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21 Jul 2025 16:45:34
£80-£100m for Nicolas Jackson?
Pfft, that's a no then.
1.) 21 Jul 2025 16:58:36
I wouldn't buy him for 20.
2.) 21 Jul 2025 17:35:43
Based on age, potential and performance data that would mean Garnacho is £100M+.
3.) 21 Jul 2025 17:36:37
There is definitely a good striker in there. He needs to mature though.
4.) 21 Jul 2025 23:04:26
Losing 2 of a front 3 to the afcon for 6 weeks does not appeal to me.
5.) 22 Jul 2025 07:37:07
That was always SAF's attitude regarding African players. I agree.
6.) 22 Jul 2025 08:10:48
I'd want the Jackson 5 for 80 mill. that's afigure plucked out of thin air.
7.) 22 Jul 2025 09:57:37
Jackson is an underrated player in my opinion, he's actually great at pretty much everything you want from a modern striker, while still young enough to improve further. The problem is that he misses too many good chances. He seems a better finisher when he doesn't have time to think and just does it instinctively, when his good movement or clever turn has opened up a chance for him and he has more time he tends to hesitate while he thinks about the best way to finish then ends up snatching at chances.
It was no coincidence last season that while he was out injured Chelsea were struggling around 8th place but when he returned they shot back up the table and finished in the top four.
He is a striker whose movement and link play make chances and space for others to play in and increase the number and quality of chances his team creates.
While it seems counter productive to sign a striker known for missing chances while our biggest weakness is taking our chances. He is a player who would massively improve the number AND the quality of chances we create. With players like Cunha, Mbeumo, Bruno and Amad in the team around him the increased chances and the higher quality of those chances would see us score a lot more goals. While he'd probably score 15-18 league goals himself.
That said he is a 50-60m player at absolute most, probably more like a 45m plus 10m in performance related add-ons.
I think the 80-100m fee being floated by Chelsea is all about them trying to drive up the price. Ultimately if we swapped Garnacho for Jackson we would be a much better side and Chelsea probably wouldn't improve all that much if at all. In that respect I'd happily pay them a bit more for Jackson then they pay us for Garnacho.
8.) 22 Jul 2025 10:35:06
Jackson would be a far better fit for us than Ollie Watkins.
9.) 22 Jul 2025 15:45:18
Watkins be better for me, I do agree though, with Jackson he is quick and damn we need some pace, but like Rasmus he not an intelligent footballer
Jackson is terrible if he got to think about a finish, he finishes far better when no time to think, so least he got finishing instinct, slowing the head down with thought process can be coached, but I think we need the finished experienced player, not another wing and a prayer he gets better.
10.) 22 Jul 2025 22:33:20
I agree with H24, I wouldn’t pay 20m for him, he’s rubbish. That’s why Chelsea bought two strikers this summer, he’s not good enough for a top team in the prem. We need to go for Sesko, he seems like the only realistic option with his age and price.
11.) 22 Jul 2025 23:27:28
Jackson is ok. He would not be on my list. I not seen enough of sesko to form any opinion. Watkins is by far the best epl option imo but at 30 the fee would have to reasonable he has a very strong running game and is a good finisher and a good temperament. Is he past his peak? 30 is not near the end like it was 25 years ago so there is probably 2 really good seasons in him before he begins to decline somewhat.
Im not sure about muani at psg I've not seen much of him but his numbers at juve were good and its not shame not getting into the psg team.
Other than this I'm not sure there is anybody that will come from left field unless we make a move for mateta at Palace.
12 Jul 2025 18:04:09
New sponsor for the training kits will be announced soon, anyone got an inkling?
1.) 12 Jul 2025 21:23:30
Really couldn't care as long as it covers the £24m p/ a we lose by not having one.
2.) 13 Jul 2025 14:07:50
listening to stefan borson on radio talking about chelsea and Villa having to get creative to avoid psr issues. with our lack of funds can't SJR / INEOS step forward with a 2 year deal at 40-50 mill a year to sponsor the training kit . even if he takes it out again through the back door in the near future?
3.) 13 Jul 2025 14:44:57
BWB
Sponsorship from owners via their other companies will have FFP implications, and the EPL will also scrutinise the arrangement to ensure fair market value is upheld, so I can't see a way of INEOS successfully stimulating the coffers with an artificial undertaking of that type.
Ideal world scenario that would already be a standard reality throughout the game were it not for the conditions that must be met.
4.) 13 Jul 2025 15:12:38
Thanks ork.
5.) 14 Jul 2025 18:36:50
Fair Market Value for Utd sponsorship would be up there any sports club.
I’d suggest INEOS won’t get involved with sponsorship as they are a minority shareholder. A great sponsorship deal with INEOS could increase the cost to buyout glazers and the sponsorship directly lines their pockets.
07 Jul 2025 13:12:22
Seems Javi Guerra is next to arrive. Thoughts?
1.) 07 Jul 2025 13:51:23
Do I know much about this player other than stats and a bit of Google searching. no
If this is true do I absolutely love it. yes
Would mean that we are doing work without noise getting out which is everything we have wanted and why (foolishly maybe) I think we need to stay calm and see how the transfer window plays out.
2.) 07 Jul 2025 16:25:41
Know nothing about him and not sure what to believe anymore. Could be true could be BS. Who knows?? I'm sure someone will be on to tell us he only has 3 toes on his right foot and can't kick with his left and fill us with negativity.
3.) 07 Jul 2025 16:44:57
Actually Ken, if you had checked, you would know he has 3 toes on his LEFT foot and can't kick with his RIGHT. Research is all?
Seemingly a very good and elegant young midfielder with a release clause of 100m euros, although allegedly available for a lot less.
Who knows!
4.) 07 Jul 2025 17:49:54
Seen lots of posts saying this isn’t happening, who knows these days. Hopefully the Mbeumo deal can be completed this week, or we should move on.
5.) 07 Jul 2025 17:56:54
The story I read says that he has a release clause of over £80m, but United hope to get to get him for about £30m.
Must be a slow news day.
6.) 07 Jul 2025 18:09:36
Actually Ken you got mixed up again, it’s Antony who lacks toes and a foot too.
7.) 07 Jul 2025 18:24:10
Not happening. Move on.
8.) 07 Jul 2025 18:24:40
Its hard to keep up German.
As its a slow news day
onana is doing a celebrity stars in their eyes. and yes he is doing stevie wonder.
9.) 07 Jul 2025 19:02:11
this rumour seems to have fizzled out as quickly as it started.
10.) 12 Jul 2025 09:53:16
I think this was one of those fishing hooks sent out by his agent to try and pressure his club to agree to improved terms on a new contract that is reportedly being discussed.
24 Jun 2025 17:18:58
I know it's probably rubbish as the source is the dubious Sabah Spor, but it's suggested that Fenerbahce have agreed terms of around £8.5m per year for Sancho and are already negotiating with United - rumoured fee being around £15.3m.
His current book value is apparently around £14.6m.
I know the profit would be only £700k, but if these reports are true I'd take that just to get rid of him.
Thoughts?
1.) 24 Jun 2025 19:09:12
There is also the 12.5 million saved on wages. It would be a great. Jose will get something out of him. Sell on clause proposed too according to the report I read. Sounds too good to be true.
2.) 25 Jun 2025 08:08:36
Ork if it’s true we should bite their hand off and move on.
3.) 25 Jun 2025 08:52:24
What was ed002 used to say about money on here? ?.
4.) 25 Jun 2025 11:07:19
Jose and Sancho are a match made in hell. Look what he did with Dele when he was at spurs.
5.) 25 Jun 2025 13:32:06
Zero chance of this happening unless they’re planning to get rid of Jose.
6.) 25 Jun 2025 13:40:40
Apprently We only needed to get around 15 million for him to not go down as a loss for psr and 5 million of that has already been paid by Chelsea for terminating the agreement.
But like above anything for him is better than nothing.
What a waste of a career so far Shane really as he looked a great prospect and would have been perfect in Amorim’s system as a 10.
7.) 25 Jun 2025 16:42:38
If he's really been pulling in £15m a year and a buying club removes that liability plus gives us £15m on top of that, it's a £30m turnaround. Hand. bite. off.
8.) 25 Jun 2025 16:46:12
Given that finances have been such a major issue for United for the last few years, it's totally reasonable for us fans to comment on them, even if we have no idea what's really going on, and we're talking a load of bollocks. Never agreed with Ed002 on this point.
9.) 25 Jun 2025 20:34:06
angelred
I'm of the opinion that, during the off-season, talk will always inevitably draw in money chat.
I absolutely respected the views of Ed002 and never really sought to argue much when he dispensed his perspective on the finances, but I do like to talk football and the modern game is certainly a financial pudding - thus, I like to talk about the monies involved.
That doesn't mean I necessarily know my onions and I'm always happy to be corrected/ educated. As someone who plays football like a fish plays tennis, I concede that my natural ability/ grasp of the game may very well be quite poor, but I'm frequently on here talking about the sport. So, while I might well not know a great deal about the deeper aspects of the finances, I can only rely upon, like rumours and general club news, what I'm reading.
Suffice to say, unless the club tells me the whys and what's pertinent to the rhetoric I'm reading, I will read money-talk and want to talk about it. Not being funny mate, but it's the off-season - money's mentioned everywhere.
10.) 25 Jun 2025 20:48:34
Sancho to Fenerbache is total cobblers. He was offered £200k by Chelsea and turned it down. Now granted the tax is 20 percent in Turkey compared to 50% here, but with decent accountants and a holding company for image rights and bonuses it works out pretty similar. So why turn Chelsea down and move to Turkey in a sub par league for the same money? It makes little sense at all.
11.) 25 Jun 2025 23:22:51
It's fine if you understand the basics ork.
None of us know the intimate detail and some of the complexities but there is a lot if detail available the clubs accounts are published and psr rules etc are available to read.
Like Greetland says its not my concern as a fan but in order to stop frustration and misunderstandings I like reading so I understand some of the rationale and circumstances and restrictions. Money is a hobby for me i like to try and understand the decisions they face as best I can.
Gds2 has a decent understanding too from his posts I figure as do a few others.
12.) 25 Jun 2025 23:24:36
Who said Chelsea offered him 200k per week?
That's more than he will get at united if he stays this season post his 25% pay cut and loss of bonuses.
13.) 26 Jun 2025 04:54:50
We also received a 5M penalty clause from Chelsea.
14.) 26 Jun 2025 06:32:40
Give me the accountant details please, who can get me anywhere near paying 20% in U. K., using whatever mechanism they like long as legal….
Does United worry about the finances of fans…I don’t think so, so why should I worry about there finances is way I look at it.
The club will always be there whatever.
15.) 26 Jun 2025 09:35:38
Who said 20% in UK German?
26 Jan 2025 17:11:19
That's it, I take it back.
Apparently, Antony did the 'Anturney' during his unveiling - what a jackass!
Stay gone fool!
1.) 26 Jan 2025 18:58:41
And the so called wise people in charge thought he was worth 85m. We the club is a laughing stock.
2.) 27 Jan 2025 07:21:13
Hope he finds his feet and confidence again. Terrible piece of business for the club, not up to it but it's been a mess for most players coming into this club in recent years.
Hope he does well at Betis.
3.) 27 Jan 2025 08:48:43
Hoyland, an equally bad bit of business.
4.) 27 Jan 2025 11:15:05
Porsche, we went 75m quid in on a 20 year old who had never done anything to be our leading man. He has all the attributes but one who carries the weight of the world.
Terrible business, but I don't think he is a terrible player. Too much, way too soon for him.
The club royally messed him and the situation up.
5.) 27 Jan 2025 14:15:21
Agreed. Hojlund has great promise but he's not ready to lead the line now. He could do great with a loan. It's not that dissimilar to Evan Ferguson of Brighton. Getting Zirkzee in during the summer rather than a no.9 was a huge error. Zirkzee isn't the problem, but he's not the answer to the problem either. Maybe try for Delap or even Wissa and share the load with Hojlund and see if that works.
6.) 27 Jan 2025 15:38:15
he doesn't seem to have a strikers instinct- can't hold the ball up either for a big lad - has no aerial threat either.
7.) 27 Jan 2025 16:41:58
Reveal video was a work of art though
Real Betis’ Twin Peaks referenced announcement for Antony
byu/PradipJayakumar insoccer
8.) 28 Jan 2025 08:59:15
WTF ???.
9.) 28 Jan 2025 09:33:36
Kane was the ultimate target, Hojlund the understudy. We ended up just with the understudy, nowhere near the ready and with no-one to look up to. Awful planning.
10.) 28 Jan 2025 12:57:03
Spenno
No awful planning. kane is on 500k a week and that was never doable on a 4 year deal. They took a punt on a guy with potential but he is failing to live up to it so far.
Same thing with the lecce guy coming in, anyone's guess if he is going to be good of bust. Personally prefer what fergie used to do, buy from the pl. Would rather spend more and get kerkez. No surprises there.
Ork's banter posts with other poster's replies to Ork's banter posts
28 Sep 2025 13:20:04
Ork has written an article entitled, It's Not Just The Players Fault At Manchester United
1.) 28 Sep 2025 13:34:44
I agree ork we can't blame amorim for the fact that Maguire made the mistake for the first or that it should of been a free.
It not his fault that dalot was doing I don't know what for the second or that Shaw just let's opposition players waltz past him.
It's not his fault that bayindir wasn't covering for the first and palmed the second back out bit harsh on him though.
You can't blame him for Bruno missing another penalty l
It is his fault that he played Shaw and Maguire against a team that there game is based on long balls over the top.
That bayindir starts now matter what
That Bruno is never taken off when playing poorly and in all honesty yesterday really looked like a red was coming for him after his yellow.
Brentford are a poor team but one thing they had was hard workers yesterday and it showed.
2.) 28 Sep 2025 16:27:57
Can’t disagree with any of that. I don’t think there’s a single supporter who didn’t want him to succeed, but to keep doing the same thing every week, when it isn’t working, is madness.
I would add that the formation isn’t getting the best out of our attacking players either. The number 10s, in particular, are stuck in areas of the pitch where they have no space to operate. Despite the system being designed to stretch the pitch, it doesn’t actually stretch the opposition defence because they can nullify our attacking players either if they stay compact and central. Our attackers end up playing passes at the edge of the box without getting any space to create chances. All that happens when we have sustained possession is that our team is stretched and completely open to the counter.
3.) 30 Sep 2025 04:14:55
Couldn't agree more Ork.
We even look to have plenty of squad options when lining up 433.
I just don't get it.
13 Sep 2025 02:12:49
Just read that Amorim hopes Bayindir can be like the next Van der Sar.
I mean, yeah, he's a lanky goalkeeper, so one could argue that he already is the club's next Van der Sar.
I know he wants to give his players encouragement by blowing some smoke, but come on man, Van der Sar is arguably the best 'keeper in our history - just hoping that Bayindir can reel off a string of shut-out performances would be a start.
Next Van der Sar? That's right up there with Cantona's seagulls and trawler bewilderment.
1.) 13 Sep 2025 06:55:40
VDS was very good, but bloody hell Schmeichel was hands down our best ever….
2.) 13 Sep 2025 09:04:29
Schmeichel was by far the best keeper we have ever had and the Premiership best as well. Best one on one I have seen, commanded his area. Suspect complimenting Bayindir before the game to give confidence.
3.) 13 Sep 2025 09:13:48
What’s bewildering about Erics Seagulls and Trawler metaphor?
4.) 13 Sep 2025 11:35:39
It's the managers job to try and build up confidence in his players. Bayindir has had a fair amount of criticism so far this season, not entirely unwarranted either.
However, with Onana now gone Bayindir is the senior keeper who is likely to start and who Lemmans will have to dislodge to take the No.1.
Lemmans is young, lacking experience, and has just moved to a new league. The level of scrutiny he will be under is a hundred times anything he will have experienced before. He will make mistakes and there will be times he will need to be taken out of the line up. Much like we had to do with DDG during his first couple of season's.
Therefore, we will have to rely a lot on Bayindir over the course of this season, both on and off the pitch.
Everything that has come out of the club about him since he joined is pretty positive to be honest. The coaches have been impressed with him in training, and he is a good character to have in the dressing room by all accounts.
In terms of his ability? Well he's never going to be as good as VdS, who for me was a more complete keeper than Schmeichel, although Big Pete had a bigger impact on our team. A lot gets made of the transformative effect of Cantona, but the arrival of Schmeichel the year before was just as vital in my opinion.
As for Bayindir, he's a good shot stopper and has has very good distribution. He does communicate well, but does he command that his area with authority? Probably not enough. His real weakness though appears to be dealing with aerial treats. Although to be fair the one against Arsenal which has been used to highlight this weakness wasn't entirely his fault in my opinion.
Those weaknesses can be worked on to reduce their impact on his performances. He can develop his aerial ability, and to be honest I think we need to address how we defend set-pieces as a team both to limit the opportunities the opposition gets as much as to help to protect the keeper. While his command of his area will likely improve with his confidence. It's hard to be commanding when you aren't fully confident in yourself.
While we all want to see Lemmans some in and start and be the solution immediately, the reality is that he plays in a position that punishes inexperience more than any other position on the pitch. He also has a lot to develop in his game to become a top class keeper. He will make mistakes, and he is at a club where every tiny mistake is magnified and blown up by both mainstream and social media hyperbole.
We need to be able to rotate him in and out and give him the time and space to develop. That means we will have to rely on Bayindir, so it makes sense that the manager is giving him strong public backing.
5.) 13 Sep 2025 11:58:54
He’s hardly going to say that Bayindir is the next Bosnich, hand him a bag of Charlie, and send him out onto the pitch.
6.) 13 Sep 2025 14:05:36
Aerial treats ?
We are talking about GKs, so you'd want them to take the h out of the threat!
7.) 13 Sep 2025 16:39:50
Lammens will take time to come good give him 2 years he will be next De Gea maybe even better as this guy is more vocal De Gea was a bit too nice.
8.) 13 Sep 2025 16:57:31
Not a very good keeper end of: and we have zero idea about new kid either which is a huge concern especially when it seems the league this season taken step back to long balls, long throws and more crosses, couple that with not great defence and poor midfield could be a rocky season to say the least.
But here is hoping we can still show up against better teams.
9.) 14 Sep 2025 04:29:42
Big pete was a talisman for sure, but he was also reckless and caused his own types of chaos sometimes coming for crosses he could never get near.
Van der sar was an incredibly steadying influence on the defense in front of him. Not as prone to world class saves in the same class as DDG, not as intimidating to on rushing forwards as big Pete. But he was a fantastic keeper.
All three were special players in their own right, we were lucky to have them.
02 Sep 2025 19:53:17
Just been looking at some clips of Lammens and I'm impressed.
Aside from his shot-stopping abilities - quick reactions, quick adjustments while in motion, reflexes, feet, Schmeichel-like spread - two things stand out as quite different.
It would appear that he has the ability to force a parry towards his defenders and can read passing lines properly.
If he can ride the inevitable storms and remain the calm and assuring presence he appears to be, we might have ourselves a bargain with this lad.
1.) 02 Sep 2025 21:09:03
I too watched a ‘show reel’ earlier today and, like you Ork, I am similarly impressed. He needs a good start or the press will crucify him. I have high hopes for him.
2.) 02 Sep 2025 21:31:47
I saw the same clips i suspect Ork.
He is on a steep learning curve like ddg when he first came. Will be a few ups and downs initially i suspect but he is well regarded so you stick with him.
By they way did you ever see Anthony's highlight reel? ?.
3.) 02 Sep 2025 22:09:26
Ken
I saw just the one highlight reel of Antony and thought 'Yeah, there might be something there. '
Needless to say, I most certainly consider myself a buffoon for being so easily fooled - I caught all of your drift.
Worse still, I did spend a good while trying to encourage people to give Onana time - Doh!
Maybe I should add a 'D' to my name. ?♂️.
02 Sep 2025 17:07:36
Seems the whispering of discontent regarding Onana continues still - his reps still want a move and he's still salty about the 25% cut.
Honestly, the idea of this blitheromg idiot thinking the cut shouldn't apply to him when everyone else is getting the same is hilarious - perhaps this arrogant halfwit should do one.
I know 'keepers are supposed to be wired a bit batty, but my word - what a fkn moron!
1.) 02 Sep 2025 17:50:50
Given that the biggest reason we aren't playing in Europe this season is because Onana himself keeps practically throwing the ball into the back of his own net, makes the fact that he doesn't think the paycut should apply to him all the more galling.
2.) 02 Sep 2025 18:42:13
The problem is that the club were stupid enough to give him that much money in the first place. Like Sancho, he knows that no other club would pay him this much, and is looking for a payoff.
The underlying issue is that we kept giving wasters huge wages, and that makes it far more difficult to sell them.
3.) 02 Sep 2025 19:13:06
In fairness Onana's salary is nothing like what Sancho was given. I wouldn't lump those two in together. I think he's on 120k/ w. He's turned out to be a disaster but 120k/ w for a GK that appeared in a CL final doesn't strike me as extraordinarily out of whack.
4.) 02 Sep 2025 19:19:52
£1.20 for Obama’s entire contract would be too much.
5.) 02 Sep 2025 19:59:47
Careful Danny, that's a finger slip away from being an entirely different bomb squad.
6.) 02 Sep 2025 20:37:32
It was a reasonable amount for a goalkeeper who was in the Champions League final. It's about the 5th highest pay in the EPl for a goalie. For comparison it's less than 40% of what De Gea was paid and about 1/ 2 of what he was trying to negotiate at the end of his contract. Mind you, when you count in the depreciation on his transfer fee Onana is costing United only a little more than de Gea would have reportedly cost us on a renewal.
When there's discussions about de Gea and whether we should have kept him the reality was that he was and would have remained seriously overpaid by EPL standards. The fact that we replaced him with probably our worst keeper ever is not relevant to that assessment. Onana has been a disaster. He should count himself very lucky to be making 75% of his wages. It's still more than he's worth. By the end of this year he'll be written down to £17m or so. That might make him an attractive buy for some club somewhere. I'm sure the club are already looking at ways to unload him.
7.) 02 Sep 2025 21:31:05
I stand by my autocorrect.
8.) 03 Sep 2025 02:32:09
I suspect Saudi or Turkey beckons for him, and right now as opposed to a year down the line. Would much rather he left than Bayindir.
31 Aug 2025 16:31:03
As it seems likely we'll only be getting a GK before the window shuts, with a DM not seemingly not happening, which should we choose?
Martinez or Lammens?
One is already a world-class 'keeper who will command a high wage, has plenty of EPL experience, but one who has less time to give.
The other is an up-and-coming talent who would demand less wonga, offer greater longevity, but one who presents the risk of being overwhelmed at United and the EPL.
For me, right now, the two glaring weaknesses in our squad is GK and DM. The neglect of one position demands that the required strengthening of the other might need to deliver pretty quickly - so, for me, I'd now be looking at Martinez.
Thoughts?
1.) 31 Aug 2025 18:56:00
I really like martinez. Great character and someone I'd rather have in my dressing room than the opponents. I think he has the cuhunas to do the job.
He not perfect few are.
The odd gaffe but a lot of clutch saves.
Ive never seen the younger guy play i suspect very few have on here. But if that's who they choose then I'm all for it.
Im still holding out for a decent wildcard cm you never know. I really wouldn't scoff at lots of options as I think most will be better than ugarte and cas (who still contributes a lot imo)
2.) 31 Aug 2025 19:04:46
Buy both ?.
3.) 31 Aug 2025 19:42:15
Not a fan of Martinez as a bloke but I suspect he would give the defence the confidence they have been lacking, and would also revel in the OT atmosphere. As ken says, he's a character, and we need a few characters.
4.) 31 Aug 2025 19:43:07
Both, send the clowns packing.
5.) 31 Aug 2025 19:58:02
Apparently Villa are getting Costa from Porto as a goalkeeper replacement. That could be some good business by Villa. Costa was meant to be the next big thing in terms of goalkeepers.
6.) 31 Aug 2025 21:01:27
Say what you want about Martinez, but he has a bit of character. Need a bit more of that in the dressing room. Players who might actually hold others to account.
7.) 31 Aug 2025 21:26:28
Quite like the idea of getting a s#*thouse in the team. Get back to being hated rather than ridiculed.
8.) 31 Aug 2025 22:01:00
We signed Van Der Sar at 34, couple years older than Martinez. His medal cabinet looks alright.
32 is prime for a Goalkeeper.
9.) 01 Sep 2025 07:56:13
Martinez will be a good signing. Think he’ll thrive under the pressure. Whilst Lammens may be good long term due to his potential, you can’t have potential as your first choice GK. Sesko is potential, but he’s getting help from the other attackers. A defender would get help from other defenders, but a single goalkeeper means for me, that position has to be ready now and Martinez will bring calmness to that defence. I think the reason our defence seem so poor is because of the lack of trust in the sticks.
I also think a wildcard like Gallagher on loan as a shock move could happen.
10.) 01 Sep 2025 08:57:11
Not seen enough of Lammens to say whether he is what we need now but what I have seen I definitely think he would be a good buy for the future and would definitely take him.
Diogo Costa I like a lot and would be my number 1 choice and thought this was the same for Amorim. odd that we are not showing any interest when it looks like he could be on the move.
Martinez I like, not perfect and definitely got a touch of the Bartez's about him. But, I think he would improve our play and work well with the defence. It could be the ideal signing for the next couple of seasons whilst we see how Vitek does on loan (looks very good and one for the future) and maybe bring him back in a few years to take over.
07 Aug 2025 16:54:42
German
I didn't mention De Ligt in the same sentence as Rodri, he appeared in the sentence before compared to Dias. I hadn't mentioned Martinez in any sentence built on comparison, but hey, you read what you want.
Anyhoo, I did mention that, despite being quicker and more mobile, Ugarte's not in the same league as Rodri. The comparison was made for the benefit of context.
Contextually, I was essentially driving home the point that it is not only about speed and athleticism in the EPL - if it were, then Rodri would fail.
Let's have it right, Lukaku would have won the Ballon D'Or if only speed and athleticism made a player. It's also about the brain in the player and their natural technique - that's where Ugarte is lacking.
Not once have I said De Ligt, Martinez or Ugarte are at the levels of Dias or Rodri.
I haven't once disagreed with your opinion that we need more speed in defence and midfield, I think you're trying to manufacture BS and apply it to the frustration that lives rent-free in your head before projecting at anyone in range - you crack on buddy, it's funny.
You clearly can't be arsed to read a comment and prefer to cherry pick whatever jumps out at you, which is why you've missed the point. Well done. ???.
06 Aug 2025 17:15:06
German.
In 24/ 25 - the first season where the Ineos team oversaw recruitment at United, the club signed Yoro, De Ligt, Maz, Dorgu and Heaven, with a pre-agreement reached for Leon.
In addition to those 6 defenders, the club signed 1 attacker and 2 defensive midfielders.
So, of the 9 players who agreed terms with United through 24/ 25, 8 were defensive.
We sold or released 6 defenders and 1 defensive midfielder.
Is Maz an upgrade on Wan-Bissaka?
Absolutely.
Is Yoro a better player now than the aged Varane?
Yes.
Is De Ligt better than Kambwala?
Yes.
Is Heaven better than Fish?
Yes.
Are Dorgu and Leon better than Alvaro and Brandon Williams?
Imo, yes.
So, unless I'm stupid and reading things wrong, the very first summer under the watchful eye of Ineos was, despite the involvement of ten Hag, focused mostly on improving the defensive areas.
Yeah great, Ugarte was a mistake and Kone was bought on potential, but the primary focus last year was defence - so they have already concentrated on working from the back to the front.
Indeed, the jury's still out on De Ligt, but it is only the pace he lacks. He's quicker than Ruben Dias, but there's not so much noise made about that, is there? Also, Ugarte is quicker and more mobile than Rodri, but he's not in the same league as him. City's 2 main defensive forces in the middle are slower than ours, so it's not just about speed, is it? It's a team game and each player needs to fit properly for it to work.
How many first-team CB options do we have? I count 8 - De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Maz, Fredricson, Martinez, Shaw and Heaven.
How many realistic options will we, atm, have up top next season?
I count 8 - Hojlund, Zirkzee, Mbeumo, Cunha, Mount, Amad, Mainoo and Fernandes.
We aren't refreshing the attack with 6 signings, are we? Just the 2 or 3.
Then, and we should certainly be making moves regardless of Sesko, we should be looking at a proper DM.
Just my opinion? Yes, but I'm not getting salty.
05 Aug 2025 17:09:18
The idea that it's so bizarre to focus on getting goals ahead of reducing the number conceded is pretty daft imo.
We (15th place) conceded the joint eleventh most EPL goals last season - five less than 8th placed Brighton, but only 4 teams scored less and 3 of those were relegated - 22 goals less than Brighton. This, during a season where injuries have savaged our defensive options leading to outright fatigue amongst the more mobile. I would argue that a scary amount of those goals conceded came after our midfield was sliced through like butter.
Absolutely, we do need to address our defensive solidity issues, but it's more likely that a proper DM with greater mobility, power, speed and IQ would help each of the two respective departments immensely.
Sesko, while indeed being a relatively rough diamond, is, imo, a far better player than Hojlund and the main reason is this - his brain.
Hojlund, as I've said before, has all the physical gifts you'd want for a striker - big, tall and quick, but he just lacks a striker's brain. Sesko has all the physical tools that Hojlund has, but with the bonus of being much better on the ball with decent ability to link play and find space.
It would be a huge outlay, spread in whatever way can be agreed, but he has a better GPG average than Isak had before signing for Newcastle at £63m and is of a similar profile to the Swede - hence the interest from them Geordies.
If it can be done, I'm all for it - get him in.
20 Jul 2025 11:22:38
Trololo
There's more to it than just United letting Barcelona push them around.
Barca are in a similar boat to United, needing to box clever with just about every deal they do. They wanted Williams, but Deco wasn't happy that Williams' agent was actually doing his job properly (looking after his client's best interests) by talking to Bilbao about a new contract.
Clearly, Williams and his agent actually know their stuff and the former, hoping to make Spain's WC squad, didn't want his whole off-season to be wasted by a club who'd need to shift and sift things before getting the deal done - then came Deco's message which clearly p***ed Williams off.
Then came the interest in Diaz. Liverpool obviously said they weren't looking to sell, but gave a ballpark figure and timeline - Barcelona thought 'Nah'.
Then, they returned to Rashford who made it difficult for United to say no - United won't pay his wages for the year, they've secured a purchase option for Barca, and can remove a player who has made it clear that he wants to leave.
I don't think it's a terrible deal - it's not perfect, but it is a cost-effective solution for all parties involved and, during a period of such intense need for a meticulously measured stage of the rebuild, it's the kind of deal that just gets a potentially awkward situation out of the way and dealt with in a sensible and (importantly) swift manner.
Now we can comfortably move on to the next step of the many that remain.
20 Jul 2025 01:32:14
Rashford should do well at Barca, and I hope he does.
He does have some impressive talent and he can occasionally slip into Robben-mode, but the EPL is not suited to him anymore.
He is at his best when the opposition is stretched and he has open space to burn through - EPL clubs are now too tactically flexible with lots of quick and powerful defenders, it's not Rashford's home now.
I've called him lazy and I 100% stand by that still, simply because, although he does have the athleticism and engine to meet the demands of workrate and recovery efforts in the EPL, he just can't be bothered most of the time. I know one or two will disagree, but I've seen the evidence live and have no intention of burying my head in the sand.
In La Liga, he will have the spaces he needs for him to excel, and I believe he will.
As for his wages, I'm not reading too much into it because of that near-£400m gremlin nibbling at our ankles - who knows where the £15.6m will go.
I do wish him well, and I hope he stays there. Good player, decent human, but it's time for the shoe.
27 Sep 2025 17:23:08
The problem presented to INEOS is more about the hows than the whats.
If, for example, they do decide that RA is not the solution, then how bad is the smell?
The sparkly magic carpet of 'Home-grown lad brings back success' needs to avoid heavy sidewinds, and his hand-picked motley crew are tasked with the navigating - how does the repeated shows of faith in RA impact the reverence of the INEOS regime?
We all know the media thrive on the 'Man Utd crisis' narrative and that porky animal has already been overfed, they are just waiting for the next big meal - how should we serve it?
23 Sep 2025 12:10:58
The thing with De Ligt that has always set him apart from many of his peers is his brain.
Since he left Ajax, his capacity to grow as a player has been somewhat stymied by injury gremlins and the pressure brought by the intense spotlight and scrutiny after big fees are thrown about.
What we are now seeing is:
A. A more mature player who can handle the pressure better, and,
B. A player who has had the time and platform to assess and adapt his game to accommodate the EPL style of football.
I've questioned his pace and acceleration, but I've never doubted his IQ - he is fast becoming our defensive rock and is now among the very first names on the teamsheet.
This 'Leadership Group' thing has merit, but out on the pitch, commitment and trust present the real group that matters, and De Ligt is right up there in that one.
14 Sep 2025 23:31:08
Got my popcorn out. ?.
14 Sep 2025 22:09:05
1. Iraola. Bournemouth lost 3 of their first-choice defenders in the summer, but he already has their replacements singing to his hymn sheet. They've made a decent early start and are 4th in the table - after a summer of being swooped upon by the big boys, he's proven the merit to his worth.
2. To start with, 4-3-3/ 4-3-2-1.
I've been waiting for the 3-4-3 to click and work out, but it's clearly not. The first question would be - which CBs get the nod? For me, I'd move Yoro to LCB, partnered with De Ligt. Maz and Dorgu both walk into the FB positions. A midfield 3 can accommodate (temporarily) Cas, Mainoo and Fernandes. The front 3 picks itself.
3. Top half.
4. Struber.
03 Sep 2025 21:20:52
It's surely not healthy to get so irate over football - I imagine him to be like one of those fans in stadiums who are positively glowing red with anger, pulsating veins and gurning out all manner of contortions.
Until the next time German, just chill tf out mate.