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12 Jul 2024 18:16:32
Sancho back at the club and training with the first team.
Apparently talks between Sancho and EtH have taken place and they've agreed to draw a line under the situation.
He will now be available to take part in pre-season games.
Is this a case that Sancho has realised his options weren't as good as he thought?
Or is this the player and the club doing what is needed to push up the offers to facilitate his move away.
I guess we'll see what happens over the next couple of months.
1.) 12 Jul 2024 19:28:08
If true, my opinion of ETH has gone up a little. Sancho still has a long way to go.
2.) 12 Jul 2024 19:55:26
Or sancho has realised this board ain’t getting rid of another manager for players and he’s having to knuckle down
Still hope he’s gone tho.
3.) 12 Jul 2024 20:02:32
2 adults in a room, having a chat.
It's surely a bit of both, no offers and ETH drawing a line, giving a clean slate to align with the current mood of the club. Everything is new.
I hope he can put his head down and make the best of his second chance at the club.
4.) 12 Jul 2024 20:08:07
Hopefully just the club strengthening their position, and Sancho isn’t smart enough to be any the wiser.
5.) 12 Jul 2024 21:17:13
Well this is interesting. People can and do have the right to change their minds. He’s better than Antony who Ed said was available for transfer, and with Greenwood on the way out and likely Pellestri too, makes sense for him and Amad to compete.
Plus he can play 10. Why not let bygones be bygones. If he wants to come back and show the form he shows in Dortimund then awesome for both parties.
6.) 12 Jul 2024 21:41:06
I’m in the get rid camp. Glad they’ve come to an amicable cease fire, but a Leopard doesn’t change its spots and he’s still the petulant kid that fell out with the boss in the first place.
7.) 12 Jul 2024 23:45:46
I would suspect that the big boys “suggested” that ETH needed to sort it out between them both as well as Sancho realising he was damaging his chances.
I am also in the out basket.
8.) 13 Jul 2024 06:24:10
I don't really care about the detail of what has happened and him being back and no issues with it. The realty is he has been poor for us even before the spat under previous managers barring the odd game and not sure he can cut it at united and hence selling him would be ideal.
9.) 13 Jul 2024 06:54:52
Agreed Ahmad.
Beyond what happened, he’s not very good and needs to be moved on.
The laziness and ego are part of his personality, people don’t change.
10.) 13 Jul 2024 07:10:46
As Ahmad said he has been at the club three years now, hasn't set the world alight has he?
Maybe the wages are putting people off, clearly he has the ability and mentality as we saw at Dortmund, unfortunately the consistency might never be there and he is destined to sit the last few years of his contract out at United.
I guess this doesn't help our PSR and getting some of the big wage earners out.
{Ed001's Note - when was this fabled Sancho ability shown at Dortmund? If people had actually watched him play, instead of reading his PR bull, they would have known he was terrible there except when coming on very late as a sub. Even then, it was more down to rank amateur defending that he got decent stats. He is so far up his own backside that he can lick his own tonsils and will not achieve anything until he grows up.}
11.) 13 Jul 2024 09:20:52
Absolutely spot on Ed001. People saw highlights of that game against PSG and couldn’t see past it. He was no good for Dortmund, couldn’t hold down a starting place, and his G&A numbers were as poor there as they’ve been for us. That’s without mentioning his attitude and mentality.
The last headline I read started “England International Jadon Sancho…”. PR nonsense.
12.) 13 Jul 2024 09:44:51
I will still be surprised to see Sanchi still with the club once the window shuts.
However this allows for him to show what he can do in pre season, see whether he can reintegrate with the new coaching structure.
Would not be surprised if he still moves late in the window.
13.) 13 Jul 2024 10:11:47
We dropped a bomb buying him, and now we are paying for it, no one will pay the money we want or the wages either so to get rid we are still going to end up subsidising his wages.
Not surprised they made up, there wasn't really a choice, it doesn't look good on Sancho but neither does it on United. I rather suspect that's all parties are working together to find a solution that will involve him playing elsewhere next year.
14.) 13 Jul 2024 10:19:39
Absolutely bang on the money Ed001. Bang on it. Get rid asap.
15.) 13 Jul 2024 21:34:15
Get rid. Bad attitude and not good enough anyway. Not worth the hassle.
16.) 14 Jul 2024 07:25:17
Ed 1 is totally correct here. It’s total PR spin, because even though I know he’s not a great player, and all my Cory fan mates say the same, my mind still thinks he should get a (yet another) chance. It’s brainwashing. He’s done nothing positive of note since he joined the club, and Italian and German leagues are far more suitable for him than the rigours of the Premier League.
Being him back, get him training and fit, sell him for maximum value. Smart move by the club.
If he does stay, he now has to win back over the fans too who frankly want rid.
03 Dec 2023 12:53:13
Heard a rumour today that United and Barcelona are exploring the possibility of swapping Sancho and Raphinha initially on loan, but with a possible view to it becoming a permanent deal if it works out.
If there is any truth to this then I think its a possible deal that could work out for all parties.
United and Sancho need to part ways, while Sancho probably doesn't want to take a step down/ backwards.
United really need someone who can lock down the RW spot, and Raphinha was one of the best RW players while at Leeds.
Unfortunately for him it seems Xavi doesn't quite rate him, despite him playing well when called upon.
Stylistically I tend to think that Sancho does fit better in a side like Barcelona and Raphinha in a side like United.
I'd be pretty happy if the club managed to pull something like this off, what is everyone else's view?
1.) 03 Dec 2023 15:28:02
I mean I’d be delighted if we can pull that off. But I can’t see it.
2.) 03 Dec 2023 21:44:52
Sounds like a computer game transfer to me.
3.) 03 Dec 2023 21:52:43
Would rip your arm off for that deal but it’s all pie in the sky.
4.) 05 Dec 2023 01:58:03
We could do with new negotiators, or they might come back from Spain with a bunch of Rapini.
5.) 05 Dec 2023 09:07:03
Shappy
Wishful thinking. Why would Barcelona do that. He will end up somewhere in Italy as that's generally the league players end up when they don't work out in PL. He is not good enough for any of the top 3/ 4 teams in Spain and unaffordable for any in the next tier.
Its one of those players who will be hard to shift unless we take a bath on the transfer.
6.) 05 Dec 2023 21:09:51
Rumours today it’s Rashford ??♂️.
7.) 09 Dec 2023 20:22:57
I’d be happy if Rashford went tbh along with Sancho. The pair of ‘em aren’t bad players, as long as they get their own way. We aren’t currently in a place where we can carry talented babies though, so I’d get radical and get rid of the pair.
08 Jul 2023 14:41:19
DDG is gone, club just wished him well and said goodbye on Twatter.
1.) 08 Jul 2023 14:49:36
Great servant, but right time for MU and himself to move on, some of the replies made my blood boil though, clearly not fans but even still. he's got my respect and wish him well in his next venture.
2.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!
He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)
Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?
3.) 08 Jul 2023 15:43:50
Our best player over the last 12 years, gutted he is going but it is the right time for him and the club.
4.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!
He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)
Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?
{Ed002's Note - David De Gea (G) If Mr Mourinho stays at Roma, then perhaps interest. Perhaps someone in Spain or the Middle East. Manchester United have a list of potential replacements but want a new contract.}
5.) 09 Jul 2023 07:07:25
Good time for both parties to move on. Clearly looked very uncomfortable under ETH’s system. That being said, a brilliant keeper for us over the years. Wish him all the best. Italy seems an obvious move in the absence of decent Spanish interest - or of course Saudi!
28 May 2023 09:30:51
Heard a rumour this morning that United might look at Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, as well as closely monitoring the situation with Ryan Gravenberch.
Bayern yesterday sacked their CEO Oliver Kahn and their Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic, possibly opening the door for some players to leave who might have been intending to stay under the previous regime.
Pavard would be an interesting option, capable of playing both CB and RB he'd be a very good option.
Gravenberch too has great potential but just can't get the game time he needs with players like Kimmich and Goretzka ahead of him.
1.) 28 May 2023 09:50:18
Think Ed002 said that Pavard is reluctant to consider us because he wants to play primarily as a cb.
2.) 28 May 2023 11:30:14
A RB who can also chip in at CB is a good shout, as is Frimpong.
I think Bayern have a number of players who should be of interest. I assume the Mount thing has legs and if so that would probably kill off any interest in Gravenberch and De Jong, and what of Sabitzer.
3.) 28 May 2023 12:13:02
Interesting thread this and might have legs as we know Erik likes players who can play multiple positions to limit the impact of injuries in the squad.
4.) 28 May 2023 13:25:20
Back in February, it was reported that his expected fee this summer could be £26.8m because his contract is up next year - that would amount to a bargain.
That said, it's likely that Bayern would still want more than that for a versatile defender approaching his prime.
The problem is that he wants to play CB and there can be no assurances offered by United that he'll be first-choice ahead of Varane.
He can play RB, but he might be reluctant about coming to a club where that could be his only consistent option.
That does also render Barcelona as a questionable option given that the superior Kounde is already playing RB to accommodate other players.
Personally, I'd expect him to move to a Serie A club.
5.) 28 May 2023 22:50:42
We really need to be looking at Gravenberch. I’m not sure if he’s even available but if he is and a a low price it’s a no brainier. Le fee is another player I hope we take a look at.
6.) 30 May 2023 10:44:36
varane missed 14 league games, went off 6 times, efl only played 90 mins in the final missed 4 games and subbed off once. Class act but never been consistantly fit for games throughout his career. Any cb coming in would get a minimum of 25 games a season if fit/ available.
25 Apr 2023 19:27:31
Evan Ferguson signs a new deal at Brighton, I think that rules him out this summer unless someone pays way over the top for him.
1.) 25 Apr 2023 23:11:49
I think its the right move for him and Brighton. he's best off staying at Brighton where he can develop and grow.
2.) 26 Apr 2023 10:04:02
Not good enough. May well be in the future, but not now. We need the finished article, nothing less.
3.) 26 Apr 2023 16:20:51
Syd, I disagree. He's better than both Martial (due to being fit and available) and Weghorst. Ergo if we signed Ferguson he'd be the best striker at the club.
I'm not sure the finished article is what we need. We have a 3-5 year rebuild project on our hands. Much the same that both Klopp and Arteta had when they took over Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.
We need to be signing players who will peak over the next 2-6 years, players who are already at their peak will likely start to decline by the time we are ready to seriously challenge and thus will need replacing again.
4.) 27 Apr 2023 01:20:13
Ferguson may well be better than Martial and Weghorst. But all 3 are not good enough.
We need a finished article. Nothing less. Finished article, Premiership proven Kane or Naples' Big Os.
If we are to challenge for the title next season, then they are the two options.
No more potential nonsense. Time to bring in the next best thing after Haaland. Greenwood/ Rashford as back-up.
5.) 27 Apr 2023 18:25:40
Syd, we won't be challenging for the title next season, we are too far behind Arsenal let alone City. While Liverpool wil likely bounce back next year as well.
6.) 27 Apr 2023 21:34:24
You think we're too far behind arsenal shappy?
I think this season of there's has been a one off. They've been brilliant as a unit in their first 11, but they lose one or two then they struggle as we've seen recently.
And whilst they have had some of the best players in the league this season. I think it's just that, this season.
Saka, Odegaard, Saliba who have been outstanding aside, the rest don't impress that much. Partey has been good, as has Martinelli. And xhaka also has surprise me in his importance to the team. There's no denying the quality and potential.
But again, in the ecstasy of a possible unexpected title win I think arsenal fans and the media have overhyped a lot of their squad.
Claiming partey as the best dm in the league, Ben White as the best rb and comparing saka to the likes of mbappe vini jr and Messi are all examples of them being overhyped.
And with them having such a young squad, will they be able to handle the disappointment of bottling the league? Will it make them stronger next season for experiencing the title race? Or weaker for losing out after almost all season at the top?
On top of that, city although unreal will again invest. Liverpool I expect to rejuvenate. I expect we will invest appropriately. And we may even see chelseas mish mash of a squad finally gel.
It could go one way or the other, very easily. They could build on it, or they could struggle to get top 4 next season.
With a raw manager and a young squad on the back of disappointment. I'd lean more towards a struggle for them next season.
Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts
22 Jul 2024 07:39:09
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Early Season Analysis of Manchester United
21 Jul 2024 12:25:06
Shappy has written an article entitled, Early Season Analysis of Manchester United
1.) 21 Jul 2024 20:08:52
Tend to skip some of your posts as too long and not enough attention span for them but read this and agree with everything you’ve written. Good post.
17 Jul 2024 09:02:32
While the signing of Zirkzee is a welcomed sight, along with continued pursuit of several centre backs, it is the out goings that seem to be happening under the radar.
Currently we have seen Kambwala, Alvaro Fernandez, and Donny all leave for relatively small fees.
While Varane, Martial, Shoretire and Williams have all seen their contracts end without the club really trying to extend. Unlike Evans and Heaton who agreed new one year deals.
Finally we have Amrabat whose loan has ended and he's gone back to Fiorentina.
So that's 9 gone already.
We are rumoured to be close to seeing Mason Greenwood end his United career and join Marseille.
Which would bring us to 10 departures.
We also have Pellistri, Hannibal, Eriksen, Lindelof and AWB who are all in the last year of their respective deals and will either need to be sold this summer, have a new deal agreed or be let go next summer for free.
I'd expect all of them to be sold personally.
We then also have Maguire, Amad and McTominay whose deals technically end next summer, but the club have a one year option to extend.
These three either need new deals or to be sold. I expect Amad will get a new deal before Christmas. While McTominay and Maguire will depend on offers the club recieve this summer, if there are none acceptable then they will likely have the one year options activated. I expect all three will still be here come the close of the transfer window.
So we are currently at 9 gone, another 6 almost certainly to be sold, a further three possibly sold depending on offers.
While we haven't considered players like Casemiro and Sancho who the club are either actively trying to sell or at least inviting offers on them.
Which means that we have potentially 20 players who could leave this summer. I'd imagine we'll see somewhere between 15-17 leave.
That will represent a massive clear out. Especially as I don't see more than 5 players joining the club this summer.
Regardless of who joins this summer, INEOS have started their revolution of this squad and it's actually pretty exciting.
1.) 17 Jul 2024 10:35:04
Sounds about right.
We are looking professional this year.
I would not discount left field signings like malacia 2 years back given we actually have people who know who to sign.
2.) 17 Jul 2024 10:42:59
Looks like Zirkzee and Yoro may be their first two signings. This feels like a proper football club again!
I had forgotten what that felt like.
3.) 17 Jul 2024 12:39:04
You listed 8 players, and then called it 9. Numbers really aren't your strong point Shappy ?
I really hope we continue the pursuit of de Ligt as I think he'd find his form again under ETH, and along with Martines and hopefully Yoro, we have some excellent choices at CB.
If Maguire has anything about him he'd surely be pushing for a move away. He's 31 now, and must want to be playing every week for a PL club while he still can.
We're desperate for a DM. Even if McTominay stays, he's not a DM and not good enough. Cas's legs have gone so it's time for him to go too. I feel that unless we address the DM position this window we will still struggle in the new season without a deep lying midfield player who can break up play and progress the ball forward.
4.) 17 Jul 2024 12:46:37
Also, I’m nearly as excited to see who we manage to get rid of this summer as I am of those coming in.
DVB, Martial, Williams and Amrabat are a good start. Greenwood needs to go too for all involved which looks very likely.
I’m now looking at Lindelof, Eriksen, Casemiro, McTominay and Sancho to add to those if possible. That would be a truly unbelievable summer of outgoings which has been needed for many years.
5.) 17 Jul 2024 12:56:46
Wazza, the mistake is that I forgot to list Omari Forson as one of the players to have already left. Numbers are fine, just a typo really.
It is nine who have gone: Kambwala, Alvaro Fernandez, Donny, Martial, Varane, Williams, Shoretire, Forson and Amrabat.
6.) 17 Jul 2024 13:19:49
I'm still haunted by the sight of Lindelof having to fill in at LB. Hopefully not something I'll have to see ever again.
15 Jul 2024 07:39:08
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United transfer dealings
14 Jul 2024 16:30:34
Shappy has written an article entitled, Manchester United Transfer Dealings
27 Jul 2024 11:07:36
Ugarte I think would be a great signing. An ideal partner for Mainoo, and someone whose style of play seems very well suited to the EPL.
I suspect this one is just a matter of time and likely to be the next deal announced.
MdL would be an okay signing in my opinion, although I do have concerns over how you would keep him and Yoro happy. We don't lack for options at RCB, we do have limited options at LCB and feel we need someone for that side more than on the right.
I'm actually pretty concerned about the links with Mazraoui. Nothing to do with his talent or ability. In terms of player profile he seems very well suited. My concerns stem from his frankly appalling injury record.
Since the start of the 2017/ 18 season Mazraoui has missed 422 days due to no less than 23 separate injuries, missing a total of 100 games for his club.
Last season alone he had 5 separate injuries, missing 96 days and 19 games for Bayern Munich.
Considering our own injury issues last season I don't see Mazraoui as a sensible signing at all. Bringing an already injury prone player to the most physically demanding league in the world will not end well.
While I think Mazraoui is a better player than Dumfries, if given the choice between the two I'd take the Dutchman whose hardly ever injured over Mazraoui whose seemingly always carrying a knock.
26 Jul 2024 17:08:34
Ziko, and I can argue that water is dry, night is brighter than day, and the earth is flat. Doesn't make any of it true though ??♂️?.
26 Jul 2024 13:36:45
Ken, while they are both more front foot defenders than AWB, they have different strengths.
Dalot is a much more technical player, better touch, control, passing, and reading of the game. He is a much better defender in every way bar heading (which is something Dumfries is good at) . Dumfries is a more physical player and tends to play far higher up the pitch overlapping the winger and creating goals. While Dalot has the capability to play high and wide, he can also invert into midfield as well, something Dumfries can't do.
If we went to a back three or wanted a very high, offensive fullback/ wingback then Dumfries would be more suited. Yet if we wanted a more complete player to bring stability and control in a more possession oriented system then Dalot is the clear better option.
26 Jul 2024 11:22:48
Trololo, yeah, at the moment but not where we are aiming to be.
26 Jul 2024 11:20:49
Good young player who needs more mini at senior level to have any chance of kicking on.
Ultimately I doubt he'll be good enough for the level we want to be at, but he'll be a good professional at Championship/ bottom half of the EPL.
27 Jul 2024 11:32:15
Ivan Toney might not be an elite striker, but he's certainly a far more proven and consistent striker in the EPL than either Højlund or Zirkzee presently.
In his last full season of EPL football he scored 20 and got 4 assists in 35 games.
For context the last Man Utd player to score 20 EPL goals in one season was RvP in 2012/ 13. Over a decade ago.
Strikers to play for us who haven't managed that since 2012/ 13 include Falcao, Cavani, Ronaldo, Lukaku and Zlatan.
In fact in the past 10 years only 18 other strikers across all the teams in the league have managed to score 20 league goals in a season.
He wouldn't be a bad signing for anyone in the league.
Given that we don't have anyone who has matched his achievements in our squad I fail to see how he would be a backwards step.
I do wonder how we would fit all of Zirkzee, Højlund and Toney into a team or give all of them the playing time they would be happy with or need to develop. I'm definitely in the camp that we would be better off spending money on players for other positions rather than buying Toney.
But he certainly wouldn't be a bad player or take us backwards if we did sign him.
27 Jul 2024 11:18:40
Personally I'd rather keep Lindelof over Maguire as I feel he's more suited to how we want to play (not ideal, but certainly better suited than Maguire) .
That said, Maguire did show a good attitude and fight last season. Something we certainly need more of in our squad.
From a financial perspective, Maguire costs more in wages, yet Lindelof is out of contract next summer. So keeping him would mean losing him for nothing next summer, as opposed to keeping Maguire this year and still being able to sell him next summer. Overall there probably isn't much in it. Marginally makes more sense to sell Lindelof this year and Maguire next summer.
Ultimately it probably comes down to the offers we receive this year. If we don't get an offer for Maguire, or we only get poor offers, or if Maguire doesn't want to accept any offers we receive then he probably stays.
Given the amount of game time he got last season, along with Varane leaving and the only current replacement being an 18 year old. I'd suspect Maguire thinks he'll get a good amount of game time this season. His recent comments suggest he thinks he will. So I'd imagine he would be inclined to reject any move to a "smaller" club and accept a lower wage.
We need to bring in another CB, pushing him down to 4th choice. Which is fine for a season.
Then next summer with a year left on his deal, and a season as 4th choice behind an 18 year old I suspect Harry will be more inclined to accept an offer to move on.
26 Jul 2024 17:21:31
Ken, I'm always looking to grow and become better. I've definitely let my emotions get the better of me in the past and said things in the heat of the moment that on reflection I wish I hadn't said.
Life's a journey and we don't start as the finished article.
I was given a great bit of advice a while back, "a smart man is silent when he's angry". Which is something I now try to live by.
All of us on here will have said things we regret, I bet if we reflect on those that 99% of the time it was when we let our emotions get the better of us. The other 1% we were lying through our teeth and got caught?.
26 Jul 2024 11:45:18
I'm not a fan of Maguire and stated that I didn't think he was good enough the first summer we were linked with him. Something I reiterated the following summer when we signed him.
I don't think he has the requirements to be a first choice CB at a title challenging side. He has too many weaknesses, the chief among them being his ball watching which leads to poor positioning. Something that is exasperated by his poor mobility and pace meaning he cannot recover once he realises he's in the wrong position.
I'm also not a fan of him yelling and complaining at others when he's made a mistake and been caught out of position. I pointed this out when people would say he was a good leader. Leaders don't berate colleagues, they support them.
That said he isn't a Sunday league player, he's a bottom half to mid table EPL defender. If used with the right tactics he can be a solid option. Play a low block or any compact style where there are more players around him to both cover for his positional lapses and to restrict the space he can wander into then his physicality and reasonable passing can be an asset.
The name calling while understandable due to fan frustration, still isn't called for. Being derogatory and dismissive of people tells a lot more about the person doing it than the person they are talking about.
Last season Maguire showed class and a good mentality, he stood up and did his best in difficult circumstances and had a good (not great) season. He was mostly solid and few mistakes that were costly to us.
He still isn't the right player for us and would be better off leaving to play regularly somewhere else. If Branthwaite leaves Everton then Maguire could be a good replacement, he seems well suited to how Sean Dyche plays.
As a 4th choice option for us next season he wouldn't be a major problem. But if we are to improve and consistently play a better style of football then he can't be a regular.
26 Jul 2024 11:31:56
Maybe giving Højlund the No.9 has more to do with a show of faith in a young player who had a mixed first season at the club last year despite showing real promise.
With the signing of Zirkzee it would make sense that Højlund will question whether he'll play as much or is considered as important a player this year.
If they gave Zirkzee the No.9 this summer, then the symbolism attached to that is that he has come in to be first choice and bench Højlund. That might be what happens, it's not all about how an individual performs but how the team performs with those individuals.
So giving Højlund the No.9 is a show of faith and will hopefully help keep his head up and focused when he inevitably plays less football this season.
Also I think Zirkzee has worn the No.11 at a couple of clubs and he might have a preference for that shirt number. If so then it's two birds with one stone.