Latest news with #BenThornley
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Man Utd wonderkid won't ever want to give up his shirt as he wears iconic number for clash against Hong Kong
MANCHESTER UNITED fans reckon wonderkid Jim Thwaites will never change his shirt number after his appearance against Hong Kong. The 17-year-old midfielder featured as the Red Devils won their post-season friendly 3-1 today. 2 2 He replaced Toby Collyer for the final 15 minutes as late goals from Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven spared United's blushes. Thwaites came off the bench wearing the squad number 92. Of course, the number is synonymous with United thanks to the iconic Class of 92. The name was given to David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary and Phil Neville, who all broke into Sir Alex Ferguson 's side in 1992. Thwaites will be hoping to follow in their footsteps and he is highly-rated by many at Old Trafford. His style of play has seen him compared to Christian Eriksen. The teenager featured 24 times in the Under-18s Premier League this season, scoring nine goals. And he made his first senior appearance in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to the ASEAN All-Stars. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Thwaites impressed and put in a brilliant tackle, which was praised by ex-United wonderkid Ben Thornley on commentary, who said: "What a tackle that is. He slides in brilliant, brilliant from Jim Thwaites. "That is not easy to do and it will leave a mark on Ruben Amorim as the minutes tick by. 'Amorim will remember that, something so late in the game sticks in the manager's mind, I am sure.' The boss went on to praise youth after the game, saying: "I liked the young kids, they try. That's enough for me in the moment. "They want to play more but we have to rotate everybody to play. They did well."
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
A completely normal lad – football stars reflect on David Beckham as he turns 50
Ben Thornley – fellow Class of 92 member and former United team-mate Ben Thornley was part of United's fabled Class of 92 (Rui Vieira/PA) 'He's a completely normal lad. Even over the years his brilliance on the football field and what his ability to earn off the field has become, he has always been such a level-headed lad and great fun to be with. 'He worked exceptionally hard when he was playing and training, despite what many people's sort of perception of him may be. The football always came first and when you were going in training with him day in, day out you understood that. 'One thing has sort of led to another – obviously he's married a Spice Girl, he's been stopping traffic in the middle of Times Square with a billboard that was the size of the skyscraper and eventually fulfilled his long-term ambition from when he finished playing to own a football club and in collaboration with others he's managed to do that. 'Everything that he throws himself into he does with aplomb and he does with a great deal of success. I couldn't be prouder and it was a great privilege to play in the same team as him and to grow up with him.' Peter Schmeichel – former United team-mate and captain of the 1999 Champions League triumph David Beckham hugs Peter Schmeichel after the 1999 Champions League final (Owen Humphreys/PA) 'I have to say the five (Class of 92 members) that made the squad were unbelievable and among them was David Beckham. They were well-trained, well-educated young men, who came into quite a good squad of football players. 'I don't think anyone that knows about football underestimates the quality of David Beckham. I can't remember a player who delivered a cross and service to strikers at that quality. 'I think if you ask players like Ruud van Nistelrooy or Dwight Yorke who the best player they've ever played with is, they would probably mention him right at the top. 'He's a big superstar. There's no doubt about that. He's done really well for himself and he always wanted to do that.' Edwin van der Sar – former United player, opponent and fellow football executive having served as Ajax CEO 'He went from being a player, fashion icon and global superstar to buying, or having ownership, of a football club – and still doing photoshoots and looking like he's 32! 'When Ajax played Valencia a couple years ago, I remember giving a tour to David, Gary (Neville), Ryan (Giggs), Phil Neville. They wanted to see the set-up of the youth academy, so we spent a couple of hours in Amsterdam before the game. 'I think he had already an eye for building a club and, of course, getting one of the global superstars of the game in Miami with Lionel Messi.'
