Vesper

Man United stars losing faith in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer; Antonio Conte eyed as successor https://www.espn.co.uk/football/manchester-united-engman_utd/story/4505696/man-united-stars-losing-faith-in-solskjaerconte-eyed-as-successor-sources

Monday October 25 2021 Loyalty is one thing; wilful blindness quite another By Alan Tyers Manchester United are in a mess, one man is at the wheel, and the whole world can see that he is driving them into a ditch. And while poor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is catching it from all quarters, one normally noisy Man United legend seems to be strangely silent. Gary Neville, Old Trafford stalwart, Sky Sports pundit, football news machine, 24-7 one-man media operation, has said that he won’t call for his mate to be sacked. The question is “why?” Neville has created a mighty second career for himself as a pundit, the man in football prepared to ask all the difficult questions, and yet on a subject that is clearly dear to his heart, he seems unwilling to make the obvious call. His loyalty to his friend is admirable in some ways, and he said on Sky Sports on Sunday that he has never called for a United manager to get sacked, going all the way back to Ron Atkinson. But his refusal to encourage the club to do not only the right thing but, at this point, surely the humane thing is odd. It feels like Neville has painted himself into a corner where he is defending a managerial performance that is, in footballing terms, indefensible. As his Sky Sports colleague, and Telegraph Sport columnist, Jamie Carragher asked at the weekend, why is it okay to criticise a player but not a manager? It is as if Gary Neville feels he has set out his stall that the club should give Solskjaer time, and now he cannot go back on that view. Maybe he really does believe that the babyfaced Norwegian is the man to lead United’s attempts to get back on terms with Chelsea, Manchester CIty and, yes, Liverpool. But… he cannot really think that, can he? Nothing about the way Ole’s team are playing suggests that he can turn this around. You can still think he is a good guy and wish him well without backing him beyond all reason. The question is not whether Ole should go or not, the question is: why on earth would you want him to stay? It’s one only Neville, surely, can answer. Nothing wrong with having a view that's against the grain, after all that is part of what makes a good TV pundit, but surely you have to change your opinion when it is overtaken by events? Get in touch — [email protected] More weekend analysis Jason Burt: Cosy old Manchester United lack chutzpah to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Oliver Brown: Sir Alex Ferguson's look of disgust spells trouble for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Manchester United 0 Liverpool 5: Anatomy of an evisceration 30 goals, 17 scorers: Chelsea are not reliant on Romelu Lukaku News: David Beckham forced to defend himself over signing £150m deal to promote Qatar Picture of the weekend CREDIT: SKY SPORTS We can see you sneaking out: At half time on Sunday, there was a steady trickle of fans leaving Old Trafford. By midway through the second half, it had become a flood. Thom Gibbs analyses the chaos on the field and off it during the 5-0 humiliation. The weekend's best stat 6.7 Tackles per game made by Manchester United in the Premier League this season, comfortably the lowest number of any side in the division. No team has made more errors leading to shots and only Newcastle and Watford have fewer clean sheets. Read our player ratings for Sunday's match here.

Two Premier League clubs "talking" to Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger about free transfer https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/antonio-rudiger-Chelsea-transfer-latest-25287811 Chelsea ace Antonio Rudiger is reportedly in discussions with four top European clubs - including two Premier League sides - over a potential move. The German defender's existing contract expires in June and he's yet to agree an extension with the European champions. It's believed the former Roma centre-back is struggling to negotiate a new contract with Chelsea, despite being a regular under manager Thomas Tuchel. Rudiger has made eight Premier League appearances for the Blues this term, started their Champions League final victory against City in May and is a firm fans' favourite at Stamford Bridge. According to Sky Italia's Gianluca di Marzio, Rudiger, 28, is currently in talks with Manchester City, Tottenham, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. He's also been linked with German giants Bayern Munich in recent weeks but played down speculation about his future earlier this month. Rudiger told the press: "Of course [Bayern's interest] honours me and proves that I've been doing things right. "But I don't let myself be distracted. I have an obligation to my club to perform well. I have to prove myself every game and not let myself be distracted by rumours. "I make my decisions for myself. They don't depend on anyone. I feel good where I am." As revealed by Mirror Football last month, Rudiger could leave Chelsea when his deal expires and earn a £400,000-a-week contract at his next club. But the Blues won't want to lose Rudiger, with Rio Ferdinand recently describing the defender as one of the best in the Premier League. The Manchester United icon said: "Since Tuchel has come I think he’s arguably been the best centre-back. "I think him and [Ruben] Dias would have been close but the effect he has had on his team has been immense. "Under Frank, it was evident he wasn’t Frank’s cup of tea. He didn’t really like him. There was rumours they were trying to put him in the market to be sold. "In Germany, he’s always been highly thought of. But when the manager doesn’t rate you and you can feel that, I don’t care who you are your confidence takes a beating and it’s hard to perform at that level." Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann also confessed his admiration of Rudiger last month. He told the press: "In principle I am no fan of talking about players who are under contract with other clubs while we are outside the transfer window. "But I'm talking about Rudiger as a football fan. He has made fantastic progress.

Derby d'Italia 2021-22 Italian Serie A Internazionale Juventus http://www.sportnews.to/sports/2021/serie-a-internazionale-vs-juventus-s4/ https://www.totalsportek.com/football/italian-serie-a/inter-milan-vs-juventus-match/

we HAVE to upgrade our wingers we only have ONE pure winger on the entire squad if Pulisic (the one) continues to be injured all the time we needs to bin his ass Ziyech is meh AF and is more of an AMF (and not good enough there either) that is where he excelled at Ajax in the donkey farmer league CHO is not consistent and is more of a wingback now in my mind we HAVE to be looking at Chiesa Oyarzabal a step down Hirving Lozano

yes, and Baker needs to be sold or loaned out, although I would trust him (nor having a laff) over Saul atm Baker was really good in pre season would love to see us sell Barkley to the head choppers at NUFC

I would say it is a 75% chance he is sacked

Sancho would thrive under Tuchel

20 now and the ginger dwarf paid for a tonne of plastic surgery to make her all Love Island chav sexy (tits, nose, lips, cheeks, ass)

sucks for Keita, he was playing wonderfully

such a worthless player at Manure

I am way behind on the stream from you lot on telly

Pogba possible red

yes, between him, de Bruyne and possibly counting Rice (not near the level of the first two atm) arfffff

I didn't make that up see above

Konate was shit on that , terrible positioning got bailed out by the offsides

except that fucks us in GD race

Salah is the best player n the planet atm

he was kicking the ball on replay

Arsenal have conceded less! 🤣

that ginger dwarf cunt needs to stick to chewing on his daughter's toenails

that 10 men shut out (whilst we had 10) was one of the top 5 defensive performances I have ever seen was just insane will to not concede from us pure iron

lol at Gary Neville pre game he said that Pool looked intimidated by coming into old shitford