OLE GETS SOME BEDTIME READING

FFT spends an evening with Solskjaer, Smalling and Matic in Manchester

Have you ever been to dinner with the Manchester United squad? Thought not, but we have.

On a wet and windy midweek evening, we headed to Harvey Nichols in Manchester for a dinner marking the North West launch of Football Beyond Borders, as Chris Smalling became a patron for the schools programme.

FFT took our seat in a place reserved for Jesse Lingard – the England star couldn’t make it, so instead we had the privilege of sitting next to Nemanja Matic. “How are you tonight, Jesse?” chuckled the Serbian midfielder.

We saw Smalling give an impassioned speech about the charity, which uses football as an engagement tool to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. “Football Beyond Borders is changing lives,” he explained. “I’m excited to be in a position to help the organisation expand and establish itself in the North West, having witnessed the difference it has made to the lives of young people in the south.

“Manchester has been my home for the last nine years, and the patronage offers me the opportunity to give back to those that have given me so much throughout my career at Manchester United.”

FFT also chatted to a smiling Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and gave him the most recent issue of the magazine – which just happened to feature the United boss.

“I’m on the cover!” beamed the Norwegian, who has been an avid reader of Fourfourtwo since the mid-90s, prior even to his arrival at Old Trafford as a player. “I’ll read this in bed tonight. Thanks!” Our pleasure, Ole. Hunter Godson