Manchester United have reportedly cancelled their usual end-of-season awards dinner as focus shifts to a crucial FA Cup final against Man City which could prove to be make or break for Erik ten Hag after a difficult season.
With the club on course for what could end up being their worst statistical season ever, having already made their worst start to a season in terms of losses since the 1930s, there’s hardly been much for Man United fans to celebrate over the past year or so.
Capable of fast, fluid attacking play in one moment and then stagnant sideways passing combined with a leaky defence in the next, the Red Devils have put their supporters through the full gamut in ten Hag‘s second season.
As a result, according to The Athletic, the club has decided to scrap their usual awards ceremony which was originally scheduled for next Monday and turn all eyes to the cup final on Saturday, 25 May.
NEW @TheAthleticFC : Manchester United cancel club’s end-of-season awards dinner, scheduled for May 20. Club say it is because they don’t want distractions before men’s FA Cup final, but comes amid dreadful form & pressure mounting on Erik Ten Hag. https://t.co/kpqBsNzVAI
While the Man United Women’s team managed to round off a similarly challenging campaign with an all-important piece of silverware – the first FA Cup in their history and one which could also keep their head coach Marc Skinner in a job – the men still have a huge mountain to climb on their end.
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As the outlet goes on to reveal, the decision has been made as the administration feels that the players “should not have any distractions in the week of the game”, especially one which could prove to be the only saving grace during this campaign. There is no indication as to who had the final say on the matter.
Having crashed out of the Champions League, broken all manner of unwanted records, and now desperately hoping to at least qualify for the Europa or Conference League (a small consolation that many fans don’t even really want), it’s largely been a season most Reds will want to forget.
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Awards voted for by peers, coaches and fans will still be handed out but the awards dinner itself, which also celebrates those emerging from United’s legendary youth academy, has been binned in a move that probably better suits the current tone around the club.
It isn’t the first time the decision has been made either, as former interim United manager Ralf Rangnick also called off the awards dinner when he came in as Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s replacement towards the end of the 2021/22 season.
It’s likely that many of the players also aren’t exactly in high enough spirits to justify an end-of-season awards ceremony either, with the literal flooding inside Old Trafford this weekend only exacerbating how the condition of the stadium as a metaphor for the club at this moment in time.
It’s now less than a fortnight until United take on the historic rivals in the second consecutive Manchester derby FA Cup final, one which weighs heavily in the favour of those in blue. Can they possibly make it past the high-flying treble-winners?
Stockport County defender Brad Hills ruled out for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
In a big blow to their promotion push, Stockport County have been hit with a major injury and loss to their first-team squad, as defender Brad Hills has been ruled out for what looks to be the remainder of the season and then some.
Not what Hatters will want to hear with crunch-time in and around the playoffs now well underway.
Having emerged as even more of a starring centre-back this year, following his initial loan spell with the club during the previous campaign, Brad Hills has arguably been one of Stockport’s best and most reliable players in 2025/26 thus far – but not County will have to do without him.
Although the exact severity is yet to be fully revealed, the former Norwich City youth academy graduate is said to have hurt his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Confirming the news on social media, the Greater Manchester side stated: “We regret to inform supporters that Brad Hills sustained an ACL injury in Saturday’s draw at Luton Town that will rule him out for the foreseeable future.
“Our full focus is on supporting Brad throughout his recovery – we know he’ll come back stronger”
For anyone unaware, ACL tears/ruptures are among some of the worst injuries in football, and depending on the extent of the damage, it can take anywhere between six months and a full year to bounce back.
Safe to say, therefore, that supporters have been left gutted by the update, with one commenting, “Awful, awful news”; another simply wrote, “FFS”.
After typing a very long expletive following the show news, fan podcast The Scarf Bergara Wore wrote: “Wishing Bradley Hills a speedy recovery – come back stronger!
Since becoming a permanent signing back in August, he’s earned multiple man-of-the-match awards in blue and white, not to mention contributed to a decent number of clean sheets. He’ll be a big miss in their backline.
While it’s no doubt a big setback as the League One team looks to get promoted into the Championship, the absence could see manager Dave Challinor reshuffle the pack and perhaps even the formation for the remaining fixtures.
One option is Louie Barry, who – depending on the setup – could finally be set for a return to the pitch after he was signed on a third loan deal this past January, but is still continuing his own rehab following a knee operation.
Put it this way, with not many games left, lots of County fans are probably wishing that the pending and potential further changes in the EFL could have come sooner…
Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Danny Jones -
14th May 2024 
