Ruben Amorim is telling the truth. United must listen to their head coach and history teacher.
Ruben Amorim knew exactly what he was doing with his “the worst team maybe in Manchester United history” headline-bait. It’s standard practice for managers to consider possible lines of enquiry, discuss lines of attack and potential risks with experienced media staff before a press conference. It’s so often calculated, even in the heated aftermath of a match. It’s called “doing a Jose”. Dropping in “maybe” gave Amorim, another Portuguese coach, some wriggle room but the history teacher was being honest, brutally so. Amorim is very aware of United’s history, and the image of him speaking to Sir Alex Ferguson before kick-off yesterday was a powerful one. Amorim knows how much work he has to do to turn United around, just as Ferguson did. Amorim’s a good coach, committed to his tactical template, and needs backing with time and money.
United need his frankness. Ralf Rangnick tried it but people didn’t listen. Amorim sent a message to his players to respond more, shape up or ship out. He sent a reminder to fans and media of the scale of his rescue mission, and probably to the board as well of the need for more signings like Diego Leon, and also the need to get rid of some players like Antony, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof.
The claim that this is “maybe” truly United’s worst team in their history is a moot point. In 1930-31, United won only seven of 42 league games and were relegated following a draw at Anfield of all places. In 73-74, they were relegated. In 80-81, Dave Sexton’s team disappointed, went out early in FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup, finished eighth, played poor football and he departed. This current XI could lay claim to the worst in sheer underachievement of return this season when set against their combined cost of roughly £400m. With honourable exceptions like Harry Maguire and Amad Diallo, this United team could certainly take the title of the weakest mentally and physically in Manchester United history.
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Denis Law’s taste in music was very much Sixties, Beatles, Stones, Roy Orbison, Elvis et al. Law went to Neil Diamond concerts in Manchester, Birmingham and London. Heavy metal wasn’t a great love. He played football on the famous pitch in Rod Stewart’s garden against “one of those heavy metal bands I’m not into”, he told me once. “Iron something.” When Law got home, he searched the internet and found images of Iron Maiden selling out 100,000-seater stadia. “They were huge!” Law’s style was more run to the thrills.
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Regarding events at Old Trafford there are two sides to every story, two sides to every match, and it needs recording that Brighton & Hove Albion deservedly won. They brushed Manchester United aside all over the pitch, not least in midfield. Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari utterly ran the centre. Both are 21, the same age as United’s Toby Collyer. Worthing-born, the midfielder came through Brighton’s system before heading north aged 18. Collyer’s a promising No 6, athletic and hungry, and his game-time and development in the current febrile atmosphere at United will be followed with interest. Would Collyer have developed more quickly and under less pressure had he stayed at Brighton? Two other 21-year-olds are certainly blossoming there.
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Before that fervent Scot Denis Law went out to play a round of golf during the 1966 World Cup final, he wrote down his prediction of the scoreline for England’s date with destiny. “Germany 6”, he wrote. When he reached the 18th hole, Law found all the English members of the club waiting for him, smiling. Of course, Law had the last laugh the following season, defeating the world champions at Wembley.
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There will be sympathy for Ange Postecoglou because of Tottenham Hotspur’s lengthening injury list, now numbering 10. So there will be even more admiration for Andoni Iraola who has eight Bournemouth players out but hardly mentioned it and just focused on getting them organised and triumphant. He’s benefited from Bournemouth’s recruitment of players who are not only good technically, quick learners tactically but also strong characters. Iraola has built an impressive, ridiculously young defence, including Dean Huijsen (19), Illya Zabarnyni (22) and Milos Kerkez (21). For modest financial outlay, Iraola has masterminded defeats of Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe this season. Iraola’s biggest strength is in fostering a ferocious team spirit in whoever is available.
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It summed up Denis Law’s approach to the game that the player he enjoyed watching most in the modern era was Lionel Messi. His myriad technical gifts inevitably impressed Law but also his refusal to resort to simulation. When Messi got knocked down, Law loved the way he got up and got on with the game. A sporting great in every sense.
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Leeds United fan Jayden Bamford was only 10 when he lost his battle with acute myeloid leukaemia on December 14. At the start of the season, Jayden was a mascot leading Leeds out and he also spent time at Thorp Arch, meeting the players. “Even during the most heart-breaking times, Jayden’s courage, glowing smile and infectious personality was on show,” Leeds said. The club invited Jayden’s parents and sister to Elland Road yesterday where they primed fans to applaud in Jayden’s memory at minute 10. Sheffield Wednesday fans joined Leeds’ in a thunderous salute. Nothing can provide true consolation for the loss of a loved one but Jayden’s family will surely have taken comfort from Leeds’ love.
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A very clear sign of the gathering grandeur of Law’s career came in 1963 when he was selected to represent the Rest of the World XI against England at Wembley in celebration of the FA’s centenary. Law was picked alongside Eusebio, Alfredo di Stefano, Raymond Kopa and Gento. And ahead of Ferenc Puskas who started on the bench. And Law scored. Denis Law stood out, even amongst giants of the game.
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At the risk of unleashing a chorus of disapproval, here’s a positive take on VAR. Mikel Merino’s strike caught his Arsenal team-mate, Kai Havertz, on the hand before entering the Aston Villa net and was awarded as a goal on-field by Chris Kavanagh. Fortunately for Villa, and pursuers of sporting justice, the VAR was John Brooks assisted by the experienced Darren Cann. They spotted the hand-ball, a clear and obvious error was addressed, and technology’s role in the game was vindicated. Applied swiftly, expertly and sparingly, VAR can work.
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Legacy takes many forms. Denis Law’ legacy lives on in his family, in the record books, and in countless glorious memories in the hearts of minds of fans. It also lives on in the Denis Law Legacy Trust which provides free-to-access sport in Aberdeen. Thousands of kids in his home city benefit from Law’s Streetsport programme which reduces youth crime by providing an opportunity to let off steam and learn teamwork. Since 2006, Law’s charity has been “supporting and empowering young people to be confident, capable, independent and responsible citizens”. Denis Law may be gone but his positive influence remains.
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What a fantastic job Mat Sadler is doing at Walsall. He played for them, was assistant coach, interim and now excels as head coach. He takes setback in his stride. He’s just lost the on-loan services of Nathan Lowe (18 goals, seven assists) back to Stoke City. Sadler sportingly sent Lowe a “well done” message on scoring for Stoke at The Hawthorns on Saturday. A lot of love currently passes between Stoke and Walsall fans over Lowe, wishing him and each other well. Lowe’s only 19, well-known in the England age-group system, and clearly one to watch. As is Sadler. Wh would provide the goals with Lowe gone? Three defenders (Liam Gordon played wing-back) and 37-year-old “Uncle” Albert Adomah scored in the 4-2 defeat of MK Dons. Adomah’s tireless running embodies the work ethic of Sadler’s side. Walsall remain 12 points clear of second-placed Crewe Alexandra in League Two with a game in hand and +17 goal difference over them. Sadler keeps the Saddlers rolling along.
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So many beautiful tributes have been paid to the late, great Denis Law. It showed how he transcended club affiliations when Ipswich Town fans joined Manchester City supporters in the huge applause in his memory before kick-off at Portman Road. RIP.
Have always loved the story about when Mr and Mrs Bergkamp went to register the birth of their son in 1969. On writing "Denis" after the great Denis Law they were told the spelling was not correct so it had to be 'Dennis" - hence the first name of the famous DB10!
I was at a freezing cold Bescot Stadium on Saturday, cursing zonal marking and an MK Dons side still lacking in cohesion and being unable to play through a press. That did not stop me from admiring how good Walsall were all over the pitch. Adomah’s good naturedness, professionalism and effectiveness were admirable too.