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Ruben Amorim’s idea of a good headline is unlikely to earn him a senior editorial position at the home of such front-page zingers as “WORLD WAR 2 BOMBER FOUND ON MOON” and “STATUE OF ELVIS FOUND ON MOON” that is the Sunday Sport. However, since arriving in England the Manchester United manager has taken it upon himself to make the working lives of the Manchester press pack easier, when perhaps he might be better advised to deal with some of the many shambles they have been forced to report on from Old Trafford this season that fall within his remit.
I’m ready to get training and get in the ring. I’ve always been interested in having boxing matches. But every time it’s come up, it’s either not been the right time or the right opponent. I’m 44 years old. I always tell my kids to step out of their comfort zone, so let’s have a go. I haven’t watched loads of [KSI]. I’ve seen a few clips away from the fights. I know he’s a YouTuber, but that’s more for the younger generation. I won’t watch him” – former Chelsea and England left-back Wayne Bridge might not have the pay-per-view pulling power of Mike Tyson, but he’s the latest sportsman way past his peak to agree to a naff bout with a social media abomination to get some online clicks. After bringing up some history, the ‘fight’ now takes place in Manchester on 29 March.
Remember around a decade ago when Armando Iannucci said that ‘The Thick of It’ couldn’t return as politics had got so ridiculous that it was impossible to satirise it? Increasingly, I think that about Football Daily with Manchester United and Spurs” – Noble Francis.
Ruben Amorim, or more likely the person who fed him the question, doesn’t know his history. This isn’t even 1973-74 United, well done for both bringing that up and then tiptoeing around the subject this weekend, but 1980-81 United, a collection of underperforming stalwarts who’d won the odd FA Cup, underperforming youth signings, anticipated, but yes, underperforming foreign signings and Garry Bloody Birtles, who gave a masterclass in mediocre to a constant media chunter. (Eighth in the league and lost to Widzew Lodz, since you ask). This was, I recall, about the time from which every commentator was constantly obliged to remind you that they hadn’t won the title since 1967, as if calendars were as rare in 1980s Britain as secure work, money and civil rights for minority groups. At least that’s changed, eh?” – Jon Millard.
TS Eliot may have thought April was the cruellest month, but he wasn’t au fait with modern football management. I reckon that, reading up the table, Southampton, Leicester and Manchester United might decide they are no longer starry-eyed and laughing (the real poet of the 20th/21st centuries) about their recent managerial appointments and that we could see a possibly-unprecedented three clubs change managers twice in a season? Throw in Ange Postecoglou and January could well surpass April in cruelty” – Richard Hirst.
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