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13 Jun 2025 12:59:08
Any update on Mbeumo? Feels like this one is slipping away, especially from the Frank/ Spurs change. Hopefully jut more patience required :D.
1.) 13 Jun 2025 13:35:42
News out now that Mbuemo is interested in moving to spurs instead. Offering champions league football and his old boss.
Looks likely we may need to go to plan b, whatever that is. Not seen many links with similar players.
2.) 13 Jun 2025 14:03:07
All negotiating tactics: Brentford hustling United for more money.
3.) 13 Jun 2025 14:10:41
Fingers crossed - I was pretty excited by the prospect of Mbeumo in this team.
Semenyo seems to be linked a fair bit too.
4.) 13 Jun 2025 14:43:09
I don’t think it’s hustling. I suspect that we were offering him higher wages, and that’s why he was interested in coming here. But with Frank at Spurs, and Son likely off to Saudi, Spurs can offer him something similar. With the player open to both offers, Brentford are obviously going to want a bidding war.
When Mbeumo said we were his preferred destination, it was obvious that money was the deciding factor.
5.) 13 Jun 2025 16:17:26
Semenyo has been mentioned in the past. But it would take huge amounts of money to get him out of Bournemouth apparently. Far more than Mbeumo.
It could be tactics from the agent or club, hope he still joins but not if it means paying way over the odds in transfer fee or wages.
6.) 13 Jun 2025 16:37:08
If (a big if IMO) Mbuemo goes to Spurs, then we should 100% get Bruno to play the R10 role with Amad overlapping him as RWB and spend the £60m on a box-to-box midfielder instead.
7.) 13 Jun 2025 16:37:29
If a player doesn't want to come so be it. If wages are the players primary concern then I don't want that player at Utd.
I get that in this case the player may prefer to play with a coach he knows in the champions league and stay settled in London. All valid concerns.
Just let's hope it's sorted soon.
8.) 13 Jun 2025 17:28:36
Let’s wait and see. I hope he signs, but if he’d rather play for Spurs, maybe it’s for the best we move on to other targets.
It’ll be a little disappointing if it doesn’t happen, though. In the space of a few days we’ll have gone from Cunha, Gyokores, and Mbuemo to just Cunha. I quite liked the idea of having a front three that could bang in 100 goals a season.
9.) 13 Jun 2025 17:35:09
We all know we will start the season with Cunha, Amad and Rasmus up top. And then wonder why we can’t score goals. LOL
I hope they can get the signings in early, but with United they often leave it until later in the window.
10.) 13 Jun 2025 21:32:29
Hopefully we’re not going to be handicapped by not being able to get players out the door but I assume that’s the holdup.
11.) 13 Jun 2025 23:08:14
He'll be at united soon enough, most of it is desperate paper talk. levy ain't signing a player over 60m on 200k plus a week. He rejected arsenal and made it clear he like cunha wants utd.
12.) 14 Jun 2025 00:20:41
Isn’t there a transfer embargo atm?
13.) 14 Jun 2025 03:57:52
Deals can still be agreed so not sure what difference that makes about the window being closed.
14.) 14 Jun 2025 15:45:59
The announcement?
15.) 16 Jun 2025 01:49:33
If we can't get Mbeumo, Eze has to be the next in line?
16.) 16 Jun 2025 08:49:29
Would love to see Eze. Makes you wonder which Prem clubs in a better situation than us could be interested as City and Liverpool already have shiny new players in that position.
17.) 17 Jun 2025 07:57:59
Whilst I would have loved Mbeumo I can’t help think that Bruno would become a liability playing in a midfield two.
Bruno now that he’s staying will have to start. But he isn’t a natural fit in that deeper role. He’s going to leave Mainoo/ ugarte/ new signing ridiculously exposed.
So leave him as a 10 and sign the best midfielder we can afford.
Amad, mainoo, zirkzee can all fill in to give Cunha and Bruno a rest and there’s always Lacey and Ibragimovic to break through too.
30 Aug 2024 11:17:42
Ed02, There's been much talk of various possible deals between Chelsea/ Man Utd today, but I haven't heard anything of Chukwuemeka who doesn't seem to have a future at Stamford Bridge. Is he of interest to Utd?
{Ed002's Note - Why do you think he doesn't have a future? He has been injured the whole of last season. If he departs Chelsea will want to avoid a loan unless there is an obligation to buy. I am not aware of Manchester United interest.}
04 May 2024 13:13:40
On the topic of next opponents Crystal Palace, a lot has been mentioned of a potential move for Olise. I love Eze too a think they’ll struggle to retain either. There’s another even younger player Adam Wharton I’d ashamedly not seen previously who seems to be getting some praise. With Utd’s midfield looking somewhat ragged and in need of some inspiration, is this another youngster who could be on the radar?
{Ed002's Note - Scouts were sent last season - before he moved to Crystal Palace.}
1.) 04 May 2024 13:51:18
Cheers Ed. Seems like a good crop emerging English talent this season.
2.) 05 May 2024 08:45:47
We were still run by the amateurs then so probably missed the opportunity to sign him.
3.) 06 May 2024 11:44:18
He looks a cracking player, I don't think Palace will entertain selling him this summer as he only joined in January. Saying that though if a massive offer came in they might be tempted to cash in.
However, if he continues to play as well next season as he has since his January move then the following summer I could see a few sides eyeing up a big move for him.
29 Aug 2023 11:15:10
Another day and another link to a former ten Hag player in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (formerly of Bayern reserves) .
I think he's been ok for Spurs in recent seasons but Postecoglu wasted little time in revamping that midfield to something more energetic, which is pretty much something we all crave in the Utd team.
1.) 29 Aug 2023 11:29:39
The key is to ignore everything the media and Twitter says and believe only when a player signs on the dotted line. 99% of what we hear is made up.
2.) 29 Aug 2023 11:31:36
The pretty obvious ploy to buy players with a previous connection to ETH is a concern for me. It is too much like surrounding himself with who he knows. Maybe the scouting system has been poor but surely this isn’t the way forward. Whilst unlikely, if ETH leaves we have his core players who likely would all be unhappy. I am uneasy about this strategy.
3.) 29 Aug 2023 11:38:38
Isn't there a big difference between the myth of EtH signing players he has worked with before and the reality.
Didn't someone on here go through the list the other day and it came out it was only around 30%, sorry I forgot who it was.
4.) 29 Aug 2023 11:47:38
Red Man, Martinez Anthony and Onana are the only player who have any connection to Ten Haag and are all very good signings. Casemiro, Mount, Malacia, Hojlund, have never had any link to Ten Haag and are also very good signings. As I said above everything else is just noise. The media make things up every day. Every day that passes were supposedly in talks with or have interest in a different player. If we were to sign every player we were linked with by the media I’m not sure there would be any players left to play for any one else.
{Ed002's Note - Hojlund has.}
5.) 29 Aug 2023 11:49:18
Tagliafico has also been linked today. I get the manager trusting players he’s managed previously but this is piss poor from the clubs scouting department and Ten Hag if it turns out to be true.
6.) 29 Aug 2023 11:50:23
If he comes in purely as the rotational option to Casemiro for under £15m, I’d be delighted. Premier League experienced, a leader and has an excellent habit of putting his foot in and keeping the ball simple.
However, if it’s to come in and play ALONGSIDE Casemiro, I’d be worried as we’d be far too static and unimaginative in the middle.
Overall I feel it’s probably just a story we’ve leaked to put further pressure on Fiorentina to reduce the Amrabat price, like we did with Caicedo/ Mount and Ramos/ Hojlund.
Whatever happens, this squad desperately needs a backup no.6.
7.) 29 Aug 2023 12:06:16
Embarrassing.
Mediocre player at best.
We are scrambling around enquiring about Spurs leftovers.
8.) 29 Aug 2023 12:10:28
Seems like more than just noise on this occasion, looks like a legit target. Dunno if it's a case of one of Hjojberg / Amrabat / Gravenberch or whether it could be two.
9.) 29 Aug 2023 11:57:25
Oh right, where Ed? Never heard of any links before now.
{Ed002's Note - Bayern Munich.}
10.) 29 Aug 2023 12:42:10
JE888 - Malacia and Mount he observed when in Holland. EtH was very impressed with Mount when at Vitesse. So there are links.
I bet if we had more money he would take more chances, but I guess he needs to be extra careful with every signing, therefore goes by what he knows.
Not sure I like this for every signing. Hopefully this will change when we are free from the stranglehold of the Glazer family.
{Ed002's Note - Far from even being tenuous.}
11.) 29 Aug 2023 12:58:03
Indeed.
I guess journalists can find links anywhere if they look hard enough.
ED002, will you be travelling Thursday or will you be with us for deadline day?
{Ed002's Note - I will generally be around this week.}
12.) 29 Aug 2023 12:58:11
The media are doing some nonsensical reporting about some of the players we're linked with having some connection with Ten Hag.
Cucurella is apparently wanted because he had a good game against Ajax 3 years ago and Ten Hag has fond memories of this. Absolute rubbish.
13.) 29 Aug 2023 13:21:55
Actually he hasn't signed a huge number of players he has worked with before, no more than other managers.
While I find the idea that it is frowned upon that he is maybe using links and previous understanding when signing players he maybe hasn't worked with.
Him having a network of people who can grease the wheels and help get deals done for players the club have identified is a benefit to us not a hindrance.
While him maybe having a greater understanding and having observed a player more closely previously is also not a bad thing. It means he has seen something in them that he feel the current side need.
Pit it like this, you are presented with player A someone who meets the criteria you have asked for, and you are presented with player B, also a player who equally meets the criteria set out but he is a player you have personally observed and have seen first hand that they possess the skills you are looking for.
Which one makes most sense to sign? Player A represents more of a gamble as there could be confusion between what the manager has asked his scouts to look for and what they think they need to look for. While the manager can be far more confident that player B does have the skills he is looking for.
To suggest the manager should just go with option A is to suggest for him to have more faith in a scouting network, that has pulled up some absolutely shocking signings over the past decade, than the manager has in his own ability to recognise the requisite skills he needs.
I wonder if Arsenal fans felt the same way back in the 90's when Arsene Wenger was using his knowledge of French football and his connections to sign players like Henry, Viera, and Pires?
14.) 29 Aug 2023 13:25:54
Rjmanutd, yes some of the links are getting a bit silly now agreed. Journalists are trying to find links everywhere. Next it'll be EtH watched the player on TV ?
Good news Ed002 is about for deadline day. Can remember when he broke what Wenger shouted at SAF in a London pub (I think) or hotel bar perhaps regarding Van Persie.
15.) 29 Aug 2023 13:33:36
One advantage you get from knowing the player personally is knowing their personality, their attitude and their mental abilities. You can get reports about this, but no one knows better than yourself when making a judgement.
However you do have to take chances on unknown players as you have to widen the talent pool.
16.) 29 Aug 2023 13:54:27
The links to ETH bear out what I've been suggesting, that our scouting/ recruitment system has been completely broken under Woodward. There has been no continuity, no adaptation to the post Northern European centric system that served SAF so well. Now we have to rely almost entirely on the manager to come up with names. It's a step forward from the CEO doing it. At least he's recruiting in accordance with a footballing strategy rather than with an eye to shirt sales. But for the club to really recover from the Woodward era we're going to need to look further afield than those with whom ETH has had previous connections. Eventually he'll run out of them. Then what? I think we're still way behind in this area.
17.) 29 Aug 2023 14:44:47
Contrary to posts above, there is a theme running through the players ETH is looking at. The Manchester evening paper has this very day written a piece about it naming the connections and how this strategy is limiting us. I agree and taking someone not good enough for Spurs is a joke quite honestly. The strategy is flawed and someone needs to grab it before it goes too far.
18.) 29 Aug 2023 14:45:32
Shappy, there's a difference between Arsene Wenger using his knowledge of French footballers and seeking out opinions on the players you mentioned, and Arsene Wenger bypassing those players to only sign ones he's worked with previously. Not what I was suggesting at all.
19.) 29 Aug 2023 14:49:25
Signing Malacia was using 'his knowledge' and networking to only sign Dutch players which of course I'd expect from a manager who has been working in that league for two years.
He seems to prefer moving for players he's worked with in person, bit like Danny Ocean. Understandable in a heist but seems like a bit of a restriction and oversight in a sporting environment.
20.) 29 Aug 2023 14:56:15
Spenno, it may be a money thing. It's easier to bring in players who you know. Easier for them to settle and there is little risk regarding their mentality.
But it really does limit our access to the larger talent pool.
Perhaps if we had more money. Needed less work on our squad, he would look further afield. ?♂️.
21.) 29 Aug 2023 16:11:00
Sydney
More money? We have spent what, £500m, on players at ETH instruction. The Glazers are a poison but ETH has spent on players he feels comfy with, that is a limitation which is a real concern. Let’s see if £85m on Antony was really worth it in the coming months. There has to be someone at the club with concern or at least uncomfortable that players generally have had to be connected to the manager to be seen as suitable. The only proviso is whether someone at the club wants to make ETH feel comfortable, but that would be amateur.
22.) 29 Aug 2023 17:33:58
Half a billion hardly smacks of Glazers not releasing money, my concern is the players we keep buying are bang average, and I don’t get hoe Ten thinks these players are good enough! I know we need numbers but to me it should be quality over Quantity I keep being told they need to settle well Sancho now had years, Antony now in 2nd year Malacia is not good enough, neither is AWB and we spend huge money on these and now add Mount to the list, not one of these are good enough for city, even Arsenal nor Munich nor Madrid, so how are they good enough for united if we expect to win anything. I want players who make a difference and are better then what we got, we are just swapping average for average, but they are said to play the Ten way, which I’m still waiting to see what exactly that is! I agree we improved from Ole which was not that difficult but are we anywhere near standard required our forward front three add Sancho that’s 4 of them and zero goals, that’s a major concern. Add to that Varane injury problems and two left backs out and Alvaro clearly considered not good enough it’s worrying.
23.) 29 Aug 2023 18:30:20
I think too much of the money spent was panic buys.
We paid well over the odds for Antony, Martinez and Casemiro. Other clubs coming in for Martinez, Hojlund, Ronaldo pushed the prices up significantly. Antony and Casemiro were panic buys after EtH crisis talks. Necessary, but going into the summer with the plan to penny pinch.
24.) 29 Aug 2023 19:09:44
Penny pinch this year…. Mount 60 million, is he really any better then what we had, marginally if he is
Rasmus 70 million for what really should be one for future who can be eased in whilst learning from a proper striker, not bought into be main and only man
Onana 40 million, ok he will play a different style we hear what Ten wants, so that’s fine, will he cost us more points with mistakes over 10 years who knows
That’s before we get in to 80 million for Antony, who forget the money is just not good enough, Sancho same ok not bought by Ten, but not sold by him either.
Although I like Ten I really don’t understand what is he trying to do, it’s seems to be changing every game if you ask me and I think he bit too stubborn for his own good, at moment he is a good manager doing a average job for money spent, he needs to be great manager but I can’t see that whilst buying bang average players….
25.) 29 Aug 2023 19:53:27
Jesus what a toxic group we have here! Get a grip! New signings getting thrown u see the bus already! The manager getting criticised for signing players he wants or knows or trusts! What a terrible idea!
The manager hasn’t got a hope in hell of succeeding at the club if he’s trying to win over a fan base as spoilt and self entitled as some of our lot!
26.) 29 Aug 2023 20:06:26
So Trafford, he’s buying “bang average players”, and doing an average job whilst finishing third and winning a trophy and getting to another major final in his first season. Your own argument makes no sense. Surely if he’s buying “bang average players” we should be finishing in a “bang average position” considering in your eyes he’s doing a “bang average job”. Seriously get a grip.
27.) 29 Aug 2023 20:47:30
The penny pinching aspect is going for a kid on low wages like Hojlund over a proven player like Kane or even Osimhen. Kane overall package probably £250m no sell on value, compared to Hojlund £85m with huge sell on value.
Going for Mount simply because they thought they could get him on the cheap, being in his last year of contract.
Both will be good signings, but we are Manchester United. Kane should be a United player now. Any other owner he would be. So yes, penny pinching.
28.) 29 Aug 2023 22:22:23
Trafford,
Notice you didn’t heed the advice to stop just posting the same negative stuff over and over, I think we all know your opinion now, ‘Ten’ as you call him is useless, all the players are useless, winning games isn’t good enough, maybe just try and find some balance.
29.) 29 Aug 2023 23:46:55
We have spent close to 400 million and only players we overpaid is Antony imo. None of the players that have come in have been a disappointment for me, unless people are going to judge players on 2 games. I give antony stick because i expected a lot more given his price tag. If we had spent 40 mill I would be okay with his inconsistency.
All managers have views on players and bring players they rate after taking a new job. Remember mourinho at chelsea when he arrived and the Portuguese signings.
Nothing wrong with buying good players who started their career in the Dutch league as it produces a ton of talent, who go on to top European leagues. Suarez and ronaldo come to mind as easy ones.
People seem to like Gravenburch and i have no opinion and hardly seen him play but many here advocating we should get him.
If he turns out to be a tulip people will say its eth fault as he only buys players he knows from the Dutch league, if it turns out to be good nothing will be said about the fact, him being here probably influenced the player decision.
Finally this is the same manager who on a very small budget and wages put a team together that got to the semis of cl a few years ago and probably played the most attractive football.
Even before a player joins people are labelling them as rejects. Plenty of players don't work out under one manager at one club and go to another club and do very well.
30.) 30 Aug 2023 00:23:37
Paying over the odds for a player has nothing to do with whether or not they are a disappointment Ahmed. It means we paid more than what they were initially priced at during the time of sale. Price driven up by other teams bidding higher for example.
Players like Martinez will end up being a steal in years to come. However we paid over the odds at the time for him. That's what I meant. If my memory serves me correct his price went from €40m up to whatever we paid. Hojlund was priced at €40m too, paid significantly more.
Even if these guys turn out to be the best. In the long run they'll seem like bargains, but at the time we paid over the odds.
31.) 30 Aug 2023 06:00:35
Price makes no odds to me, I expect a certain level of player, if they disappoint they disappoint don’t matter if 2 Bob or 200 million
And Giggs your making stuff up again I never said Ten was useless I said good manager not a great manager and concerned with his purchases and stubbornness, read properly and please don’t tell me not to post, it’s rather childish.
32.) 30 Aug 2023 06:20:43
We have spent circa £500m for ETH, yet have a ropey central midfield, one striker who we don’t know yet and no one else capable, our central defence is shaky and we don’t know how long Varane will go before the next injury.
Any competent board would question this strategy and would have agreed a plan for what was needed. Any competent board would question why the manager seems to want to know a player to be interested. There again a competent board would be the vision of the owners to produce the desired goal. That goal has been financial for the leeches, the club has bled £1.5Bn it didn’t need to, in order for them to be here. If we can get rid of the leeches and get Qatar in it will be a great day. They would likely give far better direction and that produces the plan. If they get a competent board I would expect there to be challenges to what we are seeing.
ETH had a good season, the aim should be to improve on it, yet with the weaknesses we can see, that’s going to be tough. Third can easily become sixth when ambitious clubs like Villa are improving. Two days left and we seem more bothered about a left back. We seem unable to shift players and it’s not just their wages, it looks to me like the club are being accountants and not wanting to write amounts off, plus don’t like to be proven wrong for what they did previously.
We are now in the panic section of the window where we usually end up. It’s not good enough for a club like us.
33.) 30 Aug 2023 07:37:38
Have to totally agree RedMan, the manager is buying exactly what he wants and to me they appear not the standard required to catch city, and when Ten moves on, we are left again with a major rebuild needed, I agree manager does have to have final say on which players he thinks suit but the club should have a vision and focus on when he leaves a succession on style comes in and 99% of the players are already in situ for new manager to add a couple that take us up a level, my concern is the players being purchased are not good enough, Shappy says 8 purchased for this manager, I say none of them would get in city team and that’s the benchmark, I am not so sure we are not weaker then last year and other teams have improved, so could be a problem, no problem if Ten buys everyone he knows but having coached them before or know them very well he should also be aware if they are good enough…. Last year he could have been shocked by EPL but no excuse this year.
34.) 30 Aug 2023 01:22:40
Ed the reference to Hojlund having links to Ten Hag is an interesting angle, one I’ve not seen before.
Was Hojlund at Bayern as a young player? He started his professional career a good 5 years after Ten Hag left Bayerns 2nd team.
It would be interesting if their paths have crossed in the past. Thanks for the info.
{Ed002's Note - It should have read Hojbjerg at Bayern, but the entiore post is nonsense.}
35.) 30 Aug 2023 10:35:11
‘Ten’ finished 3rd last year so if he was shocked by the premier league then he managed it pretty well. I agree we won’t catch city this year, I don’t think anybody will for a few years yet, we just need to be ready for when they start to falter, which hopefully with new ownership we will be, until then this is where we are at.
The issue last year was the away games against the top teams, after spurs it seems like that may be an issue again this term, I can’t see us getting much on Sunday but hopefully I’m wrong. I can only imagine the meltdown on here if we don’t get 5 shiny new signings by Friday and beat Arsenal 3-0.
36.) 30 Aug 2023 10:49:37
Truth is Red Man, there was so much work that needed to be done when EtH arrived, it was a huge rebuild. Greenwood situation hasn't helped either as I suspect EtH was expecting him back. The manager for me has bought were is needed, but to buy everything we need in a couple summers is impossible with the spending restrictions. The amount of money clubs want for players when United are interested is staggering. This is why I am slightly amazed why we haven't gone for Amrabat yet. Reasonably cheap and what we need. We clearly don't have the money. I think that's pretty obvious. Brighton have signed Baleba for £23m. If United, Chelsea, City etc went in for him it would have been closer to £35m. If I was in charge at United, I would seriously consider bringing in a South American Scout with great pull. Our best signings should be new scouting staff, we should be finding these players before they are unaffordable.
37.) 30 Aug 2023 11:47:29
We did, Sydney. His name was Moises Caceido!
38.) 30 Aug 2023 13:07:36
£4.5m wasn't it? I seen a list of United near misses once. It was hard to read.
06 May 2023 12:20:25
Ed, I've watched a little of Napoli this season, mainly to see the fuss around Osimhen. But it's Kvaratskhelia I've been most impressed by. I haven't worked out how to pronounce his name yet lol but what a cracking player. He seems most suited to left attack, which doesn't seem a priority position for Utd. I can't think of many top clubs in the Prem lacking in that department either. Has there been any Prem interest in the player?
{Ed002's Note - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (LW) In late 2021 Torino, Borussia Dortmund and Lokomotiv Moscow were speaking with Rubin Kazan who said they were not willing to sell at that time. Previously the player had been watched by Bayern Munich and his agent had been hawking him around the Premier League clubs including Everton with, according to him, Leeds showing some interest. Ancelotti had been open to the idea of replacing Bolasie and Bernard with him but it was clear something was going on in the background. Remarkably he was sold to Georgian side Dinamo Batumi for a small amount of money but well beyond their means in March 2022. For 3 months Napoli and Juventus discussed a deal with his agent and on July 1, 2022 he moved to Napoli, giving a small profit to Dinamo Batumi. A move to Spain with Real Sociedad was ruled out. Paratici had originally identified him for Juventus and it is was surprise Spurs did not follow up. Roma waited too long to be a viable option. The transfers are potentially going to be looked at by UEFA. Don't rule out Real Madrid or Manchester City looking at taking the player in a year or two and he has also attracted scouts from Liverpool and Juventus but interest from both has gone with other recruits. Newcastle have a declared interest but a move seems unlikely. Napoli have no intention of selling and will offer a new contract - I expect to be agreed.}
1.) 06 May 2023 13:41:17
Very informative Ed, thanks. For me he's the player City should have gone for over Grealish.
2.) 06 May 2023 16:45:12
Spenno, don't worry about pronunciation, he's known as Kvaradonna!
His performances of late have not quite been up to the same standard, but his potential is, I think, very very high.
Many have compared him to George Best and one similarity he shares is that he learnt his football playing on the street's (in Georgia) and it toughened him up.
Clearly we are not going to go for him given our left wing options, but I agree with you, think he is going all the way to the very top.
3.) 07 May 2023 21:17:16
What left wing options do we possess
Not one of them is any good
There all shocking wingers who couldn’t beat an egg yet alone a defender.
4.) 08 May 2023 09:46:25
Come on Blackpool, it's Rashy's best position we're he's scored the majority of his goals from and we have probably the most exciting prospect we've had for yonks in Garnacho.
5.) 08 May 2023 09:56:29
Its the position we least need to address, i have long criticised the qualit of both the starting 11 and the squad but thisbis the one spot i don't think we need to touch.
spenno's banter posts with other poster's replies to spenno's banter posts
21 Jan 2026 17:02:16
What a difference a game makes! From being a player I would think many would have liked to have been sold or maybe still would, now back in his best position at the tip of a midfield three, Bruno suddenly seems a very important player again.
Maybe people would still prefer to see him go. Maybe others think he is still by far our most creative player.
Personally now that midfield experiment is over I'd keep him.
But for a bit of fun. thinking ahead to summer, what likely players are there who maybe don't match those stats just yet, but could be a decent replacement? Do we have them already (Mount? Cunha? ), or is there an immediate name elsewhere jumps out?
1.) 21 Jan 2026 17:59:47
Mount? Haha, nowhere near good enough!
2.) 21 Jan 2026 18:48:30
Mount should never have been bought!
I say, if he wants to stay he has earned the right to stay and if he wants to go, we let him go.
I would have said someone like Wirtz but he has not really set the EPL alight, yet and is now probably unattainable.
There was some talk of Yildiz of Juve, but I see him more of the left hand side cutting in type.
There are two that stand out (guler of Real and musiala of Bayern, I probably prefer the latter)
Outside of that, Doue of PSG has always impressed me as has Paz of Como. j
Here is also an option. in understand both Amorim and Carrick have tested Lacey in the 10 position in training, we have a lot of wide players for Lacey to compete against, perhaps he is destined for a more central position.
Eds, any news on any of the names mentioned above.
{Ed025's Note - you really seem to be wanting to shop at Harrods Jimbo, i believe some of them names especially the likes of Doue would be very hard for you to obtain mate and you may have to temper your expectations, your budget may get you one of those but maybe 2 or 3 mid range players with potential may be the way to go at this stage, just my opinion though..
3.) 21 Jan 2026 19:06:02
That's fair Ed, I do wonder though if we achieve UCL if it changes the landscape a degree.
I do like Lacey as an option there though and would be interested to see him come on for Bruno in the closing stages of a game or two this season.
I'm not for buying our way to success, but we are, as you know, in need of a decent churn of players. Frankly though, Bruno isn't one of them, unless he chooses to depart.
{Ed025's Note - i think it would change the landscape Jimbo, you would attract the better players and would have an improved budget mate..
4.) 21 Jan 2026 19:36:36
Don't understand the Mount hate. English, PL proven, and has shown he can play well with a decent run of games. He just needs to stay fit.
Good squad player if you ask me, not on the same level as Bruno, granted, but not many are. Providing he can stay fit, I don't see why he can't stay in the squad. He was the most creative player at Chelsea and had the highest output of any of their players. He had a bad run of injuries, but the talent is still there. Only 27, so even one good season to return to his best and you could get a good few years out of him.
5.) 22 Jan 2026 11:05:24
Also read somewhere that Cole Palmer would be interested in a move. I imagine just nonsense and can't think why Chelsea would sell but he'd slot right into a Bruno void wouldn't he?
6.) 22 Jan 2026 14:59:12
if we shore up our midfield with a couple of signings and get a settled back 4, we are not that far off. cunha, mbeuno are very good players. need an additional striker in the summer in my opinion.
7.) 22 Jan 2026 16:58:25
We need a couple of high quality full back also. Shaw is unreliable and dalot is useless.
Cmx2 and striker completely agree. If we keep our European slot and hoping its cl then we will have a better budget i'm sure.
8.) 22 Jan 2026 17:12:18
We still need a CB too and 100% an experienced striker along with a midfielder and full backs oh wait is this not de’ja vue did we not need that last season and the season before … oh yes we did and bought nearly them all of them and the problem is none of them are good enough!
9.) 22 Jan 2026 17:40:59
Thats the problem Kurtis, he can't stay fit and never will. Plus he is on silly wages for someone who rarely plays. He should be sold in the summer if he is still fit, but I suspect Shaw has taught him how to remain a UTD player by being injured during the windows.
05 Jan 2026 12:12:47
Assuming we go back to a back 4, what's our best formation/line-up as it stands?
4-3-3 with Bruno at the top of the midfield 3? Does this bring Mainoo back into the fold? What of Mount, Diallo?
Here's what I'd opt for, obvisouly including the AFCON players.
Lammens
Dorgu, Martinez, de Ligt, Mazraoui
Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes
Cunha, Sesko, Mbuemo.
1.) 05 Jan 2026 12:45:58
that will win us many games and we have the likes of yoro, mount, even maguire and heaven who can step in.
2.) 05 Jan 2026 13:01:50
I'm a big fan of Heaven, by the way - just feel he's not quite ready to displace the others in a back 2. While I think it's clear Yoro has dropped off in the past few weeks.
3.) 05 Jan 2026 13:05:01
When everyone is fit 4-2-3-1
Lammens
Mazraoui, Di Ligt (or Heaven), Martinez, Shaw
Casemiro, Mainoo, (Ugarte as back up)
Mbuemo (or Amad), Bruno, Cunha
Sesko.
4.) 05 Jan 2026 13:06:19
I’d have Shaw over Dorgu, and it’s hard to leave Amad out of the side. Especially because Sesko is not performing. I’d be tempted to have Mbeumo central, with Amad on the right, but allow the front 3 freedom to interchange.
5.) 05 Jan 2026 13:24:07
Lammens
Maz DeLigt Martinez Shaw
(Dalot Yoro Heaven Dorgu)
Casemiro Mainoo Bruno
(Ugarte Mount? )
Amad Cunha Mbeumo
(Sesko? )
---
Backups in brackets obviously. Prefer giving minutes to Yoro and Heaven over Maguire. Also tells us how thin a squad we have.
6.) 05 Jan 2026 13:35:08
Agree with Danny, mbuemo or cunha up top potentially with Amad on the wing, Sesko an option from the bench.
Obviously mainoo comes back in if we want to pass the ball around and not give the ball to the other team constantly.
7.) 05 Jan 2026 15:46:22
Ahmad what have you seen that will make us win many games just from a change in formation?
8.) 05 Jan 2026 18:16:33
Lammens
Mazroui De Ligt Heaven Shaw
Martinez Bruno Mainoo
Amad /Mbwuemo. Sesko Cunha
And I would play with Mazroui taking every opportunity to make a midfield four.
08 Aug 2025 00:32:05
What's going on with the Barcelona keeper?
Worth a cheeky loan attempt while whatever it is fizzles out?
1.) 08 Aug 2025 08:42:07
If you are thinking of Ter Steggen I think he is potentially out for the next 3 months with injury. As with Barcelona this then causes an issue of can't sell him, want to take his playing registration away so that they can register the new keeper they have brought and he is refusing that.
Bit like us recently, great club just a basket case.
If you are thinking of the new keeper they brought in and can't yet register, would be a great addition for the season on loan if that could be worked out.
2.) 08 Aug 2025 09:24:36
Every person in the world inc rasford and his agent knew Barcelona would have achallenge to register rashford. {Except German)
It might get resolved in time it might not. Rash knew the risk. They promised him the same way they promised olmo last season. They were late getting olmo sorted but did after a while. I hope it gets sorted for them in time but its not sorted yet.
3.) 08 Aug 2025 10:19:09
Season not kicked off yet or have I missed something Ken! Or you just love to hear sound of your own voice!
4.) 08 Aug 2025 10:34:13
No i. Just pointing out that there is difficulty with his registration which you said there wouldn't be. Everybody said the same thing apart from you. Again as I said above they are working to settle it but its not done yet and its leading them to make some tough calls.
There is a possibility it won't get done in time. Hopefully it does as no player should be left in the limbo Barcelona have left players in recently.
Oh written word is not the sound of antbodys voice. Its written not verbalised silly Billy.
5.) 08 Aug 2025 10:34:43
German, pot/ kettle?
6.) 08 Aug 2025 10:49:35
Ter Stegen has struggled a little with injuries and form over the past 18 months. He will also miss at least a third of the season this year as he has surgery and recovers from it. That is why Barcelona bought in Joan Garcia, in a contentious move from bitter rival Espanol.
He isn't the guy we should be looking at to solve our keeper issues this summer.
7.) 08 Aug 2025 12:30:24
Yes I meant ter Stegen - I didn't realise the issue he had with the club was down to an injury, just saw some kind of dispute between them and that he wouldn't be playing so saw a potential gap.
8.) 08 Aug 2025 12:36:11
Fizz ?? no chill ??.
9.) 08 Aug 2025 13:11:07
Let’s reserve the judgement for when there season kicks off, your being a little premature……!
10.) 08 Aug 2025 13:56:12
Not at all premature. The debate was will they have difficulty. They are having difficulty. i'm pretty sure everyone said its likely to get done but that there would be issues for them.
They are experiencing issues like everyone apart from you said they would.
I really do hope they get it sorted as it would be terrible for the players if they didn't.
But seeking to cancel the registration of an injured player is a pretty low blow in order to register another. In most corporate walks of life and under most employment laws that would be seen as a move that is unfair and unjust.
But football seems to get away with lots of things that other industries dont.
There is a difficulty there or h e would be registered by now. They took legal challenges last season to finally register olmo and the courts dismissed la ligas ruling but its reported that that particular loophole has been closed off by la liga so its not as easy.
Im sure they will sell a few more fringe players to make way. Hopefully brie the season starts if not perhaps by the close of the window.
Nobody once said he won't get registered only that there is a possibility of last years issue coming at Barcelona again. Turns out that that's a fact.
25 Jul 2025 13:36:38
Onana photographed leaping around and training with the rest of the squad in the US.
Bizarre, he's he's supposedly out with a 6 week hamstring injury - seems a bit strange that the club would allow him to get involved if that was the case? Super recovery, or something deeper going on?
07 Jul 2025 16:02:57
Which of these out of contract freebies would you choose at gunpoint as a back-up squad player at United?
Vardy, DCL, Wilson?
1.) 07 Jul 2025 16:34:35
Probably dcl from that list. Himself and Wilson are more in keeping with how ra likes his cf to play as far as I can see. Both injured a lot but I think when fit dcl is better at some things than Wilson.
None fill me with great confidence and as you say I'm at gunpoint and have to choose 1.
2.) 07 Jul 2025 16:40:49
Jesus what a depressing post / conversation.
3.) 07 Jul 2025 16:53:54
I'd probably take a punt on Wilson. Always injured as you say but also for the most part kept out by a brilliant Isak. But I can only see that getting worse across the board with players at the very top clubs as they are pushed to the very limit. Maybe one of the few benefits to not being in Europe is fewer games so *theoretically* fewer injuries.
4.) 07 Jul 2025 17:41:36
Just fitting in with the general mood around here Simon! I thought it was quite cheerful myself.
5.) 07 Jul 2025 17:50:50
I would rather get shot.
6.) 07 Jul 2025 17:51:35
Rather get relegated ?.
7.) 07 Jul 2025 18:54:31
Should have thrown in weggy spenno i can picture redman spitting out his tea ???.
8.) 08 Jul 2025 08:48:37
Well, we all said we'd be looking at a few freebies/ out of contract. We were all thinking Gomes and David, but more likely to be one of the names in this thread sadly!
07 Jan 2026 09:19:30
A few thoughts re: Ole, I think there was a perception last time that he pretty much let the players do what they wanted at training - probably over-simplifying things but it seems there wasn't as much structure to the sessions behind the scenes. Maybe that's why he was so popular with the players. How much of that contributed to the 'player power' culture, with Rash/Lingard/Sancho all in full flight in that period.
That being said, I doubt there's been a more popular United manager in recent years, and I'd say that the Ole era first time round was vastly more enjoyable to watch than any other for the past 13-14 years, even the final Fergie season.
I'm not overly against Ole as caretaker, but for christs sake no matter what kind of run if any we go on, no knee-jerk contracts before the board have sat down at the end of the season and discussed properly.
28 Aug 2025 14:02:58
I'd say probably a year ago Mainoo was one of our better players, and more England too. His best position is difficult to pin down. I thought he wasn't quite right for those no.10 roles but still managed to contribute a lot in an attacking sense.
Past 6 months I have no idea what's happened. All seems to have changed since he cut his hair!
As a Utd follower for about 4 decades I've been treated to and always associated Utd with some of the best centre forwards in the world and always a great pulse or cog in the middle the whole team evolved around. Sadly we've had neither since Fergie left.
26 Aug 2025 16:29:17
Amorim said himself Mainoo is competing with Bruno for that same position. He's not going to play them both together and he obviously values Bruno higher. Maybe we'll get a look at a 'Bruno-less' XI against Grimsby but who knows.
12 Aug 2025 23:46:55
I don't think I've seen many players as openly mocked by pundits during last year's Euros. But what do I know.
12 Aug 2025 12:17:51
Maybe if we remove Collyer they'll accept it! :D.
29 Jan 2026 23:35:41
I reckon Mbeumo and Cunha get in pretty much any 'better' team mentioned here. Arsenal would love the former right now and I think he'd have been a perfect natural replacement for Salah. Only City have real strength in depth IMO. They all have far superior youth prospects.
22 Jan 2026 11:05:24
Also read somewhere that Cole Palmer would be interested in a move. I imagine just nonsense and can't think why Chelsea would sell but he'd slot right into a Bruno void wouldn't he?
20 Jan 2026 13:07:06
Of the 3 we're linked mostly with (Anderson, Wharton, Baleba) I think Wharton is the most suited to what Utd needs. I think we'll be in for two mids, can't see both being from this top tier though so the other maybe under the radar from the continent.
19 Jan 2026 15:28:39
I'd be delighted if we take anything against them.
Even though I think Cunha adds a lot to the team I imagine a similar line-up with Dorgu keeping his spot to help nullify the Saka threat, assuming he plays. For me Doku and Semenyo are far better wingers but out of sorts.
18 Jan 2026 16:23:09
Agreed - bar the FA Cup win there's been very little to cheer about in recent apart from the odd good result here and there. Yesterday felt good, it was an excellent performance. I was a bit surprised to see Cunha dropped but Carrick got it spot on, with Dorgu's tracking and energy more beneficial against Semenyo.
Hoping for more of the same, but praying that whatever kind of run Carrick can put together, they don't go crazy and start dishing out contracts. Wait until the end of the season before any more kneejerk reactions.