New United editor for the M.E.N.
SAMUEL Luckhurst has been appointed the new Manchester United editor for the M.E.N.
Samuel has led from the front in making the M.E.N. the go-to place for United news in both print and online.
Since joining the M.E.N. in October 2014, he has produced a string of exclusives - most notably on United’s interest in appointing Jose Mourinho and their pursuit of Paul Pogba.
Samuel’s expert insights into the happenings at Old Trafford have made him one of the most-read journalists in the country.
He has appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport and CNN, as well as other media outlets, as a Manchester United expert.
Samuel (pictured) said: “It’s a privilege to lead the M.E.N.’s United content at an exciting and challenging time in the club’s modern history.
“Manchester is one of the leading football cities on the planet and the M.E.N. newsroom is the perfect place to develop coverage of United over the coming seasons.”
M.E.N. Editor-in-Chief Rob Irvine said: “Samuel fully deserves his new role as Manchester United editor and will continue to play an integral part in making sure that the M.E.N. maintains its position as the place to go to for great United exclusives, interviews and incisive opinions – all while keeping the fans at the very heart of what we do.” THE game was only five minutes old but Marouane Fellaini was playing too deep for Ander Herrera’s liking. Jose Mourinho was mum on the touchline, so Herrera spoke with his team-mate and instructed him to press further forward.
Two minutes later, Herrera did the pressing himself. The ball had struck his hand yet he stayed switched on as Nemanja Matic demanded a free-kick and an incisive pass was played round the dithering David Luiz for Marcus Rashford to finish.
Herrera’s assist was similar to the penetrating pass he played for Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s winner at the same end against Tottenham in December.
The Basque pumped his fists as he headed to congratulate Rashford, the adrenaline intensifying amid the rancour of the home supporters’ celebrations.
It was fascinating watching Herrera with and without the ball. He popped up on the right, in defensive midfield and occasionally masqueraded as a sweeper. Eden Hazard might as well have had a ball and chain wrapped around his ankle whenever Chelsea were in possession, and when they weren’t Herrera unlocked it and demanded the ball.
At full-time, Hazard and his new shadow spoke sportingly. Herrera collected two yellow cards for fouls on Hazard at Chelsea last month and that fuelled his performance.
“I was very unhappy as I was off the pitch, undeservedly,” he complained. The dismissal still rankled and revenge was a dish best served by man-marking.
Twice Hazard ended up in the first row of the south stand, smiling wryly as United shackled him.
A video of Herrera stalking Hazard to the Jaws theme trended in Manchester on Twitter.
His speculative shot which looped over Asmir Begovic four minutes after the restart marked Herrera’s first league goal since the deflected winner over Arsenal nearly 14 months ago as his knack for delivering on big occasions continued.
Herrera has twice performed outstandingly at Anfield, scored in successive home games against Arsenal and became the first United midfielder to boss Yaya Toure, previously indomitable in derbies.
Predictably, the clamour to appoint him as captain has reignited following Sunday’s win. It first began after Herrera’s bullish performance at Liverpool in October, when he was serenaded by the away fans as United players approached the Anfield Road End.
Wayne Rooney’s squad omissions are non-stories these days. United have ample ability to offset his waning talent, but he has skippered commendably, intervening to galvanise them with rousing speeches which sparked key victories over Tottenham and City in recent seasons.
United have been leaders, too.
Juan Mata is a wonderful footballer but there was something incongruous about him leading United out at Anfield in the Europa League.
Michael Carrick is vicecaptain by virtue of his longevity, Chris Smalling has captained United more often than anyone this season, while Marouane Fellaini has a 100 per cent success rate with the armband. Ashley Young handled the responsibility subtly on short of Sunday whereas Herrera was more dictatorial and demanding, getting onto Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo and Fellaini, as well as consulting Mourinho during a first-half stoppage before passing on the instructions. Roy Keane was the last midfielder to permanently captain United and Herrera would be a worthy heir. Managers scour for players to represent them and Mourinho has Herrera at United: “It’s difficult for some managers to find Ander Herrera to do the job that he did today,” he said on Sunday. One of a handful of followers who has developed an understanding of United’s history, the challenge for Herrera is to perform more consistently. Until his return against Everton a fortnight ago, his form had been nondescript for a couple of months, a lengthy hangover from the spirited effort against Liverpool in January. Herrera needs to get the adrenaline flowing for Stoke, Hull and the like. Then he can take United further forward.