Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Episode 197 - Red Devils' Ratings: EA FC 26 v FIFA 16 - Wildcard Wednesday
0 Playsin 6 hours
Kieran and Niall take a look at the ratings our Red Devils received on EA FC 26 and also take a look back at how the squads were rated on FIFA16 too. Let us know who you think is underrated or overrated, and who are you putting in your Ultimate Team or Career Mode save?
Find us on:
Instagram: gspnmanunited
X: gspnmanunited
TikTok: gspnmanunited
Don’t forget to rate us below, it really helps us out!
Sponsors and Advertising
Zencastr
Built for quality - Designed for growth
A new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools — all in one place.
Get started for free!
We highly recommend it!
#MadeByZencastr
Global Sports Podcast Network- Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright | 2025 | Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
#GGMU #DailyManUnited #MUFC #FC26
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Nostalgia Dive
00:00:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Daily Manchester United. It is Wildcard Wednesday and happy EAFC 26. preferred it when it was FIFA, don't you That's why we're going to take it back 10 years to FIFA 16 and we're going to get a comparison.
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have a look at what the Red Devils are rated in this year's yeah EAFC edition, how they were rated 10 years ago and more importantly, who was in the side 10 years ago and maybe sort of realise that maybe we still have it okay.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
at least compared to 10 years ago. My name's Kieran. I'm glad to say I'm not alone to really dive into this nostalgia journey, as we so often do at the Daily Manchester United. It's Niall Hannigan. Niall, welcome to you.
00:00:55
Niall
Thank you, Ciarán. Delighted for this one. Looking forward to it.
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
me too, me too. All right, let's get this show on the road then, shall we? wait We've got both sort of sides, side by side. We're using a website called SoFIFA.com to basically collate all of this data.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So a big thank you to them. They've got a massive database, if you don't know, of every single FIFA, every single EAFC, and pretty much every single update you can think of on each, every game.
00:01:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just put this into perspective. goes all the way back to FIFA 07. So if you really want to di dive in, deep dive, Into the past, look no further.
De Gea's Journey and Consistency
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're looking at FIFA 16 then.
00:01:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And OK, first off, our best rated key of best rated player in the game was the keeper, David Gea. 87 rated. He was 24 years old.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, I said it at the time, you know, the mid to late 2010s. David De Gea was probably one of the best goalkeepers in the world now.
00:01:53
Niall
Yeah, he was. And we always talk about this and we talked about it, you know, even more regularly when we signed Le Mans was he had a shaky start and Ferguson stuck with him and there was a lot of scrutiny on him at the time.
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:02:06
Niall
um We'd come away from obviously Van der Sar being so successful and looking to kind of find a keeper that was going to b being and in between the sticks for the next 10 years, I suppose. and And it was a slow start, but he was absolutely incredible for us. I mean, he won, I don't know if this is a a good sign for the team, but he won multiple player of the years from a United perspective. And yeah, there was many teams that were struggling to to get the ball past them, but yeah, fantastic player.
00:02:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, 10 years later, look put it this way, had a an overall of 87 overall at the start of p FIFA 16. At the start of EAFC 26, he's got 85 overall. he's got eighty five overall I mean, considering he had, what, a year at least out of football at a time, still have a, you know, rock in the mid 80s rating at 34 years old.
00:02:49
Niall
Mm-hmm.
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I loved St. David when he was there. um He's at Fiorentina now and doing quite OK. Got the number 43 on the back, which is, you know, I'm not I'm not used to that. He should have number one.
00:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But hey, there it is. And then we've got the the sort of ah Wayne Rooney, Bastian Schweinsteiger, both 85 rated, Juan Mata at 83 rated, Chris Smalling at 83, Morgan Schneidlin at 82 rated, Damian 81, Victor Valdez 81. And then to round off the the sort of higher 80s, Ander Herrera at
Midfield Struggles and Missed Potential
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
81 rated. I mean, of of those, who's who's standing out to you, Willa?
00:03:34
Niall
I mean, it has to be Wayne Rooney, but I think the interesting one is Morgan Schneiderlin. um You know, we always talk about the the issues we've been having in midfield. It's probably the the weakest area of the pitch that we have um at the moment. And if you look back at all the midfield signings that we've made over the last 10 years or so, they they haven't been great, really. I saw a tweet recently. you probably needs to get on Tweets of the Week in one of our episodes coming up soon. But...
00:04:01
Niall
It went through, you know, if we bought a midfielder in terms of a really like proper eight or a six, like ah a proper kind of defensive midfielder rather than a number 10, you know, you had the likes of um of Schneider in there um that, you know, is is kind of under the radar in a way, but but probably would would have done a job for us at the time.
00:04:21
Niall
um I don't think it really worked out for him, but a player of that kind of profile is what we're kind of crying out for now at the moment. And it's probably a player that one of those pointless answers when it comes to who, what a midfielder for United that a lot of people wouldn't be able to to pick up
00:04:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Schneider and Schweinsteiger for me. I always forget that Schweinsteiger had you know a season, I think it was, well, maybe a couple of seasons at United. I can't actually remember.
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's That's just how bizarre the signing was, but he wasn't at United long. i know that. And soon after that, he went to the MLS um for maybe a season or two more. um But in the case of you know the the players like Schneiderlin, I'm going to have to go through my many...
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
many ah open tabs to try and find him. But ah there he is, Morgan Schneidlin. when When he went to his most recent entry was FC 24. And at that point, he was playing for Konyersport in the Turkish League.
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
If I have a look at, you know, what's happened to him afterwards... um Yeah, 71 rated in in the last FC, at least the the start of the FC he was most recently in.
00:05:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But after that, he went to Greece to AE Kifisais in the twenty twenty four twenty five season, then retired after that. I mean, Schneidlin was a bit of an enigma.
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think maybe in this current system, he might have had a better chance, but I think...
00:05:43
Niall
Yeah.
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Having said that, was easier he was he a kind of destroyer? I don't really remember him as a destroyer, someone who would absolutely get stuck in like we need now alongside Fernandes. So I'm not really sure now.
00:05:57
Niall
Yeah, it's a tricky one. It's like um Sander Berger for Fulham at the moment. I think he kind of reminds me of him where he's good enough on the ball, but kind of has more defensive traits about him as well. So, you know, if you were to really um go with kind of two defensive midfielders in that system, he he probably could fit there. But and was a player that that you'd want in your rotation, kind of like a Norgaard as well, um that that Arsenal have picked up, that type of of profile midfielder.
00:06:24
Niall
and Excuse me, but... I'm actually a massive fan of Schweinsteiger as well. It's just unfortunate that we got him towards the end of the career. and There's an interesting interview that he had with Gary Neville.
00:06:36
Niall
I think last year or a couple of years ago. and I don't think him and Mourinho got on the best, so I think that's when he started to peter out um at United, where it just wasn't going to work out for him. But the type of player that you'd want five years earlier when he was competing for Champions Leagues and being the heart of the German midfield as well, actually playing some stints out on the right wing, which was interesting back in those mid-2000s and the 2010s well. But
00:07:05
Niall
Yeah, um always liked him. Always liked that that German team as well. So I wish we had him a bit earlier.
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, there's one player as well in this Manchester United side in FIFA 16, Ander Herrera, 81 rated at the time.
00:07:17
Niall
yeah
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
He plays football now for Boca Juniors, still is in FC 26, 78 overall at 35 years old. I mean, totally and criminally underused at Manchester United, especially for the time it was in. you know He was a great player.
00:07:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i think, in fairness, he did put up with a lot. you know There was a lot of rotation. There was a lot of... you know I think we've bucked him about a little bit too much.
00:07:42
Niall
Yeah.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, we we played Rooney little bit deeper alongside Mata at that point and then Schneidlin and Carrick sort of rotating in that holding midfield. But we really did mess around with him, not only in sort of 2015-16, but in so many seasons after that.
00:07:57
Niall
I think, yeah you know, in ah in a time when we were struggling to kind of identify what our midfielders were going to be, like I think when he moved on, it became the McFred show. and And, you know, that's not as if it was ah they were kind of shoving him out of the team, I suppose. We probably got rid of him a couple of years too early because...
00:08:14
Niall
There few seasons at PSG where he was excellent and he was playing Champions League football and he was he was playing you know regular football as well within that team, and fighting for Champions League titles as well. So I think you're right. and We've spoken about him before. I mean, we've spoken about a lot of these guys because, as you mentioned, we love a bit of nostalgia. But um yeah, it's ah it's probably one of those players that you'd want in your squad playing you know the majority ah of the league matches and in a good rotation in midfield. but you know looking at this team here with with Carrick, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Schweinsteiger, it's not filling you with confidence that that we were we were putting together any sort of ah a league title chase at this stage. um And this is probably an area or a time where where we were thinking we were in the the dark ages.
00:09:03
Niall
um But little did we know, things could get worse, Ciarán.
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know, i know. Somehow Mick McCarthy's prophecies still come true, even when it's not about us. There is, however, you know a free agent as of the start of FC26, but it's not for long, so you'll have to pick him up.
00:09:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Memphis Depay. who obviously was in the United squad in FIFA 16. He was 79 rated at a potential of 86.
00:09:28
Niall
Thank you.
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, talk about someone who, know, there was so much potential
Players' Career Trajectories
00:09:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
for him. And maybe, well, I would, no, actually, I was going to say, but he didn't live up to his potential. I think he had a good time at Barcelona and at Lyon as well.
00:09:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought he was decent. He was decent. Now he's signed for Corinthians as of the 9th of September, 2024. ah twenty twenty four So, um yeah, that must have, I guess the, uh,
00:09:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I guess Memphis Depay then is one, if you want to, you know, road to glory, is an early one to sign in your EFC 26 save. Thank you.
00:10:02
Niall
Yeah, it he really was a bit of a flop at United. I think, let's let's be honest, he was part of the Dutch contingent that came over and just didn't really land. um I saw a clip of him actually recently playing for Corinthians, scoring a goal. And yeah, looked like he's kind of enjoying life um down there at the moment. The crowd are loving it as well. But I think a lot of the respect went out the window when he started wearing...
00:10:26
Niall
a sweatband in the in the euros for for the netherlands uh just you know it was a bit random and uh also he's a bit of a rapper as well so i think there's a lot of things on the outside where he probably wasn't taking football as as serious as he could have which which is fine which is fine so i think there was a lot more potential there for him but um just enjoyed other things as well which is you know we're always crying that the players don't have any personality he definitely had personality
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And speaking of personality, how about Jesse Lingard? Let me throw that name out in you for you. i think he's playing in Korea now. He's playing it well no in Japan, isn't it? He's playing for Seoul, I think. I'm going to have to fact check myself here. But ah yeah, Jesse Lingard, definitely tons of personality. It is Seoul. It's Korea. I don't know why i got i don't know why i said Seoul was in Japan. I'm losing my mind. But ah yeah, joined in the twenty twenty four in August 2024, I should say, and having a decent timeout in the K League. um
00:11:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
As of this season, 28 appearances, seven goals, three assists. It's not bad. It's pretty decent. He's 32 now. But i'll always i will always have the FA Cup against Crystal Palace.
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I will always be his moment.
00:11:37
Niall
Yeah, incredible goal. And, you know, there was a time where there was a six-month period under Mourinho in particular. I think he was absolutely flying. and Him and Pogba and Rashford and Martial all playing together was brilliant.
00:11:50
Niall
um And he had a good run with England as well. I think, thinking come back to that Russia World Cup, um scored a couple of goals in that, I'm pretty sure. And, and you know, was was kind of pushing for other World Cup teams as well for England and and had a quite a decent career for them. So,
00:12:05
Niall
um think for an academy graduate to have that sort of career to play for your country quite a lot in major tournaments and to win a bit of silverware for United, you know, there's a lot of players that come through that academy and don't achieve half of that stuff. So I think it's great. And he was a personality, you know, he had viral clips all the time.
00:12:26
Niall
with with the dancing, but also that one with the Rashford at the England camp when they were talking about Rashford speaking, Neymar speaking about the weather, you know, that stuff lives on. Like, so he was, he was good entertainment in that regard.
00:12:39
Niall
The weather.
00:12:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
The weather. No, no, no, no.
00:12:44
Niall
that
00:12:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Roll the clip.
00:12:48
Niall
Your name is sunny, isn't it?
00:12:52
Niall
Brilliant, brilliant.
00:12:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh Oh, brilliant. Yeah, I agree. agree. By the way, Jesse Lingard, 74 rated, 32 years old now in FC 26. And there's one more I just want to sort hark back to in FIFA 16, because this was someone who...
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Missed the mark at United, but went on to have a decent career. I think you're no think you'll know which name is coming up, a certain Belgian here, Niall.
00:13:15
Niall
Mm-hmm.
00:13:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Adnan Yanezai, who in FIFA 16, 75 rated, 84 potential. ah Currently plays his football for Sevilla. He's sort of become a mainstay in sort of La Liga and sorts, by the way, since he left United.
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
He had stints at Real Sociedad. Sevilla had a stint in Turkey as well before he went back to Sevilla and was on loan at Las Palmas in the 24-25 season.
00:13:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And since he's returned to Sevilla for this season, he's made two appearances, no goal contributions as of the time of recording. At 30 years old now, he was one of those. i remember that you know he was one of those that was going to have the world at his feet 10 years ago.
00:14:00
Niall
Yeah, no, I absolutely loved Giannis. I thought he was such a such as s silky footballer. Probably just lacked the physicality and the pace for the Premier League.
00:14:11
Niall
But in terms of technical ability, he was brilliant. i loved watching him play. um I think he had a stint Sunderland as well, didn't he? um
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, he did.
00:14:20
Niall
Yeah, and then... He played in that dead rubber game against England in the World Cup. I think it was the last group match. Was it 1-1 or 0-0? And I have a feeling he scored, but he might have he might have not scored.
00:14:32
Niall
But I remember he was he was brilliant in that game as well. But I really liked him. um It's a pity it didn't work out for him. but just If you're going to play on the right wing in the Premier League, I think we've seen it with a lot of wingers that United have signed.
00:14:44
Niall
um Anthony for example where they just lacked the physicality and pace to really get past the defender which I think you you do need in the Premier League but loved him loved him in terms of his technical ability probably could have played and number 10 as well a bit more but we were always signing in superstars in there that that had to play so um yeah never really worked out for him at United but yeah great footballer
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, absolutely. Well, that's sort of our trip down memory lane.
Current EAFC 26 Ratings Assessment
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
When we come back after this break, we're going to have a look at how the current squad looks right now and some of the ratings of the modern day Manchester United in FC 26. We'll be back after this.
00:16:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right then, FC 26. Current ratings then for the Manchester United side. and It goes without saying the highest rated player at 87 overall is Bruno Fernandes.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I guess, Narl, it's sort of a game of under, over or just about right in terms of ratings. We'll have to see how accurate and how we feel how accurate EA have got these ratings. But Bruno Fernandes at 87. Let's open up with that one.
00:16:54
Niall
Yeah, I think it makes sense. I think his his output in terms of goals and assists for a struggling team ah and also the consistency over the years as well, to be fair, in terms of the numbers he's putting out has been incredible um and and and not in that good of a team, like I mentioned. So...
00:17:10
Niall
I think it's fair. I think he'd be fun to play with in the game as well. Plenty of long shots, plenty of chip through balls and um set pieces wouldn't be bad as well. So yeah, definitely one that that you'd want to be playing with. Probably not in LCM as he's lined out here, but maybe more in that cam position because I doubt many people are playing Amram's system in FC 26. Hmm.
00:17:31
Niall
fc twenty six
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I can't see that. i mean, he's got 85 free kick accuracy, 90 long passing. I mean, that makes sense. He loves her he loves a cross ball. 95 stamina as well. In fairness, you know, i know he is.
00:17:42
Niall
He's always tearing about the pitch.
00:17:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is. And yeah, I feel like they've got that pretty right. Free kick accuracy. 85. I feel like that might be slightly exaggerated. He has scored a couple of free kicks, but I kind of feel like and free kicks and corners. What's his corners at? oh I'm just trying to have a look here.
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
In any case, you know, long passing, free kicks. I think the free... Oh, 85 crossing, which goes towards corners, doesn't it? So I feel, yeah, I feel that's okay. maybe Maybe on the high side, but other than that, yeah, highest rated player, I can't argue with that.
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Next highest rated player is Brian Umbermo, 85 rated. Now, does have 86 potential, so could go up one. But I sort of felt, you know, 20 goals last season for Brentford...
00:18:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
maybe Maybe they were expecting him to just have his Brentford rating and that would be that. But I would have thought he would have got 86, maybe pushing 87.
00:18:40
Niall
Yeah, I actually think 85 is really good for him. I think if you probably look across the game, and and I haven't, so happy to be corrected on this, but 85 seems very high. like when when I can't imagine loads of players above him, but yeah, i need to have a look at it. But I think yeah for his...
00:18:56
Niall
for the profile that he is and how well he started the season as well how well he did for Brentford in not one of the top teams I think it's actually a really good rating for him and I think it's interesting when you look across at Matthias Cunha at 83 like you could argue that that maybe is a bit low that both of them could be like 84-85 but I'm actually quite happy with that one I think that's really well especially when you think Bruno 87 I think it makes sense that Mbwem was 85 there
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But De Ligt, 82. I've got some questions about this one. He is our highest rated defender. And I don't know whether last season has a massive contribution. Maybe it does in terms of you know the ratings defensively.
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But 82 seems a bit...
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. I would have expected low 80s, but not 82. I would have thought 83. Might have been better. But, I mean, De Ligt's been fantastic, you know, this season so far.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
But maybe recency bias is kicking in and the whole memories of last season are gone now.
00:19:59
Niall
Potentially, yeah, because I think it's because he started the season so well for us. and He's had some great games against big opponents, um you know, except Haaland, the robot. But...
00:20:10
Niall
um much you can do about that. Shaw ended up on him for Haaland, ended up being on Shaw, more likely for those situations. But yeah, I think it'd be interesting see, I don't know if you can see on this SoFIFA website here and if you can see their previous ratings over other seasons and quite quickly.
00:20:27
Niall
I'm not sure, but it'd be interesting to see where he's actually come from because... I can imagine four or five years ago, De Ligt was probably rated 85, 86 back in his Juventus Ajax days where they were thinking that he might be um you know probably one of the the the best centre-backs in the world or a leading centre-back coming forward. And then that kind of dipped towards his end at Bayern Munich. And then the first first season at United, I can imagine they were like, we're going have to drop this down a bit. So I can say maybe in the the halfway season where there's a bit of an update, he might get up to 83. But um I think in terms of the history, and
00:21:00
Niall
And our record last year probably makes sense.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, FIFA 20, probably his... Oh, sorry. FIFA 19 is probably where he's rated the highest. Still playing for Ajax. 85 overall, 93 potential at years old.
00:21:11
Niall
Yeah, there you go. Yeah, there you go. Like, he was... like that he Was he the captain of that X team that got to that game against Spurs? Like, it was incredible. And got to a Champions final, I think.
00:21:22
Niall
Maybe not. Maybe just the semi-final.
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:24
Niall
But he was the driving force behind that. And he was like, what... 19, 20, 21. Mental.
00:21:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
eighteen Yeah, 18, 19 at the time.
00:21:29
Niall
Mental. Mm-hmm.
00:21:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely mental. I mean, he has gone down since last year's yeah EAFC by one rating. So he's now 82 overall. He was 83. So yeah, I guess they've taken last season into account, which I think is fair.
00:21:41
Niall
Mm-hmm.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm a bit salty about it. Now, someone I'm not afraid to admit it.
00:21:48
Niall
okay
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, someone who is interesting in a nutshell, who's actually gone down two ratings from FC 25 is Litscher. It's 81 rated now. And I feel like the fact that he hasn't played football has contributed massively to his downgrade, which I think is harsh. But This is football now where it's a sort of, if you're out for an extended period of time, you know people are going to doubt, people are going to wonder whether you're going to be the same footballer when you come back.
00:22:19
Niall
Yeah, I think it's fair. um you know He has been out for for quite a while as well, um but he hasn't proven loads at United. like He's been good for us, but also we've been bad. So it's it's it's also a tough one where he's been at the club for a while. He's missed a lot, but um he hasn't he has, in a way, nailed down his place. But also you can make big arguments that Even with Maguire, Delecht and Jaro, he might not get into that team. um you know I don't think Shaw will be above him anymore in terms of that back three. um
00:22:52
Niall
But yeah, I think it's probably a fair enough rating, to be honest.
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Masraoui at 80 rated. But can play right back, centre back and right mid, apparently, in FC 26?
00:23:04
Niall
And Cam, according to Ten Hag.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
twenty six yeah Yeah, and can. yeah Yeah, we've got questions about that one, of course. But um yeah, I think that's so that's a fair rating, I think.
00:23:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's been great for for United. um i think at centre back and at right wing back, he's been solid. And I think in the context of the entire team, when you've got Ligt at 82, this is where we have to sort of put the comparisons in effect.
00:23:29
Niall
Thank you.
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
81 is probably around about that fair rating, I think. But yeah, I think he's been great. is Dribbling's 83, crossing 79. I think he's got a bit better at crossing coming into this season.
00:23:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, he's got a good amount of stats. I think that's a fair rating.
00:23:47
Niall
Yeah, he's he's excellent. like And he's so understated and underappreciated as well. He's not a flashy player, but he's he's a brilliant one-on-one defender. He does everything simple. He's got good feet as well, which is great. like he's um He's excellent and he's really underrated, so I'm a big fan of him.
00:24:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:24:05
Niall
I think what's really interesting is Dargu and Jaro. I mean, exciting and stuff. You know, we talk about De Ligt and the potential that he had back in the day, but Dargu has been absolutely excellent. 74 rated, but then potential of 84.
00:24:22
Niall
And then you look at Jaro, have at the minute 78, potential 86. I mean, this could be, these could be stalwarts for United for the next four or five years, you know, um them really coming into their prime, i'm really excited about these two. And I'm glad it kind of reflects in the potential as well.
00:24:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, they've both been great at the start of the season.
Future Talent and Development
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Patrick Dorgoo, I think, has been has been good. One of our better players this season.
00:24:44
Niall
Yeah.
00:24:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just needs to work on sort of being a bit more clinical with his crossing, I think.
00:24:50
Niall
Final third. Yeah.
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Final third needs improvement, but on the whole, he's he's been great.
00:24:51
Niall
Yeah.
00:24:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And considering he's had half a season and a little bit more at Manchester United, I think he's done quite well. 20 years old, as you say, plenty of room for improvement. And clearly... You know, 84 potential. there's There's a good ceiling for for a good Premier League player in there.
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then comes to Leni Yoro, who, yeah, I yeah i think it's a matter it's only a matter of time before he breaks into the France national team. I really do.
00:25:17
Niall
Mm-hmm.
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And 19 years old I would say within the next, if all goes to plan, next three or four years, I expect to see Leni in the France national team set up. I really do. Because he's he's he's quite good.
00:25:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, you look at him in this side, alongside it with him and De Ligt in that centre-back pairing or trio part of, because the the third one gets sort of rotated between Maguire, Shaw and Masraoui on occasion.
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the fact that those two are the stalwart starters in Manchester United and Leni Jorre is 19, you know, come on, that France cap is is hopefully knocking on the door.
00:25:56
Niall
Yeah, and I mean, you never know with the World Cup coming up. I can imagine getting him into that squad um for a bit of experience as well. But yeah I have great time for you. I'm really happy with that signing. There's so many times where we've made signings of the wrong profile in terms of age um or just gotten it wrong in terms of ability. But particularly with him, really impressed, moves the ball really fast, um is aggressive, seems quite ah mature as well for his age, where he he just is quite understated and just does his job, and seems like he's really happy at United, and
00:26:32
Niall
Obviously, there was a lot of big clubs in for him when he did decide to to come to United. So you can imagine he's he's here for the long haul. He could have easily gone to Madrid or I think Liverpool were knocking around that as well. So and it's good to see.
00:26:44
Niall
But I mean, I'm a big fan of Maguire. Like, I mean, 80 rated. It's fair enough. I can't imagine a lot of people picking him in FC 26. You have your hand up there, Kieran.
00:26:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do, because i'm I am furious.
00:26:55
Niall
You're in a Zoom call. What's up?
00:26:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
80 jumping and 84 heading accuracy.
00:26:59
Niall
Yeah.
00:27:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have they not seen him recently? It's like a salmon in the air, honestly.
00:27:05
Niall
Well, I'm actually more disappointed because on SoFIFA, like you mentioned, incredible website. um When you go to the in-game section of it, when you click onto the player and you have a look at, okay, well, what are the ratings across each of their positions?
00:27:22
Niall
For some reason, his his striking rating is worse than his centre-back rating. I mean, some of the clutch goals that he's been coming up with for United, I reckon should be...
00:27:32
Niall
He's on 65 plus 3. not sure really understand what the plus 3 is. Maybe a potential to go up.
00:27:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
but That's your international reputation. So kind of thing. that that's how much I think that's how much that has. in it Come on. Someone who's an FC FC Shinado.
00:27:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Someone who's one of those. Let us know. I'm pretty sure international rep has something to do with that.
00:27:50
Niall
Let us know.
00:27:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah.
00:27:53
Niall
International rep up front? I don't think that's right because at centre-back, he's got zero. He's got 80 plus zero. And then in a keeper, he's got 20 plus three. So maybe it's like, definitely don't put them there.
00:28:04
Niall
But then also centre-forward, he's got 64 plus a zero. Anyway, my point is, he's only 65 rated as a striker. He should be 80 in every box. Every box he goes into, I'm aware, should be 80. But I can imagine...
00:28:17
Niall
turning in FC 24 is probably important. So I don't think a lot of people will be picking him, but big fan of Maguire has been an absolute stalwart for us. Gets an awful lot of stick, but ah if you actually watch the games and take away all the memes around Maguire and take away his name on the back of the jersey, he's very good.
00:28:37
Niall
He's very good.
00:28:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although i'm saying I'm sure in one of the FIFAs or one of the EFCs, he had like a, um they did like a, I can't remember the name of it, but essentially it was, hey, how about if we put this player in a position they're completely unfamiliar with? Like essentially putting Peter Schmeichel up top as a striker. Well, they did that with Maguire. They made him a striker.
00:28:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like, so he's got a history of it.
00:28:57
Niall
Right?
00:29:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
EA know how good he is up front. It's criminal.
00:29:02
Niall
Yeah.
00:29:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Criminal that he's not centre-back slash striker in his sort of playable positions. Criminal.
00:29:07
Niall
Exactly.
00:29:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Krimpall, great target forward. Any team would love to have him. and Now, Saint-Lemain, obviously we've been a bit surprised why he hasn't started yet in this Manchester United side.
00:29:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
78 overall, 87 potential. ah get this s now
00:29:23
Niall
Wow.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's He's three ratings better than Bayern Deer, according to FC26. That's a, well, I'm not so going to say it's a surprise, but it's kind of, you know, kind of thinking why hasn't he started yet? But hey, here we are.
00:29:40
Niall
Well, I don't think they care too much about FC26 ratings, but to be fair...
00:29:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I think they do. yeah death Definitely. There's definitely football clubs out there that are looking at EFC 26 and Football Manager 26 is coming out in November. And they'll be thinking, yeah, come on, let's get some of those wonder kids in there.
00:29:53
Niall
Yeah.
00:29:56
Niall
The scouting network definitely just filter by potential on maybe like FC26 or something like that. But I reckon, Ciarán, if you were in FC26, you'd have a higher rating than Bayern Deer, to be honest.
00:30:07
Niall
So I'm not too surprised about Le Mans.
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. I definitely... ah definitely injury prone. It's the one trait I'd have.
00:30:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Let's pick some other players out here just to test a wrap up here. Benjamin Cesco, 80 rated with an 88 potential. That's interesting because um obviously, ah you know, we haven't seen the best of Cesco just yet.
00:30:27
Niall
Thank you.
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's made contribution in getting Chelsea goalkeeper sent off with a good header onto Mbobo. We've yet to sort of see him at his best, but an 88 potential, you know, there's a buzz around him getting better.
00:30:38
Niall
no
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I i hope he does, you know, 22 years old, still got plenty of his career ahead of him. I just hope he can realise that potential. and And I really do back him. And I back him so much that I took him out of my fantasy team onto the bench so that I could, you know, will the goal into existence by saying, i've um you're on the bench now, Benjamin.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now's your chance to score a hat trick.
00:31:04
Niall
I see the logic here. Like I see, I see the method. There's method in the madness. I think the next step is just remove him from the squad. I think that might be, might be the next thing on the cards, but look, I think we're all rooting for Cesco. It was the same with Hoyland at the time. We all want him to do well.
00:31:20
Niall
Um, it's not an easy position to come in at United. It's just, there's so much pressure around it as well. And the team is still trying to find its feet in terms of actually getting a string of results together.
00:31:32
Niall
He's not, doesn't really have any competition for his, for his place either. So he is going to have a lot of, a lot of opportunities. So I really do hope it works out for him, but, um, He is still super young, so I can understand the the potential being so high there as well, but he's definitely going to need to put a couple of performances and get some of his stats up as well, I think, to to merit that potential when it comes to it.
00:31:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
A couple of higher you know higher potential players as well, just to wrap up this one. We've got Kobe Mainu, who's 77 rated at the start, 85 potential. I think that's you know that's fair.
00:32:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
We haven't seen a lot of Kobe Mainu, especially in this new system, in this know towards the end of last season, beginning of this season.
00:32:09
Niall
Hmm.
00:32:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Chido Obi, 65 overall, 84 potential. Again, I think that's a fair rating because when he's been in the the senior team, he's... I wouldn't say struggle, but he's definitely shown that he's very still quite a raw player. And he's still at 17, so that's to be expected. um He's sort of gone back to the sort of under-21 ranks now, try and build some confidence and try and get him playing minutes.
00:32:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think a 65 overall is fair. And Diego Leon, I can't really comment on on the 64 rating because I haven't really seen him play at all, but he's got an 85 potential. So there's clearly ah there's clearly a promising player in there.
00:32:49
Niall
Yeah, I think it's exciting to have players like that in and around the squad with such potential. I mean, you're talking jumping 20 points in terms of overall rating, which is massive for both of them.
00:33:00
Niall
Just looking at Diego Lowen's picture, that is the oldest looking 18-year-old I've ever seen. Anyway, um born in 2007. Oh, Ciarán. Ciarán. Yeah.
00:33:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Disgusting. Disgusting.
00:33:12
Niall
arc here and yeah
00:33:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why are you shaking your head at me? I'm the one that's supposed to be saying that.
00:33:16
Niall
Well, i'm I'm also shaking my head here, but yeah, madness. Anyway, and another player who is stealing 11 in FC 26 and is rated way too high is young Malassia there in left back.
00:33:31
Niall
75 rated overall. I mean, look at his picture. He's so happy. He's picking up so much money every week at United and he's just doing sprints in the back of Carrington. Like fair play to him.
00:33:42
Niall
that's That's incredible.
00:33:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you know what? It's fine. I would love that, to be honest with you. and I don't know about that.
00:33:47
Niall
ah living the dream getting in yourself on FC 26 at home he's got loads of time so he's probably at home building a career right now oh online
00:33:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, Ananas are 80 rated. What do you make of that?
00:34:02
Niall
yeah it's ah it's a few too high did you check where is he now Fenerbahce did you check their or did you just search up Bonanna I think I picked another date ok
00:34:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah he's ah He's on loan, so he's right at the bottom here. and We've got plenty of players out on loan, you see. I'm sure your Harry Amas is there. It's 68 rated overall. 83 potential.
00:34:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go You see?
00:34:20
Niall
I think I'll, I go.
00:34:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
see? Nile knows ball, you see?
00:34:23
Niall
Yeah.
00:34:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a decent Premier League player in there, that's for sure.
00:34:24
Niall
Yeah.
00:34:27
Niall
Tom Heaton, 67, potential 67. Come on. He's got a few years in him. Like.
00:34:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I definitely want i see a 70 potential. Come on. You've done him dirty there. done him dirty
00:34:36
Niall
Got bump up those numbers. Yeah.
00:34:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Justice for Heaton, honestly.
00:34:40
Niall
I'm mad. We didn't speak about him. Interesting one. 79 overall, 85 potential.
00:34:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think last...
00:34:48
Niall
about right. I don't think you put him any higher than that.
00:34:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:34:50
Niall
Yeah.
00:34:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, yeah, think if he continued, obviously, if he continued the form he had sort of before Christmas in ah in the last season, then definitely he would have been, you know, low 80s for sure.
00:35:02
Niall
Hmm.
00:35:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, at the start of this season, he has struggled a little bit. I kind of wondered and when he came back, he was still going to be, he still did well. But it's been a little bit tough for him at the start of this season. So I think 79 is fair. Still great amount of potential, don't get me wrong. But yeah, I think we're yet to see the real best of Amadev. He's sparkling best that he was at the start of last season. And I'll be here for it when it when it does come back. And it is a when.
00:35:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to put my neck on the line. It is a when he comes back.
00:35:34
Niall
oh he'd be horrible to play against in this game wouldn't he I mean 88 acceleration 92 agility like you can just you get him in the final third and it's just penalty written all over you just dribbling up against someone quick return someone's dive in 89 balance 92 agility
00:35:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:35:50
Niall
Yeah, not not the one not the one that you'd want to be um to be dealing with when it comes to that. Sesko also, there's a guy on TikTok that he is a Chelsea fan, so he's he's probably looking to to abuse us as well.
00:36:04
Niall
But he also does a... It is bad, but he does he does do a funny video of Sesco after every game talking about how high he jumps and how many jumps that he did as well because he's really good at jumping.
00:36:16
Niall
And FC26 have clearly been watching his jumping ability. 93 jumping.
00:36:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay
00:36:23
Niall
aerial threat that's incredible like he'd be so fun just Bruno whipping balls and Sesco just leaping above everyone bullet headers like if you're if you're talking a style of football that would be fun to play with um yeah yeah
00:36:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, if FC26 has sorted out headers, then we are so back.
00:36:42
Niall
that's a good question yeah yeah
00:36:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're so back. um But that's a sort of handful of players. I mean, we've rabbited on, but I hope you've enjoyed it. Hoyland, by the way, 76 rated.
00:36:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
still an 83 potential, but yeah, yikes.
00:36:56
Niall
He'll be back up in the 80s now after his wonder season with Napoli.
00:36:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's true.
00:37:00
Niall
That's the issue.
00:37:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll wait and see what the the squad update will be when he when when the first one comes around. But hey, on the whole though, Niall, how have you found the ratings for ah you know the current crop of United players?
00:37:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair?
00:37:14
Niall
I think it's fair, to be honest. um I think when you think about our best players, you're thinking Bruno, Cunha, Mbwemo. Makes sense. I think they're they're the highest rated.
00:37:27
Niall
The rest them, some of them have good potential. Some of them have dropped off. um so yeah, I think it's fair based off where we finished last season, based off the performances I'm seeing. I'm not outraged by any of them, to be honest. I think it's think it's pretty good.
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think...
00:37:42
Niall
Anything you're disappointed with?
00:37:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am ah think...
00:37:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I guess like we have to take last season into account because this is what it's pretty much based on. I think De Ligt 82 is a little harsh... Then again, you know in in the context of we had quite a leak of defence last year and not a great attack.
00:38:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it shows in in the ratings. and so I think I can't be too downhearted about it. but All it needs is you know a couple of squad updates. Maybe we can revisit this when we come to December and and see see how how far yeah EFC has rated the team. I don't know. we were We'll have to wait and see. But Niall...
00:38:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to wrap it up there. We've got excited now. Let us know who were who in Ultimate Team, you've got to have Fernandes in there. I mean, until they bring out all the squad builders and all the informs and then all of the yeah you know weekly cards you can get now. There's too many cards, but that's another episode entirely.
00:38:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you've enjoyed today's episode, which I'm hoping you have, we've taken this dive into FIFA 16 and yeah EAFC 26, then make sure you do follow the podcast. We are on Spotify and Apple, so you can go and follow us there. Get a push notification every time the episode goes live so you don't have to miss it another one. You can watch the episodes here on YouTube as well. It's at GSPN Daily Man United podcast. It's so long, so you have to remember it.
00:39:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And how do I get you over here onto YouTube? Well, i'll tell you now, Niall's waving at you and you are completely missing it. See, this is what you're missing. He's waving right now. So go head over to YouTube, go and subscribe to the YouTube channel so that you can watch the episodes as well.
00:39:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're also on social media. We are GSPN Man United. We're on Twitter and X, we're on Instagram, we're on Facebook and we're on TikTok. Go over there and tell us who, you know, Are there any players that are overrated, maybe severely underrated? Let us know who in that squad ah you'd love to you'd love to start a conversation about.
00:39:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
In the meantime, though, go forth and play EAFC 26. Go start a career. but Let us know how it goes as well. Let us know your signings, your first signings on the first day. Who's getting in the team for you?
00:39:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Don't say yeah don't say den ballet He's a Ballon d'Or winner. He'll never sign. He'll never sign. In the meantime, thank you so much. Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday and we'll talk to you soon. Take care. Bye-bye.