Had a few beers here so maybe feeling optimistic, but I think we’ll win it. I’ll feel very confident if we get another signing or two done.
Positive thoughts thread | 2026/27 season
- Thread starter KStandBarmyArmy1993
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I think the main positive for me is we're getting back to being a team that is going to be composed and intelligent in possession of the ball.
It's been far, far too long in feeling confident about our play in possession.
Other positives, I'm looking forward to Lacey's development. I think we have a real gem on our hands with him.
It's been far, far too long in feeling confident about our play in possession.
Other positives, I'm looking forward to Lacey's development. I think we have a real gem on our hands with him.
Keep them coming.
With the exception of 87, we always win something when the year ends in 7...
With the exception of 87, we always win something when the year ends in 7...
There's plenty to look forward to 
- Champions League football at Old Trafford!
- Ayden Heaven and Kobbie Mainoo are such exciting talents already, and will continue to develop. Leny Yoro has a lot of the tools and has a chance to get back on track.
- The midfield looks fresh. Tielemans and Santos can really ball!
- We have a manager who doesn't deal in overly complex philosophies, dogmas, or mental games, who also cares deeply about the club beyond the first team squad.
- Shea Lacey will get minutes in the first team, excited to see how he does.
- I think there is a lot more to come from Cunha and Sesko.
I think people would be far more excited about Tielemans if we had paid 85m for him instead of 35m - his current ability and immediate value to us is right in that bracket.
Could be famous last words because it lacks steel, but Bruno-Mainoo-Tielemans-Santos-Mount is probably the midfield composition we've had post SAF - better than the brief Matic-Pogba-Herrera-Mata combo.
Could be famous last words because it lacks steel, but Bruno-Mainoo-Tielemans-Santos-Mount is probably the midfield composition we've had post SAF - better than the brief Matic-Pogba-Herrera-Mata combo.
things that make me believe we can do well are:
- we managed 2.3ppg under Carrick, that’s about the point needed for a title challenge, so we just need to keep that up.
- We have Bruno, arguably the best player in the league
- Our midfield is now primed for fast paced passing, which means that we can be even better in getting the ball to Bruno in the spaces he wants to be in
- our attack looks really strong, especially with Lacey and Rashford now available as backup
- Sesko was brilliant in the second half, if he can step it up then we have maybe the second best striker in the league as well.
- Cunha, mbemo and Amad all can become great
Our defence is pretty good but likely not world class. We will see, heaven and Yoro are talented though so could step it up
A lot could go wrong, but potential is there
- we managed 2.3ppg under Carrick, that’s about the point needed for a title challenge, so we just need to keep that up.
- We have Bruno, arguably the best player in the league
- Our midfield is now primed for fast paced passing, which means that we can be even better in getting the ball to Bruno in the spaces he wants to be in
- our attack looks really strong, especially with Lacey and Rashford now available as backup
- Sesko was brilliant in the second half, if he can step it up then we have maybe the second best striker in the league as well.
- Cunha, mbemo and Amad all can become great
Our defence is pretty good but likely not world class. We will see, heaven and Yoro are talented though so could step it up
A lot could go wrong, but potential is there
Carrick's approach with two technical pass-first forward thinking CM additions, I have a feeling we'll have a lot more routine wins this season than we usually do, to the point they start getting boring.
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We seem to be zagging away from the established trend in the Prem of ground covering athletes and focusing on technical qualities, so it’ll be fun to see that dichotomy.
I am incredibly excited by the platform our new midfield is going to provide to our forwards. Having a midfield made of players who are composed on the ball, technically sound, and can pass to team mates consistently has felt like a distant fantasy for far too long.
I’m also excited to see which of our attackers step up in productivity. With better service, some of them are going to hit some purple patches.
I’m also excited to see which of our attackers step up in productivity. With better service, some of them are going to hit some purple patches.
Last season, Carrick only came in mid season. So this time he has more preparation and pre-season.
The additional of another playmaker who can pass and assist like Tielemans for 35m. I'm excited to watch how our team will perform with Tielemans and Bruno in the same team.
Different profile of midfield in comparison to Ugarte and Casemiro should be very interesting to watch.
The additional of another playmaker who can pass and assist like Tielemans for 35m. I'm excited to watch how our team will perform with Tielemans and Bruno in the same team.
Different profile of midfield in comparison to Ugarte and Casemiro should be very interesting to watch.
Ex midfielders are usually capable managers. The midfield signings have been astute so far in relation to money being spent. So I'm confident for the midfield part.
Still hope for deadline day bombs though.
Still hope for deadline day bombs though.
I’m excited to see Lacey in the first team. I like that Carrick has us playing like we want to hold onto the ball, not treating it like a time bomb. I don’t know how Tielemans, Santos, Bruno, Mainoo, and Mount are going to line up but I like that we have options. I’m ready to enjoy watching us play, no suffering, no horseshit.
I don't think having *steel" is necessarily important. Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets were hardly enforcers, so I am optimistic and excited about seeing our fluid and technically able midfield in action.
Tbf Santos is treating it like a timebomb (in a good way)
This feels a bit like solskjaers time before it imploded. Let's hope this time around we continue our upward trajectory. We have a more manageable squad, with less prima donnas this time around, and hopefully rashford is out the door soon. I think we'll struggle for consistency especially if we hit injuries or need to rest due to the additional games. Carrick has good technical staff around him that can adapt well to different opposition tactics, and carrick keeps it simple and makes sure squad harmony is high. That's half the battle with a quarter of it being luck. I think we're just missing that last quarter which is comprised of additional strength in depth and a little sprinkle of world class in defence and up top.
First time post SAF there's a feeling of trying to build a team vs looking for a vague position and then just going to market and paying £75m+ to find whoever is seen as the best/available at the current time.
The amount of young, talented players coming through is probably the best I can remember: Heaven, Dorgu, Mainoo, Diallo, Sesko, Santos, Yoro are all U23. It's not crazy to think all of them might be starting for us together this/next season.
Senior players are solid, none of world class but that is kind of what we'd expect after 10 years of not being great as a team/club - Cunha, Mbuemo, Mount, Licha, De Ligt, Maz, Tielemans etc.
We can definitely finish in the CL places again this season + should expect an upward curve in terms of performances given the ages of most players.
@Scholesgoals I was going to write something similar re Ole's time, but it's key to remember the season Ole tanked was when he tried something new that he, nor Carrick/McKenna had really coached before + he bought terribly in bringing in old players with big names and Sancho. With Ineos at least proving a buffer for the inevitable manager recruiting fiascos, I think we're seeing much less extreme failures in terms of signings.
The amount of young, talented players coming through is probably the best I can remember: Heaven, Dorgu, Mainoo, Diallo, Sesko, Santos, Yoro are all U23. It's not crazy to think all of them might be starting for us together this/next season.
Senior players are solid, none of world class but that is kind of what we'd expect after 10 years of not being great as a team/club - Cunha, Mbuemo, Mount, Licha, De Ligt, Maz, Tielemans etc.
We can definitely finish in the CL places again this season + should expect an upward curve in terms of performances given the ages of most players.
@Scholesgoals I was going to write something similar re Ole's time, but it's key to remember the season Ole tanked was when he tried something new that he, nor Carrick/McKenna had really coached before + he bought terribly in bringing in old players with big names and Sancho. With Ineos at least proving a buffer for the inevitable manager recruiting fiascos, I think we're seeing much less extreme failures in terms of signings.
I'm hopeful that United will compete for the title this season.
12 wins 3 draws 2 losses, 33 goals scored, 18 conceded in 17 PL matches under Carrick without facing either of the bottom two teams (Burnley + Wolves) is impressive, especially since we had two red cards and conceded 3 penalties during those games. We won lots of relatively close matches but several of the draws and losses were also tight games. 16 players got at least 270 PL mins under Carrick; only Casemiro departed from that core group.
Our attacking players are accustomed to being rotated, coming off the bench to score or assist winning goals. I have concerns about Rashford and Zirkzee but otherwise, Dorgu, Cunha, Sesko, Mbeumo and Amad seem like a good group of hard-working players that can adapt to different situations.
Plenty of CB options: Martinez + Maguire were clear first choice starters under Carrick. However, we won all 3 Carrick matches that Heaven started, while our record with Yoro starting was 3 wins 1 draw 2 losses under Carrick. Dalot and Mazraoui are a reasonable right back pair, though the left-back situation is still unclear; Shaw + ?
Lammens was very impressive in his long interview with Ben Foster, giving the sense that he would calmly look to improve over time. His mistake in the World Cup could be a problem; hopefully he continues his zen approach to goal-keeping. I'd like to see him respond better to curling shots towards the far post and his pass completion rate needs to rise significantly.
Midfield is the big change with Casemiro departing. Neither Santos nor Tielemans are obvious replacements but both appear to have qualities that could help us improve different aspects of our play. I'm fine with Mainoo, Santos and Tielemans getting the vast majority of the mins, Mount as occasional starter, though until you see it in action over an extended period in the PL, you can't be sure that it will work, rather than seem like a good idea on paper.
Replacing the goals Casemiro scored from corners and set pieces is clearly an issue that will require a lot of work on the training ground, involving several players contributing more.
Rashford used to be my favourite United player but I'd rather he departed than risk ruining the balanced attack we had under Carrick last season. If he stays, I hope last season's core group are given preference until their form justifies giving someone else a chance. Only once has a United team featuring Rashford exceeded the 69 goals we scored in the PL last season (73 when we finished 2nd under Solskjaer).
Our biggest strength might be Carrick's ability to adjust his plans according to the strengths and weaknesses of the players available to him.
12 wins 3 draws 2 losses, 33 goals scored, 18 conceded in 17 PL matches under Carrick without facing either of the bottom two teams (Burnley + Wolves) is impressive, especially since we had two red cards and conceded 3 penalties during those games. We won lots of relatively close matches but several of the draws and losses were also tight games. 16 players got at least 270 PL mins under Carrick; only Casemiro departed from that core group.
Our attacking players are accustomed to being rotated, coming off the bench to score or assist winning goals. I have concerns about Rashford and Zirkzee but otherwise, Dorgu, Cunha, Sesko, Mbeumo and Amad seem like a good group of hard-working players that can adapt to different situations.
Plenty of CB options: Martinez + Maguire were clear first choice starters under Carrick. However, we won all 3 Carrick matches that Heaven started, while our record with Yoro starting was 3 wins 1 draw 2 losses under Carrick. Dalot and Mazraoui are a reasonable right back pair, though the left-back situation is still unclear; Shaw + ?
Lammens was very impressive in his long interview with Ben Foster, giving the sense that he would calmly look to improve over time. His mistake in the World Cup could be a problem; hopefully he continues his zen approach to goal-keeping. I'd like to see him respond better to curling shots towards the far post and his pass completion rate needs to rise significantly.
Midfield is the big change with Casemiro departing. Neither Santos nor Tielemans are obvious replacements but both appear to have qualities that could help us improve different aspects of our play. I'm fine with Mainoo, Santos and Tielemans getting the vast majority of the mins, Mount as occasional starter, though until you see it in action over an extended period in the PL, you can't be sure that it will work, rather than seem like a good idea on paper.
Replacing the goals Casemiro scored from corners and set pieces is clearly an issue that will require a lot of work on the training ground, involving several players contributing more.
Rashford used to be my favourite United player but I'd rather he departed than risk ruining the balanced attack we had under Carrick last season. If he stays, I hope last season's core group are given preference until their form justifies giving someone else a chance. Only once has a United team featuring Rashford exceeded the 69 goals we scored in the PL last season (73 when we finished 2nd under Solskjaer).
Our biggest strength might be Carrick's ability to adjust his plans according to the strengths and weaknesses of the players available to him.
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I think we have a very good platform to finish the transfer window off on. We are at a low net spend and have the more difficult profiles signed early.
I like the look of Thompson and Armer. Page could be another signing that would add exciting young English talent to the squad.
All the attackers look good In my opinion - Bruno, Cunha, Mbuemo and Amad. Dorgu and Lacey can offer something different from each of them.
Yoro looks like he's filling out - huge season for him.
The style of play looks to have us creeping up the pitch out of possession and having the ball more - that should make for better viewing!
I like the look of Thompson and Armer. Page could be another signing that would add exciting young English talent to the squad.
All the attackers look good In my opinion - Bruno, Cunha, Mbuemo and Amad. Dorgu and Lacey can offer something different from each of them.
Yoro looks like he's filling out - huge season for him.
The style of play looks to have us creeping up the pitch out of possession and having the ball more - that should make for better viewing!
Thinking about it more, I think we might have one or the best attacking group in the PL, Rashford returning, and Lacey holding his own has helped our wing depth. Our only weakness in attack is the backup ST role but we have 3 players that can be placed on that role. The addition of Tielemens also means that Bruno doesn't have to help progress the ball from deep as much and lets him stay up and attack. If it works out I don't think there's a team in the PL that has our depth in the attack, and we might be one of the best attacking teams in all of Europe.
Defense and midfield depth will be the biggest question marks. Which is why we need a backup LB and a 3rd midfielder soon.
Defense and midfield depth will be the biggest question marks. Which is why we need a backup LB and a 3rd midfielder soon.
We now have a style of play that I think the players really like and the fans will enjoy watching.
More control but not just keeping it in our own half and passing it across the back line but possession in the opponent's half.
Over time, keeping this style and then buying upgrades for the weakest positions is how you turn it into a title winning team. Also, if the youth sides are also playing the same system their path to first team should be smoother too.
We outclassed Leeds for most of that game last night, and they were actually really trying hard to beat us. They had one fifteen minute spell after half time when we had our weakest team out. As soon as he brought on Tielemans, Cunha, Shaw, Mazraoui and Bruno we instantly took back control. Bruno was never offside either but at least in a proper game that would have been given as a goal.
More control but not just keeping it in our own half and passing it across the back line but possession in the opponent's half.
Over time, keeping this style and then buying upgrades for the weakest positions is how you turn it into a title winning team. Also, if the youth sides are also playing the same system their path to first team should be smoother too.
We outclassed Leeds for most of that game last night, and they were actually really trying hard to beat us. They had one fifteen minute spell after half time when we had our weakest team out. As soon as he brought on Tielemans, Cunha, Shaw, Mazraoui and Bruno we instantly took back control. Bruno was never offside either but at least in a proper game that would have been given as a goal.
We are winning the quadruple.
I agree with this. I'd also say that I rate Heaven, and I think Dermot Mee and Toby Collyer are both good players who deserve a chance.
Yeah, missed out Heaven, but I rated him massively before this. I'm not that fussed about Collyer to be honest, he regular game time IMO and he won't get that here. Mee has done well to be fair to him.
Now that Baleba is in, correction:
On paper, I think this is the best midfield United have had since Scholes retired in 2011.
We won't suck as bad as we did from Feb 2022 till Dec 2025.
I'm mostly happy that this is a squad that is very much together. There's a real harmony about this group that we haven't had for a long time, Carrick is a very uncomplicated manager, he knows what he wants and so do the players and I think that bodes well for the season.
We're 3 points off 1st.
We're also out of the relegation zone. Yeshhhh
I feel like we often have a decent season when we lose our first match.
I think we're in for an exciting and, fingers crossed, successful season. It's World Cup year, we barely had any pre-season and an away defeat against a newly-promoted side playing their Cup final on our first competitive game in ages means precious little in the long run.
We have some extremely talented youth players coming though which I think is something we definitely need to be positive about.
I know they get a lot of stick but the Fletcher twins are extremely talented. Jack in particular has an amazing weight of pass and eye for a goal. Kamason is an extremely athletic and direct right back also with an eye for a goal. Thwaites is a phenomenal young player with Scholes esque technique and a free kick like Beckham. And I don’t even need to mention JJ.
Of two or three from this current group can work there way into the first team I will be delighted- it’s what United is all about
I know they get a lot of stick but the Fletcher twins are extremely talented. Jack in particular has an amazing weight of pass and eye for a goal. Kamason is an extremely athletic and direct right back also with an eye for a goal. Thwaites is a phenomenal young player with Scholes esque technique and a free kick like Beckham. And I don’t even need to mention JJ.
Of two or three from this current group can work there way into the first team I will be delighted- it’s what United is all about
In all seriousness, we look tired and the squad was thin against Hull. Players like Sesko and Dorgu coming back from either recent or longer injuries, some other key players still unavailable after the world cup and just a mixed bag of new, young or past it players on the pitch. It feels like that just isn't our starting 11.
It's no excuse, but Hull away is more difficult than any pre-season game we had, so lets just take it on the chin and move on. The key aim now is to not fall behind so early as we always seem to, and to bolster the defence with another signing.
It's no excuse, but Hull away is more difficult than any pre-season game we had, so lets just take it on the chin and move on. The key aim now is to not fall behind so early as we always seem to, and to bolster the defence with another signing.
We normally have a decent season after loosing our first league game.
We’ve got Baleba joining at some point. Ashame he’s injured and won’t be playing till late September. He’s a miss in our midfield already and that’s without playing a game yet
My mind always goes back to that Everton one with a Fellaini winner I think. We won the league that year. Not that we will this season but it's never as bad as it seems. Though last season we at least lost to Arsenal away and got a tough game done, this one was extremely winnable.
No doubt but there always winnable games that you dont win and then there is games you think no chance and end up winning.
Also can't help but think of 08/09 where the champions of England and Europe lost 1-0 away at newley promoted Burnley in the 2nd game of the season. And we were rubbish that night aswell. But come the end of the season were champions again and Burnley were relegated. That's the way football is sometimes.
We will comfortable deal with ipswich and we will beat city
Glad this got bumped back up. I am a very optimistic sports fan, but that Hull game hurt me more than a United game I can remember for a while. I hate the my mind has overreacted, when I usually question when others do.
I am flying during the Ipswich match, so we will probably win 4-0 and sign a LB at the half.
I am flying during the Ipswich match, so we will probably win 4-0 and sign a LB at the half.
I’ve always thought right at the start of the season is usually the worst time to play a promoted side, especially away from home. They’re flying high, their fans are on cloud nine and every one of those early games is a free hit.
I don’t think any of that Hull team we faced went to the World Cup, so they had a full pre season to prepare for it all.
Not absolving any blame for why our team looked so ill prepared for that match by any means but it’s a factor.