Manchester United banter 9

12 Apr 2026 00:51:29
Eds and posters. I too saw Bornmouth against Arsenal, visitors were the best team and i was also impressed with Iraola. That said, although they are in great unbeaten run, recently they weren't great and some results flattered them.
I have two questions: Is there a managers profile for Iraola? Bacause i didn't find one.

And second, because i keep reading that he is like Klopp, is he really the closest to Klopp? Because i think he is a little bit more organised, pragmatic and defensively than the great German. Thank you.

{Ed001's Note - I would say Hoeness was closer, but other than that, yes. Klopp was very organised, that was how he made the press work. It requires a lot of organisation to get it right, which is why so few can get the results he did with it.}

12 Apr 2026 13:11:33.
Iraola has done a phenomenal job at Bournemouth. They aren't a huge team that have the same kind of financial power behind them as many other EPL clubs, but he has got them playing some really good football, especially when you consider that last summer they lost their first choice keeper, both first choice CBs and their LB. This meant they had to replace four of their back five. They also lost a couple of other key players like Ouattara, Billing, Jaiden Anthony and Sinisterra. Then, in January, they lost their best player, and arguably the best player in the league this season, Semenyo.

That's 6 of their first-choice players from last season gone, along with another 3 who were regular players.

That's a lot of disruption, and yet they've managed to ride that out fairly well.



Imagine if this summer we lost Lammens, Dalot, MdL, Martinez, Mbeumo, Amad, Mainoo and Zirkzee, and then had to replace them for less than we got for them.

How would you expect that to impact our season next year?

Iraola has done a phenomenal job in the circumstances. The real question is whether he can scale up his approach to a bigger club. His high-energy, team-focused approach works great at "smaller" clubs, but can he convince the guys on big wages with big egos to put that ego to one side and to run through brick walls, to put the team above themselves? That's the real question with him as a manager: can he take the next step?

12 Apr 2026 13:08:23
Thanks as always Ed001

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}

12 Apr 2026 15:56:03
Shappy, all that is true, but look at McKenna. Relegated last year, he lost a bunch of players, including his best two, Delap and Hutchinson, and yet here they are, storming towards automatic promotion again.

The challenge for Iraola, and the likes of McKenna or Glasner, is: can they cope in the United goldfish bowl? Harry made some interesting comments this week about the club being too big for some players, and I suspect the same is true of managers.



There are some very impressive managers out there doing it at 'lesser' clubs (in terms of pressure), but the risk is they can't handle what is still one of the biggest jobs in football.

12 Apr 2026 21:33:58
Ipswich aren't storming to the Premier League. I have followed them closely to see how McKenna was doing.

They have had more than a few well below par performances, and the Championship is not of a particularly high quality either this year.

Southampton have hit form, and Coventry have been the best team overall, but generally the rest are mediocre.

I really don't think anyone can judge McKenna and say with a high degree of confidence that he would be able to take Utd to the next level.

I am not saying he cannot, just that we don't have enough evidence to judge him on.

Iraola, by contrast, as Shappy points out, has a track record over more than just a single season in the Premier League, despite the severe handicap of losing his best players.

The real problem for any manager, be it Carrick, McKenna or Iraola, is whether the players at Utd are determined enough to knuckle down and work really hard, and follow instructions....

13 Apr 2026 09:03:45
Fair points, Salford, but my wider point was doing it at a 'smaller' club is no guarantee a Manager can deliver at United. Alonson was awesome at Leverkeusen, but was sacked by Madrid. Same story with Nagelsmann.

I genuinely have no idea who we should appoint. I think Enrique would be a great appointment, but beyond that, I just see huge risks.

13 Apr 2026 17:46:20
Nobody will succeed in year 1, and our fans don't like the thought of change or don't understand patience. Whoever comes in needs the 3 or 4 years Klopp, Fergie, and Arteta were given and needed. It's the same story at Chelsea. Very few do what Jose did the 1st time at Chelsea.

13 Apr 2026 21:19:46
Sigh! Another rebuild period. I'll be dead before we have rebuilt at this rate!

11 Apr 2026 16:26:24
If only we had sacked Ruben a few weeks earlier, we might have been in with a shout when Arsenal bottled it. Seriously though what is going on with them?

11 Apr 2026 19:37:49
Think it says all you need to know about Arsenal.

12 Apr 2026 05:30:25
They're allergic to trophies, Grim, and crumble under the slightest bit of pressure. Plus, in their defense, half the squad is only just coming back from injury. ?

I'm all for it. As much as I hate seeing City succeed, Arsenal winning the league would be terrible for the image of the EPL.

In my 30+ years of following football, I don't recall a more boring side to watch, and their set-piece antics are embarrassing.

12 Apr 2026 11:15:06
It's like WrestleMania whenever they get a corner. I watched the game, too, and whenever Bournemouth conceded a corner, you could see them frustrated with themselves, as they knew what was coming.

Box in the GK and start grappling, shoving, pushing... Yeah, it's been successful for them this season, and probably the reason they're top of the league, but it's not the kinda stuff I want to see.

12 Apr 2026 13:20:06
Mikel Arteta spent a lot of time as a player at Everton, and his managerial career suggests that he is more entrenched in that underdog style of management rather than anything he might have picked up under Wenger or Pep.

He plays with four CB's and two CDM's. It's an underdog approach.

If you have a top club that can afford to spend heavily to rebuild the team, then you should be able to get them challenging for titles.

However, it takes a manager with the right mentality to carry that team over the line.

Arteta has a weak mentality, and that bleeds into his team.

The funny thing would be if City beat them to the title, only to get a points deduction, gifting Arsenal the title, and meaning they can't claim to have truly "won" the title.

12 Apr 2026 15:58:30
I don't want City to win it again, but Arsenal are horrible, and horrible to watch. The level of s***hous3ry is staggering, not just the set piece wrestling. If they do win it, I think it will be a hugely unpopular win.

11 Apr 2026 14:54:31
A bit of fun. Youth XI still playing.

GK Dean Henderson
RB Ethan Laird
CB Axel Tuanzebe
CB Micheal Keane
LB Álvaro Fernández Carreras

DM James Garner
CM Kobbie Mainoo
CM Angel Gomes

RW Mason Greenwood
CF Marcus Rashford
LW Alejandro Garnacho

Subs: Kovar, Mengi, Amass, Hanibal, Elanga, Collyer, Bernard, Iqbal. l, Obi? Heston/Johnstone.

Personality and injury issues aside. (That front three. ?)
Not the strongest but not bad.
The point I'm trying to make is; I think the club need to do better with youth players. You can easily see how adding a 8 or so non academy players would make this squad competitive. Eg. Bruno, Martinez, Yoro, Dalot, Sesko, Mbeumo, Cuhna, Amad.

Our youth players haven't always raised the ceiling they raised the floor. John O'Shea, Fletcher, Brown, Butt, P. Neville all raised the floor. Instead we keep spaffing cash on players overpriced depth. Ugarte over Garner?

We have a seriously talented group at U18 group and some 18s in U21. I'd really advocate promoting 2-3 youth for one spot or have a loan strategy create and then investing bigger in key areas.

11 Apr 2026 20:14:59
Absolutely, and these next few windows are the ones to do it because we need to fatten the squad out. Some will make it, others will not, but their profiles will be increased from exposure, and other parties will buy them for more than if we sold them from the reserves.

11 Apr 2026 23:38:50
I think we have a few with good potential to pad out the squad as you say. Sometimes an opening appears and they flourish, often they don't, but find a home elsewhere.
With more games to play, they will get games if they are good enough.

12 Apr 2026 11:18:57
United are way off the other top clubs in this department from what I've seen. These clubs scout thousands of players of all ages, from primary school age, and Lacey and the Fletcher brothers are all we can come up with? Obi has disappeared off the face of the earth, and it looks like we're all waiting for the moment JJ gets a senior call up.

12 Apr 2026 13:15:46
I missed McTominay too.
The academy is doing well.

If we're looking at who could step up and job share from the youth next season.

Harrison as 3rd choice goalkeeper.
Vitek as 2nd choice goalkeeper.
Kukonki as 5th CB.
Jim Thwaites CM/DM.
T Fletcher CM/DM.
J Fletcher CM/AM.
Lacey RW 3rd choice.
JJ Gabriel LW 3rd choice.
Obi CF 3rd choice.
Noah Ajay 3rd or 4th RW/LW.
Ibragimovic - AM/RW/LW.
Jace Fitzgerald - CM.

Kone looked OK, but hasn't fared well on loan.
There's a French kid out there too, but a similar story.
Other players, like Kamason, could kick on too.

12 Apr 2026 16:01:29
Great post, but how many of that team would get in the United team?

Greenwood perhaps (assuming his personal stiff hadn't happened), Rashford at his peak (which he really isn't anymore), McTominay possibly, certainly in the squad.

We have always led the way in developing talent that goes on to have a good career, transitioning them into our own team has been the issue of late.

10 Apr 2026 17:06:06
Evening ED001,

Hope all is good with you. What are your thoughts on the Man United manager position?

Would you giblve it to Carrick if he secured CL football? If not which manager (s) would you go for?

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - personally I would not keep Carrick. He has done a good job steadying things, but I don't see signs of him having the ability to take it up a level. Enrique would be the dream for any team, but realistically I think Hoeness and Iraola are the stand outs.}

10 Apr 2026 19:40:03
For me, Enrique is by far the best option. After that, probably Nagelsmann. If we can't get either of those 2, I'd probably stick with Carrick for now, as I don't see the rest being a major upgrade.

10 Apr 2026 22:17:38
Thanks ED001,

I agree about Enrique. Although, I have a feeling that the club will stick with Carrick.

{Ed001's Note - it is a safe option to stick, but it doesn't feel like the right one for the long term.}

10 Apr 2026 22:55:06
I often think that I should give up with the club for an utter lack of any vision. If they want to stick with comfy slippers, they get what they deserve.

10 Apr 2026 22:41:34
ED001,

He does feel abit OGS.

{Ed001's Note - very much so.}

11 Apr 2026 16:24:39
I don't think many stand out options are available this summer, that is why we might see Carrick ending up in the job.

Agree with Ed, Sebastian Hoeness is the only interesting choice aside from Carrick.

11 Apr 2026 17:28:08
Enrique>Iraola>Carrick.

12 Apr 2026 11:13:58
People said there weren't any stand out options every single time we have needed a management change. Add a name, and there will be some reason he isn't better than the comfy slipper temp or the one we had.

Hell, people defended ETH, saying it. Thing is, every other club in the world manages it. Our fan base and club are far too emotional in decisions. It's time for a very high profile, currently performing manager.

12 Apr 2026 11:50:51
Well said, Red Man!

12 Apr 2026 21:37:16
One question, Red Man, who?

13 Apr 2026 06:53:24
AJH
Said a number of times, Simeone.

Enrique and Nagelsmann would even run the rule over Iraola.

We also still seem to want an all-powerful manager, then get emotionally super-charged about whoever we get, and sacking them becomes a historic event that sees open weeping.

13 Apr 2026 08:17:08
I don't get the hype with Enrique, honestly.

While he is doing well at the moment, we have to take into account a few things.

While coaching Barcelona and PSG, he had some of the strongest squads in football, which we don't have. Furthermore, at PSG, he can rest, rotate and even postpone matches as he pleases, since they are by far the strongest team in the league. Also, people seem to forget how bad PSG were up until January last season, until they "clicked", but the question is, could he allow that bad form in a more competitive league?

His Spain side was terrible to watch, with bad results following that.



And if I remember correctly, he didn't do much at Roma either.

That said, he might have evolved and become a top manager, but I do have my concerns over him.

13 Apr 2026 13:24:30
Simeone doesn't speak English, I think that's a pro bem. Enrique, I agree with him, he's a talent. Nagelsmann had one good spell and little since. As I said elsewhere, I am stumped.

10 Apr 2026 13:26:02
Win against Leeds, and we should be good for UCL. Drop points and we may get a bit nervy in the run in. We've had and eternity to wait for this game, so I hope we show up and do the business with a convincing win on Monday night.

We have not played well in our Monday games this season, so they need to focus and get their heads in gear for a Leeds team getting dragging into trouble at the bottom.

11 Apr 2026 09:34:31
Oh, what happy days if we can have any part in sending Leeds down into the Championship. A state of deep joy will ensue.

12 Apr 2026 11:25:21
Fizz

I don't have the extreme animosity to Leeds of others, don't hate anyone, although the present PM is pushing it. In terms of Leeds, maybe when young in the early 70s, watching Clarke, Mick Jones with arm in a sling in the Cup Final, meant I didn't hate them. Don't get me wrong, my late brother was at the two semi-final battles in 1970; he told me how nasty it was on and off the pitch. Plus, if you ever go to Leeds and speak to Leeds fans, they hate us with an absolute passion, serious hate.

Still, maybe I think big cities with one club deserve a Premier League team more than a Burnley, even Bournemouth types.
Personally, it's Liverpool and City I don't like for different reasons.
We have to win tomorrow. If it sends Leeds down, fine.
Actually, I think it would be funnier to see Spurs go down. Don't hate them or anyone, but it would be spectacular to see the fallout.

10 Apr 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Zeddicus has posted a new article entitled, From Rush to Slot: A Supporter’s Breaking Point

08 Apr 2026 21:39:29
What's amazing is that Diego Simeone and his son are manager and player!

09 Apr 2026 19:06:47
Why is that?

09 Apr 2026 20:29:50
I didn't want to ask. ?

09 Apr 2026 21:44:32
Crazy statement.

10 Apr 2026 07:26:31
Me neither, Ken. ?

10 Apr 2026 13:53:43
The only real point is that the manager getting his son through to the first team takes some doing, as does the son getting there with his father as boss, having to avoid every pitfall and potential accusation in relation to nepotism. It says a lot for the skill and character of both, given it appears to have been successfully managed.

10 Apr 2026 15:19:51
He is a little mini me. He plays like his dad did, super aggressive and a very tidy player.

10 Apr 2026 16:23:36
There have been a few during the Premier League era;

Steve Bruce and his son Alex.
Harry Redknapp and Jamie.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Darren.
Brian Clough and Nigel.
Gordon Strachan and Gavin.
And of course more recently,
Darren Fletcher and Jack (pretty tenuous but factual! Also, Tyler was unused sub).

Don't think many managers would play their son without discussing the matter extensively with his management team, and the son would no doubt have to have stood out to avoid the obvious favouritism allegations.



Most of the above examples had reasonable careers, a couple of standouts in Redknapp and Clough, but seems to be pretty acceptable success rates.

07 Apr 2026 17:14:04
I wonder will potential penalties / sanctions against City will impact players going there if they were deducted 12 or 20 points for next season or refused entry to Champions League?

08 Apr 2026 07:50:56
It would depend on what the exact sanction was. Refused entry to next year's Champions League, and then a 20-point deduction in next year's Premier League. You would see players questioning going there, as that is likely 2 years out of the Champions League.

For one year, it would likely not impact them too much, but for the top players, Champions League seems to be a huge driver for club choice.



Could they actually receive a transfer ban as part of it?

I am yet to be convinced they will receive anything, although so-called people in the know do seem to be discussing it more as possible.

08 Apr 2026 15:15:29
There's a lot potentially at risk for players going to City. There are fairly strong rumours Pep will be leaving in the summer. In addition, there are reports today that the rulings could be finalised in weeks, which you would assume will coincide with the end of the season. Players will wait to see what Pep does, and what the sanctions are, if any, before they commit.

However, if the sanctions are light, and Pep gets replaced really quickly, they still offer massive wages and a huge opportunity to win titles. So let's hope they have the book thrown at them, and all their titles revoked.

08 Apr 2026 15:40:43
Didn't seem to bother Guehi or Semenyo, Rewz.
Why we try and 2nd and 3rd guess what other people we don't know will do is beyond me.
We don't know if they have clauses in their contracts which would give them comfort if the worst happens to City. There are endless possibilities.

08 Apr 2026 18:14:05
I've said this for a while now, Ken. Any player signing for City, post charges being laid, and not having a clause in their contract that allows for immediate release from said contract, should those charges stick. They need a new agent, like yesterday. I would be gobsmacked if Guehi and Semenyo don't have that at the very least.

08 Apr 2026 18:31:05
Anybody who would offer that contract under any circumstance for the money in question would be a fool. City won't have offered that at all. Nor would it be asked for with any credibility.
They won't have an instant release from the contract, but I'd imagine a release clause if someone meets a certain fee.

08 Apr 2026 20:59:12
Nothing will happen to City or it would have happened already, Everton, etc.

08 Apr 2026 22:28:38
City seem to stick piling young players. I can see them getting a transfer ban, and they are already aware that it will happen.

Obviously, that is just my suspicion.

08 Apr 2026 23:10:57
I couldn't care less about if they get sanctioned.
If they do, then great, it will set them back a bit. If they don't, we just have to get on with it. Rise to the challenge. Life is full of what appear to be injustices, I hope this isn't one, but if it is, victory when it comes will be sweeter.


Life she Pep will be tough enough for them, so anything on top of that will see them take a few steps back, I think.

09 Apr 2026 10:51:04
City can also appeal any sanctions, which would then delay them being imposed. My gut feeling is that they will get a fine and a suspended transfer ban for 2 years.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if City managed to sign players before a ban was imposed. They could spend big and receive a year's ban. It wouldn't be too harmful for them either.

09 Apr 2026 12:07:19
I would love to see them get hammered and expelled from the league to start over from non-league football. However, I feel that if any punishment is likely, it would have been done ages ago as per Everton etc.
Cheating.

10 Apr 2026 08:19:07
One of the main charges and allegations against City, as I understand it, relates to what may have been alleged as fraudulent recognition of revenue from sponsors that happened over multiple financial years. In business, if found guilty, companies may be asked to reconstitute each financial year's accounts to what they should have been by correcting the revenue numbers. By doing that, each season could be reviewed to see whether they were compliant with that season's regulations, and what impact that would have been on spending on players, purchases, and wages. The decision, which is more fluffy, is whether they would have won what they did in those years.
Punishment could then be decided by looking at the impact on each season.

Therefore, a large one-off points deduction doesn't seem to match the alleged offences if they are proven. A large one-off points deduction is easier to administer, however, and I suspect one that relegates them might be seen as appropriate punishment, plus I would imagine a very large financial penalty. We have no idea if they will be found guilty, but if they should be, it points more towards huge financial fines and removal of whatever silverware in each of those years that was gained because of the financial activity.
That is a huge amount to consider, and would take a long time to review, which is what we are seeing.

13 Apr 2026 17:27:08
40-60 points will do it. Relegation, then minimum 2 years in the wilderness. Also reimbursing all clubs that missed out by being placed one place higher in the league, and compensating for lost earnings and European places for each qualifying year.

07 Apr 2026 10:49:25
Harry Maguire signs new one-year contract at Old Trafford.

He has been solid for Carrick recently and is a good character in the dressing room. He certainly has his critics here but I don't think this is a bad move.

07 Apr 2026 11:23:02
One more year is acceptable, but this is the last one.

07 Apr 2026 12:24:41
Booooo!

07 Apr 2026 14:01:16
Deserves the contract, dropped and hammered by the fans. Didn't let it get to him, got his head down and got back into the team. That is the mentality every United player should have.

{Ed025's Note - to be fair Grim he is the best centre back you have mate..

07 Apr 2026 14:07:31
Don't have any issues as long as we aren't making him our no1 choice and have to rely on him for most of the season.

07 Apr 2026 14:48:40
Absolutely the right decision. We have too many gaps to cover in one window, and this will allow for the CB position to not be an urgent need, dependent on what happens with Martinez/De Ligt.

I would expect to see Yoro get more minutes next year, and more games to go around for everyone. We will definitely need a solid 4/5 for this position.

07 Apr 2026 14:59:44
Considering the wild range of possibilities for when de Ligt is going to play again, and if he even comes back anywhere near his previous level, and then on top of that, Licha Martinez hasn't played a full season since he joined the club.

This feels like a no brainer.

07 Apr 2026 17:02:37
We needed to retain him for his experience and his character.
Not least, because we should be parting ways with at least 3 of the back line this summer, so we will need some stability.
He is a worthy backup CB.

3/4/5 choice.
I note the contract extension is for at least one more year, so I suspect a rolling one-year extension, providing both parties are happy to continue each season. He will know when his time is up.

07 Apr 2026 19:30:45
It is a 12 month contract with the option for a further 12 months.

07 Apr 2026 23:25:44
I admire Maguire's resolve, but we're not winning a league with him as a regular starter. As a squad player, he does have a role. When fit, de Ligt and Martinez are guaranteed starters, but I think we need another given their injury records, and basically that's because I don't see Maguire as a good enough replacement.

08 Apr 2026 01:48:11
With de Ligt and Martinez's injury problems, that leaves us with Yoro Heaven and Maguire. So keeping Harry was a must, we can't rely on others.

08 Apr 2026 06:51:37
Maybe, when his career ends, he can step sideways. He's made a living out of going that direction. ?

08 Apr 2026 08:49:26
No brainer. We'll need some depth if we're in the Champions League, and a replacement top new CB will cost us £50m+ and the same sort of wages. We have more important priorities this summer. Hopefully Yoro, who has looked better in a back 4, and Heaven will benefit and improve from another year of experience, and De Ligt will get back to fitness.

With Martinez being unreliable, we can't afford to let any of the other 4 leave. We'll still probably need a supplemental one.

08 Apr 2026 11:40:25
Whilst I haven't been a Maguire fan, he has shown the right attitude and mentality to succeed at Utd, which will bode well for the youngsters at the club.

They can't afford to buy 2-3 CM, a LW, 1 xCB, and a LB all in one summer transfer window.

09 Apr 2026 09:35:31
Terrible day of circumstances that we have to give this average Joe a new contract.
Slow and getting slower, not always available.
I agree that it's probably better to err on the side of caution, but it's not ideal at all, imo.


Good attitude, but I won't throw bouquets at him for that.
Ok, been up. Let's hope we don't have to rely on him too much to play, as he won't improve and his best is very average.

09 Apr 2026 10:18:45
Right there with you Tumble.

09 Apr 2026 17:24:31
It's a good deal and Harry is a fine backup. But that was always his level at a club like United.

His attitude is spot on, but his ability isn't anywhere near the standard of previous 1st-choice centre-backs.

Not his fault, and he has taken unfair criticism over the years, but for me, he epitomises all that's been wrong over the years.



Overpaid on inadequate players for the first team and kept them too long. Wasting money and time.

09 Apr 2026 22:14:01
How long into the new season before the usual suspects start banging on about getting his inflated wages off the books?

Gotta admire his self belief, though. He truly thinks he is one of the world's best!

Bless him.

10 Apr 2026 17:13:24
I think he said in both boxes, Keefy, and I think he is right. I was never a big fan of his, never wanted and never rated. But, given the need for midfielders this year, and the injuries to de Ligt and Martinez, renewing Maguire would push the need for two defenders to the next year. Maybe, and I wish it, we can buy one this year and one next.

Without Maguire we are left with Yoro and Heaven as non injury prone defenders.
I am glad he stayed. I also will be glad if there is no need to overplay him because that means Yoro, Heaven, etc. have stepped up. Maguire is for certain matches in which we defend deep because of his lack of speed.

06 Apr 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - LFC-S MANGO has posted a new article entitled, Slot Cannot Be the Only One Blamed

07 Apr 2026 16:28:20
It's Liverpool mango, so no doubt you'll find someone to blame.

07 Apr 2026 16:37:41
Ken. ???