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Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Times
Blame Man United for their mess and stupid rules just letting them rot
Towards the end of the film This Is Spinal Tap, the band is forced to play much-diminished venues. Lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel has quit, along with manager Ian Faith, and the tour is being run by ambitious Jeanine, girlfriend of lead singer and rhythm guitarist David St Hubbins and a devotee of yoga and astrology. They arrive at the next location to see the billing 'Puppet show' with, beneath it, 'and Spinal Tap'. 'If I told them once I told them a hundred times,' says Jeanine, 'put Spinal Tap first and puppet show last'. The group look crushed. 'You got the big dressing room, though,' Jeanine says, brightening. 'Oh, we've got a bigger dressing room than the puppets, have we?' replies David. This is the point Manchester United are reaching, after their blasted tour of Asia. It can't be far off now: puppet show, and United. If there was a documentary of this trip, it would play out as a series of comic vignettes, like Spinal Tap. There was an open-top bus parade preceding a defeat by a scratch representative XI, at the end of which they were booed off; Amad Diallo gave the finger to some fans he believed had disrespected his mother; three squad members flew a further 4,000 miles to make a corporate appearance in Mumbai for a tyre company; Alejandro Garnacho was required to sign autographs for supporters and then play, having already been told by his manager to find another club; he was later captured pushing fans away and looking furious. 'Everybody's fuming,' reported The Times yesterday. That fans ended up paying for United's players to tour Kuala Lumpur on e-scooters because they couldn't get them to work, seemed to sum up the whole shambolic exercise. What is it all worth? In the region of £8 million. It doesn't even cover the £10 million hit United have taken on their Adidas contract having again failed to reach the Champions League. That a club run by billionaires — plural — is forced to prostitute itself in this way shows the shameful state it is in. Comical to their detractors, pitiful to those who remember what they were and what they used to represent. Us — it used to represent us, the power, success and prestige of the Premier League. But we'll get to that. The bottom line is this is United's doing. The club has been poorly run and it has caught up with them. Mismanagement, weak executive leadership, flawed recruitment, inconsistency in managerial appointments, United have committed all of football's cardinal sins. They deserve no better than to be where they are. What they do not deserve, however, what no club deserves, is to be afforded no way back. And this is where the involvement of the Premier League is significant. In the modern world of sports business, how do you take a club that is a worldwide brand leader, among the most recognisable names on the planet, and allow it to rot, to become a laughing stock, a byword for failure and incompetence? Not that United should be artificially promoted or propelled, not that there hasn't been ineptitude on an epic scale, but no club should be corralled by regulations that see impoverishment where there is none, trapping them in this puppet-show purgatory. United are in Asia for the same reason they are sacking minions, turfing fans out of seats they have occupied for decades and — heaven forbid — contemplating Al-Hilal's interest in Bruno Fernandes. To try to make the numbers add up. Yet these numbers are artificial. They are an invention. They were fake when United and other elite clubs campaigned for them, and they are fake now. United are not poor. United have been reduced by the rules they — and the rest of the elite — once hoped would stop that top table becoming too crowded. On one hand, it would take a heart of stone not to laugh. On the other, it is incredible the many ways the Premier League finds to undermine its product. Could you imagine Major League Baseball allowing the New York Yankees to be stuck like this? It is not that United shouldn't fail. They failed for many years before the Premier League came along and for many years after Sir Alex Ferguson left, and that's fine, that's healthy. What isn't positive is that clubs can't make mistakes anymore. Let's say Liverpool do break the Premier League record, substantially, for Florian Wirtz. That they are forced higher than Friday's £109.4 million bid. What if that doesn't work out? As long as they have the money why shouldn't they try again? Buying Wirtz isn't a bad thing. Liverpool are trying to improve their team, but also the quality of the Premier League as a result. Yet now clubs are anchored to their mistakes. United have wasted fortunes. From Antony to Ángel Di María each recruit was intended to make them better and, in turn, improve the league. Should any club be punished for that? Is it healthy that selling Fernandes, one of the most watchable players in English football, may be their only way out? Sirens should sound if Fernandes goes. He would be an enormous loss to the club and the competition, and is still in his prime at 30. Richard Masters, the league's chief executive, insists he is very relaxed about the threat of Saudi Arabia. He's asleep at the wheel, if so. Last weekend Match of the Day held its goal-of-the-season competition, whittled down to six finalists. The first entry was scored by Jhon Durán, once of Aston Villa, now with Al-Nassr. Harry Kane's understudy at England, Ivan Toney, is in Saudi Arabia too, with Al-Ahli. If the captain of United departs now it will be like the ravens leaving the tower, certainly for United. Whoever arrives to play in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system, Fernandes's loss would make the whole weaker. Yes, he would be mad to move to a comparative backwater, rather than see what United could achieve with Amorim and better planning. Fernandes deserves a good team around him. He scored 19 goals and got 20 assists across all competitions last season. What would he be like with the chance to feed a top-class goalscorer? Yet this is already the longest United have gone without Champions League football in the Premier League era and, even with the financial headroom from selling Fernandes, the way back would be daunting. It would also be a game changer for English football. Is this what we do now? Pass raft after raft of regulations until clubs bleed out? Like Leicester City. Theirs was a narrative reverberating around the globe, without doubt they improved the Premier League's standing. Now Leicester are pursued into the leagues below such is the desire for vengeance having made mistakes. Think of the most positive stories this year and the clubs involved — Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Bournemouth — all have endured skirmishes and more over financial regulation in recent years. Is this making English football more attractive? As it continues to leak talent to foreign leagues, from Kane to Toney to Michael Olise or Dean Huijsen, it does not look it. Back to the puppet show. Ed Woodward, the former executive vice-chairman, made a lot of mistakes at United and recruitment was poor on his watch but, given his commercial background, he also saw where the club sat in the firmament. Woodward viewed United as England's first club — like Bayern Munich in Germany, or Real Madrid in Spain — and, as such, believed it was almost their duty to compete for marquee players. And that might be the height of arrogance, and certainly contributed to the recent decline — too many headline makers, not enough thought — but it is a view that would not have settled for Rasmus Hojlund if there was hope of recruiting Kane. The summer when it was decided nobody at Old Trafford had the wit, ambition or funds to go up against Daniel Levy in those negotiations, is the moment United changed. The club ran scared and has not recovered since. One lousy decision follows another. The reward for reaching the Europa League final is roughly £5 million but United must hand £3.5 million of that to Chelsea because Mason Mount started, and the fee is part of the bonus package attached to his £55 million transfer. The decision to start Mount — sadly ineffectual on the night — also led to the complete collapse of Amorim's relationship with Garnacho. The gifts keep on giving. Woodward's greatest error was thinking United had conquered the world and were so big success no longer mattered. The foreign market is fickle. The further we get from these shores the less we understand the motivations of fans. Woodward frequently boasted of United's global contingent, yet that support turned very quickly in defeat to the Asean All-Stars. United's first visit to Hong Kong since 2013 did not sell out, whereas recent games involving Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have, and swiftly. United, without a title in 12 years, are losing the teenage and twentysomething market abroad as they gravitate towards the winners in their youth. Manchester City now have an Asian presence that would be unheard of in Ferguson's time; Chelsea, too. Football evolves and United, of course, have no right to success. It is a fallacy that clubs like Sunderland or Leeds United get back to 'where they belong'. Every club belongs where it is because it has made decisions, good and bad, that have put it there. Yet clubs also deserve the right to risk, to make a mistake, to try, to have another go, to recover as quickly as they can. That is what is wrong with this system. United should have ended their dreadful campaign and gone away to rethink, regroup and return stronger. They should have long been working to assemble a squad capable of playing Amorim's game. And that costs money. But United have money — because they're Manchester United. Although not on this tour, it would seem. Tonight, and for the foreseeable future Matthew, they're going to be Spinal Tap. Newcastle recruitment supremo recruited no one — but Howe will miss him Newcastle United did not miss out on Liam Delap because they were without sporting director Paul Mitchell. Delap to Newcastle was always going to be a hard sell. He's 22 and if he wanted to be a reserve could have stayed at Manchester City. That he first took a chance on Ipswich Town shows his ambition. The low fee was a complication, too. Yes, it made Delap affordable to all, but it also reduced the imperative to make him a first-team starter. An £80 million signing has to play; one for less than half that carries an understudy's price. So Chelsea are perfect for Delap because they need a starter. Christopher Nkunku is going, Marc Guiu is still learning and while Nicolas Jackson has forged a good partnership with Cole Palmer, as the Conference League final demonstrated, he needs too many chances to score. Newcastle could only offer Delap a place shadowing Alexander Isak, which was never going to be enough. It means Mitchell, whose job was described as 90 per cent recruitment by chief executive Darren Eales, and who initially appeared to have an uneasy relationship with manager Eddie Howe, will have left without recruiting a single player. Yet Howe still won't be pleased to see him go. Newcastle now enter a third consecutive summer transfer window without a recognised director of football. Given the complications around Sandro Tonali, the last player signed in a summer window to go straight into the first team was Isak. He joined on August 26, 2022, and made his debut five days later, opening the scoring against Liverpool. Mitchell will have plans in place but his sudden absence does not suggest stability to any player with Delap's options. Newcastle's rivals are moving fast. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, even Manchester United are in advanced negotiations. Newcastle were left behind last summer when Mitchell bungled a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi with a succession of low-ball bids. Newcastle want Guéhi still, as do Tottenham Hotspur who can offer Champions League football, but might this upheaval place them at a disadvantage? It was a great season for Newcastle, winning a first domestic trophy in 70 years, but also a lucky one. Never before has fifth place provided guaranteed entry to the Champions League. So while Howe has done an outstanding job, he most definitely needs assistance maintaining this trajectory. Mitchell leaves having achieved next to nothing. That doesn't mean he won't be missed. 92.89 million reasons why Real wanted Alexander-Arnold now Carlo Ancelotti didn't think much of the Club World Cup. Had he remained as Real Madrid manager he would have put rest and relaxation for the players after a long and difficult season up there with winning it. That the club have paid Liverpool £10 million to secure Trent Alexander-Arnold's availability, and have engaged coach Xabi Alonso already, suggests they now intend taking it very seriously indeed. Alonso will certainly be in it to win it, keen to make the best possible start, and Real Madrid will want to dominate this expanded competition with its boast of being world champions, the way they dominated the early years of the European Cup. Then there is the money — £92.89 million for the winners. That Real believe it is worth gambling 10.76 per cent of that jackpot to win it shows how highly Alexander-Arnold is regarded by his new club. Given the wages he saved Liverpool running down his old contract, the money on recruitment saved by a player coming through the ranks, and this unexpected windfall, the boos directed at Alexander-Arnold now seem as misguided as they were discourteous. Time for Chelsea's gilded youth to deliver more It has been stated here recently there are many ways of assessing experience in football, and age is certainly one. That Chelsea became the first team to win a European final without fielding a player over the age of 26 is certainly impressive. The repeated insistence that this is a young group overachieving, however, is rather enhanced. This is a very expensively assembled squad of immense promise and talent, who have played many games and experienced many successes. Including subs, the players Chelsea fielded against Real Betis have been involved in 2,994 matches, and made 202 senior international appearances. As for medals, where do you wish to start? World Cup, European Championship, Copa America, Champions League (2), Europa League, Copa Sudamericana, Recopa Sudamericana, Fifa Club World Cup (2), Uefa Super Cup (3), Premier League, Portugal Primeira Liga, Argentina Primera División, FA Cup (2), EFL Cup, Copa Del Rey, Coppa Italia, Dutch Cup, German Cup, FA Community Shield, German Super Cup, Dutch Super Cup, Argentina Super Cup. Of course, not every medal came with a starring role. Cole Palmer has a Champions League winner's medal from 2022-23, but didn't kick a ball in the campaign for Manchester City after starting against Sevilla on November 2. Even so, he was in and around it all. He wouldn't have been wide-eyed in Wroclaw and, if he was, he certainly didn't play like it. Enzo Maresca rounded on the club's critics at the end of a successful league campaign but he, more than anyone, had played down their chances all season. He isn't alone among managers in doing that but he cannot get away with it next season. There will be a level of expectation around Chelsea after this campaign. They are youthful, but far from innocent, and will be expected to be in the mix.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Coronation Street star signs new ITV contract ahead of Emmerdale crossover
A Coronation Street star has reportedly signed a new contract ahead of a planned crossover event. Claire Sweeney, known for her roles as Cassie Plummer on the ITV soap, has secured her future on the Cobbles. Sweeney has been part of the Coronation Street cast since 2023. It is rumoured she is looking to be part of the planned ITV soap crossover between Corrie and Emmerdale next year. A source told The Sun: 'Claire loves being on Corrie - it's a dream job, so she was delighted to sign a new deal. 'With the big Emmerdale crossover coming in 2026, there's also a hope that she'll be in that too. 'It's a great opportunity to be part of soap history, so who wouldn't want to be involved?' In her time on the show so far, Claire's villainous character has poisoned Ken Barlow (William Roache) and slept with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson). Emmerdale and Coronation Street revealed the hour-long crossover episode earlier this month. The special episode will see characters from the Yorkshire town and Weatherfield come together for the first time ever. Discussing the Emmerdale and Coronation Street episode, ITV said: "The distinctive worlds of Emmerdale and Coronation Street will merge for one night only in a 'mash-up' of our two favourite communities. "The producers, scriptwriters and production teams have conceived an ingenious way of linking the two universes, but with characters then returning to the soaps they are renowned for inhabiting in Manchester and Yorkshire. "The episode will be self-contained, but the consequences of the high-stakes drama will have repercussions for both communities and see them linked forever as familiar faces depart and exciting new characters arrive into both soaps." Recommended reading: Coronation Street star spotted on set 7 years after leaving the ITV show Axed Coronation Street star reveals 'exciting' new job after leaving ITV soap Coronation Street stars' exits from ITV soap confirmed as things set to 'implode' The Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover is set to arrive in January 2026. After this instalment, the shows will return to their new normal format (30-minute episodes). Emmerdale and Coronation Street air weekly on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Ruben Amorim praised by Man United star Matthijs de Ligt for speaking 'the truth' during dismal first season
Ruben Amorim lost more than half of his Premier League matches during a tough first season as Manchester United manager — but he has at least won the approval of defender Matthijs de Ligt thanks to his straight-talking approach. Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat in November. He then oversaw seven wins, six draws and 14 defeats in 27 league games, resulting in United finishing 15th in the table. He fared much better in the Europa League, where he guided United to the final — only to see them lose to Tottenham in a low-quality affair in Bilbao. Amorim has openly admitted that performances, as well as results, have not been good enough this season. In January, following a 3-1 home defeat by Brighton, he claimed his team was 'probably the worst in Manchester United history'. Speaking about the recent post-season tour of Asia, during which United lost 1-0 to an ASEAN All-Stars XI, Amorim then accused his players of being 'chokers' and suggested that hearing the fans booing may do them good. His brutal honesty has raised eyebrows among pundits and fans, but it has struck a chord with De Ligt, who has featured in 42 games for United since joining from Bayern Munich last summer. 'I'm from Holland so I like it,' De Ligt said. 'I can understand the media are in shock because normally this doesn't happen. But I think you can also be really happy that finally someone speaks out, says what he thinks and speaks the truth.' 'I really appreciate him in our conversations personally. It gives me a feeling I can trust him and he can trust me.' United's 15th-place finish marks their lowest since 1973–74, and defeat in the Europa League final means they'll be absent from Europe altogether next season. Despite that, De Ligt believes Amorim is laying the groundwork for long-term success. 'I've experienced many managers and he's one of the most easy to talk to as a player,' he added. 'He's really into details. Before signing new players, first he's looking at the culture, what needs to change and what can be improved to become a better football club. From next season we will see more of that. 'I think he wants to build a team of players who are together, fighting for each other and making the most out of what they have. Maybe before, you had the best players, but you're not a team.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Man Utd title winner didn't want to leave house after being mocked for his looks and got apology from Gary Lineker
LUKE CHADWICK has revealed he was left battling depression and anxiety after being mocked for his appearance. The former Manchester United midfielder was on the books at Old Trafford between 1997 and 2004. 3 3 3 Chadwick came through the United youth system, winning the Premier League in 2001. He would go to play for West Ham, Stoke and MK Dons in a near two-decade career. Ahead of releasing his autobiography Not Just a Pretty Face, the 44-year-old has opened up about abuse he suffered as a young pro. Chadwick admits cruel comments about his appearance made him want to hide away in his house in the early stages of his career. He told BBC Sport: "As a 19, 20-year-old it should have been the best time of my life but for a period of time. "I didn't want to go to the shops, I didn't want to go out with my friends. "I would just want to stay at home because I was so scared that people would talk about the way that I looked. "I wasn't able to speak about it to anyone – not even my family, my friends – it was something that I kept so deep inside. "I probably felt helpless, in a way, because I just didn't know how to deal with it. And I just wanted it to stop, really." Chadwick's anxiety improved after moving away from Old Trafford to join the Hammers in 2004. Ex-Man Utd player Luke Chadwick claims his 'stomach twisted' whenever he appeared on TV as he battled depression He continued: "It wasn't until I came away from Manchester United, and the spotlight's not on you as much. "I was able to rebuild my confidence and live a really happy life. "Football was always the place I felt free - the place where I didn't think about anything else." Chadwick also received an apology from Gary Lineker for comments made on the BBC show They Think It's All Over. Lineker was a team captain on the panel show, which regularly poked fun at Chadwick over his looks. The England legend wrote on X in 2020: "I was part of that show, therefore, I too would like to apologise to Luke Chadwick for any hurt caused." Depression... the signs to look for and what to do Depression can manifest in many ways. We all feel a bit low from time to time. But depression is persistent and can make a person feel helpless and unable to see a way through. They may also struggle to about daily life. Mind says these are some common signs of depression that you may experience: How you might feel Down, upset or tearful Restless, agitated or irritable Guilty, worthless and down on yourself Empty and numb Isolated and unable to relate to other people Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy Angry or frustrated over minor things A sense of unreality No self-confidence or self-esteem Hopeless and despairing Feeling tired all the time How you might act Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy Self-harming or suicidal behaviour Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions Losing interest in sex Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated If you feel this way, visit your GP who can help you. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support. The following are free to contact and confidential: Samaritans, 116 123, jo@ CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) 0800 585 858 Papyrus (prevention of young suicide) 0800 068 41 41 Shout (for support of all mental health) text 85258 to start a conversation Mind, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@ or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary). YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too. Rethink Mental Illness, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
I was wrong about Bruno Fernandes - here's why selling him would be devastating for Manchester United, writes DANNY MURPHY
There has been plenty of debate surrounding whether Manchester United should take £100million for Bruno Fernandes in order to finance the rebuild that requires. But for me, it's a no-brainer - it's simply imperative he stays.
