Sport

Startling statistic raises eyebrows around Manchester United’s defensive capabilities under Erik ten Hag

More grim reading for Reds.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 4th October 2024

Things continue to go from bad to worse for Manchester United this season and yet more unfortunate statistics following another chaotic showing have once again put their capabilities under Erik ten Hag, especially in defence, under scrutiny.

Man United got off to a dream start at the Estádio do Dragão against Porto, starting on the front foot and scoring two goals inside 20 minutes and from two sources who needed them most: Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund returning from injury.

However, it didn’t take long for the home team to pull one back – just a few minutes in fact – and then by the 50th minute the visitors suddenly found themselves losing 3-2 and chasing an equaliser into stoppage time.

Thankfully, Harry Maguire got them out of jail right at the death but it is that now apparent trend of conceding multiple goals in a short space of time that has raised even more serious questions around the team’s mentality, resilience after letting one in and ability to defend in general.

As you can see, it’s not just that this was the 31st time since the beginning of last season that United have conceded two more goals in a match, the most any current Premier League club in that time, but it seems to be the short bursts in which these goals come.

As broken down by ESPN’s Rob Dawson, it seems to be a case of when it rains it pours as the above stat is in Europe alone, where they seem to be picking up even more bad habits on top of that immediate vulnerability after letting one in.

Despite it scoring 12 in their last four matches in Champions and Europa League competitions and even managing to go 2-0 up in three of them, they haven’t managed to win a single one, as the draw against the unconvincing Portuguese side also marked the fifth European game in which they’ve conceded a trio of goals at the other end.

Worse still, according to even more damning stats thrown up by Opta, this ultimately became the 24th time Erik ten Hag’s side has conceded three goals or more in a game – again, the most of any Premier League side and with several of those goals coming in short bursts.

Alarming stuff, but the Dutchman is keeping calm at least on the surface, telling media that he and the players are “mad and motivated” by the current situation but that fans have to remain patient and hopeful that the results will start to improve.

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Match hero Maguire also came to the manager’s defence in his post-match press conference but did once again hit at a problem with motivation and belief: something that both Christian Eriksen rather concerningly touched on last month, admitting that the dressing “didn’t want it enough.”

The Red Devils must now play an in-form Aston Villa who recently won late on their long-awaited Champions League away at Villa Park this weekend and, as if he didn’t need one already, a win is essential for Erik ten Hag.

What about you, United fans – how long do you think he realistically has left to turn things around?

You can watch all the highlights from Man United vs Porto down below.

Statistics have never shone a great light on ten Hag, but he can’t have many more dice rolls left at United the way it’s going.

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Featured Images — TNT Sports/Sky Sports (via Screenshot)

Sport

The NBA is coming to Manchester for just the second time ever

Danny Jones Danny Jones NBA coming to Manchester Co-op Live

In another major coup for Manchester, the NBA is coming to our shores for just the second time in history, having only been played in the UK on a relative handful of occasions.

This is nothing short of a massive milestone for the city.

Having last crossed the pond back in 2019, the NBA has only visited 0161 once before over a decade ago at the old AO Arena, and there’s only been a total of 19 transatlantic meetings up until now.

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, being confirmed as part of the NBA’s new European slate, Manchester is also set to be one of the first venues in the UK to ever host a regular-season game.

NBA Europe have managed to secure a three-year programme of matches that will feature as part of the league’s normal competitive season.

Kicking off next year and running until 2028 at the very least, the current deal will see the much-loved sport watched worldwide first land on the continent for a pair of games next year in Berlin and London, before heading to Paris and our very own Manchester in 2027.

Florida’s Orlando Magic and Tennessee’s Memphis Grizzlies have already been announced for the first two games, although Manchester’s match-up is yet to be confirmed at this early stage.

With Basketball England being officially headquartered within the wider Etihad Campus, there was no question that the Manchester NBA fixture was going to be held at Co-op Live.

As well as being not just the biggest indoor entertainment venue of its kind in England but all of Europe, the arena has also recently welcomed the likes of the UFC, WWE and multiple boxing matches, proving it can serve as the perfect host for premier live sporting action on a global scale.

Speaking in the wake of the seismic news, the Leader of Manchester City Council and representative for Burnage, Bev Craig, could only echo how big a deal this is for the region.

“Manchester once again has shown what a magnificent draw it is for major events, and we are thrilled to welcome the NBA back to our city”, she said. “This city is known for big names, big games and a reputation for showcasing world-class events on the biggest stage possible.

“With a growing basketball scene in Manchester, this event feels like the perfect fit and will give so many people in our city the chance to see what the best athletes in the sport can do on our home turf.

“When it comes to delivering world-class events, we know that Manchester is now firmly on the map. Now, working with our partners, we want to continue driving investment towards our city, creating new jobs, increasing growth and providing new opportunities and experiences for all of our residents.”

Once again, the exact date, timings and teams set to play at the Co-op are still yet to be decided, but having also sealed the BRIT Awards ceremony for 2026, it’s set to be a truly momentous couple of years for the arena and the city as a whole.

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Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

Sport

Manchester Thunder and AO help provide grassroots netball teams with new kits

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Thunder and AO help supply grassroots netball kits

Our native netball team, Manchester Thunder, and Bolton-based principal sponsor, AO, recently helped provide new kits to grassroots clubs in the region.

We love to see it.

Acting in collaboration not only with the local electrical retailer but with the team’s very own kit manufacturer and sportswear supplier, VX3, who design gear for all manner of disciplines, Manchester Thunder visited the Platt Lane Sports Complex in Fallowfield to visit some youth netball teams.

Surprising the girls at the popular Greater Manchester community sports venue – operated by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) – a trio of different outfits from the North West and beyond were kitted out with jerseys, shorts, netball dresses, t-shirts and more.

Ribble Valley NC, Bangor’s Thundercats, and Chester, who were named North West Netball Club of the Year back in 2023, were all presented the boxes of brand-new netball kit.

These training and match-ready sportswear packages were worth more than £500 each, with VX3 renowned for their top-quality products, particularly prominent in both netball and rugby.

With approximately 700,000 women and girls playing netball nationwide every year, and an estimated 3.1 million people playing the sport annually, it remains the highest female participation sport in the country.

Multiple Manchester Thunder players were also in attendance on the day to help dish out the new kits, delighting youngsters who are no doubt hoping to follow in their footsteps one day.

Better still, not only were the kits bespoke to each club, but they also included tickets to a Thunder match, as well as an exclusive training session with the senior stars themselves.

Thundercats Under 12s
Ribble Valley U11s
Chester Netball Club
Manchester Thunder presented netball kits to dozens of aspiring young players. (Credit: Supplied)

When it comes to the likes of Chester, the nearby netball team saw their previous season hit by multiple obstacles, including their summer club tournament, which typically serves as a key annual fundraiser, being called off due to adverse weather conditions.

That being said, competitions and generous donations like these prove vital for spotting organisations up and down the UK.

Maya Nelson, Head Coach of Ribble’s under-11s squad, said of the heartwarming event: “Getting the kit means a lot to the club.

“I think the dress, especially with them being different to our usual kit, is a really nice touch, and it’s something that we can wear to competitions and different events, and feel a little bit special.

“We’re always trying to recycle kit through pre-loved sales, so it’s nice for the girls to be able to be gifted something new through the competition, and not having to wear second-hand kit. We were all absolutely buzzing and we couldn’t believe it.”

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At the time of the launch, Arafa Heneghan, Director of Brand at AO, said: “We’re incredibly passionate about supporting young people and grassroots team sports at AO, so we’re thrilled to run this competition for the next generation of netball stars, alongside Manchester Thunder.

“We know how much pride players take in their kits, so ten lucky teams getting the chance to create something bespoke with VX3 is really exciting.”

As official partners of the legendary AO Arena, the city’s iconic venues will also host the return of the England Netball team for an important international test series.

The England Netball team are returning to Manchester for a key international fixture

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Featured Images — Supplied (via Manchester Thunder/AO)

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