There is anger and uproar over the sacking of Sir Alex Ferguson who was removed in more ruthless cost cutting measures by Sir James Ratcliffe and his INEOS team. One of the most famous figures in the history of Manchester United, he was employed as a global ambassador to promote the Red’s worldwide and there are few people in football who are more famous than Sir Alex. His annual salary of £2.1million will be terminated at the end of this season. Already there are protests being discussed by fans around the world and particularly in the back streets of Manchester. Under Sir Alex, United won 13 Premier League titles. He was told in a face-to-face meeting that his services are no longer required but he is welcome to attend home and away matches. This is the latest in Ratcliffe’s cost cutting measures which now total £10million and has seen 250 loyal staff members leave. This year, in a miserly gesture, Ratcliffe has even cancelled the traditional Christmas party. Staff also lost their free travel to Wembley for any Cup finals featuring the club – a long held United tradition.
United legend Eric Cantona was furious with rage and said, “Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies. It is such a lack of respect. It is totally scandalous – Sir Alex will be my boss forever!”
As one disgruntled fan said outside Old Trafford on Wednesday, “Sir Alex won 38 titles for the supporters and made United the most famous club in the world. What has James Ratcliffe ever done except lower morale and sack anyone he doesn’t consider important.”
Haaland still making headlines
City’s scoring sensation Erling Haaland broke yet another record when he became the all-time goal-scorer for the Norway national team during the international break. He has notched up 34 goals in 36 matches and beat Jorgen Juve’s record which has stood since the 1920’s!
Luis Diaz vows to score more goals
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz is a better player under Arne Slot and has improved since Jurgen Klopp left the club. Diaz has scored five times and made one assist in the first seven games but his aim is to beat last season’s strike rate of 13 goals. As he approaches his third year since joining the club the Columbian star is determined to do better. He said this week, “I always think about helping the team which is the most important thing but I also want to get better and to improve on what I did the last two years.” Diaz is certainly a more precise, skillful player now and Arne Slot has also made him a better finisher. Before the start of this season Liverpool fans had become frustrated that he had scored only 29 goals since his £37.5 transfer from Portugese club Porto.
Dyche supporting Dele Ali’s comeback
I often seem to write about Dele Ali’s comeback which then fizzles out and he drifts into almost obscurity. He is not under contract at Everton which expired in June but he has stayed on at the club and is determined to persuade coach Sean Dyche that he can do a good job. He has stepped up his training agenda to one of high intensity and was at the club’s Halewood complex on day one of pre-season after working with a private fitness trainer in Portugal and the UK. Dyche offered Dele an opportunity to continue training at the club in his bid to recover from a long-term groin injury and he travelled with the squad to Ireland for pre-season preparations. He has a good relationship with Dyche but there is also talk of his previous club Tottenham showing interest.
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Thumb sucking Grealish double delight
When Jack Grealish scored his international goal against Finland, he could be seen sucking his thumb. He confirmed that this was his celebration for the birth of his and girlfriend Sasha Attwood’s daughter. Since then hundreds of cards and presents have been arriving at City’s headquarters from fans who are hoping he will score plenty more goals and do lots more thumb sucking.
Zinedine Zidane and the United connection
Whenever Manchester United’s top coaching position is discussed it is never long before the name Zinedine Zidane is brought into the conversation. He was linked to the job at the end of Jose Mourinho’s tenure and after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was shown the door. Now with Erik Tan Hag clinging onto his job by his fingernails I am constantly asked if Zidane is bound for Old Trafford? However, I can reveal that in Paris he is being lined up to replace Didier Deschamps as the French national team coach. Deschamps has won the World Cup with France both as a player and a coach and Zidane would seem a perfect replacement. Deschamps is a little reluctant to give up the job just yet because, I am told, he is worried that Zidane might do too good a job and eclipse even his own successful record.
Villa captain speaks out about number of games played
Aston Villa captain John McGinn has spoken out this week about the “hectic” football schedules which he believes is dangerous to players’ mental health. McGuinn played in 66 matches for Villa and Scotland up to the Euros. Because Villa did well in the Europa Conference League, in which he played in 12 matches, before losing to Olympiacos in the semi final, the number of games and the time between them has dramatically impacted on the players. He said, “We are extremely lucky to be paid very well to do a job we love but, on the mental side you need time to switch off before going again.” He was supported by Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans who admitted the number of games being currently played has taken a lot out of the players and causes injuries and he missed 12 games for club and country after being medically sidelined last season.
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