July 2016 – No Question About That

£100 million is a sign of desperate times … and worth every penny

July 27, 2016 by Ed

It’s a simple equation: Manchester United needs Paul Pogba more than Paul Pogba needs to be with the Reds. Sign o’ the times. It’s little wonder that Juventus has backed Ed Woodward into a corner over the mooted £100 million transfer fee, with agent Mino Raiola battering the executive vice chairman into submission over his commission. Despite reports of a ‘stalled bid’ and renewed Real Madrid interest the Reds will probably end up paying all of it. It’ll still be a bargain if it helps bring the Premier League trophy back to Old Trafford.

Mourinho’s hit list: the who and the why

July 23, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

José Mourinho, Transfers

Evolution is a part of life. Adapt, change or become obsolete. It is the gradual development of everything, including the natural change in a football squad. Manchester United was always heading this way once José Mourinho took charge at Old Trafford. The Portuguese has already begun moulding the squad in his own image. More is to come this summer.

Much ado about Adnan

July 22, 2016 by Thariq Amir

Articles

Adnan Januzaj

Remember when Adnan Januzaj was hailed as the next big thing? It feels like an age ago when a coltish 18-year-old made his first full start for Manchester United against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, illuminating the pitch with a match-winning performance. His future looked bright back then. Not so much now.

Mourinho: how it could go wrong

July 19, 2016 by Ed

Articles

José Mourinho

“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” – Mike Tyson

So far, so splendidly José Mourinho. The Portuguese manager strolled into his first press conference at Old Trafford looking and sounding every inch a Manchester United boss. Gone was the wild-eyed stare of the perpetually out-of-his depth David Moyes. Banished too was Louis van Gaal’s now discredited talk of philosophy. It was always BS, you know. In its place, comes Mourinho’s bravado and clarity of thought – a trait already playing out in the transfer market. Yet, in the back of the mind is the sneaking suspicion that one day, it might go just a little pear-shaped.

How United found its groove in the transfer market

July 16, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

José Mourinho, Transfers

Thomas Müller. Gareth Bale. Arturo Vidal. Sergio Ramos. Wesley Sneijder. Five very fine, world-class footballers. The common thread: each participated in transfer sagas that lasted an entire summer, or in some cases even longer. Long, played out dramas that resulted in little but reams of newspaper speculation, and wasted hopes and dreams. Despite the club’s power, money and global reach, Manchester United has become a laughing-stock in the transfer market in recent summers. No longer.

Euro 2016: every Red rated

July 9, 2016 by Ed

Articles

Euro 2016

So Euro 2016 is over, with Portugal beating France 1-0 in Sunday night’s final. It was the longest European Championships ever, and sometimes felt like it. In keeping with the tournament the final offered less than it should have; Euro 2016 has been a mixed bag when it comes to quality. Seldom has the tournament set the pulses racing, though at least it was rarely predictable. Not least the final. The exception: England bombed out early, ’twas ever thus, although the Welsh made the semi-final in spectacular style. And what of the Manchester United players (current, former and future) that missed a summer on the beaches of Ayia Napa? There were, on balance, more flops than successes…

Roy’s Rash Euros error

July 1, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

England, Euro 2016, José Mourinho, Marcus Rashford

Twenty one – the number of minutes Marcus Rashford spent on the pitch during the 2016 European Championships in France. There’ll be no more this summer. England has failed in the round of 16 once again, humiliated by a country whose inhabitants number around 300,000 – only a little more populous than the City of Salford.

Ryan Giggs: a career in numbers

July 1, 2016 by Ed

Articles

Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs ended a 29-year professional relationship with Manchester United – choosing not to take a coaching position in José Mourinho’s regime. Having been ignored for the top job, Giggs’ departure came as little surprise, with the Welshman now keen to strike it out alone in the search of managerial honours. Rant looks back on a wonderful career… Read More

Monthly Archives: July 2016

£100 million is a sign of desperate times … and worth every penny

Mourinho’s hit list: the who and the why

Much ado about Adnan

Mourinho: how it could go wrong

How United found its groove in the transfer market

Euro 2016: every Red rated

Roy’s Rash Euros error

Ryan Giggs: a career in numbers