimbob as it was put to me. If you don't pick someone to get up you don't feel bruno deserves a seat. There is only 10 chairs. No sitting on knees or on the table? whoever made this list obviously they are that person's favourite legends.
Some want a bigger table to be all inclusive.

17 Feb 2026 21:01:51
I think some people forget how good Beckham was. He produced moments of brilliance at this club. Go back and watch his performance in the Nou Camp. He was excellent.

Bruno can make the teas for the rest of them.

18 Feb 2026 12:59:43
None Ken, I think multiple titles amongst for the others all puts them ahead.

Robson is another I'm sad to not see there but also, trophies too few for Robson.

Quite similar the two of them, both in poorer sides despite how great each of them are/were in their own right.

18 Feb 2026 15:21:43
Not similar at all in anyway at all imo.
Robson here longer won more including 2 league titles. Won our 1st European trophy for nearly 40 years.
Bruno will go down as one of our best not to win a title assuming he doesn't.
Just like Norman Whiteside or Ray wilkins.


Grat personal stats but its a team game . Team results will always trump any individual accolades.
As good as he has been for us he will never be named in United best starting 11 and wouldn't make my best 22 man squad.
I wonder will he move in the summer.

18 Feb 2026 16:15:05
That's your opinion ken, I think they are similar in the fact they are both standouts in poor United teams. I think Robson obviously had the benefit of being in those last 2 seasons of SAF's reign when an incredible team was built, he was mainly a squad player used in those last 2 seasons, he was something like 35/36? Most came on a sub if I recall.

Not sure if Bruno will be kept until the age of 36, who knows what we might be able to win in the next few years?

Shame really, would've been brilliant to have won more trophies with him in the side, but it's a different era and this period for United has been very poor. You're right, it is a team game and I don't think that right team has ever been there for him.

His personal stats are out of this world in comparison to some of the 10.

18 Feb 2026 18:02:13
Agree angel his personal stats are fantastic his most impressive one is minutes played and availability imo.
Unfortunately they count for little in a team environment as its the collective that counts.
Robson for is my fav ever player but was not on the list funnily enough of my 5 favourite united players of all time only 2 are on that list.


Stam Robson and Hughes are not in it and scholes and Beckham complete my top 5.

18 Feb 2026 20:11:00
Yeah those are possibly his most impressive.

I just looking at the ever changing managers, formation, tactics etc. Robson didn't have stability till Fergie came and won most of his trophies. On his pomp the team rarely did anything. I wouldn't put that down to Robbo being a poor team player, I put that down to the environment and things not aligning much like Bruno.

Only when Fergie came and offered that stability did he really win anything. And when he won those things he was used very sparingly.

18 Feb 2026 20:55:07
Were you alive? I doubt it.
He won 2 fa cups before fergie which was a big thing back then a LG cup and another fa cup and European cup winners cup in 1st year back in Europe for years under fergie as a mainstay and regular and captain.

then won another fa cup and 2 titles as a more bit part player in his last couple of seasons.

18 Feb 2026 21:10:51
I nearly wrote Sparky as another one missed, but thought he might be a bit niche for the young guns on here. Loved how he played, proper striker. Kanchelski was another. We've been blessed with some cracking players over the years. Rio was a total game changer for is, hardly ever hear anyone mention him in these lists.

18 Feb 2026 21:54:25
That Cup Winners Cup team was all British, plus Denis Irwin, and included 7 English players, its a lifetime ago but still seem recent to me.