Greetings all, It's been years since I last posted on Susie, I used to be a very active member, but starting a family limited my preciously obsessive FM gaming time! I hadn't purchased FM since FM19 (Having previously owned every FM game and CM way back to CM97/98). Anyway, I saw the latest FM advertised online, and with a little more time on my hands now all the kids are in school and nursery I though, why not?

For my first career I decided to start at the top end of the game in order to familiarise myself with new features without the headache of having to learn all about all my squad at the same time. I chose Man United, who on paper have a great squad, but for whatever reason(s) have failed to achieve much success since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson more than a decade ago as wealthy rivals have surpassed them. My aim is to restore them as a major player in English football, and indeed globally. 

I'm now at the beginning of my third season at Old Trafford; My first two have been unexpectedly successful, putting together an incredible 24 game winning run in all competitions upon my appointment to the hot seat. That run proved the basis of a shock title win as we clinched the championship by three points against City as well as winning the FA Cup against Tottenham and reaching the Champions League semi-final, where we lost 4-3 on aggregate to City who went on to beat Inter in the final in a repeat of the previous seasons final.

There were no cups (Unless you count the community shield) in 2024/25 as we were beaten in the quarter finals of both the FA cup and Champions League by Arsenal and Bayern Munich respectively, Though we did go on to retain our League title, again by three points, this time with arch rivals Liverpool providing our main challenger. 

Now I'm at the beginning of 2026/27, Obviously the aim is to make it three in a row in the league, and to try and win the clubs first Champions League in nearly two decades. I also want to continue my record of never having lost at Old Trafford in the league and continue chipping away at the United greats on my quest to become the best of the best!

Next update I'll fill you in on my current squad and who I've brought and sold over the last two years.

Squad and Transfers

I've made over £250M in player sales so far, the transfers of Bruno, Varane and Casimiro to Saudi Club's were pretty much forced, I would have preferred them to stay as they were obviously important players, but they indicated they wanted to follow the money and leave, and I won't have anyone who doesn't want to be here

Luke Shaw decided he wanted a new challenge and opted to join Spurs, I snapped their hand off for £54M considering how injury prone he is. Amrabat was a strange one, which I think is more to do with a flaw in FM than anything. I signed him permanently just a year before following a successful loan spell, he was mainly a rotation for Casimiro in the ball winning central midfield role, however he became unhappy saying he wanted to play as a DM as a BWM, which I accepted as Casimiro was going, however he later came back saying I had broken my promise (I hadn't) and wanted to go. I was a bit confused but f*ck him, he can go.

And so to my signings;

I've tried to remain financially responsible due to the clubs considerable debt and I have only spent what I have made in sales. So far everyone has been a hit! Toney has netted 16 times as he and Rasmus Hojlund compete to be my starting striker. Konsa was a big outlay but as a Villa fan IRL I thought he was worth it, he has slotted in beautifully alongside Lisandro Martinez as my preferred centreback pairing. 

Manu Kone has been immense, a really complete midfielder who can defend and attack equally well. Young Valentin Barco has won several young player awards with his electrifying dribbling and I really appreciate him being able to play anywhere down the left side, though he is better as a winger I think. 18 year old forward Ricardo Solbes made a handful of appearances from the bench towards the end of the season, scoring three goals in four games, very encouraging indeed! I've now sent him on loan to Rotherham to get some regular starts.

Full Squad

Onana has been great for me, he is my first choice keeper, with Vanja coming in for cup games. I fully trust both of them and have no issues here. Vitek is on loan at Forest Green and can be recalled if necessary. 

I've only just signed Tierney, so I can't comment much on him yet, but I expect him to pick up from Luke Shaw in the wing back role, rotating reguarly with Tyrel Malacia who has improved alot since I joined the club. I have four really solid centrebacks in Konsa, Disasi, Maguire and Martinez, the difficulty is keeping them all happy with their playing time. 

I play 4-2-3-1 with two DM's, so midfield needs to be flexible, which I think this group is. I did consider selling Christian Eriksen when a Saudi bid for £15M came in, I decided to keep him for another year though as he can play DM, CM or AM which is always useful. Kone and Scott McTominay are my favored DM partnership with Eriksen regularly coming in to rest Scotty Mac. With the departure of Amrabat I have promoted Isak Hansen-Aaroen to the first team, he looks a great prospect. Kobbie Mainoo is also one for the future, as is Jack Fletcher who is with the first team during our pre-season tour of the US to gain experience.

Further forward, Mason Mount has cemented his starting place as my AM following Bruno Fernandes;s departure in January, Mount scored 12 and assisted 13 last season, I signed young Claudio Echeverri to provide him with competition.

Out wide we have four world class wingers in Rashford, Sancho, Anthony and Garnacho, all of whom have been fantastic whenever I call on them, it is real juggling act to keep them all happy though.

Rasmus Hojlund has become one of the worlds best players, 38 goals in 38 games last season! Naturally he is my first choice, though Ivan Toney comes on in most games and starts in cup matches and those against weaker oppositions. Ricardo Solbes looks like he has a bright future, scoring 3 in 4 sub appearances last season.

So, Thank you for reading! next update will be the 2025/26 season.

I want to download

Hi, great to read your game story. Your management of the squad and the large number of players seems very well managed.

I also manage Man Utd, I'm on my second season and also got Barco !

Can’t wait for the next chapter of the story.