Sport

Manchester United fans are loving Erik ten Hag’s motivational speech to Alejandro Garnacho following his new contract

A new contract and a baby on the way. It's been a big few days for the young man.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 3rd May 2023

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag continues to endear himself to the players and the fans as a recent speech he gave Alejandro Garnacho in front of his family has left Reds surer than ever that they’ve got the right man in charge.

Garnacho signed a new five-year contract on 28 April, meaning that his future at United is now secured until June 2028, and the Dutch coach looks to be just as chuffed about the deal as supporters are.

Shooting a behind the scenes day surrounding the contract renewal, the 18-year-old was filmed heading into Carrignton to pen to paper along with some family, and what came after was a lovely moment between him and the manager.

Insisting to his loved ones that he “deserved this” new contract and “fought his way into the team”, ten Hag explained how this isn’t just a reward for his efforts so far but an expectation of what’s to come.

Erik ten Hag gives his Alejandro Garnacho a rousing speech after signing a new contract.

ten Hag goes on to say that Garnacho “has improved a lot” and has been “magnificent” since breaking into the first-team but that this is just the start and that, for all of his talent, he has to “work to go far”.

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Having previously been kept on the fringes of the team following reports of “attitude problems” earlier in the season, Garnacho looks to have come along way to being one of the most exciting and beloved players and, judging by ten Hag’s speech, he is clearly convinced he can go much further.

The 53-year-old goes on to say that he believes this new deal will be “an inspiration, a motivation to do even better”, adding that the club “needs players who can do incredible things” if they want to win games and trophies, as well as “win in a certain way” like he is trying to instil.

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No wonder United fans are loving this video: it isn’t just about showing faith in young talent as he did so well at Ajax, but he also intimates that he wants the team to play a certain type of football and it’s one that the supporters are already starting to see come together and enjoy.

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Reacting to the clip, fans commented, “Finally we have the right manager, “hope the youth team see this as motivation/inspiration” and “this has Cristiano [Ronaldo]/Sir Alex [Ferguson] vibe written all over.”

Fresh from learning that he will soon be having a baby boy with his partner, Eva, it was clear that the recognition of his progress felt like a significant moment for his family too, as they all joined in with embracing the young Argentine and celebrating his new contract.

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With reports now suggesting that he will be staying with United instead of flying over with his national team for the U20 World Cup, fans will be looking froward to seeing him back in action again soon and, hopefully, more driven than ever.

You can watch Garnacho’s full ‘Day In The Life’ video down below:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — MUTV

Sport

Tragedy as two superbike riders die in ‘catastrophic accident’ at Cheshire event

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Tragedy as two riders die in 'catastrophic accident' at Cheshire superbike event

Two riders have tragically died in a ‘chain reaction’ accident at a superbike race in Cheshire.

Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, both died of their injuries following a crash involving 11 riders.

The ‘catastrophic accident’ occurred yesterday at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship superbike race at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

The race was immediately stopped so that trackside medical services could attend to the 11 riders who had fallen.

Due to the ‘extreme severity’ of the incident, the rest of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled.

Two riders lost their lives and another has sustained significant injuries and remains in hospital.

Owen Jenner, 21 years old, was treated trackside and taken to the circuit medical centre , but died from a catastrophic head injury.

Meanwhile Shane Richardson was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries, but died prior to arrival.

Another rider, 47-year-old Tom Tunstall, has also been transferred to hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries.

Five further riders were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries – the remaining involved riders were uninjured.

The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary.

Cheshire Police said in a statement: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon (Monday 5 May).

“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.

“Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled.

“The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29).”

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Featured image: British Superbikes

Sport

Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only 3 Man United players have spoke to him since leaving

Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.

Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.

The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.

However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.

At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.

Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”

As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.

He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.

The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.

Now the boss at Besiktas, the 52-year-old has won 50% of his games so far, with the Turkish side on course for a third-place finish.

For context, he only took the job back in January.

What did you make of Ole’s revelations then, Reds? And, more importantly, how do you look back on his time in charge at the Theatre of Dreams?

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Featured Images — soccer.ru (via Wikimedia Commons)/BBC Sport

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