Sport

United face key Ronaldo decision after Premier League slump

Ronaldo did not join the club to sit on the bench - and his exclusion in United’s 1-1 draw against Everton raised eyebrows

The Manc The Manc - 20th October 2021

After an impressive start to the Premier League season, Manchester United has been halted in their tracks by a poor run of form knocking them off the pace of the title contenders.

The Red Devils set the tone for the term by making significant signings in the transfer market, pulling off a supposed coup to secure the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane were also notable moves that were supposed to push Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team from a steady top four to the precipice of the Premier League crown.

There is a long road ahead in the season but it’s telling that United are considered as rank outsiders for the title at 33/1. Unless the teams ahead of them Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool have a dramatic fall from grace, United will once again have to settle for a top-four spot.

Even that is no guarantee amid the talent of clubs such as West Ham, who could be a good shout for a Champions League berth in the EPL betting tips from Paddy Power. Given the vast expenditure, failing to compete for the Premier League crown would be a significant underachievement.

Solskjaer will undoubtedly come under fire, but the club appears to be heading in circles. They’ve run through David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and Jose Mourinho in the dugout since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. Neither of the established managers came close to dragging the Red Devils back to the peak of their powers. Solskjaer remains a popular figure, but he is enduring the same issues as his predecessors regarding ultimate success.

ADVERTISEMENT

The signings of Sancho and Varane were encouraging, providing additional firepower in the final third and an experienced defender alongside Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof at the back. Ronaldo appeared to be a panicked purchase amid reports that he was on the verge of signing for City.

The Portuguese player has been productive, but the resources used to secure his signature may have been better used elsewhere. The 36-year-old is also halting the progress of United’s starlets such as Mason Greenwood, who has been shunted into a wide role rather than playing through the middle.

ADVERTISEMENT

Greenwood has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season and is scratching the surface of his potential. A front three of Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Sancho would hand the Red Devils pace and excitement to match that of their rivals at the top of the table.

However, Ronaldo did not join the club to sit on the bench, and his exclusion in United’s 1-1 draw against Everton raised eyebrows as noted by the Manchester Evening News, including from a former manager.

It begs the question of whether the signing of the Portuguese was down to the club’s hierarchy rather than the man in the dugout. Even at the age of 36, Ronaldo is the best forward at Old Trafford, but whether that will benefit the club in the short and long term is doubtful.

ADVERTISEMENT

If United cannot compete for the crown with Ronaldo in the line-up, they’re best off giving Greenwood, Rashford, and Sancho all the time they need to develop a rapport that could yield success in the future.

Feature image – Commons Wikimedia

Sport

Manchester’s 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness returns with its biggest venue host yet for 2024

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Manchester 24 Hour Charity Run Against Homelessness 2024

November is well underway which means that not only have the likes of the annual Christmas Markets begun but Manchester is once again ramping up for the latest edition of The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness.

Although the holiday season is a jolly one for many, we’re always reminded that for lots of those less fortunate, the colder months signal an even more difficult time for lots of people all over Greater Manchester, with the region still suffering with the third highest rate of homelessness in the UK.

That being said, each year volunteers from founding organisation, Run Wild MCR (the University of Manchester’s long-standing running society), team up with the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to help put in the hard yards on their behalf and raise as much money as possible.

Marking the sixth year of the heartwarming and vital fundraising event, the 2024 edition of The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness is hoping to be the most impactful yet, landing even more support from local clubs and businesses than ever, as well as their biggest host venue yet.

For anyone still unaware of the event, the annual 24-hour relay run sees thousands of runners turn up from all over the 10 boroughs to participate in 5km laps around the city centre to witness the effects of homelessness first-hand.

Those lacing up their trainers – be they from local clubs like Manchester Road Runners, charitable organisation, Northern business or just a Manc who fancies doing their bit for a good cause – can do as little or as few laps as they like, as well as contribute to the fundraising with donations on the night.

Now with national vehicle marketplace AutoTrader named as the principal sponsor for this year’s run and the Together Co. social charity pledging to match public donations up to £20,000, The Manchester 24 Hour Homeless Run is hoping to achieve its biggest goal to date.

There have already been some serious records broken in past iterations, with multiple runners even going for upwards of 100k in total distance covered and staying overnight in sleeping bags to get their laps done over the 24 hours.

Having made upwards of £30,000 since it started, amassing more than £25,000 during its fifth anniversary in 2023, and raising over £1,400 with its first spin-off event in Birmingham earlier this month, this is set to be a hugely impactful year for the team and Manchester’s ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme.

The growth of the event speaks for itself, with Mayor Andy Burnham now a regular attendee on behalf of his namesake charity, an increase in clubs, influencers and national coverage, not to mention the event landing Freight Island as the 2024 host venue.

You can see a quick run-through of the city centre route here:

Read more:

Having sent a huge message to the previous government regarding comments about the homeless community and directly contributing to approximately 842 rough sleepers being given a bed in Manchester during last year’s run, they’ve done incredible work in just a few short years.

With the profile of the ever-important event bigger than ever, as it looks to continue expanding into different cities – especially following the success of its debut Brummy run – we’re expecting big things and even more wholesome vibes as the crowds gather at the now well-and-truly festive Freight Island.

Members of The Manc will also be taking part and putting in as many miles as we can, so come and say hello if you can or, even better, come join the countless other volunteers going for a jog from 12pm on Wednesday, 13 November until noon the next day.

More importantly, please give even a little bit to this crucial cause HERE if you can; the charity livestream will also be active on our Facebook page throughout the duration and QR codes for direct donations will be available at Freight Island on the night.

You can see a full list of the organisations taking part down below. This really is a time when Manchester shows its best face and we can all be very proud that we’re putting in the graft to combat a global crisis.

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

Featured Images — Supplied

Sport

BBC confirm Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the season

Danny Jones Danny Jones Gary Lineker leaving Match of the Day at the end of the season

Following reports late on Monday evening, the BBC has now officially revealed Gary Lineker is leaving Match of the Day at the end of the current Premier League campaign.

Lineker, who has hosted Match of the Day (MotD) since 1999, is set to leave the long-standing British TV and sporting institution after 25 seasons but will still remain associated with the BBC on various other projects moving forward.

Confirming the news on Tuesday, 12 November, the network said that while his MotD tenure will conclude come May 2025, “The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup”.

The former footballer will also continue to host the MOTD Top Ten podcast and his The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds alongside fellow co-presenters Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

Lineker said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”

The ex-Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Spurs player was famously suspended from the show back in March 2023 after comments made about the previous Conservative government’s “dangerous” rhetoric.

Shearer and Ian Wright (‘Wrighty’ having also announced he will be leaving the show at the end of the season) both walked out in solidarity with their close friend and colleague before being reinstated after issuing an official apology.

Putting the brief separation aside, Lineker has enjoyed a long and prosperous relationship with the BBC for more than two and a half decades and when the title race does conclude at the end of next spring, he will have been one of the most recognisable faces in British football for 26 years.

Many have rightly pointed out that he served as the Des Lynam – the former MoTD host for 11 years – for multiple generations of young football fans.

Read more:

This past August marked Match of the Day‘s 60th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running programmes in British TV history, and to say that the household name and ever-entwined Walkers ambassador has made up nearly half of that is no mean feat.

Lineker has yet to issue a personal response via any channels by the official BBC statement, but viewers can expect to address the situation on the likes of The Rest is Football soon enough.

Thanks for the memories, Gary – especially for honouring your promise and hosting in those comically big white undies.

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

Featured Images — BBC

More Sport

Director of Football Chris Casper leaves Salford City FC

Salford

Salford City’s Director of Football has left the club after more than half a decade

Man United confirm Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club

Sport

Manchester United confirm Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club following arrival of Rúben Amorim

Marcus Rashford pays surprise visit to Didsbury school kids

News

Marcus Rashford pays heartwarming surprise visit to Manchester school

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches