Indeed, the best time to play promoted teams is when the grim reality of their season has kicked in.
Positive thoughts thread | 2026/27 season
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Can anyone point me in the direction of the equivalent negative thread?
That would be the rest of the forums, sadly. This seems to be the only bright spot on the Caf.
Pick any of them
Any random United thread will pretty much give you the same discussion.
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Haha thanks.
What purpose does pessimism serve FFS!
It's a new season guys..enjoy it for what it is and if you cannot enjoy it then find something that you can.
It's a new season guys..enjoy it for what it is and if you cannot enjoy it then find something that you can.
I think Brentford beat Arsenal in their first ever PL game, if I'm not mistaken. I would be interesting to see some statistics on this.
The idea that promoted teams on opening weekend are a dangerous fixture is exaggerated. As per the BBC last summer:
A promoted side might be particularly up for it in their first game, but they're still typically one of the worst sides in the league.
And obviously as one of the best sides in the league, we're supposed to be even less likely to struggle against them. Going into the Hull game we had played a promoted team on opening day 12 times and never lost.
Bless 'em, the BBC are not the place to look for stats. They don't even compare it to anything. Is 18.5% good or bad? And they go back to '92 when the gap between the leagues was far lower than it is now. Not to mention they don't standardise for fixture difficulty, or separate home from away games, or weight for final league position, and so on.
Put it this way, over the last 5 years the win rate for promoted teams general is 20% over the season, but on the opening day it was 33%. And if we just look at home games, the win rate was 45% on the opening day for promoted teams. So at the very least, there's a bit more to say than that Beeb article would suggest.
When we lost 2-0 to hull on opening day of the season, we won league in that year(1975)
We will do well against City, Spurs, so our winning matches are round the corner.
We will do well against City, Spurs, so our winning matches are round the corner.
I'm thinking about protons.
Just sorted travel to Como and Lisbon.
There's nothing better in this world than a European away trip watching this football club.
There's nothing better in this world than a European away trip watching this football club.
For some folk if we don’t get a left back or maybe even a striker the window will have been poor. However I didn’t expect us to get in 3 midfielders of the quality with which we did, especially considering we had to keep Ugarte.
So for me it’s been pleasing on that point, and I didn’t think we had the finances to replace Shaw this season anyway. So I can understand them continuing the 4 year build pragmatically.
Hope if we do have those spaces in the squad we fill it with the youth players who have played well and further build for the future and squad progression.
So for me it’s been pleasing on that point, and I didn’t think we had the finances to replace Shaw this season anyway. So I can understand them continuing the 4 year build pragmatically.
Hope if we do have those spaces in the squad we fill it with the youth players who have played well and further build for the future and squad progression.
Lammens
Yoro De Ligt Martinez Dorgu
Mainoo Baleba
Bruno
Amad Mbuemo Rashford
I'd love to see something like this. Yoro has come on at RB, I'd like to see it tested out. Hard to know about that one.
I'm convinced Dorgu should be playing left back, he'd make up for defensive frailties by causing havoc bombing forward. Really liking Mainoo/Bruno and Mbuemo atm. Need Baleba and Amad to hit form from 2 seasons ago and Rashford needs his mojo back, it's looking promising.
I'm sure many here would disagree and prefer to see Maguire/Cunha/Sesko etc
Yoro De Ligt Martinez Dorgu
Mainoo Baleba
Bruno
Amad Mbuemo Rashford
I'd love to see something like this. Yoro has come on at RB, I'd like to see it tested out. Hard to know about that one.
I'm convinced Dorgu should be playing left back, he'd make up for defensive frailties by causing havoc bombing forward. Really liking Mainoo/Bruno and Mbuemo atm. Need Baleba and Amad to hit form from 2 seasons ago and Rashford needs his mojo back, it's looking promising.
I'm sure many here would disagree and prefer to see Maguire/Cunha/Sesko etc
Mbuemo looked so bad trying to lead the line, he can't hold the postion and wants to move out wide which got in the way of whoever was on the wing.
Squad looks better than last year I reckon. I’m keen to see whether Baleba gives us that extra physicality we would benefit from.
We have the best player in the league. A solid young GK who is only going to get better. An attack that’s alot better than last year and still learning to gel. One of the best young midfielders in the league in Mainnoo to build around along with some good depth at CM now, with a brand new promising signing who is exactly what we’re missing on paper. Only real weakness atm is set piece defending which is easily addressable, along with a couple of new fullbacks which we were always going to address next year by the looks of our transfer strategy. We were never going to win the league this year but I think we can realistically aim for top 4 again and maybe a trophy (not the CL unfortunately)
our goal difference
Yes, people with zero football heritage doing the opposite of all the top football clubs. Fingers crossed.
On a very positive note without Bruno we could have easily lost at Ipswich but he’s remained injury free for a few years.
Positivity for the season:
Seeing Lammens develop and build on his very good season last season.
Seeing more of Lacey, I do hope he will get some chances, I think he has enough flair.
The trio of Baleba/Bruno/Kobbie comes to mind too, excited to see them play together...
Hoping also Sesko will show more of the good spell he had last season.
Finally, looking forward to see De Ligt back in action I think we need him at his top level, there is a good player in there.
I also hope we compete to our very best in all comps even if we dont win, but just to bring back our "we never give in" attitude...
Let's go you Red Devils!
Seeing Lammens develop and build on his very good season last season.
Seeing more of Lacey, I do hope he will get some chances, I think he has enough flair.
The trio of Baleba/Bruno/Kobbie comes to mind too, excited to see them play together...
Hoping also Sesko will show more of the good spell he had last season.
Finally, looking forward to see De Ligt back in action I think we need him at his top level, there is a good player in there.
I also hope we compete to our very best in all comps even if we dont win, but just to bring back our "we never give in" attitude...
Let's go you Red Devils!
We improved from last season especially in midfield. We should be doing fine this season to finish Top 5 qualify for CL. Some good European night games against the Europe elites again. I can't wait! Expect to clear group stage and the rest is bonus.
Domestic cup games let's play the kids.
Jack and Tyler Fletcher, Amass, Lacey, Heaven, Yoro, Gabriel (?) and etc.
We have Mount and De Ligt coming back. Let's have a solid season and continue our next level rebuild next season.
With the pace we are going, it could become reality we will challenge for the PL around 2028-30!
Domestic cup games let's play the kids.
Jack and Tyler Fletcher, Amass, Lacey, Heaven, Yoro, Gabriel (?) and etc.
We have Mount and De Ligt coming back. Let's have a solid season and continue our next level rebuild next season.
With the pace we are going, it could become reality we will challenge for the PL around 2028-30!
My positive thoughts are that a bunch of posters talked about Mainoo not being first choice this summer. I think he easily outdoes the new signings. So I'm glad we havent done anything thatstops the development of perhaps our best young player. And I think we just about make top 4 with what we have, maybe with an addition in Jan.
I don't see anything wrong with waiting a year for Hall (as long as we actually sign him) and not dropping 10-15m on a young stop gap or loaning someone with an obligation to buy.
It would've been nice to have a rotation option for Shaw but he's still going to be first choice and he's way better than people give him credit for.
It would've been nice to have a rotation option for Shaw but he's still going to be first choice and he's way better than people give him credit for.
Positives:
We play the best football in the league in my opinion. We have a manager that's very good at getting players to associate with one another and is front foot thinking. We have some of the more exciting young players in the league. We still employ the best player overall in the league.
We play the best football in the league in my opinion. We have a manager that's very good at getting players to associate with one another and is front foot thinking. We have some of the more exciting young players in the league. We still employ the best player overall in the league.
That's a huge IF though especially since it's not like the player tried to force a move to us this summer.
I don't know if Enciso is considered to be fast but when he had his breakaway Shaw and another player caught up with and overtook him and stopped him getting off a good shot.
Luke Shaw is better than the Caf seems to think he is!
Luke Shaw is better than the Caf seems to think he is!
Midfield is miles better than last season and more depth there. Still lightweight in fullback area, hoping to see Dorgu playing there more and De Ligt + Martinez + Mount to somehow find luck with injuries like Shaw did.
The fact this thread already made it to almost 4 pages is a positive in a way.
That's proper thinking about statistics. I'll take that as a positive for the season.
Positives
I think Mainoo is going to have an epic season. Going to really impress
Mbuemo I think will be our top scorer and prove vital for us
Expecting Fernandes, Sesko & Amad to hit 15 goals.
I think Mainoo is going to have an epic season. Going to really impress
Mbuemo I think will be our top scorer and prove vital for us
Expecting Fernandes, Sesko & Amad to hit 15 goals.
A full season of Kobbie as a first choice player, although thankfully we have plenty of midfield strength to not overplay him in both PL and CL. I'm going to enjoy our CM options, we have four good players and whichever combo of them in a two or a three (if BF rested) should be worth watching.
We have three attacking players bedded in now, who should be good to improve this season and cause more threat, with Rashford and Diallo to improve on their most recent seasons.
A few of our juniors getting a run-out somewhere, although Brighton in the Carabao might cut that possibility back quickly. A good cup run could be essential this season for some proper trophy interest.
And some good football. We do play some nice stuff in pockets, we're a potentially entertaining team. And I don't think there is anyone else that looks way above. Arsenal now have the confidence that winning the league brings, I can't see us staying too close to them, but we can be in the mix with some of the rest.
We have three attacking players bedded in now, who should be good to improve this season and cause more threat, with Rashford and Diallo to improve on their most recent seasons.
A few of our juniors getting a run-out somewhere, although Brighton in the Carabao might cut that possibility back quickly. A good cup run could be essential this season for some proper trophy interest.
And some good football. We do play some nice stuff in pockets, we're a potentially entertaining team. And I don't think there is anyone else that looks way above. Arsenal now have the confidence that winning the league brings, I can't see us staying too close to them, but we can be in the mix with some of the rest.
The most exciting thing to me is the fact that we have a really good selection of exciting creative footballers, both in the starting 11 and on the bench, being managed by a guy who is willing to give them the freedom and confidence to express themselves. The result is is that you get games like city at home, Arsenal away, last day of season of against Brighton - there’s more - that are just so entertaining, so exciting to watch, so the reason that I watch this game. And with that same group of attackers now better gelled and more familiar with how the manager wants them to play, a new midfield which should ensure that we’ve got more control over the game and are better able to feed those attackers. I think we’re gonna see more of that great football.
Not every game is gonna be a barnstormer - there’ll be some that we have to really grind out. But I’m confident we’re gonna see 10-20 games this season they are just a joy to watch.
I think a top three/top four finish would be wonderful and is achievable, and the consequences of that for our future teambuilding - especially considering we had such a disciplined summer - puts us in a good position to rebuild defence and add other players here and there - spend a bit more money since we would’ve had a year of Champions League football. Finances continue to improve and suddenly we’re in a position where we can go for top end players. I understand it’s a risk but Manchester United takes risks, it’s what we’re all about.
Not every game is gonna be a barnstormer - there’ll be some that we have to really grind out. But I’m confident we’re gonna see 10-20 games this season they are just a joy to watch.
I think a top three/top four finish would be wonderful and is achievable, and the consequences of that for our future teambuilding - especially considering we had such a disciplined summer - puts us in a good position to rebuild defence and add other players here and there - spend a bit more money since we would’ve had a year of Champions League football. Finances continue to improve and suddenly we’re in a position where we can go for top end players. I understand it’s a risk but Manchester United takes risks, it’s what we’re all about.
We didn't panic buy last season and this season. 2 season in a row we are doing great.
1. Lammens
2. Mbeumo
3. Cunha
4. Sesko
5. Baleba
6. Santos
7. Tielemens
Next season is to upgrade on LB (Hall), RB and CB. 3 players to further improve the team. An attacker too if we sold Zirkzee and Rashford.
We also have some very good up and coming academy players.
Finally, the club look like being run by proper football people. It's day and night compared to Ed, Arnold and Murtough.
1. Lammens
2. Mbeumo
3. Cunha
4. Sesko
5. Baleba
6. Santos
7. Tielemens
Next season is to upgrade on LB (Hall), RB and CB. 3 players to further improve the team. An attacker too if we sold Zirkzee and Rashford.
We also have some very good up and coming academy players.
Finally, the club look like being run by proper football people. It's day and night compared to Ed, Arnold and Murtough.
Pretty much spot on.
I think we're two top defenders from challenging.
I'd also add that the steady squad building probably gives us more room for a maverick signing that can come in and thrive and perhaps perform better than the likes of Sanchez, Pogba etc when the wider squad was messy and they were expected to play in a role that they weren't familiar with.
At risk of being a picker of nits, Lammens is already much better than solid. And he's now 24, which I'm not sure qualifies as young any longer.
Perhaps I'm going out on a limb with this audacious claim, but I really can see Lammens being deemed the top keeper in the PL by season's end. Probably Raya right now, but apart from Raya there's no other keeper in the PL I'd swap out Lammens for.
I am excited to see Kobbie take the next steps on his career. He's the most exciting player to come out of our youth system in years and he's been a firm favourite of mine since his debut.
I am excited to see Cunha, Bruno and Mbeumo link up to score some sick goals.
I am also excited to see Michael Carrick on the sideline, because no matter how the season ultimately winds up, he's United through and through.
Kobbie is definitely up there with reasons to be optimistic, would be great to see him impose himself even more, and ensure his technical quality outstrips others in the league - which it often does. I would say we're heading into a season with the most settled front line we've had in about 10 years, more so even than 2020/21 when we were second. Our PL goal tally (69) last season was the second highest since we last won the league. We can beat any defence with Bruno's qualities, Mbuemo's (mostly reliable) finishing, and Cunha's guile, as proven in top 6 matches last season. Can expect Rashford to get 7-10 goals if he stays fit for whole season. Can reasonably expect more goals to come from midfield i.e. Tielemans (his ability from range). Avoiding an injury crisis at the back, we should remain a top four team.
I'll be happy if we stabilise as a good, potent, CL team, that plays with incisive passing and increasing intensity. Compared with two years ago that would be a complete transformation, and sets us up for two more transfer windows which will be needed to assemble a title-challenging squad.
I'll be happy if we stabilise as a good, potent, CL team, that plays with incisive passing and increasing intensity. Compared with two years ago that would be a complete transformation, and sets us up for two more transfer windows which will be needed to assemble a title-challenging squad.
Against Hull = 72% Possession. 21 Shots.
Against Ipswich = 60% Possession. 33 shots
Just keep doing that and Carrick will keep winning tonnes of games, which is basically what he has been doing since he arrived.
Against Ipswich = 60% Possession. 33 shots
Just keep doing that and Carrick will keep winning tonnes of games, which is basically what he has been doing since he arrived.
I’m usually against threads like this because in previous years I’ve viewed them as a coping mechanism for the justified negativity. This year however I do feel like are things to be positive about despite the summer window.
I’m personally really excited to watch second season Cunha and Sesko. They both took a while to really settle into the team and find their roles. By the end of the season at least until Sesko’s injury, they were our best performing attackers. I expect a step up in performance and goal contributions from both. I’m hoping we get to see some of the long range shooting they both displayed at previous clubs.
Mainoo was another player that had an ineffective first half of the season last year. I’m hoping this will be the first season where he carries on an upward trajectory as his career has been very high and low up to this point. Carrick is here and trusts him so I think we’ll finally get that.
I’m also a bit positive about Carrick. I don’t think he’s necessarily the next best manager in the league but he has something out last managers didn’t and it’s that he respects the league. Amorim and ETH set us up as if we were playing in Portugal and Netherlands as the most dominant side, we continuously got picked apart by teams. Under Carrick we’ve never looked like a vulnerable side. I also think he has a bit more about him than Ole. Didn’t think Ole was a good tactician but Carrick has shown he’s got more up his sleeves in terms of patterns and what he wants from the team. Playing under Jose and LVG and coaching under Jose no doubt gave him a different approach to football where I felt Ole always referred to SAF.
I think we lack proper top end talent but think we’ll surprise people with how good some of our play will be especially now that we finally have a functioning midfield.
I’m personally really excited to watch second season Cunha and Sesko. They both took a while to really settle into the team and find their roles. By the end of the season at least until Sesko’s injury, they were our best performing attackers. I expect a step up in performance and goal contributions from both. I’m hoping we get to see some of the long range shooting they both displayed at previous clubs.
Mainoo was another player that had an ineffective first half of the season last year. I’m hoping this will be the first season where he carries on an upward trajectory as his career has been very high and low up to this point. Carrick is here and trusts him so I think we’ll finally get that.
I’m also a bit positive about Carrick. I don’t think he’s necessarily the next best manager in the league but he has something out last managers didn’t and it’s that he respects the league. Amorim and ETH set us up as if we were playing in Portugal and Netherlands as the most dominant side, we continuously got picked apart by teams. Under Carrick we’ve never looked like a vulnerable side. I also think he has a bit more about him than Ole. Didn’t think Ole was a good tactician but Carrick has shown he’s got more up his sleeves in terms of patterns and what he wants from the team. Playing under Jose and LVG and coaching under Jose no doubt gave him a different approach to football where I felt Ole always referred to SAF.
I think we lack proper top end talent but think we’ll surprise people with how good some of our play will be especially now that we finally have a functioning midfield.