Ruben Amorim: United’s Saviour?

Noah Robinson on 19 November 2024

“I’m not naive, I know it’s going to be very different, very difficult,” Ruben Amorim told reporters on the 10th of November after his final game in charge of Portuguese club Sporting.

“I feel ready for the new challenge,”
-The New Manchester United manager said.

The ‘new challenge’ has proven too demanding for six full-time managers since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013. Manchester United currently sit 13th in the Premier League, picking up just 15 points from 11 games, marking their worst start to a Premier League season since the competition started in 1992.

The club has won one game in four in the Europa League. The once dominant side are in need of a saviour…

Amorim joins United on the back of two monumental victories as manager of Sporting. His former side’s dismantling of Man City 4-1 in the Champions League will be a welcome sign for Man United’s fans. This was followed by a 4-2 comeback win over Braga, after trailing 2-0 at half time, leaving the Portuguese side with a perfect 11 out of 11 wins to start their league campaign.

There are doubts, however, over whether the 39-year-old’s tactics will translate to Man United’s squad in the face of sterner Premier League opposition. Typically, Amorim plays a 3-4- 3 formation, placing emphasis on the wingbacks to provide width and create chances. Sporting’s first-choice wing backs provided 13 assists and 9 goals in Liga Portugal last season compared to just 5 assists and 2 goals from United’s starters.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, United’s left-footed left-backs, are rarely fit, forcing Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui to fill in, but both fullbacks are right-footed, making their crossing less effective. As a result, they are likely to drift centrally on the pitch, reducing space for the wide forwards who occupy central pockets in Amorim’s system. The exciting winger Alejandro Garnacho could be utilised as a wing back, but United will likely have to find a more defensive-minded solution in the transfer market.

Amorim has the opportunity to bring Premier League and European glory back to Old Trafford for the first time since 2012 and 2008 respectively. Will his success in Portugal translate to the most competitive league in the world?

The Red Devils will be praying for a miracle.

Words by Noah Robinson

The 745 Cross-Code Rugby Match: Ex-Pro’s Thrive to Keep the Hope of an MND Cure Alive

Ben Pointer on 19 November 2024

The 745 match. Rugby union. Rugby league. Three heroes. Two codes. One unstoppable force for good.

On Sunday, November 17th, Headingley Stadium hosted a spectacle that transcended sport. This was no ordinary game, but a gathering of two codes of rugby – brought together in honour of three extraordinary ex-rugby players whose lives and legacies will forever echo in the world of sport and beyond.

Rob Burrow’s courageous battle with motor neurone disease (MND) captivated the hearts of the nation. Alongside Rob, Doddie Weir, a Scottish giant in both stature and spirit, fought the same relentless disease with unwavering optimism until his final days. Ed Slater, still in the throes of his own fight with MND, embodies the raw courage of a life redefined by challenge. This was powerfully displayed when he watched on from his wheelchair with a gleam in his eye as his young son, alongside the late Rob Burrow’s, delivered the match ball to referee Ben Thaler, greeted by the heartfelt applause of 10,044 fans.

The 13-a-side 745 Game – named after the shirt numbers worn by Burrow, Slater and Weir – was played under a series of cross-code rules specifically designed for the occasion.

The match featured two lineups littered with ex-internationals, including former England rugby union stars Danny Cipriani, Billy Twelvetrees, Tom Wood, and Matt Banahan, up against England rugby league legends Keith Senior, Danny McGuire, and Luke Gale.

In a recent interview with BBC Radio Leeds before the match, Cipriani stated: “It’s a bit of a dream because I’ve always wanted to play a [rugby] league game, so I get to do a bit of both,” adding, “also, especially to represent Ed Slater, Rob and Doddie.” He went on to say, “We all struggle with the politics of the world, but this is a game for the people and three men that have put their hearts on the line.” “It’s a great day for the codes to come together; we’re putting exclusion aside, and we’re coming together for people.”

Among the notable attendees were Jonny Wilkinson, widely regarded as the best player England Rugby Union has ever seen, winning England the rugby World Cup in 2003. Joining him was Kevin Sinfield, one of rugby league’s most cherished icons, who has raised over £8 million for MND. Sinfield is best recognised from the iconic image of him carrying Burrow over the finish line at the Leeds marathon in 2023.

Kev’s most recent 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge – seven marathons in seven cities in seven days – was inspired by Burrow’s iconic number 7. His next challenge, ‘Running Home for Christmas,’ will see him cover 31 miles a day across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland over the course of a week, starting on 1 December 2024.

The 13-a-side game started at a blistering pace, with Tom Johnson breaking through the line less than two minutes in to score under the posts for the Ed Slater Legends. Jordan Murphy added the extras to give the side an early 7-0 lead.

The Rob Burrow Legends quickly struck back through Danny Maguire, who darted forward to chase down a clever grubber kick, levelling the score. Paul McShane and Waine Pryce also crossed the try line for the men in yellow. Matt Banahan responded with a try for Ed Slater’s team just before halftime, bringing the score to 19–14 in favour of Burrow’s team at the break.

The second half began in the teeming rain, and the Ed Slater Legends got off to a bright start. Billy Twelvetrees scored, with Cornwall adding the extras to put Ed’s team ahead, 21-19. However, McGuire fittingly sparked Burrow’s men to victory with his second try, and Pryce completed his double to seal the win for the Rob Burrow Legends, 33-21.

Following the match, players from both teams gathered at the centre of the pitch, joined by their families, to have a picture with Ed Slater and Geoff Burrow, father of Rob Burrow who held the inaugural 745 Shield.

This match raised a substantial amount of money for vital causes: the 4ED Fundraising initiative, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, and the Rob Burrow Discretionary Trust. These organisations are lifelines in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND), supporting research and those affected by the condition.

This night was far more than just a rugby match; it celebrated humanity’s courage in the face of adversity. It was a powerful reminder of the unique ability of sport to unite people, inspire hope, and honour the indomitable spirit of those who refuse to be defined by their challenges. The event stood as a beacon of hope, proving that even in the shadow of immense hardship, the human spirit can burn brighter than ever and bring us closer to finding a cure for MND.

Words and photos by Ben Pointer.

Doom and gloom for Borthwick’s young England side; but should it be?

Freddie Waterland on 19 November 2024

The second half of England’s 2024 is all but finished and on the face of it, it looks pretty bleak. 5 losses in a row, including to an Australian team that hadn’t won at Twickenham since the now infamous 2015 World Cup Campaign, and an Autumn that has provided more questions than answers.

The ‘blitz’ defensive system implemented by Felix Jones and now ran by Joe El-Abd, looks a shadow of the force that saw England victorious over Ireland in the six nations. The tactic is defined by rapid, aggressive line-speed, aiming to meet opposition players early and prevent them from moving the ball. It can be hugely effective, as South Africa demonstrated en route to back-to-back World Cup titles, but if executed poorly it can look especially ugly, as it has done at various points throughout this run of fixtures.

El-Abd, a coach without the pedigree of his predecessor and a close friend of Borthwick, has received significant (albeit not unfair) criticism, as fans and pundits alike suggest abandoning the system. However, whilst England have been unsuccessful this Autumn, the bigger picture is more promising.

Of these five losses, two were away in New Zealand. England have only won two games in New Zealand in history, and they came within a two points of doing so in Dunedin this summer. The third was at home to New Zealand, which England were one drop kick away from winning at the death. The fifth of these losses – and the only one to have been by more than seven points – was to double world champions South Africa.

A shock loss to a resurgent Australian team aside, a young England side physically matched South Africa and New Zealand, and led in the second half of each one of these encounters – that should be seen as a positive sign.

Rightly or wrongly, this England side, and Borthwick himself, will be judged on the World Cup in just under 3 years time. They feel the blitz defence is their best route to success, and have blooded a considerable amount of young talent this autumn, with the future in mind.

The teams age profile is something to note too; Jack Van Poortvliet, George Martin and Tommy Freeman are 23, Fin Baxter is 22 whilst two of England’s strongest performers this autumn have been 21 year olds Chandler Cunningham-South and Manny Feyi-Waboso. A side with this age profile competing against the world’s best teams is impressive, and often overlooked.

Perhaps it is the manner of the defeats that has frustrated fans, England have often struggled to close out games, and have appeared rudderless at times. As the old adage goes after all, losing does become a habit. An over reliance on Marcus Smith for creative spark is another concern, attacks have often seemed unimaginative and flat before his involvement. But, the fact remains, this team have the raw materials to be a successful one; the – not easily coached – power and dynamism can be seen throughout the side, whilst the (in theory) more easily remedied decision making and structures appear to be somewhat lacking.

So we leave Autumn with England in need of a positive Six Nations campaign next year. There are certainly plenty of signs to suggest that is on the cards, but can they shake their losing habit?

Words by Freddie Waterland.

Rooney’s Rough Ride…

jacob hibbert on 19 November 2024

Throughout his playing career, Wayne Rooney was regarded as one of the best attacking
talents of his generation and English History: totalling up 237 club goals in 569 appearances
and representing England 120 times.

His managerial career, however, has taken a slight turn for the worse…

The Englishman, 39, started off at Derby County as a player-manager and eventually got
the job permanently in January 2021. He then stepped down in June 2022 after a poor
season which saw them relegated to League One. Rooney then headed to the states, where he
managed D.C united for 53 matches, getting just 14 wins in the process. After leaving under
mutual consent, he came back home and took charge of Birmingham City following on from
the controversial departure of John Eustace.

He was sacked just 15 games later after only two wins during that time.

Since the end of the 2023/2024 season, he has been in charge of Championship side
Plymouth Argyle. They are currently sat 22nd in the table, in the relegation zone on goal
difference. As a side that was in League Two just five seasons ago, trying to become a
recognised Championship club was always going to be a challenge- especially in such an
unpredictable league. However, after the successful spell of Rooney’s predecessor Steven
Schumacher, the England legend should be looking to build and secure Plymouth’s
championship status.

With young talents such as Morgan Whittaker and Bali Mumba, it’s certainly possible.

With his managerial CV lacking much success, does he have the skills to get it right at Plymouth?

As a young manager, there is still a chance for Rooney to prove himself, although it does
feel as if time and opportunities are running out for him and another failed job could put the
future of Wayne Rooney as a manager in serious jeopardy.

Words by Jacob Hibbert.