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2025-26 Premier League Thread

Yeah, my expectations are low for the Arsenal match, but my expectations have been low in most of our matches and we somehow keep winning. Chelsea controlled the first half, but still weren't super threatening. Atwell allowed them to foul every time Villa took the ball and tried to break quickly and the fact that Caicedo and Fernandez didn't get yellows until late in the match allowed them to keep doing it. Just complete tatters once Watkins came on and went, yeah, Badiashile cannot defend me one on one. Onana completely changed the midfield dynamics and Sancho put up his first good performance for us and looked so much better on the right side that I hope he only plays there from now on. Still isn't playing a lick of defense though, so probably don't want him starting.
 
Sancho has been building up to this. He’s looked good in several Europa League shifts off the bench, I thought. And he’s in noticeably better shape than he was earlier. He came in straight up pudgy.

I think it was the idea all along to rope a dope the first half and then bring Watkins and Onana in to flip the script, but yeah … they got carried away with playing possum and looked actually dead there for a bit. Second week in a row where the ref wasn’t doing them any favors, and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that will continue through the next game. Villa have just built up so much belief in their ability to counter-punch that it doesn’t seem to matter. So long as they’re in touch, they’re in it.
 
I guess hes finally realized that United will not be picking up the extra year on his contract and he has to show something if he wants any interest this summer. He just seemed like a threat on the right side he isn't on the left leaving defenders confused at what he's going to do before gliding past them. He also got involved better in buildup as well. Still can't be bothered to defend, baby steps I suppose. Still will never understand the move considering our spending limitations to bring that high of a wage in.
 
StormChaserBH said:
Seems a bit reactionary... dude's lifted 2 trophies for them this year (er, last year now)
Click to expand...
Are you accusing Chelsea of all clubs of being reactionary? Lololololol. Well spotted, my friend.

It’s January and they aren’t in front. Nothing a new manager and a couple of expensive wingers can’t make exactly the same.
 
Maresca is also the 3rd manager of the last 6 that won Premier League Manager of the month to be sacked. He won in November 2025, sacked today. Vitor Pereira won in April, sacked by Wolves in November. Nuno Espirito Santo won in March, sacked by Forest in September.
 
Four New Year's Day matches, four draws. And only two goals, scored in the Palace match with Fulham.

FWIW, the goalless draw between Liverpool and Leeds was lifeless. The similar result between Sunderland and Man City was the exact opposite.
 
Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior is the leading candidate to take over at Chelsea. He played at Hull, Reading and Brighton and has coached at Derby County and Hull. Strasbourg are a sister club to Chelsea, also owned by Blue Co/Clearlake.
 
Supposedly Rosenior has basically been waiting in the wings for a while now. It’s Chelsea, so they always have somebody waiting on the back burner.
 
Man United keeping up with the Chelsea Joneses … firing Ruben Amorim with the club stuck in neutral, but still in touch with European spots. Honestly, finding a manager who will simply set up the team to fit the roster might be enough to ensure European football for them next year. They’re in 6th while stubbornly running a system that makes zero sense for the personnel. For me, this one makes more sense than the Chelsea move.

www.theguardian.com

Ruben Amorim sacked by Manchester United after losing power struggle over transfers

Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim after 14 months as head coach, a day after he demanded his recruitment colleagues ‘do their job’
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
That's a lot of money (€10M) to pay a side to trigger their release clause so you can sign him, only to sack him 14 months later. If anything, it's apparent to me United have no clue as to what they're doing.
 
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Man United’s brand strength endures for no particular reason since it’s been half forever since they had consistently good results. So, coughing up 10 million pounds is the least of their worries, which is kind of part of their problem. Money doesn’t solve everything, but when you’ve got the combination of almost unlimited funds and terrible corporate leadership, they end up just burning cash for fun.
 
With Amorim gone, U-18 coach Darren Fletcher will take charge, probably for 2 matches. United have set up meetings with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick about taking over as caretaker. Solskjaer has been out of work since leaving Besiktas in August.
 
I saw at least one report that Solskjaer was already hired as the interim … but it’s Man United, so the press coverage is always erratic and there are always questionable leaks. When it’s official, it’s official.
 
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