The infamous Old Trafford leaks burst open worse than ever this weekend as Manchester United lost 1-0 to Arsenal, with the pictures of flooding from inside the stadium only further symbolising the club’s downfall under the Glazer ownership.
Although the home defeat meant that the Gunners could still potentially go on to beat Man City to the title, it was hard for fans not to turn their attention to the deluge of rainwater that began dumping on various parts of the stadium, which continues to look more and more out of date every year.
It is by no means the first time we’ve seen Man United’s home ground leaking – even sparking the ‘Old Trafford is falling down’ chant from opposing supporters throughout the EFL – but the footage captured this Sunday might be some of the most damning.
This is not the kind of conditions fitting of somewhere long referred to as the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.
In truth, Erik ten Hag‘s defence has been leaky all season, having conceded a record 82 goals since the start of the campaign and famously blowing multiple two-goal leads in various games, but these kinds of scenes do feel rather symbolic of the underlying problems at United.
Seeing their food hygiene rating drop from five stars to just one after serving undercooked meat is yet another example of how not only have the facilities been left to rot but the standards have slipped over the past 10-11 years.
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It’s not just that the brand of football being seen isn’t up to the level of Sir Alex Ferguson, it’s that literal debris has been spotted falling in the concourse, transfers have been botched and the outrage from fans has become so great that they broke into the stadium whilst protesting just a few short years ago.
The alleged state of the away changing rooms at Old Trafford yesterday…
The list goes on and what’s even more indicative of this gradual downfall than anything is that fans now find themselves in the unpleasant position of having to potentially swallow losses against rivals like Arsenal in the hopes that they might stop City from winning a record-fourth division title in a row.
Over the past decade or so, the ‘noisy neighbours’ have gone on to become treble winners, Liverpool returned to their former glory with a Premier League and another European title, Arsenal could be set to do the same and the Red Devils simply aren’t the threat they once were.
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It seems almost hard to believe that Manchester United could still go on to win back-to-back trophies in ten Hag’s first two seasons if they manage to get past Pep Guardiola’s men at Wembley on Saturday, 25 May but, for many, it will still remain merely a plaster slapped over a hole just waiting burst open again.
The Old Trafford flooding isn’t just proof of the shocking state of disrepair it finds itself in but is emblematic of what the Glazers have allowed the club to slip into and just how much work needs to be done by Ratcliffe, INEOS and the new figures working behind the scenes at the club.
Featured Images — @CameronFozzi/Sky Sports (via X)
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Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
13th May 2024 
