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A tribute to the trailblazing Dennis Walker

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November 4, 2024

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A tribute to the trailblazing Dennis Walker

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Old Trafford.

Thursday 31 October 2024 12:00

Dennis Walker’s contribution as a pioneer at Manchester United will never be forgotten.

It is little wonder the Manchester United Academy youngsters have been taught the story of the club’s first black player, with Dennis making his debut in May 1963.

Nearly 60 years on, his feat in pulling on the red shirt is far more poignant and heroic than it seemed as the curtain came down on the 1962/63 season. The 18-year-old youth graduate made his bow standing in for Bobby Charlton in the final Division One game, a 3-2 defeat at mid-table Nottingham Forest that meant Matt’s Busby’s developing side ultimately steered clear of relegation by just three points.

Five days later, United lifted the FA Cup, beating Leicester City 3-1 at Wembley, but Walker wasn’t involved. In fact, he didn’t feature again and, a season later, was transferred to York City, where he netted 10 goals in his first eight outings. Walker’s Reds career was over as soon as it had begun, but his trailblazing role had been indelibly scorched on the club’s history.

Dennis featured, along with his youth-team colleagues, on the front page of the programme in 1961.

Sadly, Dennis passed away in 2003, aged just 58. But Paddy Crerand, who played alongside Walker that afternoon at the City Ground, is always keen to shine a light on his one-time team-mate. “I remember Dennis very well,” Crerand recalled in an interview for Inside United magazine a few years ago. “He was a lovely lad and a good player. That he was black didn’t make any difference whatsoever to me, it really didn’t. I don’t remember us talking in the squad about him being the first black player for United, but it was a big issue in English football because, sadly, black players did get abused at matches. Dennis was such a nice guy and I remember when he died a few years ago; I saw his family at Old Trafford, where his ashes were scattered.”

Today, Walker should be viewed as a pioneer whose courage inspired future generations of black players, breaking down barriers in the not-always beautiful game. But in truth, his name isn’t well known. In fact, many believe the first black United player was Tony Whelan, a bustling striker who spent four seasons at Old Trafford without making a first-team appearance. And Whelan, who has maintained a long connection with the club through his work with the Academy, is desperate to correct this common misconception.

“A lot of people think it was me,” Whelan explains. “I feel embarrassed because it’s not right for the Walker family, who should be very proud. People don’t know his name, which staggers me in light of how high-profile race issues are now. His legacy is tremendous.”

“Ultimately, Walker’s one appearance created an immense legacy and paved the way for future generations of black Manchester United players, who have done him proud. His is a remarkable tale and his name deserves to be remembered for as long as football is played at Old Trafford.”

Formerly captain of Cheshire Schoolboys, Walker signed apprentice forms with United before becoming professional in November, 1961. Although used as a striker, he eventually settled into a left half-back role at York City, before moving to Cambridge United. He retired after racking up 211 games in league football, scoring 23 times.

Bournemouth
“I think we need to improve, I think, from the games we played against these top three,” said Andoni Iraola in September, since when Bournemouth have lost 3-0 to Liverpool while having 19 shots at Anfield, before beating Arsenal and Manchester City in successive home games within a fortnight.

A draw against Aston Villa in between those memorable Dean Court displays only reinforces Bournemouth’s position as a legitimate and established top-half force. They are among the toughest opponents to face in the Premier League and that is remarkable.

This is incredible, scalable, achievable progress. Bournemouth have done nothing particularly ground-breaking beyond making brave decisions and capitalising on where it puts them each time. It is a while since the Be Careful What You Wish For warnings; comparisons with Gary O’Neil and Wolves feel hilariously irrelevant and outdated not 18 months since that controversial switch was made.

They have recruited consistently wisely, operated on a sensible and sustainable budget, quietly identified areas which can be improved and found a wonderful coach suited to the existing squad and willing to work with and develop players rather than insisting his own must be bought first.

Bournemouth conquered the reigning champions and their best players on the day were signed from Dynamo Kyiv, Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar, Celtic and Bristol City, brought together by a manager from Rayo Vallecano who inherited eight of that starting XI. It is no coincidence that Iraola’s last season in La Liga featured home wins over Barcelona and Real Madrid.

“When you beat Real Madrid, it’s kind of similar,” he said after vanquishing Manchester City. “You know you have to be at your best level and wait for them to not have their best day.”

That almost does a disservice to Iraola and his players; they brought out the worst in Manchester City as much as they did the best in themselves.

MORE PREMIER LEAGUE WEEKEND REACTION
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👉 Arteta and his ‘Mourinho-lite’ pragmatism are costing Arsenal
👉 Flawed Arsenal left side both make worst Premier League XI of weekend

Rui Pedro Silva
One of the biggest compliments Arsenal defector Edu’s future employers can be afforded is that Nuno Espirito Santo’s touchline absence has barely been noticed. The banned manager has watched from a distance as Nottingham Forest have won three Premier League games in a row for the first time since the final matches of their most recent relegation season in 1998/99.

It was earlier in that campaign when Forest last finished a Premier League weekend in the top four back when it wasn’t really a thing. There will be no such slide this time around, even if it is accepted that this cloud is unlikely to carry through until May.

But there is no real reason it shouldn’t. This is neither unsustainable form nor unrepeatable performances. While this Chris Wood scoring streak might end soon, other players are chipping in frequently and that wonderful defensive record isn’t nearly as prone to volatility.

Forest first and foremost have formed unshakable bonds across their squad, the sort which can absorb the loss of a manager or even their phlegm-afflicted owner. It is to assistant coach Rui Pedro Silva’s credit that he has led this team as capably as Nuno down to the details of frequent bookings.

Newcastle
Eddie Howe said it had “been a long time coming” after some “very difficult” weeks, that his players “wanted more” and “weren’t happy with what we had” despite earning a first Premier League victory in two months.

This wait was not quite as long as in 2022/23, when a six-game winless streak was halted by a 4-1 victory over Fulham which triggered a 17-game unbeaten run and ultimately carried them to Champions League qualification. But the sight of a team remembering what makes them so powerful was eerily similar.

So too was that Willock-Guimaraes-Longstaff midfield. Central to the blueprint which turned things around in their best season together, Howe reverting to that triptych with Sandro Tonali continuing his struggle for minutes might make for a curious situation but the manager has his trusted lieutenants for good reason.

When it backfires it is infuriating to see Howe lean on them. When it works, Newcastle are not among the absolute best sides in the country but they are the most effective.

And with Newcastle more than any other team, it feels like these seasonal journeys of rediscovery are becoming an increasingly painful and necessary part of the process. The Magpies have endured long fallow periods in each of Howe’s campaigns, which shake the belief as to whether he is the right man to lead them into the next phase of their plan. It sometimes seems like they’ll never emerge but once they inevitably do they are stronger and more unified.

Joe Gomez
If this summer felt like the end of Gomez and Liverpool’s complicated love affair then his start to the season only reinforced it: across the first nine Premier League and three Champions League games he was given barely over half an hour to make his mark, having capably occupied a bench throughout the European Championship.

His services were certainly being offered elsewhere, be that in delicate part-exchange deals constructed with a panicking Newcastle, or with Chelsea hovering ominously in the background.

But Gomez knuckled down and waited patiently for the sort of opening which only an injury to a teammate can really provide. As difficult as it is coming into a game in those circumstances – not least when losing – he is a professional with a role to play.

Any of those Liverpool subs can be pinpointed for praise, even those brought on late to consolidate the lead. But Arne Slot was right to focus on Gomez and how that performance said “a lot about his mentality and his quality”.

Liverpool’s longest-serving player remains one of their most reliable. When he does finally score, the reaction will be biblical.

Aaron Ramsdale
Even in the details of Ramsdale’s last two career clean sheets, the reality of his situation was hidden as Arsenal’s distant second-choice to ineligible loanee David Raya; both of them came against Brentford.

This was different, a proper contribution from a keeper trusted by his club to deliver when called upon. Ramsdale has had his confidence knocked from painful pillar to public post over the past year or so and that can only have an adverse effect.

Russell Martin described Southampton as “lucky” to have Ramsdale, and himself as “surprised” they managed to sign him. Just on a base level, that must feel incredible for a player whose self-assurance can only have suffered of late, even before factoring in displays which measurably help his team again.

Pape Matar Sarr
No player has won possession in the midfield third more times in a single game this season than Sarr did against Aston Villa. It was how the third goal was created, how Spurs turned the tide against Unai Emery’s side and West Ham, and how the foundations for their League Cup victory over Manchester City were established.

Ange Postecoglou neatly summed up the strengths of a 22-year-old who only continues to flourish under his guidance: “His capacity again to work for the team but also the quality he has in breaking open oppositions with his running with the ball.”

Those are crucial characteristics helping form part of very possibly the most rounded midfield department the Premier League can currently offer.

Boubakary Soumare
The touch from Jamie Vardy was sublime and the finish produced by the Premier League’s surprise clutch player matched it. But without the work of Soumare in charging back to win the ball, carrying it, shrugging off one challenge and then offloading to the forwards to trigger the match-saving move, it wouldn’t have been possible.

Those 19 minutes were the most Soumare has been afforded in a league game for Leicester since May 2023. The influence he exerted in that cameo – and the drop-off in Wilfred Ndidi’s form – adds weight to the growing calls for him to be given more of opportunities.

Brighton
Losing consecutive games to Liverpool by a single goal is disheartening but certainly not disastrous. With Ferdi Kadioglu’s goal they have had 10 different scorers in the league this season – at least two more than any other team and halfway to the overall record. Get them shared out, Welbz.

Manuel Ugarte
No Manchester United player has ever committed more fouls in a single Premier League game. On only his second start, that is some going.

Premier League losers

Arsenal
Before this season and since he signed permanently, Martin Odegaard had missed 11 games for Arsenal. The solutions conjured by Mikel Arteta ranged from Emile Smith Rowe to Granit Xhaka, Fabio Vieira and Kai Havertz.

In 2024/25 alone, Odegaard has now been sidelined for a dozen consecutive matches. And while the brilliance of Bukayo Saka could initially mask that loss, the captain’s absence and what that represents for this team was always likely to become too big a problem to resolve with makeshift fixes.

Arsenal have been without Odegaard for their last two trips to St James’ Park. It doesn’t feel like a coincidence that they lost both games 1-0 but he scored in their previous visit: a 2-0 away win in which they matched the physicality of their hosts without sacrificing their technical strengths: compare that May 2023 midfield of Xhaka, Jorginho and Odegaard with Zinchenko inverting to Saturday afternoon’s, when Rice and Merino were supplemented by Partey and Timber stepping out.

The balance was all wrong; the concept of creativity was abandoned, or at least that entire responsibility was placed on Saka’s shoulders. It is why fans have been calling for Ethan Nwaneri to be trusted as the player most capable of replicating Odegaard’s ability on the ball and energy off it.

Arteta played to try and nullify Newcastle’s strengths rather than accentuating Arsenal’s. It was weak management which culminated in one of the least recognisable Gunners performances in recent memory.

READ: Arteta and his ‘Mourinho-lite’ pragmatism are costing Arsenal

Manchester City
That had been in the post, and for some time. While the suggestion was that Manchester City’s early lead of the Premier League table was a foreboding sign from a team which tends to stutter at the start before finishing seasons strongly, more than a few cracks were visible and waiting to be exploited by a side brave enough to try.

Manchester City have not won in the Premier League by more than a single goal since August. They have lost consecutive games for the first time in over a year. Only the smallest of violins can provide a backdrop to complaints about injuries sustained by a deliberately small squad, with that crisis helping distract from how it has been assembled sub-optimally with regards to the future.

But the reality is that much like Arsenal with Odegaard, Manchester City are yet to establish a consistently reliable alternative plan without Rodri. The positive results had concealed a series of disjointed, hesitant performances and Guardiola didn’t seem surprised at how it all unravelled under the weight of Bournemouth’s “intensity”.

Julen Lopetegui
The second-favourite in the Premier League sack race, having beaten only the first winner and the managers in third and fourth so far. Sean Dyche will avoid such woke nonsense as dressing up as the grim reaper but a home game against Everton just before the aching void of another international break feels particularly precarious for West Ham and Lopetegui’s relationship.

The first-half stoppage-time sending-off of Edson Alvarez does offer a caveat but when a manager deems it necessary to make multiple half-time substitutions four times in 10 games it is a damning indictment on whatever the initial plan was supposed to resemble.

Two against Nottingham Forest. Three against Manchester United. Two against Brentford. Two against Fulham. These are wholesale alterations being made, often aimlessly, to fix an irrevocably broken system and approach.

And those multiple half-time substitutions have all involved different players being taken off each time: Summerville, Rodriguez, Soler, Paqueta, Mavropanos, Kudus, Emerson, Soucek and Antonio. That is astonishing mismanagement and only compounding West Ham’s problems.

In 2023/24, David Moyes made the fewest substitutions of any manager who lasted the entire season, and brought them on at the latest time on average. Only four coaches have used more subs than Lopetegui in 2024/25 and the number of times he has felt compelled to change things so early is worrying.

West Ham supporters will be offered humble pie for forcing Moyes out but they need not indulge. There is no point in reminding them to be careful what they wish for when none of them wished for more of the same, only much worse and on an even less explicable scale.

Cole Palmer
It is more a reflection of Palmer’s rapid progress than any actual shortcoming in his game but the narrative is set: this 22-year-old in only his second proper full season as a Premier League player goes missing on the big occasions.

The idea is rather undermined by a) his goals in actual cup finals for Manchester City, b) his actual goal for actual England in the actual Euro 2024 final and c) the actual hat-trick he scored against Manchester United last season. But these things stick and it does show the next necessary steps.

It is true that in 13 games for Chelsea against Arsenal, Liverpool, both Manchester clubs and Spurs, he has scored two non-penalty goals and provided one assist. It is also true that trying to appease anyone on social media is a fool’s errand. But if there are any gaps on this burgeoning CV then Palmer’s brilliance is such that he has to do his utmost to change that.

Ipswich
It is funny to see Ipswich supporters starting to parrot the recent Gary O’Neil line about how Premier League officials might “subconsciously” favour “the big guy” over “the little guy”, as if that wasn’t the Wolves manager talking after a game against Manchester City and something not in any way applicable to a home draw against the protected elite of *checks notes* Leicester.

Kieran McKenna veered into that sort of territory even when saying he didn’t want to complain about “the smallest team not getting things”. Adding later that “I didn’t think we got anything today in the game in general” suggested he didn’t mind playing up to that crowd at the slightest push.

It took more than that from Abdul Fatawu to barrel Conor Chaplin over in the area, granted. And perhaps there was an element of frustration which boiled over into Kalvin Phillips being sent off seconds later. The game swung on those moments and there is an alternate timeline on which Ipswich scored a penalty to go 2-0 up with 11 men.

But they didn’t and their responsibility is to channel that anger into what they can control. Tim Robinson didn’t miss those chances to establish a firmer cushion, nor those opportunities to stifle that last Leicester attack. He and his colleagues do provide easier targets to avoid proper introspection but if Ipswich prefer to foster a persecution complex than that is their prerogative.

Aston Villa
It is a privileged position Villa find themselves in, that Champions League perfection is able to provide respite from domestic struggles which have them down in lowly sixth.

The Carabao Cup exit was disappointing, particularly in light of defeat in a meeting with Spurs which was clearly prioritised.

But one possible read is that Morgan Rogers is even more crucial to this team than first thought. Ipswich equalised eight minutes after he was taken off in that 2-2 draw, while Villa were drawing with Spurs when he was substituted, only to be losing six minutes later.

He scored in both games and the dynamic between him and Ollie Watkins is certainly more fruitful than that between Villa’s two main character strikers currently, even with Jhon Duran’s record off the bench.

Eddie Nketiah
No player has had more shots without scoring this season. That honour has gone to Ryan Christie and Cheick Doucoure in the last two seasons, neither of whom a) are strikers or b) cost £30m.

Jarrad Branthwaite
While his return from injury is an undeniable factor, it feels beyond negligent for Everton to have a £70m asset on the bench with a manager only prepared to bring him on at 1-0 down in the final minutes so Michael Keane can be freed to go up front in search of an equaliser.

Gary O’Neil
One win against a current Premier League team in 20 games. The Crystal Palace draw does at least bring Wolves level on points with Burnley in a Premier League table since the beginning of March. Spot the problem there.

Ruud praises Dalot’s mentality

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November 4, 2024

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Thursday 31 October 2024 09:59

Ruud van Nistelrooy was impressed by the mentality that Diogo Dalot demonstrated in our 5-2 win over Leicester City.

After Casemiro’s 25 yard rocket opened the scoring for the Reds, Dalot went tearing down the right fifteen minutes later and delivered a lovely cross into Alejandro Garnacho, who slammed the ball in to the back of the net.

Casemiro scored again before the half was out, with Bruno Fernandes also netting a brace on the night as United put in an encouraging display.

Speaking after the game, the interim boss said: “Diogo is a very important member of the team. He is one of the leaders and is always training professionally.

“He is always there to help the team and I was delighted.”

Van Nistelrooy also praised how the Portuguese international bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to West Ham in the Premier League.

The Reds’ No.20 had missed an opportunity to put us ahead in the first half of the contest at the London Stadium, having done well to break in behind the Hammers’ defence.

“His mentality is very strong,” Van Nistelrooy added.

“He was in a bad moment after the miss [against West Ham], but the day, after, in training, he was preparing and doing everything possible.

“It pays off in the end. A great assist and a good performance. I’m delighted to have him around.”

Although Leicester found the back of the net twice, United were ruthless, with Dalot playing his part in a backline that were untroubled for much of the night’s proceedings.

His and the Reds’ reward for our progression in the competition is a last-eight tie away to Tottenham Hotspur in December.

How Ruud reacted to a big night at Old Trafford

ManUtd.com reporter Adam Marshall at Old Trafford.

Wednesday 30 October 2024 23:43

Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted football can be a cruel game sometimes after Manchester United enjoyed some luck in front of goal to comfortably see off Leicester City in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

The Reds won 5-2 as Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes both bagged doubles and Alejandro Garnacho also found the net.

It was an enjoyable occasion at Old Trafford and van Nistelrooy clearly relished a night to remember but admitted clearer chances were created, and missed, during the latter part of Erik ten Hag’s reign.

Speaking to the official broadcasters, here are some of his comments…

SUPERB SUPPORT

“In the days leading up to this, it was with mixed feelings. Of course, I was sad to see Erik [ten Hag] go. He was the one that got me here. It was sad to see him leave but he’s leaving the club with two trophies and can have his head held high. Of course, matchday comes and 75,000 fans are here and they support the team. They supported me in an unbelievable way.”

UNITED WILL NEVER STOP

“As coaching staff, we prepared the players and I have to say they were fantastic today. Credit to the team, they pulled off a great performance today, after difficult moments. On the day it got announced, it was difficult for them and every one of us. Of course, when you have the manager is going, for us, as staff as well, so to react and play like this, it was a great achievement of the players. We promised to fight for the 75,000 fans and the millions at home watching and supporting United. For them, we wanted to show up, show this club is building and continuing to fight and never stop. That’s what it is about.”

BRUNO BREAKS SEASON DUCK IN STYLE

“You know, with his qualities, we knew he just needed some luck to get the goals going and then they will come with many. I’m delighted for him. He’s leading the team through many, many difficult phases and he’s fantastic to have around.”

A CRUEL GAME

“I have to say the chances we created against Fenerbahce and West Ham, also I remember at Crystal Palace, we created so many bigger, better chances than today. We had the luck with the post and the deflection. Sometimes, it’s what you need. It makes football a cruel game sometimes. As I said, we created much better and bigger chances in past games than today so, hopefully, the luck has turned today and we can build on this victory.”

ENJOYING THE GOALS

“We scored some great goals. The first one was an absolute beauty from Casemiro. I just enjoyed the moment, as it was in the top corner, and an amazing goal. He’s an amazing person and player and it’s fantastic to have him around. Garnacho’s was a very good finish, from Diogo Dalot’s cross. I think the crowd goes home after a nice night of football.”

THE FUTURE?

“I came here as an assistant, to help the club, and now in this role, I’m helping as long as I’m needed. In the future, in any capacity, I am here to help the club further, to build towards the future. There are so many people around me who want the best for the club and that will never change. I think it’s important to focus on Sunday, and the league game against Chelsea. What the future holds, let’s wait on that.”

HUGE savings on trainingwear at the United Store!

Ruud: Casemiro is an example to us all

Wednesday 30 October 2024 23:30

Ruud van Nistelrooy was delighted with his team after they ran out 5-2 winners in his first game in interim charge, against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.

Both Casemiro and captain Bruno Fernandes scored a brace while Alejandro Garnacho also found the back of the net. Although Bilal El Khannous and Conor Coady scored to keep the Foxes within touching distance, United were always in control.

Casemiro opened the scoring 15 minutes in with a 25-yard rocket of a strike that flew in off the underside of the bar. As the players wheeled away in celebration, the boss celebrated wildly on the touchline.

“The first goal was an unbelievable, top goal – fantastic finish,” he told MUTV after the game.

Van Nistelrooy, who was assistant manager under Erik ten Hag, explained what the goal meant to the Brazilian and to him, having been impressed by his work ethic in training.

“I’m delighted for him that the first goal went in,” he added. “I was delighted for Case, the way he’s been training and helping the team and the club, he’s such an example. You also see the crowd’s reaction and they also know what he’s about.”

Our no. 18 has had his fair share of criticism, particularly after the defeat to Liverpool, but nobody can ever doubt his quality.

Van Nistelrooy continued: “Of course, going through difficult moments, the Liverpool game, he got a lot of criticism. It was so hard, he was almost the one to blame for that game and it’s not fair, he didn’t deserve that, it was not true.

“If you see him in training and the way he prepares for games, with the history and all he has achieved with five Champions Leagues, he’s an example for us. That was part of my celebration, I’m happy for him.”

Following United’s emphatic victory over Leicester, they will now face Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

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United discover quarter-final opponents

ManUtd.com reporter Adam Marshall at Old Trafford.

Wednesday 30 October 2024 22:47

Manchester United will travel to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, after beating Leicester City 5-2 at Old Trafford.

It’s an all-Premier League last eight in the competition with the ties to be played in the week commencing 16 December.

The pre-Christmas clash at Spurs represents a tough proposition, after the north Londoners knocked Premier League champions Manchester City out with a 2-1 home triumph.

We have never beaten the capital club away in the competition, losing on all three occasions, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s team did emerge victorious in the 2009 final against them, at Wembley.

Ours was the first tie out of the hat before a London derby between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

Newcastle United, who beat Chelsea, face Brentford at St James’ Park, while Liverpool have been drawn away to Southampton.

CARABAO CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Tottenham Hotspur v UNITED
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Newcastle United v Brentford
Southampton v Liverpool

Ties to be played w/c 16 December.

U21s match summary: United 1 PSV Eindhoven 1

Wednesday 30 October 2024 22:00

Manchester United’s Under-21s earned a point thanks to a late Gabriele Biancheri penalty after going a goal behind to PSV Eindhoven in the Premier League International Cup.

The Reds started the game off well, enjoying more possession than the visitors, and having the first shot with Chido Obi-Martin linking up well with Ethan Ennis, whose shot was just wide.

Travis Binnion’s side were pressing well but the visitors grew into this game. With under 10 minutes gone, keeper Dermot Mee was tested for the first time but he got down well and managed to hold onto the ball when the shot came in. Moments later, he was alert to the danger of another PSV attack and raced out of his area to clear, booting the ball up the field.

However, United were coming under increasing pressure and, just under a quarter of an hour into the tie, it paid off for PSV. Mee tried to make a clearance but could only find Isaac Babadi. He took the shot first time, and expertly found the inviting target.

A night under the lights at Leigh Sports Village.

The hosts tried to respond with Ethan Williams making a good run but he was muscled off the ball and the attack fizzled out. On the stroke of half-time, PSV had an opportunity to double their lead but Mee made a great save from close range to keep the Reds in it.

United started the second half brightly, again dominating possession in the opening stages. However, when PSV got the ball their attacking force looked threatening and captain Tyler Fredricson was required to make a goalline clearance to keep the deficit at one.

As PSV came forward again, Mee tipped over a shot that looked to be dipping under the crossbar to make another vital intervention.

Binnion introduced a host of changes that injected energy into his team and the Reds had a few chances. As we entered the last 10 minutes, James Scanlon found space on the edge of the area but his tame shot was safely caught by the keeper.

Zach Baumann also had a chance as he received the ball and turned inside the area but his shot took a deflection into the side-netting.

PSV had defended well but, when Biancheri was brought down in the box in the dying stages of the game, the referee awarded a penalty. It was Biancheri who stepped up to take it, smashing it into the roof of the net to make it 1-1. It had been coming and was only what the Reds deserved – making it two draws out of two games in the competition this term.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Mee, Ogunneye, Fredricson, Kingdon (Biancheri 46), Rowe (Kamason 72), McAllister (Scanlon 69), Devaney, Ennis (Sharpe 69), Moorhouse (Baumann 57), Williams, Obi-Martin.

Substitutes not used: Graczyk, Missin.

Goal: Biancheri 90 (pen).

Booked: McAllister, Devaney.

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Exclusive: Gary Pallister explains key reason why Amorim’s tactical revolution at United will succeed

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November 4, 2024

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Exclusive: Gary Pallister explains key reason why Amorim’s tactical revolution at United will succeed

Gary Pallister claims Manchester United’s defence should be “able to adapt” to the three-man defensive system favoured by new Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim as it can be “easier for the defenders” to play in.

In an exclusive interview with The Peoples Person, hosted by Lucky Block, the former United star believes there will be a “change” in defence as “Amorim likes to play five at the back” which will be “interesting to watch”. He is adamant there are “good centre-backs” at Old Trafford who the Portuguese coach will be able to work with, however.

Pallister describes Leny Yoro as “highly-regarded” and a “talent” following the 18-year-old’s blockbuster transfer in the summer from LOSC Lille. Yoro’s return from injury is expected to come in early December with Amorim’s first match as United manager on November 24 against Ipswich Town.

There is widespread expectation the French starlet will be a key player in Amorim’s system moving forward, given its reliance upon the technical ability and physical dominance of the centre-backs in the back three – two areas Yoro thrives in.

United’s other centre-halves – Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans – will likely be fighting for selection alongside Yoro, with De Ligt and Martinez the two strongest candidates, though Maguire has extensive history in a three-man defence for the England national team.

Pallister believes this cohort are “good players” who “should be able to adapt” to a back three if they’re “playing at the level” of Manchester United as the system “does make it kind of easier I think for the defenders”.

Pallister also identifies the injury crisis which has besieged the Old Trafford dressing room, with the backline hit particularly hard, as a reason why United have struggled defensively in the last fifteen months given Erik ten Hag was unable to “get them playing together regularly”.

“Unfortunately last season, Martinez had injuries, Harry [Maguire] had injuries and loss of form [and] Lindelof has been in and out,” the 59-year-old recounts. Similarly, De Ligt has “come in as a new signing and now there is a little bit of pressure on him”.

But consistency in selection will prove key to Amorim acclimating his new squad to his system. “It’s about getting a settled back four, or a back five with Amorim coming in, and getting them used to playing with each other because the more and more you’re having different players [in defence] the tougher it gets,” Pallister contends.

One key attribute for a centre-back in Amorim’s system is mobility, particularly for the two outside defenders. The Sporting coach likes his side to push high up the pitch to suffocate the opposition with an aggressive press.

Naturally, this leaves considerable spaces in behind the defence, without traditional fullbacks to cover the wider areas. This requires the three-man defence to defend both aggressively and proactively, and be able to control large gaps on the pitch in transition.

Ousmane Diomande and Gonacalo Inacio, defenders who have both been strongly linked with moves to United, have thrived under Amorim at the José Alvalade Stadium as the RCB and LCB in this three-at-the-back system.

Yoro is a strong fit for the RCB in Diomande’s place with the two young defensive starlets demonstrating similar profiles. Inacio, however, is more athletic than Martinez (the most likely candidate for the LCB role), clocking a top speed nearly 2km/h faster than the Argentine while standing 10cm taller.

Pallister does not believe speed is essential to be a top centre-back; instead, the former England international believes intelligence and awareness are king. “If you can read the game, you can save yourself split seconds in decision-making and understanding the ebbs and flows of a game.”

The 59-year-old does concede that pace “helps” but reaffirms “it is not pivotal”: “It’s nice to have in your armoury but it’s not a pre-requisite.” He references Bobby Moore, describing the World Cup winner as “one of the finest centre-backs in history” who could “read the game” to an elite level, despite not being the fastest.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who brought Pallister to United from Middlesbrough in 1989, once described the centre-back as the fastest player over 100m in the Scot’s time at the helm at Old Trafford. And while Pallister does believe you can “gamble a little bit” if you have speed to fall back on, ultimately the ability to read the game can compensate for this.

Given both De Ligt and Martinez are not blessed with pace, and neither are Maguire or Evans, United’s centre-backs will need to sharpen their abilities to read the game if they want to join Yoro on the pitch under Amorim moving forward. If not, the 39-year-old manager may be revisiting the Portuguese capital in the summer to to bring Diomande and Inacio back with him to Manchester.

Featured image Octavio Passos via Getty Images

Darragh Fox

Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.

“Could have trusted more”: Former United academy gem blasts club’s recent transfer strategy

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November 4, 2024

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“Could have trusted more”: Former United academy gem blasts club’s recent transfer strategy

Former Manchester United academy gem Andreas Pereira has criticised the club’s transfer policy in recent years and believes he felt a lack of affection at the club.

The Brazil international joined United’s academy from PSV Eindhoven in 2011 and made his debut for the first team in 2014.

He would go on to make 75 appearances for the first team in all competitions, scoring four goals.

Pereira never really made a first team spot his own however, and moved to Fulham in 2022, where he has found a permanent starting position and made himself a Premier League regular.

The 28 year old has made 91 appearances for the Cottagers and has become a regular in the Brazil squad, earning eight caps in 2024.

Speaking to PL Brasil, Pereira bemoaned his lack of chances when he first broke through to the United first team due to the amount of options in his position.

“I arrived in the first team with (Louis) van Gaal. It was very difficult for me to play because, at the time, there were (in midfield) Rooney, Mata, Di Maria, Memphis had just arrived… I couldn’t play on the wing, or as a midfielder or as a defensive midfielder, because Schweinsteiger had just arrived too.”

The midfield man then commented on how difficult it is to come through the youth system to the first team of a big club like United as “you have to be patient and the (more experienced) players also want to stay there, they want to play, they want to enjoy themselves.”

Therefore he felt he had no choice but to go out on loan as he didn’t want “to wait four or five years.”

Interestingly the former United man criticised the role of his former side in his departure, claiming he felt “a bit of a lack of affection” from the club, especially in the context that he had spent such a long time at United, from the age of 16 to 26 years old.

As a result, he never felt that he really had an opportunity to show why he belonged on such a stage, despite spending a decade there.

Pereira then went on to lambast the club’s more recent transfer policy and believes they should have put more faith in their academy players.

“I think that, in certain signings, the club could have trusted more in the youth players. In me, Angel (Gomes), McTominay, Lingard, these players. They even play well, but then, at the first opportunity the club gets, they discard them.”

This point is hard to argue as the club spent £615 million since former coach Ten Hag arrived in 2022 and it is far from clear they are any better for it as they sit in 13th position in the league table.

With the arrival of Ruben Amorim in a week’s time, United fans will hope the club will finally find the balance of signing new players and putting faith in those who deserve to stay.

Alex Browne

Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.

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“Could have trusted more”: Former United academy gem blasts club’s recent transfer strategy

Alex Browne

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