I've never listened to TRiE but Marina Hyde is a very good writer. Regardless of what you think of her politics she's very good at taking people down in withering style from the left.
The Chelsea chairman and co-owner Todd Boehly has warned that the football calendar is too congested and feels that his players are facing too many games. (The Times) Suspect international matches are one he wants cut.
Not usually a fan of European finals between two sides from the same country (ours included) but I have to say I'm looking forward to tonight's. There's just so much narrative and so much consequence for both clubs. No idea who's gonna win, I'd have been somewhat confident about Spurs but Maddison/Kulisevski/Bergvall all being injured is a lot. I'd probably give United the edge.
I've got a feeling it's going to either be a fantastic end to end game, or the worst match we've ever seen. Nothing in between.
I feel exactly the same. History suggests European finals between two sides from the same league are more likely to be pretty boring but these two sides are so flawed you can see it being an open game.
He's not (yet) an England-eligible dual and I don't expect him to ever choose England if he had the chance to so I think this might be the best place for something I find interesting: Man U's Gabe Biancheri who was part of Wales u19's during the Qualifiers has been called up by Marsch to train with Canada's senior team before their friendlies start. I didn't even know he was eligible for them lol. On the other hand, 08-born English-Nigerian-Canadian winger/striker Shola Jimoh (afaik he was born in Newcastle and moved with his family to Canada when he was 3 or 4 years old) who has scored some goals in the Canadian Premier League last season and some minutes this season has been left out from their final roster. I certainly don't expect him to play for anyone else than Canada but ironically he's a pacey, direct (left?) winger who likes to run behind the defense a lot so exactly the type of player who has been a bit lacking for the u17s against Belgium.
Wow. I remember reading not long ago that Italy were after calling him into their youth side too. I'd fully expect Wales to try and cap tie him with their seniors at the earliest possible opportunity now. I don't think there's a Welsh youth international performing at a higher level than him in the academy system so you'd think they'll be panicking a bit.
Very much a goal deserving of the game so far. Perhaps a bit harsh but Onana seemed to dive for it at glacial speed.
Yeah I thought the same. Really felt like he could've got a strong hand on that. Both teams have been poor but I think Spurs deserve it on intensity alone. United have been very disappointing.
It'll be quite curious if United come out like that for the second half if Amorim survives it. It's one thing saying they plan to keep him before the final, but a complete damp squib performance in the final after putting all the eggs in the basket of the Europa league is a really bad look.
Wondering if Maguire is expecting his keeper to come off his line in that build up. Think he could have dealt with that otherwise. Didn’t look good from Maguire imo. Onana has zero confidence and the players in front of him don’t know what to expect.
Love it if Canada tried to cap tie him. I know its only after 3 games but then they know what other countries are like when they do it. Love seeing them meltdown. Remember England were looking at neco Williams and they were having an absolute tantrum
This is really bad from Man Utd in this second half. Struggling to string a few passes together. Surely need some changes?
So much time wasted. Bizarre. These modern keepers are just not up to standard. Both look so vulnerable in pretty much all facets of their game.
I would be throwing Mainoo on. Only option I think could create something out of nothing. Can’t expect Man Utd to create something other than a set piece or cross.
United have looked at least the better team for the last 15 minutes and are getting some joy, though some of that is simply how tragic the Spurs team is.
Casemiro has been struggling passing all game but is now attempting outside of the foot passes lol. Spurs shouldn’t be going ultra defensive here. Feels like the wrong move
Pape Sarr has completed 4 passes in 80 minutes, with a pass success rate of 40%, which is impressively bad for a central midfielder. Especially to say Spurs actually had a reasonable amount of the ball the first half.