Back pages Category
Premier League news. Stories from the newspapers and BBC sport – sports news from tabloids Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Star, the Guardian, Daily Mirror, the times, daily telegraph
Manchester United: fan fury, Mourinho gets desperate and Van Gaal gets time
Jose Mourinho’s PR calls the Daily Mail, which dutifully produces the headline: “JOSE PSG TALKS – Manchester United must act NOW if they want Mourinho.”
From hammer-headed Dutchman Louis Van Gaal to divisive Portuguese Jose Mourinho, United fans must wonder how it came to this, the pragmatic taking over from the dreamers. The Mail says Mourinho is the “prime contender” to replace Van Gaal “should United sack the Dutchman”.
Says who? We soon find out: “Mourinho, 53, wants a deal agreed by next week and unless United make their move quickly they could miss out on the Portuguese.” Mourinho’s desperate, isn’t he. United need not rush. The French league is one-trick pony. Man United are huge. They pick the manger. The manager does not pick them.
In the Sun, which has spent weeks hailing Mourinho as the next Man United boss, Neil Curtis tells Van Gaal, “You’re 4 It”, a pun on Van Gaal’s United missing out on a top finish and with it a berth in next season’s Champions’ League.
Curtis says fans “protests could follow tonight’s rearranged clash with supporters fed up with United’s turgid style of play”. They could. And then again, the could not. Perhaps those United fans who can recall life before Alex Ferguson made them serial champions will be circumspect and wait and see what happens. Winning is all the more glorious when it follows fallow years.
Curtis seeks fans’ fury but finds none. We hear from one fan who says he “admires” Van Gaal and does “think he will get it right in time”, and another who says Van Gaal has “an aversion to risk” and “no club has the divine right” to play in the Champions’ League.
Curtis never does ask them what they think of Mourinho, which given the man’s playing style might be just as well…
Posted: 17th, May 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Harry Redknapp, angry Newcastle fans, sunshine Spurs and Arsenal failures
A few days before Newcastle United fans hymned their team to a 5-1 thrashing of fancied Spurs, former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp told his Evening Standard readers:
Angry Newcastle fans can help Tottenham finish above Arsenal
He went on:
Newcastle’s relegation should ensure a hostile atmosphere which Tottenham can take advantage of to secure second place in the Premier League…
Spurs…are still a top side and you would fancy them to win at St James’ Park against a team with nothing to play for under a manager who is probably going to leave… The fans up there will be angry at how things have panned out after Sunderland beat Everton and the Newcastle players will just want the season over with.
Here’s what George Caulkin had to say about the match in the Times:
This was a peculiar day at St James’ Park, where a relegated side played with the zeal of champions and their supporters sang merrily in the sunshine and when Spurs, for so long an embodiment of promise and quality, simply imploded. Old, tired, perennial failures Arsenal — or so the narrative goes — hopped above them and a campaign that has featured upset at its core ended in a suitably perplexing manner.
More expert inside knowledge from Harry Redknapp all over the media every week.
Posted: 16th, May 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports, Spurs, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Jose Mourinho to Manchester United ‘in hours’
Transfer balls spots more tales of Jose Mourinho to Manchester United. The Star thunders: “Mourinho to Man Utd in hours.”
How many hours is unspecified by Luke Gardener, who made his prediction on May 13th. But he does cite his course: “Sky Sports Italy claim he will replace Louis van Gaal at the end of the season and sign a deal imminently.”
Sky Sports states: “José Mourinho will be the next manager of Manchester United.” The story is titled: “Mourinho, yes to Manchester United.”
The Indy reads that and states: “Jose Mourinho to Manchester United: Former Chelsea boss reaches agreement to become manager.”
Or as, er, Sky Sports puts it today: “Manchester United have no deal in place with Jose Mourinho, say Sky sources.”
Does writer Rory O’Callaghan consider Sky as reputable source?
More transfer balls throughout the summer.
Posted: 16th, May 2016 | In: Back pages, Broadsheets, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Heads will roll after Manchester United fake bomb fiasco
Manchester United v Bournemouth was called off yesterday. A suspect package was discovered at Old Trafford. The Telegraph tells the sorry tale:
A farcical security blunder led to Manchester United’s final Premier League game of the season being cancelled on Sunday, after a private security firm forgot to remove a fake bomb taped to the back of a toilet door as part of a training exercise at Old Trafford.
The colossal error had sparked fears of another potential terrorist attack and resulted in the match against Bournemouth being called off as tens of thousands of fans were evacuated from one of the world’s most famous sports grounds.
Heads will roll. No, not at ISIS. It wasn’t a bomb. At the security company that didn’t find all its ‘bombs’, then forgot to collect and count them. But really it’s just pretty funny.
PS: What’s odd is the Guardian’s front page, which leads with a picture of a sobbing child and a morose adult. Manchester United fans, which they surely are, should be delighted. That was the most urgency seen at Old Trafford this season:
Posted: 16th, May 2016 | In: Back pages, Broadsheets, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
War Chest Watch: Manchester United, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal, Everton, Manchester City and Liverpool transfer budgets announced
As the Premier League season ends big media turns to transfer rumours. One issue is deciding how much each club has to spend on new players. With every club in line for a £99m bonus next season, you’d suppose every PL club can spend large on recruitment.
Sunderland: “Sam Allardyce will demand a summer war chest of up to £50million” – Sun
Spurs: “Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino to be handed £60m war chest to strengthen squad” – Mail
Arsenal: Arsene Wenger £75m transfer fund this summer to bolster fragile defence and midfield” – Daily Telegraph
Everton: “£100m war chest to fund spending bonanza” – Daily Mirror
Liverpool: “Liverpool boss handed £100m summer transfer warchest… and targets have been identified” – Daily Star
Chelsea: “Chelsea to use chunk of £130m warchest to beat Arsenal to Alexis Sanchez replacement”
Manchester City: “Manchester City to hand Pep Guardiola a huge transfer chest for the summer” – Manchester Evening News
Manchester United: “Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal to get £150m war chest even without top-four spot” – Daily Express
Manchester United: “United Uncovered: Jose Mourinho’s £300m warchest” – Daily Express
Such are the facts…
Posted: 15th, May 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Broadsheets, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports, Spurs, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Arsenal offer Dortmund £33m for Mönchengladbach’s Xhaka
Transfer balls: a look a dire reporting on football rumours. Today the Indy reports on Arsenal:
Arsenal have made an official £33.8m offer for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Granit Xhaka after moving ahead with their first transfer of the summer, with the German club resigned to losing the Swiss international in the coming weeks.
Granit Xhaka plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach. Should Dortmund take the cash and keep quiet?
Posted: 11th, May 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Broadsheets, Sports | Comment
Leicester players mistake Ranieri for Manchester United hair dryer Alex Ferguson
The Daily Mail’s Martin Samuel has a statement and a question for Manchester United and Leicester City fans:
Is it something to do with Fergie’s famous hair dryer?
No. Was it a case of mistaken identity, Martin?
Posted: 9th, May 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Spurs balls: Pochettino joins Jose Moutinho at Manchester United (says The Sun)
The Sun has an “exclusive”. It says Manchester United have sparked “PANIC” at Spurs. The Red Devils want to take Mauricio Pochettino from White Hart Lane to Old Trafford.
Spurs bosses are “edgy” and “concerned” that Pochettino will leave the club and head to Manchester United. They need not worry. After all the Sun has told us over and over and over that Jose Mourinho is United’s next manager.
December 21: “LOUIS VAN GAAL is on his way out of Manchester United after contact was made with Jose Mourinho…Van Gaal could now be gone before the Boxing Day game at Stoke. At best, he will have that plus the home clash with Chelsea next Monday to keep his job.”
March 26: “JOSE MOURINHO will be offered a mind-boggling £60million to send Manchester United soaring back to football’s summit.”
March 19, 2016: “Man United transfer news: Jose Mourinho ‘wants £60m Harry Kane to be prime target’”
Atop Press: Sun Panic that all its exclusive news has been utter balls.
Posted: 20th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Spurs, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Spurs Harry Kane to Barcelona, Manchester United in big summer of no news
The Guardian says Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are looking to buy Tottenham striker Harry Kane. The story contains not a single fact, quote or source. It is classic transfer balls. This summer will be busy for Kane news.
The Standard says Harry Kane “is the subject of renewed interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich”. Real and Bayern are both said to be “desperate to prise Kane from White Hart Lane”. But Bayern, “will only opt for Jane should Robert Lewandowski leave the club in the summer.”
Kane earns £50,000 a week at Spurs. Surely Barcelona and Bayern will top that, reasons the Standard.
The Week chucks in another team, saying Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane “has identified Kane as the man to lead the line next season.” You’ve got to love “identified”. It implies that Zidane has studied Kane for promotion to the big time. Kane is the Premier League’s top scorer. Identifying his talents is marginally less tricky than looking at a puppy stood by a pile of poo and working out whodunnit.
And then there’s Manchester United. Earlier in April, the Indy said Kane “could regret turning down transfer”. Well, so said Teddy Sheringham.
Looking at Kane flying high with Spurs, you have to wonder why he would leave the club.
Posted: 19th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports, Spurs | Comments (5)
Jamie Vardy hurt by lack of perspective
The newspapers are split: did Jamie Vardy, Leicester City’s scrote-to-star striker point his finger at referee Jon Moss as he was ordered to leave the field in his side’s 2-2 draw with West Ham? Vardy, already on a yellow card, earned his second and with it the red for an egregious spot of diving. Bizarrely his club manager Claudio Ranieri says Vardy “never dives”. Oh? “Always he goes very fast and at this speed if you touch a little [the player hits the turf like as if he’s been shot].”
The Mail says Vardy “jabbed a finger angrily at referee Jon Moss”. He did. But not in the picture the Mail leads with.
It’s all matter of perspective, much like Ranieri’s vision.
Posted: 18th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports | Comment
Manchester City: the Real Madrid fear factor
Manchester City will play Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. The Sun and Times are debating matters.
“Ronaldo and Co con’t scare us,” says the Manchester City manager, Manuel Pelligrini.
But they should scare you, says the Times.
Posted: 16th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, Broadsheets, Manchester City, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Manchester United: time up for magic Van Gaal
Manchester United have called “time” on Louis Van Gaal’s career at Old Trafford.
So says the Daily Mirror, which adds that “even an FA Cup victory won’t stop Jose taking over”. David McDonnell says the Manchester United “hierarchy” are plotting an “exit strategy for the Dutchman and a succession plan for Mourinho”.
The Mirror, of course, is guessing. This is the paper that told readers Van Gaal would be sacked should United failed to beat Stoke City. They failed. Van Gaal stayed.
Reading on we learn that the “exclusive” news of Van Gaal’s demise is not all that certain. There is a “belief the time for change is fast approaching”. And “there is a growing belief at the Reads they will soon have to strike a deal” to pay Van Gaal off.
After so much believing, it’s worth looking back at what the Mirror said yesterday, “Louis Van Gaal has a remarkable knack of getting a result when he needs it most…. He is either incredibly lucky or has a magic touch.” Or else he’s playing Stoke.
The Mirror writes him off and then says we write him off at our peril.
Posted: 15th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Liverpool: Klopp’s devils, an Anfield miracle and Dortmund’s destiny
Liverpool left it late to beat Borussia Dortmund at Anfield last night.
Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel sums it up: “I can’t explain it, it was not logical. It was very emotional. At the end at 3-3 everyone here believed it was meant to be, it was destiny.”
Papers are calling it a “miracle”, a sign of God’s love. Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, is more circumspect: “We fought back like devils and it is deserved. A little bit lucky.”
Dortmund had surged into an early lead. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored inside the first nine minutes. Liverpool needed three goals to progress to the Europa League semi-finals. Divock Origi got one for the Read. And then Marco Reus restored the German’s advantage. Cue Liverpool goals from Philippe Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho headed and at the death Dejan Lovren.
Nothing better than watching your team fight to come back from the brink to win. Wonderful stuff:
Posted: 15th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, Liverpool, Sports | Comment
Manchester United balls: Fergie’s banger clanger
Hear the story about former Manchester United manger Alex Ferguson’s sausage sandwich? The Star has news:
Revealed: Sir Alex Ferguson’s astonishing reaction to hearing of Man Utd’s defeat to Spurs
No, he didn’t laugh and scream ‘Yid Army!’
The Sun claim the Red Devils legend hurled his food while enjoying the 2016 Masters at Augusta.
Over in the Sun, then, to read:
Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson throws a banger after flops drop a clanger against Tottenham while watching the Masters
We know this because…
An onlooker said: “He was looking on his phone when he suddenly threw his sausage down on to his plate in anger. He’d obviously seen the United result.”
Yeah, obviously.
Posted: 12th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: players’ revolt, Van Gaal mired and the board dither
“CLUELESS,” says the Sun in its appraisal of Manchester United manger Louis Van Gaal. And the players agree. They “labelled boss Louis Van Gaal ‘clueless’ in an amazing dressing-room inquest”.
They did?
A “source” says the players “didn’t seem to have much time for him” following their 3-0 defeat at Spurs.
The Times has more, writing in “stars sick of being blamed by Van Gaal” that the board is split over keeping Van Gaal, or replacing him with Ryan Giggs or Jose Mourinho. It’s a lack of clear thinking and direction that surely undermines United. As Manchester City plot a direction of travel with their recruitment of Pep Guardiola, United dither. The Times says, until things are sorted out, Van Gaal may limp on”.
But the Mail says Van Gaal is “likely to leave United at the end of the season“. Is that why he has been talking about transfer targets?
Posted: 12th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Arsenal balls: Wenger is crap, Keown is a one-man team and The Sun is clueless
Arsenal and West Ham United draw 3-3 and the Sun says it;s more evidence that Arsene Wenger is crap:
“Isn’t it funny the Wenger empire was built on a defence he inherited from George Graham – and they have not won the League in 12 years since the likes of Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn left?”
You could argue that money played a factor, what with Arsenal unable to match their rivals’ spending. Or you could just find it funny how the Sun’s man in the know knows nothing.
When Arsenal last won the Premier League title in 2003/04, their defenders were:
Jens Lehmann: league matches started – 38
Ashley Cole: 32
Martin Keown: 3
Lauren: 30
Pascal Cygan: 10
Gaël Clichy: 7
Sol Campbell: 35
Kolo Touré: 36
Who knew going the entire season undefeated was all down to Martin Keown? He really was that good…
Posted: 11th, April 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports | Comment
Manchester United got Van Gaal and Spurs get to dream
Does Louis Van Gaal regret turning down Spurs in 2014? “The challenge was bigger for me at Manchester United and shall always be bigger,” says Van Gaal. “I’m sorry for Tottenham but Manchester United is a bigger club.”
Spurs fans celebrating a rare 3-0 win over Van Gaal’s Man United must be gutted. They could have had hammer-headed Van Gaal and his ego instead of young Mauricio Pochettino and his vision.
Of course, Van Gaal was not boasting about Manchester United. He was put on the spot by a journalist. The Dutchman soon turned on the reporter. “It is a little bit pathetic you asked that,” he sniped. “It’s easy to ask that but, ok, you enjoy yourself.”
Van Gaal then added: “Can we finish fourth? Yes, because we have 18 points available. It’s more difficult than before the match, that’s for sure. Everybody can lose to everybody else. We are still in the race.”
How far United have fallen to be “in the race” for fourth. They are, says the Times, “clueless”. Their capitulation more akin to the Spurs of old.
Spurs, meanwhile, can dream of winning the title for the first time since President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced that the United States has severed diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba.
Can they do it? Yes.
Tottenham have scored the most goals and conceded the fewest in the Premier League this season. Six teams have achieved that in the Premier League era. Five times – Manchester United in 2001 and 2008, Arsenal in 2004, Chelsea in 2006 and Manchester City in 2012 – that team won the title. On the other occasion, United finished second in 1998.
Posted: 11th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Spurs | Comment
Manchester United and Spurs balls: Kane and Pochettino got their separate ways
Big news in the Sun that Tottenham striker Harry Kane has “urged” manager Mauricio Pochettino to remain at White Hart Lane and snub any move to Manchester United.
That in the Sun, which has told us:
December 21: “LOUIS VAN GAAL is on his way out of Manchester United after contact was made with Jose Mourinho…Van Gaal could now be gone before the Boxing Day game at Stoke. At best, he will have that plus the home clash with Chelsea next Monday to keep his job.”
March 26: “JOSE MOURINHO will be offered a mind-boggling £60million to send Manchester United soaring back to football’s summit.”
Save the urges, Harry, The Sun says Mourinho’s already got the job.
And pack your bags. After all, the Sun told us that Kane is Manchester United’s leading target:
March 19, 2016: “Man United transfer news: Jose Mourinho ‘wants £60m Harry Kane to be prime target'”
All utter balls.
Posted: 9th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Spurs | Comment
Manchester United: players earn less in line with Moyes and Van Gaal
Manchester United’s players will earn less money if they fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League, says the Times. The paper reasons that “players and coaching staff stand to lose about £14 million if they fail to finish in the top four of the Barclays Premier League this season. That works out at about £500,000 per player.”
Of course, those figures are wrong. The top-paid players – Wayne Rooney – will lose a lot more bonus pay than, say, new blade Marcus Rashford.
The Times has learnt. All players receive a “standard” wage packet when they sign a professional contract at the club, and with Champions League qualification, they receive a larger wage packet, known as the “standard plus” rate.
United introduced the scheme after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, sensing perhaps that the team would not be so assured of qualifying for the Champions League as they were under the Scot.
Ferguson knew the power of money and the status it brings, writing:
“When the Glazers and David Gill agreed to a big increase in Wayne Rooney’s salary in 2010, they wanted to know how I felt. I told them I did not think it fair that Rooney should earn twice what I made and Joel Glazer immediately said, ‘I totally agree with you, but what should we do?’ It was simple. We just agreed that no player should be paid more than me’.”
Reduce the manager; reduce the wages.
Posted: 9th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United balls: Mourinho and his agent look at homes in Cheshire
Hold the back page! No sooner has the Daily Mirror given Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal a “boost” with news that Jose Mourinho is being courted by Real Madrid than the Sun screams: “JOSE HOMES IN – He’s been house hunting in Cheshire”.
The story goes that an “agent” is acting on Mourinho’s behalf, on the look out for a suitable pad in Cheshire. What kind of agent is not said, but our bet would be on it being one involved in getting Jose the top job and any fat fees that go with it.
The Sun adds that Mourinho has a “verbal understanding that he will take over from Louis Van Gaal at the end of May”.
But the Mirror says Manchester United’s main dealmaker, Ed Woodward, “is keen to keep Van Gaal”, who is “expected to stay in his job if United qualify for next season’s Champions League”.
We aren’t told with whom Jose has a “verbal agreement” but if it is with an estate agent, we’d advise going for something more binding lest he get gazumped.
Posted: 8th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United balls: Real move for Mourinho
The Daily Mirror says Manchester United are on “red alert”. The story is that Real Madrid are “plotting” to rehire Jose Mourinho. This, we’re told, is a “boost” to current Manchester United manger Louis Van Gaal. This Mirror adds that Mourinho has been “heavily linked with the Old Trafford job”.
Oh, come on, Why so coy? After all it was the Mirror that told us the job was his:
Such are the facts.
Posted: 8th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Arsenal sign Granit Xhaka with a cheeky smile
Transfer Balls: The Metro reads all sorts of things into a smile, telling its reader bots:
Arsene Wenger smile hints Granit Xhaka to Arsenal transfer could be done
Says Wenger:
“At the moment, no. We are starting to look at people who can strengthen our squad, but we are not on any particular case in a concrete way”
But who needs words when you can have a smile?
As for the player, well, earlier this month he told Express:
“I’ve seen the rumours. All I can say is it’s nonsense. There have been no negotiations with Arsene Wenger.”
But, of course, the deal has already been done. We read about it in the… Metro:
Posted: 7th, April 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Liverpool: Klopp aims to buck the trend in Dortmund
One more reason to like Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s charismatic manager. Asked if will celebrate a Liverpool goal when the Reds take on his former club, Borussia Dortmund, in tonight’s Europa League quarter-final match, the German said, “of course I will celebrate”.
Good. Go nuts. Footballers who look apologetic when they score against a former club are pathetic and joyless. Goals are what the game is about. Anyone failing to celebrate them should be sent off.
Posted: 7th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, Liverpool, Sports | Comment
Irony overload: Daily Mail bemoans predators who take pictures of Arsenal star on a night out
Martin Samuel is writing about Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere in the Daily Mail:
“Ghouls filming private moments on their mobile phones are a modern curse. So Jack Wilshere merits some sympathy, being a young man unable to go anywhere without a predatory stranger wishing to make his life their property.”:
Predatory strangers armed with cameras who create stories like:
ECLUSIVE: Ariel Winter reveals new inking in a high cut swimsuit as she frolics in the Bahamas surf… after getting THREE tattoos just weeks after 18th birthday
Catching some Lana Del RAYs? Bikini-clad singer tops up her tan in a nautical two-piece during relaxing Malibu beach day
You can read those predatory paparazzi-scoops and many more like them in the, er, Daily Mail.
Posted: 6th, April 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Manchester United: Jose Mourinho wants it in writing but Van Gaal stays
The Sun says Jose Mourinho wants a “written promise” he will be their manager this summer. A written promise? Isn’t that a contract. Indeed, one slot above Mourinho’s request is news of Antonio Conte, who will join Chelsea as their new manager in the summer once he’s finished working with Italy. He has a contract. Jose Mourinho does not.
He sounds desperate. Surely Manchester United hold all the cards. They are the Premier League’s richest and biggest club. Is Jose’s the only name in the frame for such a great job? Would United fans really pick him over, say, Diego Simeone, Laurent Blanc and Louis Van Gaal? In the Mirror, news is that the Dutchman thinks he will stay on as United boss even if he fails to get them into the Champions’ League.
But the Sun is backing Jose. It says United’s owners, the Glazers, “know he is the man to take them back to the top”. Just as, one presumes, they knew David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal were the right men.
Posted: 6th, April 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
