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.
🎥 You have to watch this!
A day in the life of @AGarnacho7 signing his new contract, including a powerful speech from Erik to the family ❤️#MUFC
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.
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.
Paul Scholes blasts Ruben Amorim for ‘bull****’ response to Kobbie Mainoo question
Danny Jones
Club legend Paul Scholes has called out Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim for what he dubbed a “bull****” reaction to a question from a journalist regarding Kobbie Mainoo on Thursday.
The Portuguese coach saw his Premier League win rate clock in at just under 44% (the lowest of any Man United manager for, let’s just say, some time) after the 1-1 home draw against West Ham.
Conceding a late goal against the Irons, who are currently sat in the relegation zone, the Red Devils ultimately dropped another two points against a side that they should be beating, both based on present form and if they have any hopes of competing for the top spots.
Unsurprisingly, Amorim was pressed on why he didn’t make a more offensive substitution to try and claw back the victory, to which he then asked what looked to be a somewhat loaded question and gave this reaction after the response:
The laughter, in particular, hasn’t gone down well with everyone, especially the Class of ’92 graduate and retired midfielder.
Jumping on social media after the quotes from the Amorim press conference were out, Scholes posted on his Instagram story: Bull****. This kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football.”
He went on to add: “Hate seeing homegrown players leave, but it’s probably best for him now – enough is enough.”
First off, Reds – do you agree?
It isn’t the first time Scholes has levelled criticism at Amorim, his tactics, management and overall coaching style, having said this of their previous appointment at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes on Ruben Amorim's tactics against 10-man Everton which frustrated him 😬 pic.twitter.com/AgsESuH83h
Safe to say he isn’t his biggest supporter at the moment.
Fellow former teammate and England international turned pundit, Gary Neville, was also left not just confused but frustrated by the performance, telling Sky Sports in his post-match interview that he noted the camera picking up “real dejection” on the faces of the fans after the full-time whistle.
With an away trip against Wolves, a home match against Bournemouth, as well as travelling to face high-flying European place competitors, Aston Villa, before hosting Newcastle on Boxing Day, it’s anyone’s guess as to how the results will pan out.
You can see the highlights from Man United vs West Ham down below.
How many points do you see them picking up over the next four fixtures?
BBC releases first look of new drama series based on inspirational journey of England men’s football team
Emily Sergeant
First look images of a new BBC drama series based on award-winning play Dear England have been released.
The four-part series based on James Graham’s Olivier-award winning play of the same name tells the story of Gareth Southgate and the England men’s football team journey to renewed success, and it’s set to air on BBC One and iPlayer next year.
Dear England is a fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams, based on extensive research and interviews.
The stage play premiered at the National Theatre to five-star reviews, winning an Olivier award for ‘Best New Play’, and enjoying a sell-out run in 2023 before it returned to the National Theatre earlier this year and then embarked on a national tour.
The first look images of new BBC series Dear England have been released / Credit: BBC
With the worst team track record for penalties in the world when he takes over as manager, Gareth knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take England back to the promised land.
The country that gave the world football has delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t the England team win at their own game?
Joseph Fiennes will reprise his Olivier award-nominated role as Gareth Southgate in the new series.
Joseph Fiennes will star as former manager Gareth Southgate / Credit: BBC
The first look pictures see Fiennes in his role for the first time in scenes depicting England’s triumphant Euro 2024 Semi-Final celebrations, where the men’s team reached their first final of a major tournament on foreign soil.
Fiennes is joined by Jodie Whittaker as England men’s team psychologist Pippa Grange, and Daniel Ryan as Steve Holland the former assistant manager, whilst Will Antenbring stars as Harry Kane, joined by an ensemble cast of upcoming actors as the rest of the team.
Among the squad cast is Adam Hugill, Josh Barrow, and screen newcomer Lewis Shepherd, who are all reprising their respective stage roles as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford, and Dele Alli.
Danny Jones -
3rd May 2023 
