17 Sep 2026 21:21:38
As mentioned bringing in Conte and there would be carnage because he does not take prisoners. In one sense it's exactly what we need but I have two reservations
Firstly that he doesn't usually bed in younger players from the academy and secondly if he feels the club won't back him after several months he might easily walk away leaving us in an even worse mess
Would Wilcox and the others be able to put their own egos aside and do what Conte wants?
17 Sep 2026 21:39:30
Conte and Mourinho are very alike. Immediate dividends, lots of money spent to get there without much investment in youth, and it they burn their bridges in season 2-3. It doesn't seem a ride United would go on but what a ride lol :D
If anything does go pear-shaped in the next month I guess it's Eddie Howe isn't it? Just hoping perhaps in vain that those good vibes Carrick had in the tail end of the season can return. We weren't playing well, but the results were there which is a decent enough sign. It's quite staggering to see what's happened in a short space of time.
I have never felt any ill-will towards Rashford but his return has definitely mixed up the balance somehow.
I look forward to seeing how Baleba can affect this team. Seems to be a lot of resentment towards Tielemanns on here. I was excited by his signing but he's looking off the pace at the moment. Not sure what Santos brings other than potential and another body in the ranks. Should probably have kept the cash in the kitty for the January sales IMO.
17 Sep 2026 22:01:46
Howe?? Won nothing his teams played ok but not a lot more than that.
Disagree Spenno about Tielemans. He is used to playing in a well coached team where each player knew his role and took responsibility unlike this current United team who are a team of individuals who often lack fight.
17 Sep 2026 22:05:15
I really hope it's not someone like conte. He wouldn't last the season before walking out in a strop.
Eddie Howe is ok, but not great. He had Newcastle playing some high tempo football, but not sure he can lead a team to the top. But that might be ok for a few years as United are light years away from the top at the moment.
I'd prefer they went with someone who can build something. Amorim was almost right, and I think if he didn't try and play 3 at the back and say some silly things he might have done a little better.
I reckon someone like Sebastian Hoeneß would be worth looking at.
17 Sep 2026 22:51:13
If your the board/owners and your choosing Howe you know they lack ambition. I don't think he's the one imo. They will take the easy option. 1-2 years back in the same position.
18 Sep 2026 10:09:55
Oh I don't fancy Howe either Salford. But the pool is quite shallow. The days of secret meetings between Fergie and Pep regarding his successor are long gone. I think I'm probably on the shortlist!
18 Sep 2026 10:42:18
The problem many fans suffer from is allowing their emotions to rule their head. Getting frustrated with performances and allowing that frustration to cloud their judgement. Wanting a manager who'll come in and "take no prisoners" almost like it's a punishment for underperforming. Some might even feel a level of satisfaction when a player gets booted out of the team or falls foul of the new manager.
However, that rarely works in modern football, and even on the rare occasions that it does, it doesn't last long.
We might not like it, but modern footballers are pampered, and they typically don't respond well to the stick. It's the carrot that gets the best results. Going too hard on them always results in either forcing a player out (typically for a big loss, which effects your ability to replace them), or you cannot move them on and they contribute to a negative atmosphere in the dressing room bringing the rest down with them.
While I'm not happy with the current performances, I think we still need to give the management team more time to try and find a solution. Because ultimately if they can't find the solution, then it's unlikely someone will. You might get the dead cat bounce, but it'll soon slip back. In truth they probably will struggle to find a solution. We know the squad is incomplete and there are clear weaknesses in the squad that are difficult (maybe impossible) to work around and perform at the level we want/expect.
It's a process, and we are not complete yet. Which is something we need to keep in mind when judging current performances.
18 Sep 2026 11:35:13
Welcome back Shappy.
I don't want any manager to take no prisoners for the sake of it. I do want a manager who will not allow players to continually misplace passes. I want a manager who will make sure that the players fully understand the positions they are supposed to be in especially defensively and call them out when like on Wednesday our defence was all over the place.
I want a manager who decides on a way of playing that should suit the players he has available but how he wants to play and then is not afraid to ditch the biggest earners /stars if they don't perform
And at the very least I want a manager who demands fully concentrated effort with no slacking for 90+mins a game every game.
I also want a manager who stands up to the board and makes them understand what has to be done to get United back to the top table.
18 Sep 2026 13:47:36
Good post that Shappy. I am not a fan of Conte either.
19 Sep 2026 08:38:18
If we want someone to come in and kick ass then just send Keane into the dressing room.
Conte is a knee jerk reaction to a poor start to the season, but we aren't the only ones having a poor start so let's not get too excited.