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31 Dec 2025 14:52:29
How many of us were kind of expecting that result or even fearing a loss last night, especially with so many of our primary goal scoring threats and better players out for one reason or another? It could have been worse if we hadn't improved our goalie during the summer. It could have been better if Sesko was an in form striker. Was it the system? Or was it that we were forced to field a team that, if it was the best we had to offer, would be fighting relegation notwithstanding the system? Without Amad, Mount, Bruno, Mbuemo, Mazraoui, Mainoo, De Ligt and (yes) Maguire, what's left of the squad would almost certainly not be good enough to remain an EPL team whoever was the manager and whatever his style.
Let's hope the club can fill a gap or two when the window opens.
28 Dec 2025 15:57:37
Apparently this season Luke Shaw has played more minutes than anyone else in the EPL.
1.) 28 Dec 2025 18:10:02
Must be an england world cup year or something.
2.) 28 Dec 2025 20:26:59
That can't be true, unless his moobs count as two players?
3.) 28 Dec 2025 21:50:29
Think it might be more starts in epl FOR utd than any other player.
4.) 29 Dec 2025 18:38:26
He has played a lot amd been consistent imo. i'm pretty harsh on Shaw but he has done well at lcb and is a solid enough option there but he is infuriating in possession. Slow and negative other than that he has been reliable and a mainstay in the defence.
I don't see it Happening but it would be funny if tuchel called him up. They're are worse than him in the squad imo.
28 Dec 2025 09:18:59
With a weakened squad and, in particular with no Bruno, we hold on for a win and do not concede a goal. If he's out for a month and we go on a run, what would that say? That in the position Amorim needs to play him with Cunha and Mbuemo being first choices, he doesn't have the defensive discipline to hold the team together.
In a great team you cannot be relying on one player alone. Bruno may have become our talisman, but at what cost? That's the unknown. Some have talked of leadership. Does Bruno really have what it takes compared to, say, a tough focused player in the Roy Keane mould, like perhaps Licha? He's a whiner and it's not inspiring. A gifted and creative non possession oriented player under whose leadership we have won virtually nothing and who has gone missing at vital times, like for example in the Europa final last year.
Are we about to begin to see life after Bruno? If we want to become a consistent trophy winning team, his age alone means we need to look to the next midfield era. I think he goes (along with Ugarte and possibly Mainoo - all profit) in the summer to be replaced by one or two of our much talked about targets. I'd rather keep Cas on a much reduced salary for another season as back up for whoever comes in.
1.) 28 Dec 2025 10:25:12
I'm not Bruno's biggest fan but his goals and assist stats are incredible; take him out of the team and there is a big gap to he filled. However, I've never seen him as Captain material, but we have had so few leaders in the team the choice has been limited.
I think playing him as 1 of a midfield 2 always carries a risk and puts too much pressure on his partner. Personally I think he is better in a 3 or playing further forward.
Bruno aside, midfield is where we need to strengthen to get some control and whatever funds we have should be spent there. Cas has been solid this year but struggles to get through 90 minutes, that will just get worse. If we were to sign 2 top top CMs, then it makes selection interesting bit that would be a great step forwards.
2.) 28 Dec 2025 15:37:23
1 game as captain against a poor Newcastle side and all of a sudden Licha is captain material. Says more about the fragile mindset of "United Supporters" than anything about Bruno.
3.) 28 Dec 2025 15:47:45
UA, who else would you have in this squad?
4.) 28 Dec 2025 17:47:06
Ah come on UA, surely you can see Martinez is a leader.
5.) 28 Dec 2025 18:21:04
UA
Never really heard anything negative about Licha except for his injuries. When he came back after long layoff his performance levels weren't up to speed, but rumours were he was playing with pain.
This time they have been extra careful to the point he has been going crazy to get back on the pitch. I hope he stays fit, he is a leader and more importantly his play making from the back is elite. It goes un-noticed but we really missed it when he started with all these injuries.
Until he has played a season without major problems, I will not trust that he can get fully back. Just like shaw to be honest, still waiting for his next relapse. Both talented players. We need talented players that play consistently.
6.) 30 Dec 2025 22:18:39
I think you got your answer, tonight. ?.
23 Dec 2025 08:19:20
So, no Bruno for a month maybe. Newcastle coming up. They're average. Wolves have to be despondent. Leeds looking much improved and then Burnley. If this wasn't United with its history of blown opportunities, one might be thinking of a string of wins, but this is a United without Mbuemo, Amad and now its talismanic captain, as well as both its 2 experienced CBS.
It'll be interesting to see how Amorim sets up without his playmaker. and it will be interesting to see what's left of the squad can achieve without 5 starters for what looks like the next 3 weeks or more. Cas and Licha in midfield? Cunha, Sesko, Mount? Dalot and Dorgu (had a better game v Villa? ) and the same back 3 of Yoro (been disappointing), Heaven (stepped up), and Shaw, who thus far has been pretty good all season. Opportunities to shine?
With a full squad many of us would have been interested to see how we coped without Bruno.
1.) 23 Dec 2025 10:39:47
We are in stage 1 of the 3 stage whole squad rebuild.
We've moved on the players who have no future or were causing issues. We've brought in a a raft of young players who with a bit of luck will be quality squad options in a few years time. We have also bought well last summer helping go a long way to fixing our misfiring front line.
Yet the squad isn't just paper thin, there are clear and obvious weaknesses even when all players are fit and available. When we are missing several key players (and Mbeumo and Amad are easily amongst our best 3 players this season), then of course we will struggle. This is when we get to see what Amorim can do when his hands are totally tied behind his back.
On the evidence of the Villa game I'm actually fairly pleased with what I saw. We were the better team across the game and were unlucky to lose. That's away against a team that had won 9 games on the bounce going into that match, while we were robbed of our best three players this season due to the AFCON and a suspension. To be the better team in those circumstances was very impressive, and for me a sign that we are on the right path.
Just to have a great first 11 we still need at least 4 more likely 5 new players (two midfielders, two CB's and a wingback), let alone adding squad depth right across the team to allow for injuries, suspensions, rotation and to add competition for places.
Stage 2 is next summer, where hopefully we add the remaining 5 players or so that we need to finish rebuilding the first 11. Then stage 3 summer 2027/28 adding quality squad depth and competition for places both through signings and hopefully having some of the younger players we've added to the academy be ready to step up and really start to fight for places in the first team.
Without a doubt this period while the AFCON is on was always going to be the toughest run of the season, adding the unfortunate injury to Bruno only makes this run harder.
We need to temper our expectations and not let our hearts rule out heads as there will be disappointing results and probably performances during this spell. We need to make sure we don't get overly emotional, abandoning logic and common sense. We need to not give in to the hyperbole that the media will try and stoke after every bad result, and stand by our club and our manager, who is about to face an impossible task. Remember to apply the context, and manage those expectations, I know it's Christmas but don't go expecting miracles.
2.) 23 Dec 2025 10:43:12
I wouldn't underestimate Newcastle. I think they will beat Utd on boxing day.
3.) 23 Dec 2025 10:14:20
Realistically this is going to be a tough period with the players at Afcon, still missing De Ligt and Maguire and now Fernandes. However, I am actually looking forward to seeing some of the other players stepping up and getting a chance. Whether it will be Mainoo (who knows what is actually going on! ), Licha stepping into the midfield or the youth players gettimh more game time it could be a real opportunity to assess what we have actually got in the squad.
Whilst we did not get the result against Villa there were definite signs of progression and we just need to be more clinical up front and eradicate the odd individual errors.
All part of the progression this year. with its ups and downs.
4.) 23 Dec 2025 16:09:24
Mainoo Gets his chance now be Bruno is finally injured and gets injured himself.
This is his Utd career chance. Get fit and take it or he’s gone.
5.) 23 Dec 2025 17:25:28
Shappys spot on here.
There are positives and probably the most frustrating thing. We’re close but not there and probably lacking talent to execute this system.
21 Dec 2025 09:40:29
Yes, Amorim needs to be a bit more flexible and maybe more astute in game management, but changing back from his preferred system to suit players bought under different managers at different times is a dumb idea. Clearly, our owners agree. If we're going to create the new Man Utd then everyone needs to commit to the program. By making players revert to the old ways, one may (or may not) succeed in picking up a couple more points but it simply undoes the tactical training.
If, after this next summer window, when we should be able to spend around £250m and still remain well within UEFA squad cost limits, and even more so within FA limits for non-European qualifying teams, we don't see a substantial improvement in our defense, then it will be time to question Amorim's quality.
In the meantime, we're scoring more goals, letting more in and - contrary to pundits like Paul Scholes - have become an entertaining team to watch. Let's hope we can continue to compete while the preferred right side of our team is in Africa.
1.) 21 Dec 2025 12:32:58
The reality is that we are around one third of the way through a whole squad rebuild. We fixed the frontline this summer, but we still need to totally rebuild the midfield, and we probably need a couple of CB's as well.
When big changes are still needed in two of the three main areas of the pitch it's obvious to anyone with an ounce of common sense that we will see inconsistent performances and results, especially when we are missing key players.
I'm not entirely against the idea of switching to a back four during the AFCON as a short term measure to deal with losing Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui. It solves the issue of not having a proper right sided wingback, and the lack of wide threat on that side. Move to a a back four, let Dalot play at RB (his best position), add more legs and protection in midfield, and still have some balance in attack.
We've lost two of our best players in Mbeumo and Amad, and we have to accept that we don't have the quality in depth to replace them like for like. So adapting for the short term isn't a bad idea. It's a low risk strategy as unless we absolutely smash it while playing a 433 (which is unlikely given us losing our best players) then it strengthens the managers hand to switch back to his preferred system once our African players return.
If we were able to get deals done over the summer to replace Shaw with Branthwaite, bring in Guehi on a free, and sign Anderson and Baleba with Casemiro and Bruno leaving. Then just think how much that would improve our team. Especially if we can get Semenyo this January.
Lammens, Guehi, MdL, Branthwaite, Amad, Anderson, Baleba, Semenyo, Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha.
Then we look like a powerful, creative, physical strong young team, with leaders all over the pitch.
Height, physicality, pace, and ball playing ability in defence, energy and quality both on and off the ball in midfield, real pace and creativity out wide and a front three that can score and create goals.
We'd still be relying on youth for squad rotation in midfield and defence, so we probably lack the squad depth to challenge across the whole season across all 4 competitions. But the first 11 will be set, and we can add more quality in depth the following summer to really challenge for the title.
This is the reality of where we are. If we are lucky then we finish rebuilding the first 11 next summer, meaning we have a quality first 11 for next season, but will still lack the squad depth required to challenge for the league title. Meaning that our next realistic title challenge will be in 2027/28 season when we've been able to add to the squad depth to be able to sustain a title challenge across the whole season.
To expect title winning form before then is just folly.
2.) 21 Dec 2025 14:46:35
Don't agree that it's a stupid idea to play a system to suit the squad you have, surely that's what a manager should do whilst making the changes he deems necessary for his preferred system long term
That said agree with his views/comments on culture and mentality within the club.
It's definitely what's needed at OT more than anything, let's hope he's the man to deliver it.
3.) 21 Dec 2025 15:40:47
Nearly all our defenders and midfielders played in a 433 for the club and were poor at that too so i'm not sure what the glamour is and notion that playing in a back 4 will improve things.
I prefer a back 4 but the coach doesn't. So no point looking at it from my perspective.
I try to look at it from his perspective and try to understand it.
He feels it better to play his preferred system with who he has. When he has his 1st 11 that's not been too bad at all but midfield is the biggest issue we need 2 starting players there ASAP to release bruno and replace cas.
Then Increased quality in each other position over the next couple of windows. That's the plan as it appears to me.
4.) 21 Dec 2025 20:10:33
I mean that’s probably the most
pragmatic, sensible and rationale post you’ve ever made Ken, and I can’t argue with it.
newnameoldideas's rumour replies
27 Nov 2025 20:31:13
You mean the 10 men Everton team that had 2 shots, one of which was on target and which got a deflection to beat the goalkeeper?
26 Nov 2025 20:43:26
£25m for a 17 year old from a mid level Dutch team who isn't going to solve any of our current issues? It could be good long term business but could equally well be a bust.
24 Aug 2025 13:15:25
Bruno has been the best player in a very average to poor declining team for the last 5 years. As good as he might be/ have been, he's presided over the worst United team since the EPL began. He's being frozen out of his best position by quality team players. He's clearly not in the club or Amorim's longer term plans notwithstanding utterances to the contrary. If he's willing to go the club should jump at the opportunity to cash in. It's all profit. If it's going to happen let's hope it does so quick enough for a genuine #6 to be brought in.
20 Aug 2025 20:20:26
Including the amortization cost of the last 10 months of his contract of about £12m he's going to cost us 80% of his £13m salary. So around £22m in total. You would think most clubs are going to steer clear of a players who has been rejected by United and Chelsea and who, rather than grasp an offer to play football somewhere, would prefer to sit on his arse for the next 10 months. Itv would be worth it for United to sell him for £20m and cover 1/ 2 the remaining salary commitment, but a player who was highly touted, was once considered to be of international quality, can't even command a £20m transfer.
18 Aug 2025 21:27:23
He's probably holding out in the hope that Dortmund will come in with a ridiculously low offer at the last minute.
newnameoldideas's banter replies
02 Jan 2026 15:58:52
DSG. Most of us are expecting a substantial improvement after next summer. The PSR rules change. The club should hopefully be able to get rid of more players raising some cash, and the be able to spend £250m+ staying well within the new FA total squad cost requirements, If we're still producing the same level of play my guess is the Amorim experiment will come to a quick end.
02 Jan 2026 13:16:58
Without Mbuemo, Amad, de Ligt, Bruno, Mount, Mazroui and even Maguire we would be a relegation candidate. There's no reason to expect any fixture will be easy. Any team in. the process of rebuilding with known weaknesses at the best of times, if deprived of its best players and all of its experienced ones, would struggle.
01 Jan 2026 09:48:13
Noucamp. I don't see and wouldn't support Bruno leaving in January whether or not he's likely to be here next year - unless, in the unlikely event, we acquire at least two key personnel for the future to replace him. The stats don't lie, but they do perhaps mislead. Over a very lean period Bruno is and has been our most creative player but he doesn't provide much defensive quality and, IMO, he's not really the type of leader we need on the field.
It's quite likely we would have scored more if he hadn't gotten injured, but it's also quite possible we would have conceded more. If we're going to compete with Arsenal and City we're going to have to look beyond Bruno however long he remains with us.
31 Dec 2025 16:34:17
At the moment we need Bruno's creativity but he's getting older so we also need to look beyond his time with the team. If he's irreplaceable then the club has no future. Plus we're also missing Mbuemo, Mount and Amad. You take all 4 of them out of the team at the same time and inevitably there's a big drop off.
28 Dec 2025 15:47:45
UA, who else would you have in this squad?