Latest news with #MatthijsdeLigt
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
De Ligt's error gives Cherries consolation prize
Manchester United won't keep their clean sheet after all as Matthijs de Ligt's effort to block the cross results in him turning the ball into his own net to give Bournemouth their first goal of the match.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Is your woo-woo lifestyle ruining your relationship?
Can a predilection for the ultra-spiritual or the woo-woo really ruin your relationship? Recent reports allege that this is what it did in the marriage of Manchester United centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, who is divorcing his wife AnneKee Molenaar after only a year of marriage. The Dutch outlet DenD has claimed that Molenaar's penchant for posting 'exaggerated spiri-wiri content' on her Instagram – along with her thoughts on gemstones, crystals and herbal remedies – drove him away. Molenaar's story resonated with me on different levels – I've also gone head first into new-age spirituality, and it's come at the cost of my relationships. More than 20 years ago, I swapped substances for self-help books when I first entered recovery for alcoholism. It was hardly surprising. I needed to fill a huge gap in my life and learn to believe in something greater than myself. It alienated my old friends, who quickly got sick of me talking about Deepak Chopra's views on the soul's journey, but I soon balanced out. Many years later, though, new-age spirituality began to impact my romantic life. It started when I began meditating and visualising my perfect life – which meant holding a vivid snapshot of it in my mind so that it would somehow become imprinted on me. I had to keep my positive vibrations high by maintaining a state of joy, gratitude and expectancy, all in order to trick my brain into thinking I had already achieved my goal. All of this was based on the 'law of attraction', a concept brought to global attention by the self-help book The Secret, and, which claims that one's thoughts and feelings can directly influence external reality. In practice, I ended up living in a bubble and losing connectedness, as it's called in woo-woo land, to my then partner. I remember one particular holiday in Greece. I was trying to get pregnant, so I spent most of the trip working on manifesting grade-A embryos for our next session of IVF. I look back and regret not living in the present with him – this turned out to be our last holiday before he died. But at the time, I felt like I had to do what I had to do. I often felt like unless my partner joined me on the same spiritual page, we would be living two different lives – his was earthbound, while mine was largely in my mind. Instead of appreciating the life I had, I was busy imagining holding a newborn baby. It led to a disconnect from the real world, and a disconnect from my relationship. I was in a perpetual state of what is termed 'toxic positivity', in which I'd constantly seek positive emotions while suppressing negative ones. I had to feel gratitude to help attract what I wanted, despite the cold truth that the reality of infertility was agonising. I'm not writing off manifestation – it definitely can help – but for me, I took it too far. I was convinced that if I tried really hard to stay positive, I could magic a baby. I was – to put it plainly – obsessed. The idea of a 'divine plan' – as if everything that happens is meant to be, therefore you must be tolerant and patient – is fine to believe. But go too far and use spiritual beliefs to help you avoid dealing with pain and trauma and it becomes unhealthy. They call it 'spiritual bypassing'. At one point in my life, I couldn't make any decisions without consulting my psychic medium. I was dependent on her, and at times I felt far closer to her than my then partner. That's because it was my medium who was telling me how he was feeling and thinking, rather than him. Women are much more likely than men to seek to feel good through new age spiritual practices, like aura healing, moon bathing, breathwork retreats, gong baths, psychic mediums, and witchy-woo spells. A third of women describe themselves as spiritual, compared with a fifth of men, according to a YouGov UK Survey conducted in 2021 – with 27 per cent of women believing that crystals have healing properties, compared to 11 per cent of men. And while only 9 per cent of men agree that star signs have a genuine impact on a person's character and their compatibility with other people, one in five women (22 per cent) say this is probably or definitely true. Likewise, 57 per cent of women believe in people emitting positive or negative energies and vibrations, compared to 35 per cent of men. 'Wellness practices can support relationships but only when they deepen self-awareness and relational capacity,' says Elizabeth Earnshaw, a relationship expert and author of 2022's I Want This To Work: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating the Most Difficult Relationship Issues We Face in the Modern Age and this year's Til Stress Do Us Part: How to Heal the #1 Issue in Our Relationships. 'This is not the case when [spiritual practices] become performative, or another form of avoidance. It can become 'emotional bypassing' dressed up in psychological or spiritual language. Or a defence for poor behaviour, such as being unreliable because of 'boundaries', or telling the other person what is wrong with them all of the time because of some spiritual or psychological superiority.' If a partner uses relentless positivity or spiritual rhetoric to shut down hard conversations, it creates distance, not connection Elizabeth Earnshaw, relationship expert Real intimacy requires the ability to talk about what is, Earnshaw says, not just what should be. 'If a partner uses relentless positivity or spiritual rhetoric to shut down hard conversations, it creates distance, not connection,' she explains. However, it can be equally harmful to dismiss a partner's genuine beliefs as 'toxic positivity'. Just because someone likes to focus on gratitude or hope or faith of some sort, doesn't mean they are necessarily wrong. 'It might really be what they believe and what is helpful to them,' she continues. 'The goal shouldn't be to eliminate all positivity, or all negativity. Rather it's to stop being dismissive of others' points of view or ways of managing life.' Amanda White, LPC therapist and founder of America's Therapy for Women Center, says that the craze for posting spiritual content on social media often emphasises individual optimisation over community and relationships. She also believes it can lead people away from genuine connection rather than toward it. 'Self-help and wellness content is an extremely popular topic online because so many people are struggling,' she says. 'I think a lot of times what drives people to do this is trying to make money as an influencer or at the very least get positive reinforcement and attention.' Whether it's posting 'five things you need to do to manifest the life of your dreams', she says, or demonstrating meditating, manifesting, praying, and doing tarot readings, these routines give people some semblance of control over their lives. 'But a lot of what influencers share online is not real,' she continues. 'Consumers forget this and truly believe, for example, they need a 10-step morning and evening routine.' When someone becomes overly focused on perfecting such routines, they might actually spend less quality time with the people they love. 'It can become a socially acceptable way to withdraw from relationships while feeling like you're doing something positive.' Padma Coram, a spiritualist and integrative lifestyle and wellness expert at London's Hale Clinic, who helps clients to align their spiritual practices with real-life wellbeing, says spirituality is often used for escapism. 'People spend huge amounts of money on treatments thinking it's the 'cure-all',' she says. 'When you come to 'spirituality' from a place of desperation, it can become an addiction because it's about filling a hole in the soul. They never reach peace.' It's particularly concerning, she says, when clients have wanted to manifest their dream life – and get into extreme debt. 'They try to match their vibration with the life they want to lead, believing the laws of attraction mean they need to 'fake it to make it.'' They end up living beyond their means – which can create a huge financial strain in a relationship. 'People take it too literally – and stop living in reality.' The truth is that while many of us want to turn our dream life into an abundant reality through woo-woo activities – and embody the goddess or warrior within – it's not always the best course of action. As White says, spiritual content online can make avoidance look like growth, and it can harm relationships. 'Instead of having difficult but necessary conversations, people are told to 'protect their peace'. Instead of processing challenging emotions with support, they're encouraged to simply manifest better thoughts,' she says. 'The message becomes that if you're struggling, you just need to buy the right journal or find the right practice, rather than acknowledging that real growth often happens in relationships with others and is messy.'
The Star
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Red Devils arrive to grand welcome from home fans
PETALING JAYA: Manchester United arrived in Kuala Lumpur to a warm welcome as fans gathered to welcome the Red Devils to Malaysia on Monday (May 26) United are in town for the Maybank Challenge Cup as they take on the Asean All-Stars at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday (May 28) At the W Hotel, the English giants were greeted by around 200 cheering fans who waited for the team's arrival for several hours. Fans roared when the players stepped off the bright red bus with the club's logo, and the cheers kept going and players waved to fans as they walked past the hotel lobby. Despite United's 15th place finish in the league, the support the club got was limitless as supporters cheered on the players. Among the notable faces were Bruno Fernandes, Dutch internationals Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, along with fullback Diogo Dalot. Led by head coach Ruben Amorim, United departed for Malaysia after their final premier league match against Aston Villa, where they won 2-0. Although they did not play against Villa, Andre Onana, Luke Shaw, and Alejandro Garnacho are in town as well. United last visited Malaysia in 2009 when they played two friendly matches against Malaysia XI. After playing in Kuala Lumpur, the club will continue their post-season tour in Hong Kong on May 30. Meanwhile, the Asean All-Stars will be without Peeradol Chamrasamee and Asnawi Mangkualam. Peeradol withdrew due to the recent birth of his child, while Asnawi has been called up to the Indonesian national team.
New York Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The next step of the journey to Bilbao begins...
Follow live from Bilbao today as we build up to the Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United Getty Images The Athletic ...and it's a plane from Paris to Biarritz. Getty Images The two clubs facing off tomorrow have only ever clashed once before in European competition. That was in the 1963-64 Cup Winners' Cup last 16, which saw Matt Busby's United progress 4-3 on aggregate. Immortalised by that fabulous photo above. Getty Images As expected, the only faces missing from Amorim's squad are the injured centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt. The latter took part in an individual training program during Manchester United's open training session this morning, while Martinez is a long-term absentee. Attacker Chido Obi is ineligible for the Europa League. Getty Images These are the 26 players travelling to Bilbao as part of Ruben Amorim's squad as they go in search of silverware: Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee, Andre Onana Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee, Andre Onana Defenders: Harry Amass, Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans, Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro Harry Amass, Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans, Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte Attackers: Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee Loud and proud in sunny Bilbao. Laurie Whitwell/The Athletic Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim claimed his club's fans were so loyal, they would have swum to Bilbao on Spain's northern coast if necessary. Disappointing, really, that The Athletic 's Carl Anka, Laurie Whitwell, Andy Mitten et al didn't put that claim to the test. To be fair, Jack Pitt-Brooke did at least take the ferry over! Getty Images While Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario discussed just how meaningful it would be to lift the trophy in Bilbao tomorrow. 'Yes, it would be massive for the players, for the staff and especially for the fans,' he said. 'We know we can create history for this football club. We know probably next year when we walk through the corridors into the dressing room we will see some photos of us lifting that trophy. 'But now it is not certain, so we have to keep working as best we can to try to arrive on the day as much ready as we can to create history.' Getty Images Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow's game, Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven hailed the abilities of team-mate Cristian Romero and United's Matthijs de Ligt, and spoke about what winning a trophy would mean. He said: 'It will be a big thing. Everybody knows when you join Tottenham, you get the words 'Ah, you're not going to win a trophy', you will be trophy-less the rest of your career. 'All the guys were like, 'We're going to change something about this club'. For us, it's the job now to make this happen in Bilbao.' 'Cuti (Romero) is an unbelievable player,' he added. 'We just feel each other. If he does something, I know how I need to cover him, and he knows how to cover me. He knows how to help in every situation. We have grown into each other. It's an unbelievable connection. '(De Ligt) was captain at Ajax when he was 18. When I was younger, he was (an inspiration)... When I didn't play professionally, of course you were looking at him and seeing he was showing some quality. Then you think 'I want to be like him'. Getty Images Five minutes to go until the big one: Ange Postecoglou's pre-match press conference, where he will be joined by Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min. Really interested to see what sort of mood he is ahead of a game that will unambiguously determine his Tottenham legacy. Also interested to hear from Son on the memories of the 2019 Champions League final. Only Son and Ben Davies remain at the club of the Tottenham match-day squad from Madrid six years ago. We'll bring you quotes as soon as we have them! Tottenham have already beaten United three times this season, so logic would make them favourites against Ruben Amorim's side tomorrow. But football does not work like that. Former United captain Gary Neville said on Sky Sports that aside from Bruno Fernandes, he'd favour a Spurs player in every position over the talent available to Amorim. However, injuries to key midfielders Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski may leave Tottenham light on creativity. Perhaps the most prominent feather in United's cap is many of their players, even if they are not in great form, have won trophies before. A culture of winning silverware at Old Trafford has persisted through their down years post-Sir Alex Ferguson, and that does not exist with Tottenham. If they can focus on the match and not the occasion, Spurs should feel confident about beating United for a fourth time this season and returning to London as Europa League champions. Getty Images On that debate about whether winning the Europa League should offer a place in the Champions League: I do think it's right for it to do so — even if this is not the very best year to make that argument. If you consider football to be a big game of Snakes 'n' Ladders, then there are too many snakes on the board, particularly for smaller clubs, or teams from outside the Premier League. Having the opportunity of making progress through the game via something other than league competition seems healthy, and to promote the kind of mobility which we need more of. United can expect to earn around £80m from winning this final even if they crash out of next season's Champions League at the first hurdle, with even more in performance-related bonuses on offer depending on how far they progress. When you consider that — as Sir Jim Ratcliffe revealed — they will write a cheque for £89m this summer to pay for players they've already signed, that is vital revenue that help free up funds for the squad rebuild Amorim still requires. United have spent like a Champions League club but on a Europa League budget for years now, hence why Ratcliffe has believed it necessary to cut costs across the board, resulting in up to 450 job losses. Returning to European football's top table would at least help stem the flow of money pouring out of Old Trafford, with the hope that is spent more wisely moving forward. Laurie Whitwell/The Athletic What a welcome at the hotel! Laurie Whitwell/The Athletic Getty Images Well, our man Jack Pitt-Brooke spoke to two travelling Tottenham Hotspur supporters Ben and Paul yesterday to found out. All three were on a ferry somewhere in the Bay of Biscay on the way to Bilbao... The Athletic : How are you feeling about the game? Ben: I've been a Tottenham fan for 34 years so I know not to be optimistic. I'm trying to remain pessimistic. Paul: I'm a little bit bolder, I've got a feeling we'll do it. I think the stars are aligning. We've won a quiz as well, we managed to get here with issues to even try and get this trip booked — it's been an absolute nightmare. So I feel optimistic. We've got a better team than Manchester United. They've got couple of key players Tottenham have to keep an eye on, like Bruno Fernandes, who's going to be key in the game. But I think Tottenham are finally going to break that hoodoo. If Bologna, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, and Harry Kane can do it, Tottenham can do it. The Athletic : How much would it mean to you guys to see Sonny and the lads lift the trophy on Wednesday night? Ben: Oh yeah, it's something we've always wanted. We've had season tickets for about six, seven years so it's obviously something that would be incredible for my old man. He's ill back home, can't come to something like this. It'd be incredible. Paul: I've never been to a final where we've won and I don't want that to be a bad omen, bad vibes, but I didn't go to the 2008 final. Obviously I've been to other League Cup finals, didn't get to Madrid unfortunately, so to see Tottenham lift the trophy in the flesh would be amazing. And I dread to think what state I might be in, I will probably cry. My other half always gives me stick for not crying at anything, but Tottenham might actually do that to me. So yeah, I think it could be quite emotional, but I hope we do it. Talk about trophies has become a stick with which to beat Tottenham in the last 10 or 15 years. They have won just one trophy since the turn of the 21st century and their last European triumph was in this competition 41 years ago. The League Cup is the last one that was lifted by a Spurs captain and Ledley King was the man with that privilege back in February 2008. As for United, trophies have still flowed domestically and in Europe despite their Premier League fall from grace since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Their last trophy was last season, when they beat Manchester City at Wembley in the FA Cup final. Victory in that gave them their place in this season's Europa League which they might be about to use for a place in the Champions League. Work smarter, not harder... or something. Jack Pitt-Brooke/The Athletic I've recently seen my first big group of fans on dry land. And lads… it's Tottenham. Outside the 'Swansea' Bar not too far from the stadium. Shall I go with cautious optimism? Few are openly discussing what decisions the club may make in the event of a defeat, because that scenario is too painful to consider right now. An eight-game winless streak in the Premier League has brought a return for questions about Amorim's job security. United fans want to back the head coach, but there is a weariness about committing £100-200million sum to his possible squad rebuild. 'If things continue like this, I can't see him lasting past Christmas' is a quiet, but oft-repeated phrase. If he does stay, Amorim will need to make sure his team do not continue playing this way into next season. Getty Images A pretty bold look from Alejandro Garnacho, who was the man behind the ball in the previous image. England's Paul Gascoigne famously went blond for Euro '96, and Manchester City's Phil Foden imitated the style ahead of his Euro 2020 with England as well. Infamously, neither team won the tournament. An inauspicious sign for Manchester United?
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd squad for Europa League final CONFIRMED with key man missing out against Tottenham after losing race to be fit
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER UNITED will be without Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez for tomorrow night's Europa League final. Ruben Amorim's squad for the blockbuster Bilbao clash has been confirmed with De Ligt and Martinez the only two senior players missing out on a place on the plane. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Matthijs de Ligt has failed to make the Manchester United squad for the Europa League final Credit: Getty De Ligt had been facing a late fitness battle to return in time for the final having picked up a knock against Brentford earlier this month. The central defender was not thought to have suffered a serious injury, but after sitting out clashes with Athletic Club, West Ham and Chelsea, he will now be forced to miss the final too. Meanwhile Martinez was always going to miss the European clash after a ruptured ACL injury against Crystal Palace in February. Despite the defensive blow to Amorim's side ahead of the all-English clash, they appear to have been handed a major boost up top. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL EVR'S PAIN Man Utd legend Patrice Evra's sister dies aged 56 after 20-year cancer battle That's because Joshua Zirkzee has been named in the travelling squad, despite Amorim previously claiming the Dutch striker was out for the season. MORE TO FOLLOW.... THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
