United v Liverpool in front of 829 fans

FOR many years, Manchester United endured accusations of sexism and discrimination for not having a women’s team. This year, happily, they relented. That wasn’t enough for some. Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport, sneeringly congratulated the club on dragging itself into the 21st century. Anyway, on Sunday, the future arrived. Liverpool Women versus Manchester United Women in the Continental Tyres Cup, two huge and traditional rivals, the game promoted with interviews, features and previews in every national newspaper last week. Attendance: 829. What a pity those who berated Manchester United in columns, into microphones and through social media had something better to do that day. For if they had all backed up those fine speeches with a backside on a seat — and that includes the posturing Minister — it would have sold out Old Trafford.