Manchester United Thread 25/26 - Teamtalk/Transfers/Gossip Mod Note in OP 26.09.24

Father Hernandez · 18-09-2025 03:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123827142#Comment_123827142

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123828080#Comment_123828080

While I don't believe Chelsea should be in it, Crystal Palace absolutely should be in it. The Europa and Conference League was set up for the likes of Palace who outside of the historic top 6, wouldn't really ever get into the UCL unless they get a massive stroke of luck or massively over perform.

They're miles away financially from the 'bigger' clubs and for the likes of them and West Ham who won it, would go down as one of their best seasons ever in their history if Palace did win it.

It's been an excellent addition which has benefitted the LOI and should continue to do so bringing more casual interest plus more finances into the league.

Maybe exclude the top 20/30. Chelsea being in it was silly as they had their second squad in it, devalued the comp although them being in it might just be a freak year.

randd1 · 18-09-2025 03:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123828115#Comment_123828115

Yeah, I think it should be the case. Most other leagues don't have a league cup, they get by just fine.

On the one hand, it would worth a lot less if the bigger sides weren't in it.

On the other hand, it would give a lot of teams a better chance of winning a trophy. I'm sure Liverpool/City/United fans would like to win the League Cup, but I reckon they'd all rather European football if given the choice, I'm not sure the league cup is the priority for them.

And I also think with winning being a to the Conference League, it would be a huge incentive for teams not involved in European competition to win it.

Personally, I like the idea of teams in Europe not playing in the league cup.

That being said, I would also create a new league cup competition if that happened. The top 40 clubs not involved in European football go into the league cup. 8 groups of 5, two home/two away games. 8 group winners into straight knockout round of 16 with home advantage, 2nd and 3rd teams into playoff round (2nd placed teams get home advantage). It would create more of a link I think between the Premier League and the Championship, and the group phase would be played before Christmas.

paulbok · 18-09-2025 03:47PM

Have thought the same with the League Cup, while it gets devalued by not having the big teams in it, it would free up the calendar a bit. It would also mean at least one 'new' team in Europe each season (compared to previous year) spreading the money around more, though there would be complaints about this from some clubs.

It'd certainly give the competition a shot in the arm, especially if like suggested above, it got a new format.

ArmaniJeanss · 18-09-2025 04:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123828115#Comment_123828115

Problem is the original 1991 permission by the FA and the Football League for the Premiership/EPL to be allowed to go-ahead was conditional on the teams still taking part in the League Cup (not the only condition obviously, just one of them).

In theory, though it wouldn't come to that, if the EPL withdrew their terms then the FA would be forced to declare that the EPL was no longer sanctioned by them and hence not UEFA/FIFA aligned. This would be a legal clusterfcuk and I think the EPL would win, but they don't have any particular wish to test it out.

Father Hernandez · 18-09-2025 04:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123828475#Comment_123828475

Without the bigger sides though, the rights value gets diminished a huge amount as does the sponsorship value - companies and broadcasters become less interested in the competition.

I think the League Cup is tied to the same rights as the Championship, L1 and L2 so it's another incentive for Sky to cover all those comps because they have the value of covering the League Cup which allows for a cup, jeopardy match between some of the biggest English teams.

Mitch Connor · 18-09-2025 04:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123828543#Comment_123828543

well it wouldn;t be all teams. only subset.

and well yeah, discuss it and get agreement rather than just unilaterally doing it.

twinex · 18-09-2025 06:13PM

Man Utd B team on the box tonight.

17togo · 18-09-2025 06:25PM

In a way I really don't want Rasmus an mctominay to play well tonight, it would just add to the pile on…

I hope they win and perform just OK-ish! 😂

twinex · 18-09-2025 06:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123829004#Comment_123829004

I do want them to play well. I have zero animosity towards either.

And don’t forget De bruyne, always liked that fella 😉

17togo · 18-09-2025 06:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123829027#Comment_123829027

Ah yeah I know, I've no ill will towards them either. I just know the headlines will of course all be aimed at utd...

DrPhilG · 18-09-2025 07:00PM

I hope they do great to be honest. Hope Rasmus gets a hattrick.

Not to pile the pressure on Amorim in particular, but to demonstrate that he's perfectly capable of banging in goals in a functional sensible lineup. And that Sesko will do the same if we ever click.

FourFourRED · 18-09-2025 08:28PM

Loan Watch.. that is a quality strike from Rashford

54and56 · 18-09-2025 08:28PM

No need to worry about Rashford not staying on at Barca!!!

Daroxtar · 18-09-2025 08:40PM

First goal was a very decent header from him but yeah, that second was a peach

Rugbyf565 · 18-09-2025 08:44PM

truth is rashford is utd’s greatest attacker since Rooney

El Gato De Negocios · 18-09-2025 08:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123829401#Comment_123829401

Greenwood was better.

el Fenomeno · 18-09-2025 09:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123829390#Comment_123829390

He now has the same number of goals against Premier League clubs this season as the rest of our team combined. Quality.

Nalz · 18-09-2025 09:18PM

It's mental to think 3 years later Greenwood is in the champions League and United finished 15th and a sh!t show

secman · 18-09-2025 09:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123829401#Comment_123829401

Playing the way he is now makes how he behaved for the last 2 seasons even shitier.

Sand · 18-09-2025 11:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123829562#Comment_123829562

I wouldn't draw too many conclusions from it. Rashford had peak season 3 years ago where he was basically scoring a goal a game for 12 weeks. The other 25-30 weeks of the season, it was poor. Overall, he has been at best okay.

Looking back, Rashford should have been sold then when there was apparent interest from PSG at the end of that peak season when his value was at its highest. Instead, United gave him a ridiculous contract (as a reward for 12 weeks), maybe the last of the pre-INEOS era.

I hope Rashford has a great season at Barcelona because it maximises the chance that Barcelona exercise their right to buy him and take him off our hands. 2 weeks ago it Barca were already making public noises that Rashford needed to knuckle down and get serious. He has a good game, great. Let Barca take up the dream of Rashford living up to his potential when there isn't a contract up for negotiation.

IncognitoMan · 19-09-2025 01:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123829562#Comment_123829562

It's just part of the cycle of Rashford. A good performance tonight but who knows what you get next game etc..

Hopefully he has a few more nights like tonight and Barca stump up the fee for him

billyhead · 19-09-2025 07:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123829788#Comment_123829788

True. He will probably start throwing the toys out of the pram soon enough.

Anything4883 · 19-09-2025 07:25AM

I honestly believe with Rashford, his whole decline and bad attitude happened when (and because) they got rid of his mates. Lingard, Sancho, Pogba. He held that against the club and never wanted to recover from his 'loss'.

Mitch Connor · 19-09-2025 07:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123829963#Comment_123829963

i reckon there was a lot of broken promises around what the team would be - which I think we have heard over the years with many players.

I've wondered if the reason it fell apart so quickly (seemingly) with Amorim was becasue Rashford just had zero interest in yet another 'rebuild', no trust it would work and he had already committed good years to the ETH plan. Which isn't to absolve him. I think it has been said we promised him (and Harry Kane) that we would be moving to sign him the summer he went to Bayern for example, and we obviously didn't.

I'm not saying the above to get into a discussion of whether he was right to hold it against the club or whether it mitigates his actions - merely wondering if it is part of what went down.

talla10 · 19-09-2025 08:08AM

Football fans and pundits have such short memories. Only 2 weeks ago there were rumours and stories that Rashford's loan spell would be cut short in January because he wasn't up to standard. His first 2 goals in his 6th game and suddenly everything is rosy again- I hope Rashford does well purely so Barca will sign him and we get rid of him permanently.

If United were to win at Chelsea on Saturday and Sesko scores twice will everyone be as quick to praise and overlook the previous poor performances!

Father Hernandez · 19-09-2025 08:57AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830063#Comment_123830063

I took that as usual media bullshít tbh. He synonymous with Man United so tabloids still using his name to get clicks, simple as really.

The club is/was a shítshow and he was a minor part of that and as Mitch alluded to above, if I were in his shoes, I'd have probably been píssed off at a lot of things the club did. Doesn't excuse him or his professionalism but we give out about the club being dysfunctional off the pitch, no surprise when players are like that too.

Fact is, he's gone and more performances like that will make it permanent. I'm glad he is for both the clubs sake and his sake and wish him well.

Mitch Connor · 19-09-2025 09:02AM

Will be interesting to see what the line up is at the weekend.

IMO Mazraoui is a clear mistake at RWB that should be rectified, by playing Amad there.

If Cunha is ready to start then I think we will see that happen tbh. But will it happen if it means needing to move Bruno to 10? I think it should but I wouldn't think it will.

I would also like to see Heaven come in at LCB for Shaw. But I don't think it will happen. Lammens for Bayindir, but I don't think that happens either tbh.

We need a reaction from last week, from the manager. We obviously need it from the players too, but I absolutely want to see Amorim react to the issues from last week (and previous weeks) and do something to address it.

Julez · 19-09-2025 09:26AM

Agreed, if Chuna is out I hope he goes for a Mainoo + Cas midfield with Amad RWB and Bruno 10.

Seattle · 19-09-2025 09:45AM

This game is laced with jeopardy for Amorim, more so than the other matches imo. He will be expected to capitalise on the fact Chelsea had a tough game away to Bayern on Wednesday night, and they also reached the Club World Cup final so they didn't get much of a rest at all over the Summer. 1 point from the Arsenal, City and Fulham games doesn't give him any leeway and the loss to Grimbsy still hasn't been shaken.

scottser · 19-09-2025 09:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830013#Comment_123830013

Kane was never coming here - Levy was hugely resistant to selling him to any PL club.

Manchester United Thread 25/26 - Teamtalk/Transfers/Gossip Mod Note in OP 26.09.24

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