The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Manchester United

  • Roche is Man U’s first female operating officer

     

    Manchester United will appoint Collette Roche as their first ever female chief operating officer.

    Roche is set to leave her position as executive director of the Manchester Airports Group and become the highest-placed female working at Old Trafford.

    She will become only the seventh woman to take an executive position at the 92 clubs in the Premier and Football League.

    The role will see Roche oversee everything between the football and corporate management side at the football club.

    She will be in charge of facilities, ticketing, the stadium and running the day-to-day business of the club.

    Darcie Glazer is currently the only female director on the United board, but in a non-executive capacity, and who rarely operates around Old Trafford.

    Roche will become the fourth in the Premier League to take a boardroom role, joining Karren Brady at West Ham, Marina Granovskaia at Chelsea and Susan Whelan at Leicester

    It also represents a huge step towards more female representation at United, coming after the announcement last month that they had applied to the FA to set up a women’s team.

    Ms. Collette Roche has been Chief of Staff at Manchester Airports Holdings Limited since September 2017.She served as Acting Managing Director at Manchester Airports Holdings Limited and also served as Human Resources Director at Manchester Airports Holdings Limited from December 2010 to December 2015 and its Deputy Managing Director since 2016.

    The FA are set to reveal at the end of next month whether United’s application has proved successful.

    If so they will join the second tier, the Women’s Championship, from next season.

    Should the application be approved the Old Trafford landlords will join the league of Premier league clubs with women’s team including Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton to name just a few.

  • Manchester City players dominate PFA Team of the Year

    Players from the Premier League champions-in-waiting Manchester City dominated the Professional Footballers’ Association’s ( PFA ) Team of the Year announced on Wednesday, occupying five out of 11 spots.

    City defenders Kyle Walker and Nicolas Otamendi, midfielders David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne as well as all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero were named in the side.

    Tottenham Hotspur had three players on the list, including England striker Harry Kane, who made the team for a third straight year along with Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

    Read Also: Champions League: Manchester City & Barcelona Out

    Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who has 40 goals across all competitions this season and was nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, also made the team.

    Chelsea had a lone representative in defender Marcos Alonso.

    PFA Team of the Year: David de Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero.

    NAN

  • Mourinho set to drop players for United’s FA Cup semi-final

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is ready to drop established players for the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, after the Old Trafford club’s weekend defeat by Premier League bottom side West Bromwich Albion.

    United suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to West Brom on Sunday, handing the title to Manchester City, and Mourinho said his team were the “masters of complication”.

    They next visit Bournemouth on Wednesday before facing Spurs at Wembley.

    Mourinho indicated that some of those who played against West Brom would feature again at Bournemouth because they had lost their place for the semi-final.

    “Rotating is not the right word,” he was quoted as saying by The Independent. “If I play a player against Bournemouth and the player is phenomenal, he plays the semi-final.

    “So is not rotating, because rotating looks like a player plays against Bournemouth to give a rest to somebody that is going to play against Spurs in the semi-final.

    “So the word is not rotation, it is an opportunity for people, for some people, to play and to try to get a place in the team for Spurs.

    “Some of the guys that played ( on Sunday ) don’t have a place in that team.”

    Asked to clarify if he meant those who performed badly against West Brom would not play against Tottenham, Mourinho said: “Yeah.

    “What is the criteria for a manager to choose a team? I only know one criteria: ( it ) is the way you play.

    “Or do you want me to go for the price they cost, or their salary, or their beautiful face? The only way is to go with performance.”

    Ander Herrera was substituted at halftime against West Brom, while fellow midfielder Paul Pogba came off in the 58th minute, but Mourinho said that a yellow card had also been a factor in the Frenchman’s replacement.

    “It was not just him and he had a yellow card, so he was in a more difficult position than others,” Mourinho said.

    “And playing with only two midfield players, you cannot play with one player in risk of not being able to make a foul.

    “You can do it if your team is not losing the ball, but our team was losing the ball so easy with the complication, everything was complicated, so we were losing lots of balls.

    “Paul was out because of the yellow card, because in terms of the way he played, he was not worse than some others that were on the pitch for 90 minutes.”

    NAN

  • Manchester City find their “perfect’’ match with Tinder deal

    English Premier League leaders Manchester City have swiped right on a unique deal with dating app Tinder, both organisations said on Thursday.

    A day after a 3-0 loss to Liverpool in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Manchester City announced the signing of a multi-year partnership with Tinder.

    Reports in the British media claim the deal is worth millions of pounds.

    The commercial deal will see the dating app team up with the club’s men’s and women’s sides along with sister club New York City FC.

    “Tinder is a huge global platform which, just like football, is bringing millions of people together every day all around the world,” City Football Group’s Chief Commercial Officer Tom Glick said in a statement on the club’s website.

    “Football is all about a community of fans, sharing moments, emotions and passion for the sport they love.

    Read Also: Liverpool stun Manchester City with 3-0 win at Anfield

    “Together with Tinder, we have a great opportunity to explore how we can combine Tinder’s significant appeal and reach with our global audience… We believe this will be a perfect match for Tinder and for City.”

    Tinder is a dating app owned by Match Group Inc.

    It marked the beginning of the partnership by flying a blimp in City’s club colours — light blue and white — along with logos of both organisations in Manchester on Thursday.

    The app has also changed its social media icons to match the club’s colours to show support ahead of City’s potential league title-clinching derby against bitter rivals Manchester United on Saturday.

    “Football is a sport where anything can happen at any moment,” Tinder’s VP Partnerships David Wyler said.

    “We wanted to be true to the game and do something unexpected by surprising the fans and our users with news of our partnership in a fun and creative way.”

    NAN

  • Zlatan departure a big loss for European soccer – Mourinho

    European soccer has lost a “huge player” in Zlatan Ibrahimovic but the striker will raise the level of the game in the U.S following his move to LA Galaxy, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday.

    Ibrahimovic last week ended a short but successful stint at United where he won the League Cup and the Europa League.

    The striker has become the latest high-profile player to move to the MLS, following the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard.

    Mourinho used his news conference ahead of Saturday’s English Premier League game against Swansea City to pay tribute to the talismanic Swedish forward who he previously coached at Inter Milan.

    “For me it’s always sad when the big players move towards the end.

    “I remember Luis Figo’s last match with me and Inter, it was one of my saddest moments.

    The Zlatan goodbye was more in that direction, he’s a huge player that European Football has lost.

    “But this period with LA Galaxy will be very good for him, he will be good for American football, because of what he can do; his personality, his passion and his professionalism,” Mourinho told reporters.

    Ibrahimovic sustained a bad knee injury in United’s Europa League quarter-final against Belgian side Anderlecht last April but returned to make seven appearances for the Old Trafford side this season.

    “His recovery was an example of what a professional should be,” Mourinho added.

    “For him (the move to U.S.) will just be a way to enjoy the last couple of years of football.”

    United will be without back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero for the weekend’s game, after the Argentine international picked up a knock in his country’s 6-1 friendly defeat by Spain.

    Ashley Young was also injured on international duty with England but could play against Carlos Carvalhal’s 14th-placed side.

    United are second in the table on 65 points from 30 games as they bid to finish as runners-up to champions-elect Manchester City.

    Reuters/NAN

  • Alexis Sanchez admits mental exhaustion

     

    Alexis Sanchez has admitted to struggling with mental exhaustion after a disappointing start to life at Manchester United. Sanchez has managed just one goal in his first 10 appearances since arriving at Old Trafford and revealed he expected better of himself after his January move.

    After four years at Arsenal, Sanchez has found it hard to adapt to his new club and was dropped to the bench for last weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final victory over Brighton.

    He is currently on international duty with Chile, despite initially asking to miss Saturday’s friendly against Sweden, and the 29-year-old appears to be in need of rest.

    Sanchez posted a message on Instagram which read: “I know you are tired. I know you are psychologically and emotionally exhausted. But you have to smile and continue”.

    The United forward told the Chilean media on Thursday: “The change of club was something that was very abrupt – it was the first time I’ve changed clubs in January – but many things have happened in my life that are difficult.”

    He added: “As I am self-demanding, I expected something better. After my arrival at United, it was hard to change everything very quickly. I even hesitated to come here [to Sweden].”

    Despite the fatigue however, Sanchez has joined Chile’s squad for Saturday’s game in Sweden despite asking to be excused from international duty following a “difficult” start to his Manchester United career.

    “I had asked permission to miss these games (Chile also play Denmark on Tuesday) but then I thought better and spoke with National team captain Claudio Bravo and told him that we should all be united.”

    Chile are the reigning Copa America champions but failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup finals in Russia.

     

     

     

  • United’s Fellaini showcases Mickey Mouse-style

     

    Marouane Fellaini is one of the few footballers in the world who is instantly recognisable for his trademark hairstyle.

    The Belgian dominates the centre of the pitch with his tall stature and distinctive Afro… and now he has undergone a photo shoot with GQ magazine to show himself in a brand new light.

    Fellaini sat down to talk with the lifestyle magazine ahead of the upcoming World Cup, and tried out a few fancy hairstyles along the way.

    Fashioning his long locks into an array of different styles, Fellaini allowed the experts at GQ to jazz up his style by incorporating his frizzy hair into pigtails and offset with a bandana.

    Speaking to the publication Fellaini discussed his approach to football and his often-criticised playing style.

    The 30-year-old is often viewed as a battering ram in central midfield, with the intention of roughing up opponents and breaking up play.

    Fellaini however rejects this notion, and believes there are far more facets to his game which have seen him become an instrumental component for both club and country.

    ‘It think it’s easy for them to portray me as an aggressive player, but I’m not,’ Fellaini told GQ Style.

    ‘I try to play my game, I try my best to recover the ball quickly: that’s my job. Try to be better all the time, to give my best for the team, for the club. I always want to improve.’

    Despite his future at Manchester United frequently coming into question over the years, Fellaini has repeatedly proved to be an important player relied upon by different managers since being signed by David Moyes in September 2013.

    Current boss Jose Mourinho has come to depend heavily upon Fellaini in recent seasons, and selected the midfielder during his side’s recent victory over arch rivals Liverpool.

    The relationship between the two, Fellaini points out, is one of respect and a mutual desire to win.

    ‘I’ve learnt a lot with him. Jose is someone who wants to win every game: he pushes players to get the maximum from them.

    ‘He has a very good understanding with his players. He’s a winner.’

    While his ambitions are focused on a strong end to the season with United, Fellaini also has one eye on the World Cup and Belgium’s chances of going all the way.

    With some of the hottest prospects in European football within their ranks, Belgium are tipped by many to go all the way and lift the World Cup for the first time in their history.

    ‘We hope to do better than at the last World Cup and Euros. We have a great squad and we’re four years more experienced,’ Fellaini added. ‘We’re ready and want to do something special for the Belgian fans.’

     

     

  • Mourinho to earn £1.71million in Russia

    Mourinho to earn £1.71million in Russia

     

    Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho is to pocket £1.71million as a pundit during the World cup in Russia.  The former Chelsea manager will earn £400,000 a day as a pundit for about four days.

    Mourinho, who was being chased by the BBC and ITV, has signed up for Russia’s international news channel RT, who have no live rights.

    Their agreement with the Manchester United manager requires him to be in Moscow at the start of the World Cup for those lucrative four days doing a variety of punditry.

    Then he will work for RT on World Cup final day, but that will be done via a satellite link-up with Manchester.

    The World Cup has proved a great earner for Mourinho, who was paid more than £1m when he provided his views for Yahoo in 2014.

    Mourinho’s commercial agents Creative Artists wanted to negotiate a deal that earned their client the biggest fee for the smallest amount of his time, and they have certainly succeeded.

    The Portuguese intends to take a family holiday between his RT commitments at the start and end of the World Cup. He said: ‘I am looking forward to attending the World Cup in Russia and sharing my insights.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Beckham, Rooney lead tributes to Liam Miller

    Beckham, Rooney lead tributes to Liam Miller

     

    David Beckham and Wayne Rooney have led the tributes to former Manchester United team-mate Liam Miller.

    Both played with the 36-year-old during his loan spell at Old Trafford in the 2005/06 season and took to social media to share their grief after Miller died from cancer on Friday.

    Beckham posted a message on his Instagram account saying: “Our thoughts are with Liam’s family .. Rest In Peace ” while Wayne Rooney said on Twitter his thoughts were also with the Miller family.

    Rio Ferdinand said the death of his former Old Trafford colleague was ‘tragic’ while current Manchester United captain Michael Carrick remembered Miller being at the club when he first joined in 2006.

    Manchester United, who will wear black armbands when they play Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday, tweeted their sadness at the news of Miller’s death.

    Miller began his career at Celtic and before beating Partick 3-2 in the Scottish Cup, the Hoops wore black armbands prior to a minute’s silence which was impeccably observed.

    Flags were flown at half mast while outside the ground, supporters placed shirts and scarves on rails to honour the Republic of Ireland midfielder.

    Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said Miller lived the Irish dream of playing for the Parkhead club.

    Northern Irishman Rodgers said: “It was a real sad moment last night when we got the message through at the hotel.

    “It is awful news. So young, 36 years of age. The dream of lots of Irish boys is to come across and play for Celtic and he did that and had a fantastic career.

    “To lose your life that young and leave a young family behind is so sad.

    “I thought the club paid a great tribute to him today and certainly he will always be in the memory of everyone here at Celtic.”

    Across the city of Glasgow, Rangers posted their own message sharing their neighbours’ grief.

    Leeds United players also wore black armbands for Miller who had a loan spell at Elland Road during the 2005/06 season.

    Prior to Ireland’s Six Nations game with Italy at Croke Park, the IRFU sent their condolences to the Miller family, saying: “Waking up to the very sad news about Liam Miller. It reminds us that there are far more important things in life than sport. We extend our condolences to our friends in @FAIreland and to Liam’s family and friends. RIP.”

    Miller came through the youth ranks at Parkhead and made his debut in 2000 and helped them win the Scottish Premier League title in 2004.

    He then moved south to Manchester United on a free transfer, making 22 appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson in two seasons which included a spell on loan at Leeds.

    Reports emerged in November that Miller had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was receiving treatment in the United States, where he played for Wilmington Hammerheads.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Man U blames Trump for half-year loss of £29m

    Man U blames Trump for half-year loss of £29m

     

    Manchester United have suffered their biggest financial loss in nearly eight years as a result of Donald Trump’s new tax reforms in America.

    United were knocked into the red by a non-cash write-off of £48.8million, leading to an overall loss of £29m for the six months to December 31, according to the club’s latest financial figures announced on Thursday.

    It represents United’s worst results since a third-quarter loss of £65.8m in 2010. In the same period last year, they had made a profit of £18.7m.

    The club blamed it on Trump’s tax cuts which have slashed America’s corporation tax rate from among the highest in the west to one of the lowest as the US president tries to get the country’s economy moving.

    It has affected many companies worldwide, even those like United who only pay a fraction of their taxes in the US.

    The club’s chief financial officer, Cliff Baty, insisted that it is a one-off charge that has pushed United into a loss but will have no other impact.

    ‘It should be beneficial to the club in the long-term,’ said Baty.

    ‘It’s important to reiterate that it’s a non-cash accounting charge only which has no impact on our financial competitiveness or our ability to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.’ United’s overall revenue for the quarter rose four per cent to £163.9m, although commercial, sponsorship and matchday revenue were all slightly down.

    The club spent £69.6m on wages and benefits in the final three months of 2017, up £6m on a year earlier due mainly to player bonuses for reaching the Champions League.

    Old Trafford chief Ed Woodward claimed that United’s ‘solid business model’ has enabled them to offer new signing Alexis Sanchez a total of £600,000-a-week, and extend manager Jose Mourinho’s contract.

    Woodward revealed that the Sanchez deal was already paying off after the Chile star set a new record for shirt sales by a January signing – treble the previous best set by Juan Mata in 2014.

    The announcement of Sanchez’s move from Arsenal also eclipsed Neymar’s transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain on social media.

    He said: ‘It was the biggest United post on Instagram with two million likes and comments, the most shared United Facebook post ever, and the most retweeted United post ever – #alexis7 was the number one trending topic on Twitter worldwide.

    ‘To put that in context, the announcement generated 75 per cent more interaction than the announcement of the sale of the world’s most expensive player last summer when Neymar moved from Barcelona to PSG.’