Sport

Erik ten Hag provides Antony Martial fitness update ahead of Man United’s opener against Wolves

He didn't play a single minute of pre-season.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 14th August 2023

Erik ten Hag has issued an update on Antony Martial ahead of Manchester United’s opening game of the new Premier League season against Wolves.

The Man United manager confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Martial has not only returned to full training but has been considered fit enough to play against Wolves on Monday.

With Martial having been in and out of the squad for the last season or so following numerous injury and fitness issues, it has been hard for ten Hag to rely on the striker for regular minutes, let alone live up to his shirt number and fill the position United have been struggling to resolve for so long.

However, the Dutchman has said in the past that his team “play their best football” with him in the squad and will no doubt be chuffed to see him available for the first game of the new campaign, especially with the club’s new centre-forward not quite ready to play yet.

ten Hag provides an update on his squad, declaring Martial fit for the first game of the season.

After being asked how he feels ahead of the season starting without him having a fully settled number nine to pick — new signing Rasmus Højlund not yet deemed fit enough to feature — ten Hag replied by assuring, “I’m quite calm [and] composed in this situation, because Rashy is very good as a striker, we have seen it last Saturday [3-1 win against RC Lens]…

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It was at this point that he confirmed that “Anthony Martial is available as well” and added that “Jadon Sancho can play [too]”, insisting that “he did it in pre-season very well. The squad can deal with it, as I already said. There is a strategy behind it.”

The French forward didn’t play a single minute of pre-season due to a hamstring problem but returned to Carrington last week and is now the only out-and-out first-team striker that could potentially feature in the starting 11 against Wolves.

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His last appearance was against Manchester City in the FA Cup final defeat which helped them on the way to their treble win and only just managed over 20 games in all competitions last season.

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Now 27 and having been at the club for eight years, it’s fair to say that Antony Martial has never quite hit the heights he promised following his exciting debut and impressive first season.

Although he hit a career-high of 23 goals and 12 assists back in the 2019/20 season, when he and Rashford both managed their best-ever tallies up to that point, he simply hasn’t been consistent or even available enough to nail down that number-nine role.

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With Højlund now waiting in the wings, it’ll be interesting to see if he stays at the club and tries to fight for his place or if United call it a day on his time at Old Trafford, with several outlets reporting that they are willing to listen to offers.

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Featured Image — Antony Martial (via Instagram)/Beanyman Sports/MUTV (via YouTube)

Sport

Lancashire Cricket are offering free programmes to 1,400 kids across the county and Greater Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lancashire Cricket Foundation offering free cricket to kids in Greater Manchester

The Lancashire Cricket Foundation is offering free cricket programmes to 1,400 kids across the county and the Greater Manchester region this summer.

Offering coaching and games to children from disadvantaged backgrounds whilst also aiming for greater female participation this year, the Foundation’s bursary programme is being opened up to young ones all across Lancashire and various parts of 0161.

Set to deliver opportunities to a record number of kids in 2024, the scheme is part of the nationwide All Stars and Dynamos initiative – now into its sixth year and set up by the England and Wales Cricket Board – and is open to all kids between the ages of 5-11, with more than 5,600 in Lancashire last year alone.

The aim is pretty simple: keep kids active and playing as much as possible, whilst also helping nurture the world of grassroots cricket.

all stars and dynamos cricket for kids greater manchester
Last year, around 1,200 Lancashire kids and beyond were given free cricket bursaries. (Credit: Supplied)

While the eight-hour long kids courses themselves cost £30 for the younger bracket and £40 for those 8-11, bursary places are being reserved for children living in deprived areas and diverse communities, where participation would otherwise be limited.

The programme has proved massively popular all across the North West and thanks to likes of total of the Red Rose’s Community Foundation works, who have brought the scheme to more than 200 clubs and centres across the nation, more than 20,000 children have taken part since it was introduced.

Now that’s one way to put the future of UK cricket in safe hands.

As for the All Stars and Dynamos, in addition to providing a social outlet and activities to help develop fundamental skills on and off the pitch, organisers always ensure to make things fully inclusive and support a wide range of abilities, disabilities and different learning needs.

In addition to the coaching received, every child who registers also receives their very own t-shirt, personalised with their name and number, as well as a range of other benefits including priority access to LCC tickets​, chances to meet players, discounts on merch and lots of other potential prizes.

The paid version of the scheme is still available to those inelligible for the bursary.

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Jen Barden, Executive Director of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, said of this year’s efforts: “Through a variety of programmes, the Foundation delivers cricket to more than 110,000 participants in our schools, clubs, and communities, and we have a strong commitment to growing the game of cricket across the county.

“We are particularly proud of the Bursary Scheme that provides young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and under-represented groups with access to cricket. These programmes are vital for introducing the game to more young people, helping them stay active and develop new skills, in a fun, friendly, and inclusive environment.”

Parents can register their children for All Stars and Dynamos Cricket courses and find out whether they qualify for a bursary HERE.

You can also find out more information on taking part and coaching opportunities on the Lancashire Cricket Foundation website.

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

Featured Images — Lancashire Cricket Foundation

Sport

Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great

Danny Jones Danny Jones Everton manager Sean Dyche in new Blossoms music video

Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?

No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.

Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.

The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.

Sean Dyche stars as the boss in the music video for Blossoms’ latest single, ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?’ As you do.

Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.

Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.

Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –

They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:

How catchy is that beat alone!?

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As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.

Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.

You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.

He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.

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

Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI

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