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Shappy's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's rumours posts

 

12 Aug 2024 21:24:10
Sander Berge left out of Burnley's squad for their first game of the season this evening.

Seems to suggest that there is something in the rumours of him leaving. Will it be to ourselves, or to someone else?

Shappy

1.) 12 Aug 2024 22:06:16
He’s also missed most of pre season with the same injury that kept him out of tonight. Nice try Shappy!


2.) 13 Aug 2024 07:53:27
Romanoesque!


3.) 13 Aug 2024 08:58:48
Be a shame to not keep the trend of signing injury prone players going!


4.) 13 Aug 2024 11:45:59
Wazza, where did you hear he is injured, I've scoured the internet and not found any mention of him being injured. The Burnley manager didn't mention him as being out injured.


5.) 13 Aug 2024 12:47:50
He has not played any pre season due to injury so was not considered last night and it was reported at the match last night that he was left out due to that reasoning.


6.) 13 Aug 2024 12:50:09
Shappy, Parker said so, and confirmed it's what has kept him out of some pre-season fixtures.

You can't have Googled too long as it's the first thing that comes up when searching Sander Berge injury.

"He picked up an injury in Spain. He had a bit of discomfort in his quad. It's not a big injury, it's quite a small injury to be honest with you. "

Nice clickbait though!


7.) 13 Aug 2024 13:33:59
Wazza to be fair I searched last night and that article you've quoted was published at midday today, 15 minutes AFTER I posted saying I hadn't seen anything to say he was injured.

From what I read he was expected to be in the squad and wasn't, which seemed suspicious. As it was he is injured, so that's that then.


 

 

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.

Shappy

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?

Shappy

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.

Shappy

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.

Shappy

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.


 

 

 

Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts

 

27 Jan 2026 22:05:23
I'll start by saying that I don't think this will happen before I get the usual naysayers.

Right, Carrick has on paper at least won (and fairly convincingly) the two toughest fixtures of the 17 he was given.

If he went on an amazing run and won the remaining 15 games (not impossible given our lessened fixture list and that on paper at least the other games are easier than his first two), where in the league do you think we would finish?

That would put us on 83 points. For reference if Arsenal maintain the exact same form over the remaining 15 games that they have managed over the first 23 then they'd get another 32 points finishing with 82 in total.

In what is probably the weakest league since Leicester won the title, is it totally unfathomable that we could still technically be in with an outside chance of a title challenge at least?

Shappy

1.) 27 Jan 2026 22:50:17
I've been unwavering all season, we are title contenders.
All season people have laughed at that position.
We are still in the race as it is Arsenal at the summit.


2.) 27 Jan 2026 23:35:14
Nothing is impossible yet. However as you say not probable.
A top 6 fight will ensue imo. Possibly 7 if Newcastle can get one of their front players scoring.
I don't see the top 3 falling back too much although villa don't always convince me and they don't have city's know how, although city have lots of defenders out .
In all likelihood 5th will get a cl place so again imo its will be a straight fight for 4th and 5th between ourselves Chelsea and Liverpool.
If they begin to click again it will be tight.
We have momentum and fixtures in our favour and until dorgou a fit squad .
A win v Fulham is a great place to start.


Then stay again the next week.
If we can ride this wave and become more solid that will breed confidence. A 5 or 6 game winning run catapulted villa and I don't think Chelsea or Liverpool could match that right now.
If we did win 6 on the spin those above would be closer somewhat imo and those below would be well back.
#ridethewave
With teams finding it hard this season to win more than 3 on the bounce if we won 6 then we're gaining significant ground on everybody.
The only title rave we are in now is a mathematical one.
If we still have a mathematical chance with 6 games to go that will do me as a target for now.


3.) 28 Jan 2026 00:20:41
Let's walk before we run. We need to beat a team convincingly that sets up defensively against us. Then we can talk.


4.) 28 Jan 2026 07:05:14
The most important thing is getting another 3 wins so that lad can cut his hair. Carrick would go down as a hero.


5.) 28 Jan 2026 08:41:14
That bet at 50 / 1 might start to look not so crazy Jimbo!
Hope you had it each way? 10 / 1 for coming second ain't bad!

{Ed025's Note - bookies just love Man Utd supporters Paddy.. :)


6.) 28 Jan 2026 08:57:01
In one Dodgy.


7.) 28 Jan 2026 09:01:48
There is a reason there is a bookies on every street corner ed025.

{Ed025's Note - absolutely Ken..


8.) 28 Jan 2026 09:11:46
All them drawn games that we really should have won would have put us in a really good position.


9.) 28 Jan 2026 10:01:25
On pure recent-form maths:
• City ?
• Arsenal ?
• Villa ? top 4
• United ? outside CL spots

This is ChatGPT results based on the seasons results. Much more likely than United winning the PL. could argue we will finish top 4.


10.) 28 Jan 2026 10:10:55
I also put a wager on them when they were at 500/1.
All bets covered by a start of season bet that has them at top 4, that's a shoe in. like every bet placed ?.


11.) 28 Jan 2026 11:23:49
I know a couple of lads on the board of one if the biggest bookies in uk and Ireland.
Their commercial director told me that they take in over 200m on what they describe as novelty bets every year.
Bets on outsiders odds of 33/1 or more and novelty bets like my son will play for England and pay out less than 3m per year.


It is their most profitable core activity.
3rd most profitable was profitable profit from football accumalters and bet builders taking 97% contribution to profit on weekly income in this specific revenue channel.
Millions of lost 2 3 tand 10 pound bets every week.


12.) 28 Jan 2026 12:25:42
Crikey! What a lot of know alls! Of course the bookies are on to a good thing. All “winnings” are given back to them anyway! No punter keeps it. It’s just just the next bet!
I was just giving a heads up to Jimbo!
And it’s Patrick not paddy.


13.) 28 Jan 2026 14:18:31
Who got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning ??? and its jimbob not jimbo Mr touchy.


14.) 28 Jan 2026 14:54:14
I think we'll finish 3rd about 8 points behind City as Champions. Arsenal have a very strong squad but i think the wheels will come off over the next couple of months and once City go ahead, they won't be caught.

Low 80 points winning the league isn't something I'd think I'd seen again for awhile but it shows you how quick football can change.

Hopefully we're looking up and not over our shoulders come March, April. It will be very telling over the next 5 games how we'll finish. If we can get that lad a haircut we'll be flying into the champions league.


15.) 28 Jan 2026 15:43:36
Lets see how we fair against Fulham, it's far too early.
Being realistic i think 5th place.


16.) 28 Jan 2026 16:10:19
He’ll always be Jimbo to me Ken!

{Ed025's Note - and thats fair enough Paddy.. :)


17.) 28 Jan 2026 18:00:55
It's actually Colin.


18.) 28 Jan 2026 20:50:46
And mine’s not Patrick! ?.


19.) 29 Jan 2026 09:37:57
Is Dave just a nickname, Rodney?


20.) 29 Jan 2026 14:30:16
Fizz ????.


 

 

Manchester United's Next Manager: Why This Rebuild Needs Time

25 Jan 2026 07:39:04
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United's Next Manager: Why This Rebuild Needs Time

Shappy

 

 

24 Jan 2026 15:55:57
Manchesterunited logo

Shappy has written an article entitled, Manchester United's Next Manager: Why This Rebuild Needs Time

Shappy

1.) 24 Jan 2026 19:59:32
It’s a cycle we’ve seen before: we preach "patience for the rebuild, " but the reality is United doesn't have the luxury of a slow burn. As our drop out of the Deloitte Football Money League top five shows, failing to deliver immediate results has real financial consequences that eventually hamper our ability to compete at all.

​While "rooting out" players is necessary, we shouldn't always default to the five-year-plan excuse. I’d settle for a coach who can actually improve the players already in the building through elite coaching, rather than another manager waiting for the "perfect" squad that may never arrive.


2.) 24 Jan 2026 20:35:57
Time is a luxury in reality 7 good players gets us up there. We could buy 5 top players in the summer but they all have to hit the ground running that's the hard part.


3.) 24 Jan 2026 21:45:44
This rebuild takes time said nobody in the last 13 years.

Record is broken.


4.) 24 Jan 2026 22:06:35
I'd like Tuchel for two reasons.
1. He will identify the mentally weak players and get rid of them, he will not suffer fools and will demand high standards
2. I have a bet on him being the next manager.


 

 

Manchester United's Dominance Over City Offers Hope

19 Jan 2026 07:39:06
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United's Dominance Over City Offers Hope

Shappy

 

 

18 Jan 2026 14:14:25
Manchester united logo

Shappy has written an article entitled, Manchester United's Dominance Over City Offers Hope

Shappy

1.) 18 Jan 2026 15:59:25
Good post Shappy.


2.) 18 Jan 2026 19:35:46
"I was sad to see Amorim go the way he did. I could genuinely see progress under him. That said, yesterday's game was by far the best performance we have seen from a United side in years. "

If you want to understand what an oxymoron is, look no further.

We were making progess umder RA apparently, but as soon as we lose him, we see the best performance for years ?‍♂️. The absurdity is staggering.

In one game, Carrick has shown what is possible. I should add that I am very relaxed via Senor Malbec, but it needs saying. RA was full of hot air but delivered very little. There was no new Manager bounce when he joined, there was the odd good result, the occasional whiff of progress before reverting to mediocriry, but generally it was awful.

In 3 days, Carrick has shown what is possible. I'm not suggesting he is the answer, but he has shown in 1 game thst RA was definitely not the answer.


3.) 18 Jan 2026 20:01:20
The thing I’ll say is that it didn’t look fun to play for Amorim. Where was the joy? The players didn’t understand his technical instructions, or simply didn’t want to follow them.


4.) 18 Jan 2026 20:09:04
That is ridiculous AJH. You are suggesting that somehow Amorim was impeding the squad and you have strongly suggested in other posts that he was flawed in multiple areas. So you then think that Carrick has undone in 3 days what RA was doing over 14 months. That's the absurdity. You ignore the stats pointing towards the strong improvement. You ignore the multiple really good performances this season. That is absurd.
If you instead spoke that yesterday showed Amorim was too stubborn in not giving Mainoo a chance and thereby releasing Bruno to a more advanced role then I'd agree.

If you spoke that the subtle difference in formation that meant that instead of a defensive shape with back 5 where one player bolts up, that instead Carrick left it to one of the wingers to perform that role, and that this tweak clearly gave Dorgu more confidence, then I'd agree. But you are making absurd points here. This black and white way of looking at things is silly.


5.) 18 Jan 2026 21:01:57
Don, you and I see different things mate.

There was no 'subtle' difference in formation, we moved to a pretty standard 442, something RA has refused to do since he joined.

Yesterday was joyful, and yes, Carrick seems to have undone in 3 days what Amorim did in12 months, but it was only 1 game.

RTFP, most people are seeing yesterday as our best performance for over 12 months, our best 90 minutes since before RA joined.

It was only 1 game, so who knows what will happen next, but yesterday was soooo different to anything I have seen under RA's reign.


6.) 18 Jan 2026 21:43:22
AJH, which term is it that you don't understand, oxymoron or progress?

Oxymoron means the combining of two contradictory terms.

Progress means a development towards an improved position.

Amorim making progress and Carrick building on that is not an oxymoron.

There was clear and obvious progress under Amorim.

The shifting out of players with poor attitudes and the dismantling of a poorly constructed squad.

The development of a clear and obvious style of play with repeatable patterns of play.

An improvement in the quality of the playing squad.

Clear improvement in performances (if not always results) .

The fact that he took a very poor side from last season and had us up competing in and around the UCL spots at the time of his dismissal is another clear sign of progress.

Don't let your obvious dislike of the man cloud your judgement, if you can't seriously see that the team was in a much better position when Amorim left to what it was when he took over then maybe football isn't for you.

Now was he ultimately going to be able to take us back to where we want to be? I think it would be fair to be skeptical of that. But ultimately we'll never know.

I think it is fair to say that of all the post Sir Alex Ferguson managers he's probably the only one who can leave knowing he left the club in a better position than he found it.


7.) 18 Jan 2026 21:53:41
I did rtfp. It was absurd.


8.) 19 Jan 2026 00:27:59
Shappy, no he didn't, he set us back over 12 months. Hopefully we can now kick on and actually get serious again. It's unfortunate that it took this long.


9.) 19 Jan 2026 00:30:46
Took over a team, 4 points from the top 4, finished the season on relegation form. His last run of results were horrendous, failing to beat 6 teams into the bottom 7 positions, 3 wins in 11, had a premier league win rate of 32%, but left us in a better position, Jesus wept lads. He was horrendous for the club and set us back.

It's a results business and his were worse than shocking.


10.) 19 Jan 2026 03:27:16
And yet amorims utd created the third most chances in the epl after city and arsenal, and we're in a European spot when he was fired.

I am happy to see 442 back. I am happy to see a change from Bruno in at number 6, but after 12 months the disaster that was amorim has been spun like crazy by the club. The same club that couldn't afford to back him.


11.) 19 Jan 2026 05:29:11
Totally disagree Shappy, he dismantled a squad and started to rebuild it with poorer players, the patterns of play were slow and predictable, hardly coaching at a high level, he made good players worse. In game management was atrocious, the calling out of players hardly the way to go.
When he took over United were what 5/6/7 in league he took us to 15th and this year back to hovering around 5th 6th 7th.

Hardly much better
He assembled a team of number 10s and did not address a poor defence or midfield in even playing to there strengths with what he had.
In my book we trod water for all the time he was here and the football was awful.


12.) 19 Jan 2026 07:48:22
The oxymoron is that you could see progress, but as soon as he goes we get the best performance for 2 years. I don't want to fall out with long standing respected posters, and I realise I feel more strongly about RA than most, so I'm going to take a break and have a reset, put myself on the naughty step for a couple of weeks.


13.) 19 Jan 2026 07:49:49
There is a reason why we went 26 years and now 13 years without a title, just read some of the lack of understanding above.


14.) 19 Jan 2026 08:40:43
AJH you're perfectly entitled to your opinion. TBF I am guilty of lumping in some of what you are saying with angel. Angel I think you deal with absolutes in a way that is incredibly unhealthy. Your way of looking at things to not see grey but only deal in binary outcomes is the same comfort path that led to Brexit, voting for Trump and all these self defeating things that people do because of not recognising trends and underlying causes and search for simple solutions that the rest of us see as being self defeating.

That you really think that Amorim could be completely dreadful and another coach comes in and in 3 days undo 12 months of damage, basically through a few people talks is extraordinary. Do you actually believe that?!


15.) 19 Jan 2026 12:18:23
All I’ll say is I’m glad he’s gone. I don’t think the players understood his tactics, philosophy or approach.

His man management seemed questionable to many, and his substitutions were quite baffling.


16.) 19 Jan 2026 13:36:01
I think RA confused himself! Let alone the players
Some of the in game decisions were baffling
The media talks were naive bordering on stupid
He got complete lack of knowledge in leading a big club with players with even bigger ego’s, I not seen no other club racing to sign him up now or even before, in fact the ones before rejected him
Every player went backwards under him
Win rate atrocious
Good riddance he gone.


 

 

 

Shappy's rumour replies

 

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28 Jan 2026 21:19:23
Jodler, to an extent I agree, however you don't want to stockpile players who all suit the same role/position.

Ideally you want a variety of different attackers who all bring something a little different, players you can rotate around or sub in to change a game.

It'd be foolish to bring in a player who is similar in style and role to multiple players we already have, while we have massive gaps in our squad that need addressing elsewhere. Adding another cherry for the top of the cake when we don't have any sponge would be stupid.

Shappy

 

 

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27 Jan 2026 21:42:35
Fallguy, the rumour might but the chances of it happening probably stay the same.

We signed Bruno's replacement in the summer when we brought Cunha in, we also have Mount in the squad. While if we decide to move to a 433 rather than a 4231 then Mainoo probably takes that more offensive midfielder role (ideally alongside Anderson and Baleba) .

Shappy

 

 

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25 Jan 2026 05:37:39
He's a good player no doubt, but with Mbeumo, Amad and the young Shea Lacey do we really need another left footed RW/No.10 type player?

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10 Jan 2026 10:57:15
Ultimately young players need to be playing regularly if they are going to develop and reach their potential.

I think the original plan was to loan out Collyer for the first half of the season and see how he did while we kept Sekou Kone and gave him more first team exposure to help him continue to adjust to playing in England. Then assess where both of them were in January. However, Kone's injury and Collyer's limited game time, partially due to injury, has meant that it's hard to judge where either player is right now.

Realistically the club should loan out the player they think has the best chance of having a future at the club so they can continue to develop, while keeping the other one at the club as back up.

I think given the challenging situation our club is in right now and the limited options we have in midfield I'd be tempted to loan out the younger lad Kone somewhere where he'll get regular game time, ideally in the Championship, but abroad if necessary. While keeping the more experienced Collyer (whose still building up fitness after his injury) as without a midfield signing in January (due to being managerless again) it's more likely that whoever stays will be needed as the seasons wears on and players pick up more injuries. I would expect to see Casemiro to have to miss a few games given his age and the amount he has played for us so far this season. While the rarely injured Bruno has had a spell out, Mount will pick up injuries, Mainoo has missed a bit due to injuries and Ugarte has as well.

Given that we will have a caretaker manager and the difficult situation we find ourselves in it makes more sense to rely on the more experienced Collyer in a pinch rather than throwing Kone into the mix.

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24 Dec 2025 11:36:09
I'm not buying the Ruben Neves links either, I just think it's a case of it being a Portuguese midfielder who is looking to leave Saudi and wants to come back to the EPL and us having a Portuguese manager and needing a midfielder.

I just don't see him as a very good fit for an Amorim system, where the midfield needs to be physically strong and athletic due to them needing to cover a lot of ground. He's more of a deep-lying playmaker style of midfielder who needs an aggressive ball winner next to him. Which isn't something Amorim has typically used.

If we were to go for a midfielder in January I'd expect it to be more like someone similar to Conor Gallagher. A dynamic, athletic, box to box type player who can win the ball back and cover a lot of ground in midfield, as that is what we are lacking most. Gallagher would be ideal, and the club did try to get him on loan with an option to buy in the summer, so could go back with a similar deal in January.

That said I believe we will only go for long term targets, players we intend to have around for the next 3-4 years as key players. I can't see us doing any short term deals. So maybe not any loan deals, unless they truly intend to make it permanent in the summer.

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27 Jan 2026 21:48:25
Fair play Mal, at least you have a little more class than your manager.

Surely having been brought up on Arsene Wenger's football it must be hard to watch your current side try to be a billion pound Stoke City.

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25 Jan 2026 12:19:47
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Shappy has written an article entitled, Manchester United Should Target Relagation Team's Players

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25 Jan 2026 10:58:10
Anderson is the best one available and we 100% need to push as hard as we can to get him. If we don't have UCL that will be hard. Rumours are City want him and if they do go for him then it'll be hard to win that battle. Our best chance is if Pep leaves City this summer then maybe that might play into Anderson's thoughts when making a decision.

That said if Anderson does go to City and we managed to get both Wharton and Baleba (both of which are rumoured to have their prices dropped from the 100m previously linked to around 70m) then we will have massively upgraded our midfield. While we could still go for someone like Noah Sadiki if we wanted that dynamic and physical box to box player.

If we start next season with midfield options of Mainoo, Baleba, Wharton, and Sadiki then we will have potentially one of the best midfield selections in the league.

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24 Jan 2026 12:29:48
The dog nudged me and I hit send early ?

I was saying with it almost certain that Ugarte will leave this summer as well, then that really just leaves Mainoo as a special-ist midfielder (Bruno and Mount can play there in a pinch but need an all action defensive midfielder alongside them) .

That for me means that we probably need to sign 3 midfielders this summer ideally, unless there is a youth player who is ready to play 15-20 games next season.

In an ideal world we'd sign a physical/defensive box to box player, then a player who is more of a holding/sitting whose an expansive passer, and then an all rounder type player.

An all rounder like Elliot Anderson would be great as he could literally play alongside anyone and that midfield works well. While if as expected Wolves go down then a player like João Gomes as that physical and aggressive box to box player would be great. As for a someone who is more of a holding player with great passing range, we could possibly look at someone like Ruben Neves who will be available on a free in the summer I believe. EPL proven, adds some experience and leadership, his wages would be high though. Other possible options could be Fabian Ruiz, Hayden Hackney, Lamine Camara or Lucien Agoumé as that more sitting passer.

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24 Jan 2026 11:25:21
Casemiro when you ignore the money has been a great signing for us. He's a leader on and off the pitch, a role model, has great experience and has been a quality player for us. He's come up clutch with key goals and he seems to have really embraced the club and taken us to heart.

He leaves big shoes to fill. I also think that with his departure confirmed, along with what seems to be the certain.

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