This weekend, Gary Lemke discusses Man United and Eric Ten Hag’s frustrations, highlights and talking points from the Ballon D’Or ceremony and more ahead of a jam-packed Premier League weekend!
BIG THREE GAMES COMING FOR TEN HAG
With over a quarter of the season down, I admit surprise that Sheffield United’s board haven’t pulled the trigger on Paul Heckingbottom. They had one point after their first 10 games and were already five points from safety before their game against Wolves this weekend. It could be the last chance saloon for Heckingbottom, which might make some Wolves fans nervy. You fancy that should Sheffield United lose this home match he will be gone. Unsurprisingly, he’s the strong favourite to be next manager sacked. And second favourite? Manchester United Erik ten Hag, who is starting to carry the look and frustration of a man who can feel the dressingroom starting to turn against him. Their next three matches, against Fulham, Copenhagen and Luton, offers a chance for him to get back in favour. It certainly feels like a defining moment in his career at Old Trafford.
#GLAZERSOUT ANYONE?
You have to believe me when I say this is not a Manchester United-bashing column. As a Chelsea fan I know what it’s like being kicked when one is down. However, a shout out to those 300 United supporters who gathered outside Old Trafford in late 2005 when the news came that the Glazers had bought the club. They had the foresight to realise it was the wrong decision. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, we can see why it was the wrong decision. And that’s apart from a trophy cabinet that is gathering dust. When the Glazers bought, United’s debt (defined by UEFA as borrowing + net transfers installments owing – cash) was £12-million. It hovered in the £300m’s for most of the 2010s, but latest figures show their net debt at £862m. That’s £850m worse off than in 2005.
RONALDO’S WEEK TURNS MESSI
Understandably, when there are two active footballers competing for the title of GOAT, there’s a lot of egos involved. However, after winning the World Cup with Argentina, Lionel Messi seems to have moved ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the court of public opinion. This week he was also awarded his record eighth Ballon d’Or, which led to Ronaldo responding to a post on Instagram with four laughing emojis. Both Messi and Ronaldo are now past their peak, and playing their trades in the US and Saudi Arabia, respectively. Ronaldo’s anger (jealousy?) at Messi’s latest award spilled over to the pitch when his Al-Nassr teammate Talisca was sent off this week. He signalled to officials that referee Piero Maza should be substituted, using the familiar hand rolling gesture to protest.
OTHER BALLON D’OR HIGHLIGHTS
The Ballon d’Or occupied a lot of attention this past week, so I’ve been trying to sift through some of the lesser-known results. Only one goalkeeper has ever won it – Lev Yashin in 1963 – and this year’s highest-ranked keeper was Yassin Bounou (13th), the Moroccan who plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He was followed by Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, 15th) and Andre Osana (Man United, 16th). The highest-ranking English player in the Ball d’Or was Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, 18th), followed by Harry Kane (Bayern, 19th) and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, 24th). The highest-ranked EPL player was Erling Haaland (Man City, 2nd), followed by Kevin De Bruyn (Man City, 4th), and Rodri (Man City 5th). The Women’s Ballon d’Or winner was Spain’s Aitana Bonmati.
WELCH CONTINUES HER RISE UP RANKS
We’re edging closer to seeing the first woman referee take charge of an EPL match. Thus Saturday Rebecca Welch will make more history when she’s the fourth official for Man United’s trip to Fulham. We’ve had a woman running the touchline, but never as a fourth referee. The 39-year-old reffed at the Women’s World Cup and she’s also become the first to be in the middle for an English Championship game, when she took charge of the Birmingham vs Preston encounter in January.
WRIGHTY OPENS UP ON MOVEMBER
Things that make you go, “say what??!” With November meaning it’s Movember for many men around the world growing moustaches in support of men’s mental health, Arsenal legend Ian Wright has admitted that he can’t “grow a decent moustache”. According to those who compile such stats, there are 6-million men in the UK who can’t grow a full ‘tache. Now aged 60, Wright is ironically an ambassador for shaving company Gillette. A bit awks, as they say. “I can’t grow a decent moustache, so Aaron (Ramsdale) is my Mo Mate and he’s growing one that’s hopefully good enough for the both of us, and that gets people talking. I bottled up my feelings for years, and when I finally spoke to someone, it was the best thing I ever did. I hope this campaign helps others open up and ask for help if they’re struggling.”
