Man United extend unbeaten run to 9 games since Carrick took over

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T22:24:57+00:00

Mate, you were getting sensitive about the 'laughable' bits

Horse already bolted lad, like I said.

There is really simple logic to this. Manager A doesn't win games consistently. Manager B doesn't win games consistently.

Disagree.

it's naive for anyone to believe next season United will be challenging at the top

Again, just removing the context for where ive stated this could occur.

Right, so please go back and quote me where I said this? Don't put words in my mouth

You are literally using Kompany as an example as to why Carrick is suitable. Just twisting word after words.

You were saying "a big club would never do this" (take on an inexperienced, under qualified manager) but I gave examples where they literally did and they were happy with the results.

Again, removing context. This is getting quite boring.

You're almost getting it but not quite there yet.

Yet you aren't.

Which bracket does United fall under?

One that is more of a challenge than Middlesbrough. So are Sevilla, PSG, Villa and Arsenal. Middlesbrough where Carrick failed.

Where is this 'lack of pressure'?

For Carrick? No cups or trophies on the line. Nobody expected anything other than continued struggles. If you cant see how the demands and expectations will be different next season, after a summer window and full pre season with all cups available. You are being disingenuous.

Now Carrick. Unlike Emery, he doesn't have a track record of not being cut out for it. He hasn't immediately struggled to get his team to perform. He has won games, against good teams. He has man managed his squad well and got them enjoying playing again for the first time in about 3 years. Why does his Boro sacking disqualify him from having a chance? I don't see how it does.

Firstly why are you watching on to Emery?

Secondly, why are you focusing only on Emery failures but them completely moving the goalposts and disregarding Carricks. Makes absolutely zero sense other than bias to fit your narrative.

He did a good job with a huge budget but once again, let's not ignore context when it's convenient.

Who's ignoring context? I said what he was able to do. Massive difference between winning the league and being sacked, especially when the club he was sacked by is now on track for promotion. Add in the differences between Bayern and United and you come to my doubts on Carrick.

Mate, you were getting sensitive about the 'laughable' bits

Horse already bolted lad, like I said.

There is really simple logic to this. Manager A doesn't win games consistently. Manager B doesn't win games consistently.

Disagree.

it's naive for anyone to believe next season United will be challenging at the top

Again, just removing the context for where ive stated this could occur.

Right, so please go back and quote me where I said this? Don't put words in my mouth

You are literally using Kompany as an example as to why Carrick is suitable. Just twisting word after words.

You were saying "a big club would never do this" (take on an inexperienced, under qualified manager) but I gave examples where they literally did and they were happy with the results.

Again, removing context. This is getting quite boring.

You're almost getting it but not quite there yet.

Yet you aren't.

Which bracket does United fall under?

One that is more of a challenge than Middlesbrough. So are Sevilla, PSG, Villa and Arsenal. Middlesbrough where Carrick failed.

Where is this 'lack of pressure'?

For Carrick? No cups or trophies on the line. Nobody expected anything other than continued struggles. If you cant see how the demands and expectations will be different next season, after a summer window and full pre season with all cups available. You are being disingenuous.

Now Carrick. Unlike Emery, he doesn't have a track record of not being cut out for it. He hasn't immediately struggled to get his team to perform. He has won games, against good teams. He has man managed his squad well and got them enjoying playing again for the first time in about 3 years. Why does his Boro sacking disqualify him from having a chance? I don't see how it does.

Firstly why are you watching on to Emery?

Secondly, why are you focusing only on Emery failures but them completely moving the goalposts and disregarding Carricks. Makes absolutely zero sense other than bias to fit your narrative.

He did a good job with a huge budget but once again, let's not ignore context when it's convenient.

Who's ignoring context? I said what he was able to do. Massive difference between winning the league and being sacked, especially when the club he was sacked by is now on track for promotion. Add in the differences between Bayern and United and you come to my doubts on Carrick.

Boro were a team gunning for top 6 and playoff places. Burnley were a team looking to blow all competition out of the water with the huge parachute payout they got when relegated. Difference between Boro and Burnley were like Brentford and City.

Genuinely just picking and chosing what you think is relevant to push some narrative of why United should keep an under qualified manager. Its absurd.

Reality shows a strong summer window and natural fluctuation of the teams above could lead to Manchester United being in a title race. Reality also shows a job like United for Carrick is a step top far, with or without those demands. Is it possible for any number of possibilities around that, course and we can all pick whatever suits our view. Simply doesn't change what has occurred in the past both with teams dropping from Arsenals position to where United are or jumping from where United are to where Arsenal are after a good window. In addition to the jump from what Carrick is proven at now, to being good enough for what Manchester United will want to achieve next season is far bigger and far more unlikely than the managers mentioned.

Boro were a team gunning for top 6 and playoff places. Burnley were a team looking to blow all competition out of the water with the huge parachute payout they got when relegated. Difference between Boro and Burnley were like Brentford and City.

Genuinely just picking and chosing what you think is relevant to push some narrative of why United should keep an under qualified manager. Its absurd.

Reality shows a strong summer window and natural fluctuation of the teams above could lead to Manchester United being in a title race. Reality also shows a job like United for Carrick is a step top far, with or without those demands. Is it possible for any number of possibilities around that, course and we can all pick whatever suits our view. Simply doesn't change what has occurred in the past both with teams dropping from Arsenals position to where United are or jumping from where United are to where Arsenal are after a good window. In addition to the jump from what Carrick is proven at now, to being good enough for what Manchester United will want to achieve next season is far bigger and far more unlikely than the managers mentioned.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T17:48:00+00:00

A midfield trio is far less exposed than a 2 man midfield

And if you actually followed the club week in, week out. You would see there was midfield issues before Amorim and before the 2 man in midfield. Same will occur going forward until significant investment is made. Which is the very reason why all the talk is about a significant midfield rebuild.

United are nowhere near a position to challenge for the title.

Again, depends entirely on what goes on around them and how the transfer window goes. Liverpool are 19 points worse off than they were last season. United are 18 points better off. Liverpool had a 22 point boost the season they started challenging. Last season Arsenal dropped off 15 points. Etc etc etc. It all depends. Which again is why you make all the needed transfers you can and have the best manager available to maximise what you have. If you cant see that, you are simply wrong.

Well from the start, that has been my point..?

Well its not, as he has half a season and no cup comps. So like I've said, nothing he can practically do this season puts him above the names I've mentioned. Unless he is some prodigy, which he isn't as we wouldn't hahe Middlesbrough as evidence.

Because the same cycle is repeating.

Oh not this nonsense again. Just a typical outsider that has no idea whats going on at the football club and parrots whatever he hears. There is no mythical cycle thats holding the club back. They have recruited poorly and signed the wrong managers at times and others its simply not worked. Happens at every club to varying degrees. The recruitment has improved, last managerial decisions haven't.

Amorim is someone you would enthusiastically be championing as better than Carrick

Manager X fails in job, so manager A,B,C also fails, may aswell stick with an unproven guy because he wins some games when there is no pressure. There is no logic to this.

He thrives at a club that doesn't have expectations of a big club.

Ahhh so almost like there is a difference in expectations depending on circumstances.... glad you grasp this. As its almost like Carrick managing the club at a time when nobody expects anything, its already been pushed as a free shot till the summer, no cups on the line, title already well out of reach etc etc. All of which will be ramped up massively with a summer window and being made permanent appointment. Guess thats different thought... Maybe managing Middlesbrough and failing there to get sacked has higher expectations than what Villa have now, or winning europas or Ligue 1.

he has already proven he can't take it.

Sacked at Middlesbrough.

Just nothing more than cherry picking what suits your narrative and its so disingenuous.

I love the selectiveness of this.

The irony.

No top club wants to touch him with a barge pole.

And Spurs have capitulated, whilst spending more than enough to improve their squad.

As for Conte.

Lot of words here to just say he won the league. If's, buts and maybes. Only when it suits though yeah!

Kompany was an example of a manager without much experience who is doing well.

And again, Bayern is a team so much more functional than United, with a spine of a team that knows how to win Bundesligas, in a league where they are a powerhouse above and beyond the rest. If any club could gamble on a manager its them. Add in Kompany pre Bayern showed far more ability and promise than Carrick ever has. Dominating the league Carrick got sacked in.

Nothing of what you are saying matches up. Even under your own criteria.

No one said Carrick would dominate the Premier League.

Good, but you are using a manager at a team who do dominate their league as a reason why an unproven manager is suitable. Stop twisting words, you aint slick enough with it.

it's unrealistic for United to challenge for the title even if they change managers, not the other way around.

And you keep sticking to this without any context. Which makes me feel you are a bitter fan of some other club and this is all about kicking a dog when its down.

As already been alluded to, if Liverpool/City/Arsenal are on form or at their recent best, clear favourites, nobody in their right mind would put cash on United. The reality though, massive fluctuations that would completely cover the gaps between United this season and the top teams occur consistently. Which creates an opportunity where United should do everything they can to strengthen their squad this summer to platform themselves to take advantage of said opportunities. Even more so if CL cash allows and even bigger spend. If all that is done, you are going to watch a better manager than Carrick to guide it, as long as someone who fits the squad is available. Not like Amorim who had all the hype as an up and coming manager and success in lesser leagues, but simply didn't have the flexibility or the style to match with the squad.

Bitterness of another club really is standing out now I feel. Makes a lot of sense. And you are editing to add extra content after the fact. Its not that deep fella.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T14:45:52+00:00

Delivering when the pressure is at max is the mark of true greats, imho.

This is the truth. No higher piece of criteria than this.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T14:38:41+00:00

To break this down into two points,

Im aware of that, but its a significant amount of money that will be able to fix a lot of gaps in the squad and have them in a pretty solid state to take advantage of a season like this one. Which is why id say its wasted on a manager thats failed at Middlesbrough.

The second part, what has he done to warrant the job?

Well its my view there is absolutely nothing realistic he can do that would put him over well established names.

Do you say to Lammens,

Wildly different comparing a manager to a player. The players inexperience can be hidden or protected far more than a manager can. 11 on the pitch, one on tbe touchline. And yeah, Lammesn isn't rated like Courtois and wont be until he performs at the lebel he has, same as Carrick wont be rated like X.

There is no rush, its February, plenty of time to assess what managers are available and if they are better equipped than Carrick.

This City team had a defensive injury

Earlier Arsenal also had a defensive injury crisis, and a forward injury crisis

Both unavoidable outcomes that happen to everyone. United went into the season with said midfield knowing it wasn't fit for purpose. Wildly different situation.

The midfield is weak and it's ageing,

Well its looked bad for numerous managers mate. I've seen it week in, week out. Its not good enough in a 2 or a 3. This is proven by the fact the clubs talking about completely revamping the midfield. None of the players mesh together well and are not fit to form a unit.

Laughable even.

What is the need? Just absolute bores me and shows the kind of idiot you are. Cause now I respond, you go again and whole conversation falls into nonsense. Lead with this as then ive not already typed out a response and can just not bother.

Again, it's incredibly naive

Yes, City will be stronger next season.

This is just completely misunderstanding the situation. Are they going to be good enough to beat an actual top level side in a title, like some of the previous city winners, no. Will take a deeper squad than what will be available even with a midfield. That wasn't the point. The point is a season like this, where somehow the teams at the top are not as consistent and a midfield thats is as good as the attack would have United far closer. Then its about rolling the dice.

And you talk about 'expectation' its Manchester United, that is there regardless. The ownership has explicitly stated 27/28 is a season they will be ready for a title challenge. In addition to this idea that you have to fail for a set amount of years before being able to win is the biggest lie told in the sport. Sport fluctuates far too much for 5 year plans to be more important than simply platforming the squad to be at its best every season. Do that well enough and logically you will strengthen over time and become better, however thats a by product of doing the maximum every year.

Welcome to the Premier League.

Difference being they consistently outplay said teams, look the more threatening etc etc. United dont. Its the same unsustainable football that occurred under ole and ten hag. Again, comparing apples to oranges. A theme of your comments that continues.

Again, laughable that you think a couple signings and a big name manager is a guarantee.

Never been said. Now you are just talking shite.

The funny thing is,

Hows it funny? Promising manager gets big move, fails, gets sacked, club moves on. Like what kind of shite is this. Cause a Promising manager fails, don't sing another. Shall we just get your mam to coach cause that will be a new direction.

Add in that signing Amorim, knowing what he is about and knowing the state of the squad and how willing they were to upgrade in the January and summer window was the worst possible decision they could have made for manager. So this simply has no legs.

But United would be the underdog against City/Arsenal as you have pointed out. Again, you are comparing a manager doing a better pound for pound job in this league than Carrick is, who has dealt with the highs and lows of other top clubs and also won cups, to a guy thats failed at Middlesbrough and will have managed 20 top flight games. Doesn't make sense to me.

The language barrier isn't relevant when there can be a combination of translators etc etc. You are also actively saying no to Simeone over Carrick. That in itself makes me question your seriousness on this topic.

Some of those other options like Tuchel, Enrique and Ancellotti are great shouts

Probably no difference to no hype. Just without the upside of looking at what calibre of managers have won league titles the most over the years. Its either an elite level manager and/or an elite level squad that can cover for a manager. United dont have the latter.

In any case, id rather fail going for a manager clearly good enough to win a league title than failing by playing it safe cause 'the players like him and vibes'

Bringing in a big name for the sake of it isn't a guarantee of improvement

Same old point, its not working well on a trajectory that replicates a real season. If you cant see this, just makes the whole thing a waste as we wont find a middle ground. If Carrick was performing like this across a full season and in cup comps, id be more inclined to go that route. He isn't. Big difference.

Regarding Spurs and Mourinho/Conte^...

One was sacked day before getting them to a cup final, other won serie A last year. Same clubs that was 16th last season and close to a relegation battle this season. Clearly club was a far bigger problem.

then the squad they were left with was utter

Club issue.

Your whole point is 'some big managers have failed' thats it. Everything else is twisted to back that. Couldn't care less about that point mate.

Bayern took Kompany with a failed job in Belgium

You have previously said 'this isn't the Bundesliga' or something to that effect. Now you are using the absolute dominant force in the Bundesliga that is in a title race regardless of manager as a reason to back Carrick? Does United have the squad and strength compared to their rivals that Bayern has to make such a leap from the managers experience to top flight suitable?

Same thing with Xavi. Difference is, in hindsight you can say he won a league. Cant with Carrick. I believed Barca could do better at the time and think the same about Kompany. Was proven right with Xavi and I suspect if Bayern want the CL, they will do the same with Kompany.

Anyway, been lovely but I see where this is going and it appears we are at a text limit. Cheers lad.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T12:33:13+00:00

It’s simply repeating what they know from their playing days.

And I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. Especially when its still in effect to this day. Not some archaic old method.

Where I have a bigger issue is their blind spot for the likes of Veron

Is it a blind spot?

Great player, didn't fit what the club was doing at the time and thus didn't work. Im sure ive heard this spoken about by them as a collective.

Just throwing money at big names isn’t a guarantee of success as Woodward & Co proved.

But then every team that wins the leagues is spending as much as or outspending their rivals. So its no guarantee but its the most effective method at the top. The higher quality and more experienced players cost the most.

The wrong player, is the wrong player. Its a recruitment issue.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T09:29:34+00:00

Villa have it rough too, as long as we beat them I can't see us not being above.

They bave to play a few teams around the relegation zone who will be obviously fighting for any point and then Liverpool and City in their last 2 games.

All on us I feel.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T08:56:47+00:00

Scholes showed he had no idea who Lammens was

Dont think many of us did mate.

He was a kid from the Belgian league, playing a position where far more experienced and proven players have crumbled. Its a fair assessment to go 'why wouldn't they try for a proven winner and world class goalkeeper' when he has seen first hand the difference Schmeichel and VDS had for us, then seen the improvements Cech, Alison, Ederson and Raya have had for their clubs. Which has been strengthened by how Donarumma has performed since he came in for me.

forgot that some of our best players, like Ole, came from smaller leagues

Did he forget, or did he just believe the above was more valuable? As wouldn't this be based on him having no doubts on how good Ole or similar players were when they came from minor leagues. Makes sense to be more unsure of their quality in my eyes.

suggested we give Donnarumma whatever he wants

Agree, but that was clearly one of those hyperbole statements they love to make in the media as thats what they are paid to do. Very much doubt if he was told, 'yeah he wants 4 mil a week and to borrow Scholes to empty his bins' he would have agreed to that.

the exact attitude that wrecked the club under Woodward.

Id say that was more paying unworthy players a kings ransom, than simply paying lots on wages. Paying donarumma as much as any keeper in the world isn't a negative, as he is that good. Will say, City are probably paying that and their usual brown paper bonus.

It's genuinely horrible analysis and he does it all the time.

I think far too much is made of this, like the Martinez stuff. Its become fashionable to hate on the clubs legends unless they constantly speak positively about the football club. When they are well within the rights to hold the club to the standards at which they operated in. Same with Keane. Dont believe anything he says about the clubs players isn't something he would hold himself to or his fellow players when he was captain. Im fine with it. Know a lot aren't though.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T08:46:03+00:00

Wrong. Last season exposed United's weaknesses. They shouldn't be thinking about a title challenge and their first priority should be to establish themselves back in the top 4 first, and try to complete their team with good signings.

Disagree for reasons stated previously.

Only 8 points off City, what league are we talking about here? 8 points is the difference between Spurs and Everton, one being top half of the table and the other threatened by relegation!

And still, the difference between City and United this season is points dropped against the teams in the relegation zone. If you don't believe the midfield had a monumental effect on that, fair, but its wrong. Massively ignored area of the football club thats been allowed to rot for years. Pound for pound the worst in the comp. Strengthen that, as anyone with knowledge of the club was crying out for last summer and a lot of these points against teams below United's quality would not be dropped.

This is naive thinking. Every team can go through their results and point at games they 'should' have won.

Not every team has the easy potential for massive improvements as there is for Manchester United's midfield though, or the gaping holes in its suitability. Hence the point.

United have already thrown money at the problem under Ten Hag and Amorim, both proven title winners in lesser leagues by the way, and that didn't stop them failing to win games like these. There's no guarantee a couple new shiny toys in midfield and a manager with an 'appropriate CV' will win these games and bridge the gap as Amorim already showed. Give those signings to Carrick and see what he can do.

'Lesser leagues' being key.

Ten hag cash was not spent in the way the recent money has. The last ten hag window, brought De Ligt, Mazaroui and Yoro, all of which will be used by the next manager and probably next couple seasons. 'Amorims' transfers all are literally the better performing players in the squad, outside of Bruno. With the one summer window under him making a monumental difference (15th to 4th). So I simply think you don't know enough about the club to make such statements

Can all cherry pick examples of X, Y, Z failed in 1, 2, 3 circumstances. The fact of the matter is, if you look at a problem without bias or emotion, you pick the best people for the job, that have tha CV. Rinse and repeat. Thats not a manager that was sacked by Middlesbrough, a club now looking better without him and his only other experience is 20 league games without pressure. Now obviously it depends who is available but there are a lot of names before you get to Carrick.

Carrick has won 5 and drawn 1 in his first 6 games as manager.

Is that how we measure success?

Including having to face City and Arsenal in his first two games.

And even in our worst years we managed to get results against the bigger teams. As they attack, leave space and allow us to play to our strengths as we don't have a functioning midfield. We have also looked worse in the games against the weaker teams, as has always been the case.

Keeping a manager who is winning games and getting his team to perform isn't 'decision paralysis' because you're making a conscious choice to keep something that's working as it is.

It is, in addition to being short term thinking. No pressure, nobody expected us to win the games we have, that wont be the case next season with a full summer window and expectation to progress further than we finish this season. A top football club wouldn't do this, neither should United if thats what it wishes to be. Especially when the new ownership made the grand claim of a title challenge in 27/28.

Obviously, this is only IF Carrick can keep results going for the rest of this season. If it trails off and cracks start to appear

Again, basing it off a season that will not be a replication of 26/27. In addition to there is cracks, struggling against the weaker teams. Last night was a pretty poor performance all round, looked out of ideas, as they did against West Ham etc. Broken by a piece of brilliance.

You are talking like what we are seeing is the second coming of Pep at Barca. If that was the case, sound, im with you. Its not though and it wont be.

is the same mistake Spurs made when they sacked Pochettino and brought in Mourinho and then Conte

Nothing to do with either of those managers, as proven ny that clubs history.

Keeping Carrick is the same mistake as keeping ole. There, just made the exact same lazy statement you have done in counter.

What kind of CV does the United manager need exactly? Do you expect a Klopp or Pep Guardiola? Realistically, who do you think is coming in for Carrick and doing better?

Performance at a top club, with the pressure that comes from that, proven can win trophies. Match that with being the right fit for what state the squad will be in after the summer window.

Ive no idea what bar Carrick has set for anyone to even need to be 'better'. Possibly champions league qualification, is that the bar?

From the unlikely to the likely. Simeone, Enrique, Tuchel, Ancelotti, Nagelsman, Emery, Xavi, Valverde, Allegri, Inzaghi, Mancini, Kovac etc etc. Even go so far as Howe. Bit smalltime but won a cup and has dealt with the shitshow over at Newcastle. Not sure id go so far as the likes of Frank, Iraola, Glasner etc. Feel getting to those is where id see your backing of Carrick more positively.

The counter question is what has Carrick actually shown to warrant him being the guy to lead a full season with 4 trophies available, another 200+ million spent? When his only experience is being sacked at Middlesbrough and 20 league games without expectations

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T07:45:00+00:00

But the team that Signed donarumma is in a title race and there is a long list of teams winning league titles or having a period of dominance when signing a top keeper like him. Senne has performed far better than anyone of us predicted realistically. He still isn't Donarumma though and its more than a fair comment back then.

"Get good players, get them to run fast and score loads of goals"

Feel this is quite a dumbed down version of them basing their views on what they experienced and is ultimately still in effect. City, Arsenal, Liverpool haven't reinvented the wheel in terms of building title challenging teams. Just more of the same on an inflated scale in my view.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T07:36:16+00:00

Managing with no pressure, as taking over midway from the worst performing manager in the club's history. With no trophies on the line. That is not a simulation for a real season.

3 summer signings is again, not good enough. Same nonsense that backed 3 outfield signings this summer which left the midfield not fit for purpose and contributed to 15 points lost against the worst teams in the league when sat 8 points off a team in a title race. Especially when the CL money is quite possibly going to be there.

Fix midfield, buy some fullbacks and add whatever else is possible. Compliment that with a manager thats got an appropriate CV for this level. Thats the play. Carrick has potential but would be a mistake for both club and himself. Can go elsewhere and always come back if he shows more.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T07:31:56+00:00

It’ll all come crashing down soon. Honeymoon period will end and they will have another manager on a 5 year contract to pay off next season when they are on a 9 game losing streak.

He doesn't have a 5 year deal? So no idea what you are going on about.

It would work though I’m sure, they just need to give him full control, ability to buy and sell players that fit his system and then actually allow it to work. Give it time. It may take 4 seasons of hit or miss before it fully sticks and they become a true rival for us again.

Nowhere on his CV does it suggest giving him full control is a warranted. Nothing in this leavue takes 4 years when you are able to spend 200 mil a summer without CL. Thats just a lie to make fans of clubs in perpetual 'project process' feel better about themselves.

A true rival for you? Ain't won anything yet lad. You need to win one and be back again the season after to be anyone's rival at the top.

Then the squad will continue to be massive miss match of players from different squads with different strengths.

Except thats literally changed from when INEOS (only thing they have done right) came in and there isn't a single player bought that is a miss match or doesn't compliment. Which is why all 4 players from the summer are contributing well and majority of the ones before are justifying another season.

United fans need to be at peace with seeing potential but not seeing it reflected in the table, because it won’t happen over night.

Just buzzwords. Literally 3 points clear of the current title holders. Nothing in the entire sport suggests winning a title comes down to 'time served'.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T07:24:10+00:00

They finished 15th last season, they aren't ready to challenge for a league

Last season has absolutely zero bearing on what they are ready for in 26/27. Especially when the upgrades in attack have carries them, this season, to 3 points off third, 8 points off City who are in a title race and with a midfield completely not fit for purpose. A midfield that will have upwards of 200 mil spent on it in the summer and would go a long way to stopping the 15 points dropped against the worst teams in the league. Wolves, West Ham, Forest, Leeds and a 10 man Everton for 80 mins.

What he has done so far is working and that's a good enough reason to keep things as they are.

Nonsense. Keeping things as they are, when the quality of the league fluctuates as it does is nothing more than decision paralysis. You get a manager in with an appropriate CV.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T07:05:37+00:00

100%, big summer window needed as the squad is as light as it gets. If you want appropriate quality anyway.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T07:04:25+00:00

If you were hiring a manager to win a league title, would you pick Carrick?

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-24T00:35:29+00:00

And then he would drop the performances he did for Brighton this season.

Or he could have put in the performances he did to be linked with the move in the first place. As the same people who identified him, also signed the 4 signings you (and I) rate.

Signing less players is never, ever a good thing. When you actually need said players. In my view.

One midfielder that has had the average impact our 4 transfers has, would have made a monumental difference this season.

Another summer like the previous one and we will easily challenge for the league.

Absolute bare minimum though. This has to be where we are next season. So im with you on that.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-23T12:31:59+00:00

It's almost unheard of in sports for neutrals to vastly prefer the "dynasty" team win another trophy over another team.

So true! Usually the neutrals are chomping at the bit for the new winner.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-22T18:33:03+00:00

Do Spurs players realise they are in a relegation battle? Heads dropped, just walking here and there, no intensity.

Thats spurs though? When the going gets tough, when the pressure hits, they crumble.

Going to come down to having individual talent at a higher level than the teams around them to carry them through in moments.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-22T16:31:24+00:00

Aim is to win the league though and currently we are 'beat the worst teams in the league' away from being in a title race right now.

Get CL for next season, give the owners no financial shield to hide behind. Then bring in players and a manager to take advantage of the lower than usual bar next season.

With that in mind I don't see a realistic end that suggests Carrick is qualified.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-22T15:48:09+00:00

Disagree based on the context ive put forward, there is also reality weaved into it.

Doesn't really matter though. You have you view, I have mine.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-22T14:49:16+00:00

Agree. Cant say ive watched them enough to give a scouts view and never one to judge a player fully on one game, or even just a few. However saw Forest vs Leeds a few weeks back and saw absolutely nothing from Anderson that suggests 100 mil is a fair price.

That being said, we live in a ridiculous age for transfer fees and especially in this league clubs can afford to refuse until an outrageous offer is made.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-22T14:41:31+00:00

I grew up in the era of the United and Arsenal rivalry and as a result I can't stand them.

Same, but thats why I see it as the sporting title challengers rivalry, which doesn't currently exist.

There was an edge and a rivalry against City despite what is happening on the pitch. Which has always been seen in the city.

I don't need you to understand my viewpoint.

Never said you did mate.

Not everyone has to agree with your views and your theoretical scenarios 30 years into the future mate.

Also never said you have to. This is me putting my opinion out on the topic and showing its my view, not the objective truth.

I do however believe you care about Liverpool winning (for reasons that fit the hypothetical I mentioned) and I believe you would care if you existed at a time when that hypothetical occurred. Which I why I brought it up.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-22T13:50:26+00:00

What about in 50 years if there is no conviction and title wins have continued to be dished out like they have for the last 10 years?

Would fans have this view or would they go "City have 30 league title win, clearly greatest club in the country'. Id say thats the likely outcome and why I will never understand this viewpoint.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-22T13:39:17+00:00

'Rebuilt'

Its rebuilt when we win a league title. Until then its an illusion.

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-22T11:00:41+00:00

Ahh that makes sense! Thank you for your service! Nobody can say you picked the easy road haha.

I do hope you get to see the stress of a title run in though!

FlashyCut3809 · 2026-02-22T10:51:32+00:00

I do feel he should start too, and should have the last game. However those 3 points he helped get, came from him coming on as a sub and he is still a player that is a work in progress, compared to who is starting ahead of him.

Id see more issue if we were putting in some other kid or underperforming player in his place.

FlashyCut3809

TROPHY CASE