The widely carried rumours are the latest example of social media concoctions that swell well beyond their substanceEven in dark times, the idealism of some football fans remains a beautiful thing to behold. Suggestions over the past week that the Glazer family were considering selling Manchester United to a certain party were greeted with delight in various quarters. As one United supporter positively willing the deal to happen put it: “We deserve better.” Better, in this case, would be Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman, a man whom journalistic cliche demands we style as “in the news for all the wrong reasons”. But hey – nobody’s perfect. Related: José Mourinho charged with improper conduct after Newcastle match Continue reading...
Beating Newcastle lifted the spirits at Old Trafford but Mourinho’s defence will soon be tested by some of the bestAll that speculation over José Mourinho’s future subsided pretty quickly, did it not? There cannot really have been much of a crisis at Manchester United if a single last-gasp win over a team in the bottom three has made everything hunky dory again, though once the uneasy international break truce is over the matter will be put to the test at the weekend.United’s next three opponents are Chelsea, Juventus and Everton, a bit more of a challenge than Wolves, Derby and Newcastle, and it is not inconceivable based on recent form that they might struggle to win any of those games....
Borussia Dortmund’s brilliant 18-year-old winger has sent a message to players such as Marcus Rashford that going overseas does not mean being overlooked by Gareth SouthgateEngland return to Nations League action on Friday and there is one player I am really excited about seeing perform for Gareth Southgate’s side –Jadon Sancho. Make no mistake, the winger’s call-up is a big deal for English football and could mark a turning point for young English players. Related: Nations League, Lionesses and roundabouts – Football Weekly Extra Sancho is clearly a major talent. I heard Rio Ferdinand saying he has everything to succeed at the highest level, and there are definite similarities with Raheem Sterling Continue reading...
Manchester United came back from two goals down to defeat Newcastle and players have called on the team to repeat that second-half performance – but it may not be that easyRomelu Lukaku crystallised what many fans believe when he said that Manchester United should always storm forward as they did in an exhilarating second half against Newcastle United.The final 45 minutes had José Mourinho’s team in the “attack‑attack-attack” mode that is the United way but has become a near-collector’s item under their manager. It is the biggest grievance against Mourinho from supporters who will countenance defeat but only if the side go down swinging. Related: Luke Shaw a doubt for England’s matches against Croatia and Spain Related: Sánchez seals dramatic...
Liverpool’s tiredness could play into Manchester City’s hands, Newcastle should throw caution to the wind and Harry Winks must take his Tottenham chance“It’s a game of small margins,” said Vincent Kompany of the season’s standout fixture to date between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. If the teams are as closely matched in quality as Kompany thinks then he can only have been heartened by the weary look of many of Liverpool’s players as they struggled with Napoli’s intensity in their 1-0 defeat on Wednesday. Jürgen Klopp’s midfielders create chances by harassing opponents out of possession and shuffling the ball forwards quickly but in Naples they looked heavy-legged. Liverpool’s past three fixtures read: Chelsea, Chelsea, Napoli; high-profile, energy-sapping...