Manchester United Seasonal Blog 2025/26 - Groundhog Day

[thebillfella]

Seems ok but another option that is just a bit meh for me (and if they want £80m I would say thanks but no thanks). Stop pissing about and go all out for Anderson even if you have to pay what Arsenal paid for Rice.

I wonder if it’ll really come down to a bidding war between Utd and City? If so, then it’ll probably be closer to £150mio than the Rice fee.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/arti ... 0ppgdlll7o

I'd get involved even if to ramp up the price for City and force them to launder some money by sponsoring one of the seats at the training ground for £100m!

[thebillfella]

Sounds like we are seeing "bargain option" no. 2 as an alternative to the obvious pick (i.e. Elliot Anderson) in Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, despite the fact the Hammers are asking for £80m for him (although that was quoted before the trap door opened) Seems ok but another option that is just a bit meh for me (and if they want £80m I would say thanks but no thanks). Stop pissing about and go all out for Anderson even if you have to pay what Arsenal paid for Rice.

Thought we were after some dude called Ederson?

When I first read that, I wondered what the hell we were doing going after the former Man City goalkeeper

Him as well. Complete midfield rebuild so we want 3 apparently. Touchameni and Tonali also heavily linked...

[Maldini]

Is Barcelona’s €80m bid for Gordon a
play to get you to lower Rashford’s price?

[thebillfella]

Who knows what Barca is up to - another basket-case of a club these days with their contraventions of La Liga financial rules.

[Maldini]

The Saudi shill Romano has “Here We Go”d Gordon to Barcelona so looks like you’re getting Rashford back.

[Darbyand]

https://x.com/i/status/2061918317384790321

Manchester United reach agreement with Atalanta to sign Ederson. Price for 26yo midfielder €40.5m fixed + €4.5m of potential bonuses. Personal terms in place on 4+1yr deal. Must still do medical & all parties plan to complete early July

[Jester]

When I saw the headline I thought it referred to the city rejected stopper....

[thebillfella]

A bit meh about it but I guess if the rumours are true he is one of three centre mids we are going for so good to get the first (easiest) one out of the way early and not set the bar too high as far as fees are concerned for those to follow.

He doesn't feel like a replacement for Casemiro but an upgrade to Ugarte. A sensible if not exciting signing and a good start.

[forestfan]

When I saw the headline I thought it referred to the city rejected stopper....

He’s reinvented himself, was always handy with his feet

[Maldini]

A bit meh about it but I guess if the rumours are true he is one of three centre mids we are going for so good to get the first (easiest) one out of the way early and not set the bar too high as far as fees are concerned for those to follow.

He doesn't feel like a replacement for Casemiro but an upgrade to Ugarte. A sensible if not exciting signing and a good start.

Watch his performance against Liverpool when Atalanta beat them 3-0 and you might change your mind.

He’s a very good player.

[thebillfella]

I haven't seen enough of him to know how good he is or not tbh. I'd still like to see Anderson or Wharton come in as well in an ideal world, although more rumours seem to be with Matheus Fernandes and Tonali who wouldn't be bad options either.

But more likely to be one of those and a more budget option like Adam Scott in true Glazernomics style. Brighton must be kicking themselves about turning down the offer for Baleba last season now!

[forestfan]

a more budget option like Adam Scott in true Glazernomics style.

An ageing Aussie golfer really would be a budget option

[thebillfella]

My bad! Long day! His brother Alex!

[Dr. Giggles]

Brighton must be kicking themselves about turning down the offer for Baleba last season now!

I'm delighted that that's a Ba we've Baled out of.

[thebillfella]

Man City have had a bid rejected by Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, according to David Ornstein and Laurie Whitwell.

Forest are said to want more for Anderson than the £105m paid by Arsenal for Declan Rice, which is seen as too high for United.

Looks like this is only going one way.

[thebillfella]

City now bid £106million with a further £15million in potential add-ons. Considered too high by United apparently. Hard to disagree tbh, but I guess Arsenal set the precedent with Rice (and Chelsea with Enzo / Caicedo to be fair).

[Dr. Giggles]

Amorim to AC Milan.

That could be amusing...

[Maldini]

Amorim to AC Milan.

That could be amusing...

It’s definitely just saved you a few million quid.

And just seen that the next Amazon ‘All or Nothing’ documentary is about Manchester United. Should be a good watch.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ar ... lwxzey377o

[thebillfella]

Blah will be pleased that Ole is being linked with Ipswich now!

[thebillfella]

So we've now declared an interest in Sommerville for the winger vacancy in combo with the "interest" in Mateus Fernandes. And while we deliberate, pontificating over a few million, PSG has gone straight and are rumoured to have bid a combined £130m for the two of them. And Real has enquired about Fernandes now as well

[thebillfella]

I know the dangers of doing this but I do like to try scouting promising young or "unknown" players at these tournaments. One that has caught my eye so far is Ayyoub Bouaddi from Morocco - really high energy engine room midfielder for Morocco who also looks composed on the ball. Wouldn't be a bad squad signing if you could get him now for a squad signing price...?

[Heimi Henderson]

The guy from Lille that Arsenal and Liverpool are sniffing around for £60M. Hardly unknown bill.

[thebillfella]

That's why he comes under the promising young category Heimi. Because you and many others here have been raving about him for ages

[maxi123]

It's been in our hands to capitalise on other teams but we've never been able to take ad.

[thebillfella]

Another that caught my eye was In-Beom Hwang from South Korea, but he falls into the unknown category given that he is 29! And Brown from Germany at left back, although no doubt everyone knows about him and Hwang as well.

[Heimi Henderson]

Nathaniel Brown, Eintracht Frankfurt player of the season who’s all but signed for Bayern? That Nathaniel Brown?

Never heard of him.

[forestfan]

We don’t all watch the Bayernliga/Kane Turkey Shoot week in week out…

[Heimi Henderson]

Neither do I but perhaps you and Bill should dip in from time to time?

Some great players like Olise, Diomande, Kane, Diaz, Musiala, Grimaldo, Undav, Vuskovic and the aforementioned Brown plus the added bonus of the passion of the supporters in brilliant football stadiums.

Definitely made a refreshing change from some of the dross served up in the Premier League this season.

[thebillfella]

Nathaniel Brown, Eintracht Frankfurt player of the season who’s all but signed for Bayern? That Nathaniel Brown?

Never heard of him.

Another one you've never ever mentioned once Heimi (nor has anyone else here). Rather than constantly picking holes, why don't you offer a positive contribution yourself?

I'm coming at it from the perspective of what United is currently looking for; maybe you can offer a different viewpoint rather than just pointing out how wrong I am all the time?

[forestfan]

Neither do I but perhaps you and Bill should dip in from time to time?

Some great players like Olise, Diomande, Kane, Diaz, Musiala, Grimaldo, Undav, Vuskovic and the aforementioned Brown plus the added bonus of the passion of the supporters in brilliant football stadiums.

Definitely made a refreshing change from some of the dross served up in the Premier League this season.

A league that is won by the same team 13 years out of 14 is an exercise in pointlessness.