Man Utd Thread:

[Look-Up!]

Utd need to stay sensible with the type of contracts they give but it was a bit of a risk, calculated or otherwise, going into the season with a squad on the bare side. New manager, back in CL, a bit of light at the end of the tunnel where fan vibes are concerned. That wave could turn south quick enough if injuries hit and results don't come. Could lead to intense pressure and more bad decisions.

Relatively tough draw in the CL definitely not going to help them in this spell.

Yep. It's unfortunate for them Amad and Baleba are injured but one of them hasn't even played yet so will need bedding in. Apart from that they're more or less full compliment? But Rashford is starting and Zirkzee is sniffing around the team. So squad wise they will definitely be tested next few months. Absolutely will need to get lucky on injury front.

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2026/09/14/ken-early-clinical-haaland-and-dubious-decisions-but-10-man-city-emerge-with-bragging-rights/

United, on the other hand, had been transformed in the same instant from underdogs to favourites. A home crowd that had begun the game in hope now watched in expectation. In the post-Ferguson era, expectation is United's Kryptonite. Rather than seize the day, Michael Carrick's team wilted.

[johnnycool]

Early doors yet. Fine margins in sport, Utd hit the woodwork twice so narrative might be very different. But overall Carrick has work to do. Casemiro looks a loss although he couldn't cope with midweek games. The over reliance on Fernandes might be putting him in the same bracket. Played full 90 on Thursday in a game they were cruising at HT, so boss will have to be a bit cuter with his use of him going forward. Simply put when he's on song so is the team.

A lot of complaints about the squad investment from fans, which the manager poured cold water on saying he was happy. So is he the man with the big plan or just naive. Or worse a yes man? He is an employee but ultimately he has to impress upon club hierarchy what the football needs and investment of the club are, and what players shouldn't be around. And part of that is not being afraid to rock the boat and speak your mind when talking about the squad. He'll be sussed out very quick otherwise.

Not sure him coming out and saying the players aren't good enough and we should have spent more in the summer will do anyone any good but you'd like to hope that behind the scenes he is saying they need more investment in several areas.

In the meantime, teams with a fraction of the resources available to Utd are showing the way.

The likes of Brentford, Brighton, Sunderland, Portsmouth all showing what can be done with a bit of coaching, structures and organisation.

How many times over the last decade has Brentford,Sunderland and Brighton finished a league season ahead of Manchester United? Not sure why you threw Portsmouth into the mix when they haven't played in the Premier League since 2010.

Yeah,
Bournemouth was who I meant.

United are not a well run club, from recruitment and beyond.

They buy decent ish players like Cunha and Mbeumo and they then turn to shíte up there and don't give the "it's the weight of expectation when you pull on the jersey" or some other písh.

[Armagh18]

Early doors yet. Fine margins in sport, Utd hit the woodwork twice so narrative might be very different. But overall Carrick has work to do. Casemiro looks a loss although he couldn't cope with midweek games. The over reliance on Fernandes might be putting him in the same bracket. Played full 90 on Thursday in a game they were cruising at HT, so boss will have to be a bit cuter with his use of him going forward. Simply put when he's on song so is the team.

A lot of complaints about the squad investment from fans, which the manager poured cold water on saying he was happy. So is he the man with the big plan or just naive. Or worse a yes man? He is an employee but ultimately he has to impress upon club hierarchy what the football needs and investment of the club are, and what players shouldn't be around. And part of that is not being afraid to rock the boat and speak your mind when talking about the squad. He'll be sussed out very quick otherwise.

Not sure him coming out and saying the players aren't good enough and we should have spent more in the summer will do anyone any good but you'd like to hope that behind the scenes he is saying they need more investment in several areas.

In the meantime, teams with a fraction of the resources available to Utd are showing the way.

The likes of Brentford, Brighton, Sunderland, Portsmouth all showing what can be done with a bit of coaching, structures and organisation.

How many times over the last decade has Brentford,Sunderland and Brighton finished a league season ahead of Manchester United? Not sure why you threw Portsmouth into the mix when they haven't played in the Premier League since 2010.

Yeah,
Bournemouth was who I meant.

United are not a well run club, from recruitment and beyond.

They buy decent ish players like Cunha and Mbeumo and they then turn to shíte up there and don't give the "it's the weight of expectation when you pull on the jersey" or some other písh.



 

I'd say the likes of Cunha and Mbuemo on reasonable money are far shrewder buys than they've been making for years, same as the 3 signings this summer. Cunha a good player but being used wrong at the minute, Mbuemo in poor form at the minute but will get goals even playing poorly. 2 hard workers as well which is a step in the right direction

[Look-Up!]

They have improved the wage structure. Rashford now the highest paid at club only outlier. Fernandes on same money but big performer. Casemiro gone. Sancho finally off the books. All the rest significantly smaller wages. Squad depth the biggest issue now. Biggest problem that could lead to is injury crisis, panic buying and back to cycle of stupidly inflated contracts.

[Armagh18]

They have improved the wage structure. Rashford now the highest paid at club only outlier. Fernandes on same money but big performer. Casemiro gone. Sancho finally off the books. All the rest significantly smaller wages. Squad depth the biggest issue now. Biggest problem that could lead to is injury crisis, panic buying and back to cycle of stupidly inflated contracts.

Would hope theres a lid on that daft spending now. Is Rashfords contract up in 27 or 28?

[AustinPowers]

After years of mediocrity  and numerous managers,  Maguire, Shaw, Dalot, Rashford  are still  starting

Groundhog Day

[Armagh18]

After years of mediocrity  and numerous managers,  Maguire, Shaw, Dalot, Rashford  are still  starting

Groundhog Day

Yep. Good work being done but christ those 4 can't be mainstays- don't get me wrong can all offer something on their day but definitely shouldn't be starters.

[Look-Up!]

They have improved the wage structure. Rashford now the highest paid at club only outlier. Fernandes on same money but big performer. Casemiro gone. Sancho finally off the books. All the rest significantly smaller wages. Squad depth the biggest issue now. Biggest problem that could lead to is injury crisis, panic buying and back to cycle of stupidly inflated contracts.

Would hope theres a lid on that daft spending now. Is Rashfords contract up in 27 or 28?

28

[Captain Obvious]

Early doors yet. Fine margins in sport, Utd hit the woodwork twice so narrative might be very different. But overall Carrick has work to do. Casemiro looks a loss although he couldn't cope with midweek games. The over reliance on Fernandes might be putting him in the same bracket. Played full 90 on Thursday in a game they were cruising at HT, so boss will have to be a bit cuter with his use of him going forward. Simply put when he's on song so is the team.

A lot of complaints about the squad investment from fans, which the manager poured cold water on saying he was happy. So is he the man with the big plan or just naive. Or worse a yes man? He is an employee but ultimately he has to impress upon club hierarchy what the football needs and investment of the club are, and what players shouldn't be around. And part of that is not being afraid to rock the boat and speak your mind when talking about the squad. He'll be sussed out very quick otherwise.

Not sure him coming out and saying the players aren't good enough and we should have spent more in the summer will do anyone any good but you'd like to hope that behind the scenes he is saying they need more investment in several areas.

In the meantime, teams with a fraction of the resources available to Utd are showing the way.

The likes of Brentford, Brighton, Sunderland, Portsmouth all showing what can be done with a bit of coaching, structures and organisation.

How many times over the last decade has Brentford,Sunderland and Brighton finished a league season ahead of Manchester United? Not sure why you threw Portsmouth into the mix when they haven't played in the Premier League since 2010.

Yeah,
Bournemouth was who I meant.

United are not a well run club, from recruitment and beyond.

They buy decent ish players like Cunha and Mbeumo and they then turn to shíte up there and don't give the "it's the weight of expectation when you pull on the jersey" or some other písh.

None of the clubs you named are in the public eye with pressure and expectations to finish in the top 5 in the table at least.

I agree with your main point. Not a well run club in regards to ambition and having competent people in charge to have the club challenging for Premier League or Champions league honours again a situation that won't change until the Glazers,Jim Radcliffe and Co are replaced and that doesn't appear it's going to happen unless their plans for a New Stadium collapses.

[Dag Dog]

Noticeably some players like Sancho and Martial had spent so many years collecting big wages and not even bothering, that they were unable to raise a gallop anywhere else once their Utd contract ended.

[Maroon Manc]

It was very frustrating but as usual if United lose the overreaction is crazy. How I saw it....

Opening exchanges I thought United looked bright and at it and probably just shading things. After sending off I felt United were doing well though city were bizarrely causing trouble with long balls. After half time it appeared city had adjusted completely and had a smart setup - conceding the wings, happy to let Dalot and Dorgu have the ball but nothing through the width of the box. Carrick made a mistake (unless he was injured) in taking Tielemans off and not getting Sesko on earlier (Cunha, Fernandes and Mbuemo were all poor). As the game wore on it was clear city were comfortable. The goal was a total farce (and not the first time that happened with that ref about the place) and it again impacted the game in City's favour as they now had something to hold on to.

United did hit the post twice and forced 3 saves but City ruthlessly exposed the weaknesses. Thought Kobbie was class and Neville giving MOTM to Anderson was bullshit. Neville has really descended from being super to a fool like Carragher, Richards and Sturridge and they need to be gone. Keane is damaging his reputation with his petty feud with Carrick and dislike of Fernandes too.

Need to start picking points up. My gut tells me Sesko needs to be playing. Fernandes has a few goals and assists, as has Mbuemo but along with Cunha the three have been patchy at best.

I don't know with Dorgu. He's young and athletic so I'd cut him a bit of slack but he's falling between two stools at the moment. Dalot annoys me and is a target defensively.

City don't score if Dorgu didn't give the ball away stupidly which him and Dalot were guilt off on several occasions. Dorgu not good enough to play for United, nowhere near enough quality going forward or defensively; Perhaps he can improve his defending with coaching as not played that much at left back previously. Dalot was good last season but that was an anomaly, awful on Sunday and as you state City were happy to let him have the ball;

Everyone I spoke too couldn't understand why Sesko wasn't brought on earlier, prior to Sunday he was averaging a goal every 74 minutes for his last 10 goals in the league.

Zirkzee is just awful, zero end product. I was amazed he brought him on, we'd have more joy from putting Maguire up front.

United won't get the 71 points they got last season, if they can get around 65 it should mean finishing top 5 which will keep Carrick in a job.