A WHOLE CAMELOT OF KNIGHTS... BUT UNITED NEED JUST ONE KING
THE radio station TALKSPORT is a faithful friend on many journeys to and from a match.
But a special mention must be made for Trans Europe Express, a giant of a programme hosted by Danny Kelly on Sunday night.
Hawksbee & Jacobs is also a great listen on weekday afternoons, often featuring guests from the world of stand-up comedy
But who knew there were comics in the breakfast slot?
Here’s Gabby Agbonlahor (above) on Richarlison: “He can’t control the ball, he’s not strong enough to hold the ball up, he’s not good with link-up play, he can’t run in behind because he is not quick enough, he can’t finish.
“Honestly, he would be playing in League Two if he wasn’t Brazilian. I don’t rate him one bit.”
Richarlison has 96 goals in 338 club games, is a regular for Brazil and has 20 goals and eight assists in 48 games for his national side.
He has commanded combined transfer fees of around £100million.
Agbonlahor’s take on Richarlison is not a critique, it’s an insult.
TALKSPORT is a fine radio station… but perhaps they should leave the comedy to the comics – not ex-aston Villa strikers.
WHO would have thought it? An FA Cup fixture schedule that has scant regard (and that is being kind) for the travelling fans.
And fair play to the supporter organisations that rail against the rank inconvenience of so many fixtures.
But you know what? They – the FA, the TV companies, the sponsors – do not care, because they know the football-following community in this country will turn up regardless.
There is only one way to protest against scandalous scheduling… and that is to boycott games.
I THOUGHT long and hard about writing a eulogy to Sven-goran Eriksson while he is still with us – and decided against it.
But if the outpouring of affection for Sven and admiration for his deeds, his behaviour and his character give him solace in his battle against cancer, then it will have served a noble purpose.
THERE will probably be more knights at Old Trafford late on Sunday afternoon than there were at the round table.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Dave Brailsford were in harness at the City Ground the other week and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will join them for the match against Tottenham.
If you are lucky, the TV cameras might pan to the actual match now and again.
Recently, Manchester United released pictures of Sir Dave and Sir Jim chatting with the Carrington hoi polloi.
It has been reported in the last few days that Brailsford (right) will pick the brains of Sir Alex and David Gill as the cycling expert settles into his role at Old Trafford.
And, of course, why wouldn’t he?
As for Erik ten Hag, he said he had a “fantastic feeling” after meeting Brailsford and Ratcliffe, whose 25 percent stake apparently gives him full control of United’s football operation. Well, he would, wouldn’t he? But, for the sake of his own professional reputation, Ten Hag needs to remember one thing.
At a powerhouse club, there is only one man who should be in control of the ‘football operation’… and that is the manager.
Look across the city or along the M62.
Pep Guardiola plays a lovely game on and off the field.
When saluting the work done by Manuel Akanji earlier in the season, Guardiola said: “What a player Txiki Begiristain has brought me.”
And there is no doubt Manchester City’s director of football would have been instrumental in the £15million signing of Akanji.
But who do we think had THE final say? Not Begiristain, not Ferran Soriano. Pep. Jurgen Klopp and former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards clearly had a great relationship.
“His contribution to our success is clear for all to see,” said Klopp, when Edwards left his post a couple of years ago. And it was, sort of. The collective approach is standard stuff for modern-day managers. When they win a manager-of-the-month award, the celebratory photograph usually features a cast of backroom thousands.
But great teams – allconquering teams – have ONE man in charge.
Guardiola runs the show at the Etihad, Klopp at Anfield – just as Jose Mourinho did during Chelsea’s glory years and Arsene Wenger when Arsenal were invincible.
They can be sacked, sure, but while remaining employed as manager, they run the show.
And amid the speculation of what Brailsford and Ratcliffe will do with the ‘football operation’, that is exactly what Ten Hag should remember.
So, when he spoke harshly earlier in the season about Jadon Sancho, good.
When he spoke honestly on Friday about the issues facing Anthony Martial and Antony, good.
United’s players need to know who is the boss and they need to behave accordingly – something that has not always happened since Sir Alex left.
Brailsford and Ratcliffe are high-profile characters, but what happens on the football field should be dictated by one man – and one man alone.
There are now plenty of knights at Old Trafford… but there should only be one king.
United’s players need to know who is the boss and they need to behave accordingly