When Man Utd being ‘proven right’ on Marcus Rashford works once, why not do it five times? And that was before the ‘subtle dig’…

Apparent Trap
To be fair to Sunday People Chief Sports Writer Neil Moxley, he played it straight, coming as he does from an era when quotes from a footballer were treated as quotes from a footballer and not ‘digs’, ‘messages’ or ‘breaks of silence’.

He spoke to Aston Villa captain John McGinn about the excellent loan pair Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio and wrote on March 18…

‘Asked if he knew within five minutes whether he was in the presence of ‘a player,’ Villa’s captain said: “Yes, both Marcus and Marco showed glimpses which have proved they are at the highest level. They have maybe lost their way for certain reasons but what they’ll get from us is love and support and team-mates who will graft for them.

“We want them to be happy again. And every day that you see them, they have a smile on their face. That’s when you know footballers are happy and at their best.”‘

Not the most exciting quotes but footballers are generally not the most exciting people.

A day later, the Manchester Evening News had turned these fairly anodyne quotes into something truly extraordinary…

‘Aston Villa player fires subtle Man United dig in new Marcus Rashford verdict – ‘When you know”

Erm, sorry what? It’s so f***ing subtle that neither the man who spoke nor the man who heard him speak made that connection.

As for the pull-quote of ‘when you know’…we are familiar with the Reach obsession with the ‘curiosity gap’, but this is just curiosity crap.

And where one leads, others inevitably follow…

‘Marcus Rashford’s Aston Villa teammate fires dig at Man Utd and Ruben Amorim as ‘new asking price’ emerges’

SPORTbible there, casually adding the name of Amorim because why the f*** not?

And now on March 20 – two whole days after the publication of those McGinn quotes – MailOnline have arrived at the party…

‘John McGinn fires subtle dig at Man United and Ruben Amorim over Marcus Rashford – after loan star earned England recall thanks to impressive start to life at Aston Villa’

As McGinn was talking explicitly about Rashford and Asensio, was this also a ‘subtle dig’ at PSG and Luis Enrique? Or does that not matter because Man Utd are the SEO motherlode? We know the answer.

By now ‘John McGinn has insisted that Marcus Rashford will get ‘team-mates who graft for him’ in an apparent dig at Manchester United’. He probably did not need to ‘insist’ – we don’t think anybody would argue – and the dig is ‘apparent’.

Not to anybody not desperate to crowbar Amorim and Man United into a headline in international week, it’s not.

And then of course, the Manchester Evening News arrive again, because who doesn’t want another headline from the same quotes?

‘Aston Villa star aims subtle dig at Manchester United over Marcus Rashford’

On Wednesday he ‘fired’, on Thursday he ‘aimed’; will he be loading his gun by Friday? Or is that just us?

Proof is in the pudding
Two weeks ago we wrote how the narrative that Marcus Rashford is trouble has long been a click machine.

On that occasion, the Express opted for this headline…

‘Man Utd proven right about Marcus Rashford as Aston Villa dressing room view emerges’

As we wrote at the time, ‘obviously what you are supposed to think is that Rashford has been a) lazy, b) a c*** or hopefully c) a lazy c***, thus proving Manchester United ‘right’ to send him out on loan’.

Rashford being none of those things was a teeny-tiny obstacle, but that was hurdled by pretending that Manchester United have been ‘proven right’ in giving Rashford a £320,000-a-week contract almost two years ago.

Nefarious bollocks but clearly successful nefarious bollocks because, well…

‘Marcus Rashford return from Aston Villa discussed after Man Utd proven right’ – March 11

‘Man Utd ‘face paying Marcus Rashford £20m’ after being proven right at Aston Villa’ – March 11

‘Man Utd proven right about Marcus Rashford as Thomas Tuchel makes England stance clear’ – March 14

‘Marcus Rashford permanent Aston Villa transfer verdict made as Man Utd proven right’ – March 20.

After all, why write nefarious bollocks designed to play into Man Utd fans’ prejudices once when you can write it five times?

Clear as f***ing mud
The Liverpool Echo had a fine idea to average their player ratings for the season and come up with a comprehensive list of the best (and worst) performers. Excellent interlull fare, that.

But the headline gets put through the Reach click mangling machine and this is what emerges:

‘Cody Gakpo absence now clear as five Liverpool players give Arne Slot boost’

Gakpo has missed a grand total of four games through injury all season – none of which Liverpool lost – but do carry on…with a seemingly random ‘as five Liverpool players give Arne Slot boost’ despite the fact that at no point are five Liverpool players singled out.

Sometimes, and this might blow some minds, maybe just use the headline to tell us what is in the article. It will never catch on.

England, my England
Ah, we are here again in the Daily Express…

‘England starting XI decided for Albania clash as Pickford and Kane dropped’

And who has the England starting XI been decided by? Not actual England coach Thomas Tuchel, obviously, but ‘Express Sport writers’.

And how many of the seven ‘Express Sport writers’ ludicrously suggested that Pickford and Kane should be dropped? One.

Which is clearly the biggest story in football.

According to reports, Chelsea would have to pay a ‘large’ fee to ‘cancel’ Jadon Sancho’s proposed permanent transfer from Manchester United.

The England international joined Chelsea from Man Utd on an initial loan deal during the 2024 summer transfer window.

Sancho failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford after joining Man Utd for around £73m ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

The winger could not replicate his Borussia Dortmund form at Man Utd and last season’s fallout with Erik ten Hag contributed to his eventual exit.

After last term’s successful loan at Dortmund, Sancho returned to Man Utd’s first team during pre-season before joining Chelsea on loan.

READ: How much total prize money each Premier League team will make through all competitions in 2024/25

Sancho enjoyed a strong start to this season, but his form has dipped recently and he’s received criticism from supporters and media.

The 24-year-old’s loan move to Chelsea included a £25m buy obligation clause which is dependent on Enzo Maresca’s side finishing 14th or higher in the Premier League this season.

However, a report last week revealed a ‘loophole’ in the Sancho deal which allows Chelsea to opt against signing him permanently, but they would have to pay a ‘significant penalty’.

‘There is still a possibility that Sancho could end up back at Old Trafford this summer if Chelsea decide not to go through with the deal – although we can reveal it would cost what insiders say is ‘a significant penalty’ to pull out under the terms of their agreement with United.

‘Another issue could be Sancho’s contract with Chelsea. Players often agree terms with their new club before joining on loan with a view to a permanent move, but it’s understood the 24-year-old has yet to do so.’

MORE CHELSEA COVERAGE ON F365…
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👉 John Terry reveals one reason Chelsea won’t appoint him amid ‘disappointing’ interview snubs
👉 Chelsea agree deals for £132.1m quintet but record-breaking Spurs deal might be most exciting of all

Now, a report from GOAL has provided a hint at the cost of this potential penalty and Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim’s role.

‘The obligation is triggered if Chelsea, who are fourth in the Premier League table with nine games to go, finish above 14th. However, there ‘have been suggestions Chelsea could look to back out of the agreement even if the condition is met.

‘Chelsea would still have to pay United a large proportion of the £25m fee if they want to cancel the deal to take Sancho permanently.

‘A source has told ESPN that, in that scenario, Amorim would be allowed to make a final decision on Sancho’s future.’

A government official has provided an update on Manchester United’s plans to build a new 100,000-seater stadium as they are “not wasting a minute”.

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been under immense scrutiny in recent months as he’s made several controversial calls as part of a major cost-cutting programme.

Ratcliffe and fellow Man Utd board members have hiked ticket prices, sanctioned mass redundancies, cut benefits to staff and scrapped payments to club legends.

Despite this, Man Utd have also announced plans to build a new stadium to replace Old Trafford in a massive £2bn project.

Man Utd and the government are also planning to rejuvenate the surrounding area and this project could be completed in around five years.

UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy claims they are “really confident” about Man Utd’s stadium plans.

“It’s a moving feast at the moment, but we are impatient to get the economy growing again and get projects like this off the ground. We’re not wasting a minute,” Nandy told Sky Sports.

READ: Ratcliffe knows Manchester United must nail recruitment and Osimhen should be the start

“The Chancellor, Business Secretary and I have been in discussions and we’re really keen to crack on.

“Manchester United have to make their own plans and satisfy their own investors. What we have to do as a Government is maximise the benefits of projects like these for the communities that they serve.

“That’s why we are working with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and others. But we’re really confident we can do that.”

Nandy has also explained why they are “really excited for the project”.

“We have been in close contact with the club but also with the Mayor of Greater Manchester,” Nandy added.

MORE MAN UTD COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 Chelsea: ‘Large’ hint at cost of ‘cancelling’ Man Utd, Sancho transfer surfaces; Amorim role revealed
👉 Man Utd ‘proven right’ five times on Marcus Rashford, apparently
👉 Man Utd: Ornstein reveals ‘likely’ decision on £72m star with ‘dream’ replacement ‘expected to move’

“The exciting thing about this project is not just what it will do for Manchester United but what it will potentially do for the whole area and communities who live there.

“We are really excited for the project, we’re talking to them about how we can best work together to deliver it.

“We’ve seen it in other parts of the country where if you can build new infrastructure, you are able to open up more opportunities to young people from those communities to come in, play football and use those facilities.

“We have got huge waiting lists in the country for boys and girls who want to get involved in football, not just inspired by the men’s game but by the Lionesses. We’ve been racing to keep up with the facilities that are available.

“But it’s not just that. People will flock in, spend money in local shops, restaurants, cafes and takeaways. There’s a huge knock on effect for the whole local economy so we’re really excited about the project.”

If Liverpool are getting little credit for this Premier League title win, then every season should come with an asterisk.

Send your thoughts to theeeditor@football365.com

Why do Liverpool need credit?
Seriously, who gives a flying fork if the usual suspects on here want to put an asterisk next to Liverpool winning the title this year (assuming that they do win it, lose against Everton in the next game and buttocks will start to get very squeaky)?

We could put three asterisks next to all three trophies won by United in 1999. Win the title with 79 points? It’s like no-one was trying. Win the CL with two late goals after being dominated by a clearly superior team? How lucky was that? And as for the FA Cup, dominated by Liverpool at home, winning with goals in the 88th and 90th minutes, and then being bailed out against a much better Arsenal by a worldie from Giggs. In nearly every other multiverse, United did well to squeeze out a single trophy, they were outrageously lucky and undeserving.

And, of course, that’s what everyone thinks of when they think of the treble.

Don’t even get me started on Arsenal winning in 1998 with 78 points. They’d be lucky to get a top four spot in this new era of excellence in football. I’d be embarrassed to even claim that one.
Mat (waiting for the irony to be lost)

Liverpool fans are really very happy, thank you
I’m sorry. Sixth?! Who the hell are these Liverpool fans giving the gloomies?! SIXTH!!

F*** me, sixth in the mood stakes and 12 points clear in the league with 9 games to go.

Maybe if we’re 15 points, we would break the top five.

I appreciate you have to generate these lists, put something controversial in, but SIXTH is tantamount to the list equivalent of click-bait, Mediawatch style.

I love you guys but please don’t go down the ‘Let’s say something just to generate controversy’ route.
David (Happy as the proverbial Larry being an LFC fan atm, thanks) Molby, Shrews

…Funny that your mood piece marks Liverpool out as very ordinary: not dominating like City or the old Klopp team – I’m pretty sure you went to huge lengths not to proclaim them as great at the time – but just good enough – nothing special.

A few paragraphs later you’re telling us Brighton are the third happiest team in England because on current form they’re only second to Liverpool… wait a minute… did you say Liverpool? Surely not boring old Liverpool?

So you mean to tell us that this team that really only has two players who are anything but ordinary (your words) is the form team in the country coming into the business end of the season- that doesn’t really fit your description now does it- and I suppose you’ll say I am protesting too loudly to mask my disappointment- well once again just in case you didn’t hear or listen- WE ARE HAPPY!!! WE ARE GRATEFUL!!! The league is everything to us. That is true. Make of it what you will.
Michael, Ireland

Tindall? Really?
Did you have to include a picture of Jason Tindall as the literal face of your current mood rankings? The orange face and whiter than white teeth put me off my breakfast. He’s one of biggest narcissists in football.

He’s not even a number 1. Hes a failed number 1 desperate for the limelight. At least put Eddie Howe as the lead. He’s much more tolerable.
Strevs, AFC, Canada

It’s gone sort of okay for Ipswich
So it looks like my beloved Ipswich will slide back whence we came. Upset (yes), surprised (no), bright future (hopefully). Let’s unpack it.

Two years ago, Ipswich were in Div 1, the old 3rd Division. We had revenue of around £10m and were barely registering a pulse. A small US private equity firm had bought the club back from extinction for £40m and hired some kid from ManU to manage the team.

We got promoted to the Championship, but with a wage bill equivalent to 17th in the Championship, not much was expected. Shockingly, we got promoted with a guaranteed £265m payday, and a probable £180m on Day 1 as we made the promised land.

That’s when the fun started.

If you squinted, we had maybe one player of Premier League quality (Leif Davis) and a couple of guys with Championship pedigree…as for the rest, not so much.

We needed players…a lot of players. At least 10 starters and a bench, all hopefully of Premier League quality. We deployed 4 main strategies; the Plastic Paddies (apologies to Dara O’Shea); the Championship All Stars; as many loaners as we could get our hands on; and buying the England U21 attack.

£150m and 16 players later, only the England U21 strategy succeeded (Delap, Hutchinson, and belatedly Philogene – thanks Villa). The others, not so much.

As the stats show, we didn’t manage to get a) enough players (we regularly collapse after 60 mins when the B team come on), and b) enough quality players.

The numbers: £180m in, £150m out, £265m to play with.

We’ll lose Delap, our expensive loan stars, and maybe a few others, but we’ll go into next year with proven Championship All-Stars ™ and a far stronger squad. Given that McKenna is taking us down, he might not even get poached. Happy days.

A tough year, but on balance, we’d take it.
Matthew (ITFC)

A Chelsea Quadruple
I saw possibly the worst take from a pundit in a while recently when after the Arsenal game, Andy Reid said he thought Chelsea would be a force to be reckoned with next season. He made that statement after the most sterile Chelsea performance in recent memory.

Maybe if Chelsea finally bought a good, experienced goalkeeper, centerback, midfielder and striker they would be a force next year.

So it’s all good, they’ve just bought another child winger for £44 million and a 20 year old midfielder in a Las Palmas team that’s probably getting relegated.

Slap your bets on Chelsea winning the league next year!
Will

What makes a top-level manager?
Football365 doth protesteth too much, methinks. Andy’s email was not far off what a lot of people are probably thinking and the fact that ‘Ed’ thought it needed two interventions says a lot.

This was after I managed to play whack-a-mole with all the mobile ads that pop-up before I could even read the page. All waiting to be fed by awful click-baits columns that the brilliant MediaWatch would rip a new one of on a tabloid.

I had originally intended to raise the issue of what makes a good football manager – given so much is written about them – Pepball is over, is Arteta bottling it, is Slot good or bad or just leveraging Klopp’s team etc. A lot of speculative codswallop from columns, fans and pundits alike.

But seriously, when you look at Tuchel going from Bartender, Mourinho from Translator – Wenger, Eriksson, Vilas-Boas, Grant, Houllier, Sacchi, Parreira, Sarri, Nagelsman, Rodgers never played professional- at least at any level or for any length of time before being injured or cut. And now the March of very young managers coming on the scene too.

it is almost the rare case where a former professional ‘great’ becomes a manager and is successful at the highest level.

Even the best managers of the two winningest (?) teams in England – Liverpool and United – who all had professional careers (Busby, Ferguson, Shankly, Paisley and even Klopp) didn’t win a lot in their professional careers.

I suspect it’s more to do with having a different viewpoint on life and the game. When you don’t come in thinking you are the best, that they need to play like you ‘played’ as opposed to having a philosophy about how to play, perhaps your ideas translate better. Or even are honest about their own capabilities- as in Klopp saying he was never great but knowing what great is – versus perhaps the shouty Roy Keane types – expecting everyone to drop to their knees in adulation or just because they are rhe shouty types – not realizing it won’t get everyone running themselves into the ground for you?

But would love to either read some quality analysis from F365 columnists or some interesting letters on the subject.
Paul McDevitt