And to round us off, a helping of Football Daily, as penned by, well me. Or some of it, at least.
Here’s a cut of Ruben Amorim on his Manchester United press bow.
Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna is the first manager Amorim will face. He coulda been a contender for that job, of course.
“Another fantastic occasion to have United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, coming to Portman Road for a game on a Sunday in front of a global audience. It is one to really embrace, one to really look forward to. The players are, the staff are and I’m sure the supporters are as well.
“The process is a little different. You tend to watch some games of the manager’s previous club, whether that is tactical things, technical things or even mental things that were important in that. You cross that between studying and analysing the players at the club and anything relevant from recent games that we think will probably come up again.”
Gary Neville has been given first dibs on a chat with Ruben Amorim for Sky.
The main headline is Amorim closing off the door for Stateside trips like those Marcus Rashford and Casemiro took in going to watch the New York Knicks. GN was not happy about all that.
Amorim: “They received information of ‘five days off’ and they are big boys, they have kids, so they decide what to do,” Amorim told Neville in a lengthy interview for
“The main question here is, as a club, we have to set the standards, we have to manage that. It’s my decision if they can have five days, as a coach, or three days, or it’s three days to rest and you cannot fly. This is something, as a club, we have to decide.”
“For me, yes, for sure. But we cannot put this on the players. (The United hierarchy) told them they have five days off so they can fly anywhere, because nobody in the club said, ‘You cannot fly’. So they have to live their lives because they are grown men and they have to decide these things. But as a club, we have to change these standards.”
Claudio Ranieri is back in football at Roma, and Napoli manager Antonio Conte is happy to see his old mate and adversary back.
Napoli are the Serie A leaders and A trip to leaders Napoli is Ranieri’s first task, and Conte is looking forward to meeting up with the 73-year-old.
Per Reuters
“I am pleased to see Claudio, I have great esteem for him and there is also friendship,” Conte told reporters ahead of Sunday’s game. I am happy with the chance he had been given. It will be a tough game, for us and for them. Last year Roma finished ahead of Napoli, they are in the Europa League and had a good transfer window.
”They are not performing according to expectations and I hope for Claudio that everything starts to work, after Sunday’s game.“
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace is a game between two out of form teams, Eberechi Eze will not be present, as Oliver Glasner explains.
“I had a long chat with him today because he’s very ambitious, he’s a great guy and he works really hard. He wanted to be with us, he felt like he was ready. Of course, I want him to play but we have to protect him and therefore yes we lose him for one game but we have 15 games in December and January and we need him for 15 games not just for one.”
Fletcher touchline ban reduced
More Manchester United news, per PA Media.
Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher has been successful in reducing his touchline ban to two matches after being found guilty of misconduct.
Fletcher was fined £7,500 and suspended for three matches after an independent regulatory commission found he had acted in an improper and/or confrontational manner and/or that he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official and the referee and/or assistant referees in the tunnel area during United’s fixture against Brentford last month.
The former Scotland international admitted to this misconduct but argued it was only towards the fourth official and the referee, and also denied that he was abusive and appealed.
“The independent appeal board has reduced the extended touchline ban and fine to two matches and £6,000 respectively, and its written reasons will be published in due course,” said a statement from the Football Association.
Julen Lopetegui is a manager under pressure – perhaps the manager – but ahead of West Ham’s Monday match with West Ham, he is focused, and dismisses talk of a showdown with David Sullivan, the co-owner.
“The only thing I am focused on is to be able to be ready to go to Newcastle, in a very tough match against a very good team. We have to be ready to improve and overcome the difficulties that we are going to have as a team. That is the only thing I am focused on. The rest of the things, believe me, that is football, we are not focused on this. We talk every week. I am not going to tell you about what I speak to David about.”
Jamie Jackson was at the Amorim launch party.
“You have here different types of coaches: the guys that won everything like Van Gaal and Mourinho, the new ones that knew the club inside out like Solskjær, then one of the best outside the top five leagues – Ten Hag. We have to improve as a club and acknowledge we have to win games. You have different coaches, the same results. We will try to do the Ineos way, my way.”
Interesting snippets from PA Media.
A van pulled up outside the meeting venue on Friday afternoon bearing the words ‘Richard’s Masters’ alongside the logos of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham. The driver, from the Merseyside area, did not know who had requested the message be displayed.
The same thing happened when clubs met at the Premier League’s headquarters in London in October in the immediate aftermath of the arbitration tribunal’s findings being published.
Manchester City have also discovered there will be as little as a six-week gap between their Club World Cup campaign and the next Premier League season. City will play alongside Chelsea in next summer’s tournament in the United States, which is due to finish on July 13. The Premier League confirmed the 2025-26 season would begin on August 16.
Marco Silva, another Portuguese manager, and one who can most brusque – he once gave a two-word answer when I needed 150 words – has given his backing to Amorim: “He’s a very good manager and it’s a great challenge for him and he’s more than ready for the challenge. I’ve spoken to him and what I wish for him is always the best.”
How will Manchester United line up at Ipswich on Sunday? Some clues from Amorim here.
“As a coach, you have to choose one way or another. “I choose always 100 per cent our way. I prefer to risk a little bit, but to push in the first moment. If they feel that since the first day that I believe so much in our way of playing, they will believe too. So there is no second doubts, no second way. It’s one way and we are going to do it.
“We will adapt some players because we don’t have the right profile. This team was built for a different system. But it’s the same thing playing with five or four. The principles are the same. The positioning is a little bit different.
“Maybe on Sunday when you will see the list of players, the starting XI, you don’t feel a lot of change. But you will feel it in the game in the positioning, in the way they receive the ball or to cover the ball. You see some changes.”
Another line on recruitment from Amorim.
“I want to have a strong position on that because of how I want to play. It should be together but I think the manager should get the final say. When everything is aligned, we can buy and sell players.”
Thanks, Luke for more sterling work. Well, that was Ruben. On a scale of Portuguese managers in press conference, he’s no José but neither is he a Bruno Lage, or the whispering Ted Lowe of Iberian bosses, Nuno at Forest. There’s no AVB-style hucksterism, either. Who could see Rubes hitting the Paris-Dakar rally? There were moments there of consideration, of trying not to trip up on his own words. You never got that with José. Or AVB, though perhaps he might have done.
Couple of key quotes:
“I truly believe I am the right guy in the right moment. I could be wrong but the world still will turn, the sun will rise again, I don’t worry about that. I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.”
“I think two years, you can understand if I’m the right manager to go in this process. I think we will need more time because if you look to the other clubs that are winning this league, they are doing this process for a long time but they are winning, that is why they have time to do this project. I understand that we will need more than two and a half years, we will have to win something somewhere, but in two years you can understand if you want to continue in this path or you change. We will see how long it will be.”
And with that – John Brewin is here to take the reins:
Amorim: manager should get final word on recruitment
“Mourinho showed all the Portuguese coaches that we can be the best in the world,” Amorim continues. “But I’m different from Mourinho. In that time (Mourinho’s Chelsea tenure from 2004], you looked at Mourinho, you felt he can win everywhere. But it’s not the same thing. He was European champion. I am not.
“But I’m a different guy, in a different moment. Football now is different. And I think I’m the right person for this moment. I am a young guy. I understand the players … I try to use that, like José did in Chelsea.”
Amorim is asked about recruitment: “It has to be altogether. We have to improve our process of recruitment. The final word [on recruitment] should be the manager’s.
“It’s not that it’s your right: it’s your responsibility. Because the results are down to me. I have to understand the league. When everyone is on the same page, we can buy and sell players.”
Has that been agreed, Amorim is asked: that he has the final say on purchases?
(He then seems to climb down somewhat.)
“It’s not the final, the final [say]. I have agreed responsibility when we choose players. I am the head coach.”
Is it an impossible job? “No, of course I don’t think it’s an impossible job. I feel I am the right guy in the right moment. I could be wrong. But [if I am wrong] the earth will turn, the sun will rise again. I truly believe I am the right guy.”
The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson asks Amorim why he believes in the squad of players that “got Ten Hag sacked”?
“It’s a belief, you have to believe. I believe in them. Hard work, and you have to believe in the new idea. Until they prove me wrong, I believe in the players.”
Updated
Amorim: I am a dreamer
Now he has arrived, is Manchester United what Ruben Amorim expected? “It’s bigger. There’s a lot of departments. So much different than Sporting. This you feel is a global club. It’s not just coaching the team … but I have a lot of help. I feel very happy, very comfortable. I feel at home.”
Why does he believe he make Manchester United Premier League champions again? “I am a dreamer. I believe in myself. I also believe in the club. We have the same idea, the same mindset. That can help. But I truly believe in the players. I know you guys don’t. But I think we have room to improve.
“I want to try new things. You guys [media] think it’s not possible. I think it’s possible. We will see in the end.”
How long will it take to “repair” the club, asks Dan Roan of the BBC: “I don’t know about ‘repair’. Like I said we have space to grow. We have to improve in a lot of areas … it’s a different way of playing, We are changing in the middle of the season … I think we have to improve the physical aspect of the team.
“I don’t know how long it will take. I know I have to win games. I will not tell you I need a lot of time.
“It’s a great league. It’s the strongest league in the world. And we have to improve a lot to try and win it … We have to win games, we have to win tackles.
“It’s not revolution. The football is not so different with five, four or three players in the back [in defence]. We will have to wait and see. We will play a different type of football … it’s our way of playing football. It’s neither evolution nor revolution.
“José [Mourinho] sent me a message. He told me it’s a big, lovely club with lovely people. And that is correct. It still is. But a lot of things changed. We are building a new stadium.
“I am a different guy. I was learning at the time [when he visited Old Trafford under José Mourinho]. I hope to teach something new to my players.
“We lose the ball too often. We have to be better on running back. We have to be better in the details. I think it’s the small things. We have to improve on that. Players as a team understanding the game in one way. In the small things, I can help the players.”
Updated
Ruben Amorim is up imminently. Manchester United face Ipswich away on Sunday.
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“I’m not interested in ‘looks’,” says Postecoglou earlier, of the Bentancur affair.
He could at least have said: “Look, I’m not interested in ‘looks’,” in true Aussie style.
Marco Silva speaks before Fulham’s home tie against Wolves tomorrow afternoon: “We have been performing really well. We probably deserve even more points.
“Overall, for everything, we have been able to rebuild from the players we lost .. and we signed some very good players. It’s been a good challenge for us.
“We have had some very good performances. The players trust in the process. But we have no guarantees at this level. We have a chance to get the third win in row.
“After the last international break the results weren’t the best. It’s a challenge for us tomorrow to get the three points.”
On the new Manchester United manager: “Ruben Amorim is a very good manager. It’s a great challenge for him. Of ocurse, I have spoken with him. What I wish for him is always the best.
And on the current Manchester City manager who has signed a new deal: “It’s great news for the Premier League. It’s the best, most difficult league. If you can keep the best manager in the world in this league, it’s good news.”
“We deserve to continue.”
Pep Guardiola on his new deal:
Arteta on Pep Guardiola’s new City contract: “If it’s what he really wants, I congratulate him. I already did. I am happy for him because I want the best for him.
“We can only what is up to us … what the others can do is not our decision.
“I understand how lucky I am to be sitting where I am … but you always want more. The people that I work with … it’s about winning. You want to win more. You want big trophies. We are on that journey.
Does Arteta have another 250 matches in him? If it’s about energy and what I love doing … for sure.
On Nottingham Forest“Forest have been great, especially against top opposition. Credit to Nuno and his staff. Very impressed with them.”
What are Arteta’s main achievements, does he think, in his time at Arsenal? “Bringing the club together 100%. Lifting the spirit. Giving a clear DNA to the football club. Pride in representing this club and this shirt.”
So the only thing remaining is to win things? Trophies are not the only one … but now it’s about winning. That’s the next step, for sure.”
Did he think Pep would leave City? “I have no clue. When he was at Barcelona and Bayern it was similar. It’s his decision. He seems happy at the club. So congratulations.”
Updated
Arsenal's White sidelined 'for months' after surgery
Mikel Arteta with Arsenal fitness update: “Ben White is going to be out for months. We know that Ben is going to push every boundary. We decided to do the surgery. It’s going to keep him out for a few months. I don’t know at the moment [exactly how long]. We have to see how he reacts after surgery.
““Ricky” [Calafiori] trained today … he’s going really well … he’s back in the squad.”
Kieran Tierney: “Not yet. He had a couple of sessions with the team. But not yet … Tomiyasu is going to be out for a period.”
Updated
Mikel Arteta speaks now!
Arsenal host Forest tomorrow.
Updated
Gary O’Neil of Wolves has a [very] quick chat about tomorrow’s game against Fulham:
“The’ve got a good style. Their players fit in excellently. It will be another real test for us.”
Uefa investigate after Khadija Shaw struck by object
Uefa is investigating after Khadija Shaw appeared to be struck by an object during Manchester’s City’s 2-1 Champions League victory at Hammarby on Thursday.
The match in Stockholm, watched by a crowd of just over 20,000, saw Shaw score both the visitors’ goals. When she put them ahead with the opener just past the half-hour mark, Shaw celebrated in front of the home supporters and appeared to be hit by something thrown from the stands, before being booked.
A statement from Uefa on Friday said: “Proceedings have been opened against Hammarby IF for throwing of objects (Article 16(2)(b) of the Disciplinary Regulations).
“Manchester City player Khadija Shaw received a yellow card following her goal presentation for unsporting conduct.”
City secured qualification for the quarter-finals as they made it four wins from four in Group D. Captain Alex Greenwood said of Shaw in a post on X after the game: “Travel to Stockholm score a big goal. CELEBRATES her goal. GETS OBJECTS THROWN AT HER. Gets stick from the home fans. Gets a yellow card. Celebrate with your team mates. Qualified for quarter final. What else are you gonna do on a Thursday?” (Reuters)
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Postecoglou: I've made bigger mistakes than Bentancur
Ange Postecoglou speaks, firstly on injuries: “Romero won’t be right for tomorrow. We are hoping for next week … the main ones out before that are still out
Has he spoken to Rodrigo Bentancur? “I spoke to him briefly. Look … he’s accepted all along he’s got to take whatever penalty comes his way … we have to support him through that process.
“Get him through it, and hopefully once the ban’s over. he will be ready to contribute.”
Is appealing the seven-match ban a bad “look”? “I’m not interested in looks. I’ve said all along he’s made a mistake. We accept the penalty. We thought the first one was a little bit harsh. We’ve appealed it … the punishment is at the low end of the scale.
“I get that people want to burn people at the stake these days – [but] part of this is education. Hopefully treating people [who have made mistakes] in the way that people see that is the way forward.
“I have made bigger mistakes than that, mate. But I was able to learn from them. And hopefully I’m a better human being.
“It’s worth it [the appeal]. That’s what we feel. We still have a judicial process. That is why appeals are there. We think it was harsh. We think it should have been the minimum [six games] … We are not going to accept it if we don’t think it’s the right thing. That is why there is an appeals process.
Has the squad moved on internally, has it affected preparations for Manchester City? “No, it hasn’t affected our week … internally we understand. We are helping Rodrigo through the process. That is how you get progress. Is it a daily topic? No. We’ve got other things going on … but we’ve dealt with it, within the four walls of our dressing room.”
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Here is Jamie Jackson, from this week’s “10 things …” on Saturday evening’s somewhat mouthwatering clash between Manchester City and Spurs:
When does a feelgood vibe remain at a club despite a dismal four-game losing streak? Answer: when Manchester City and their all-time great manager, Pep Guardiola, have just agreed a new one-year deal. City look to arrest their slide against Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou’s off-the-cuff attacking unit will suit City. A side mocked as “Doctor Tottenham” – the joke being they provide the cure for a needy side’s ills – have the pace to get in behind the champions’ high line and damage them, too. A fifth consecutive reverse would cast the champions in crisis and have some (misguided) fans questioning the prudency of the Guardiola extension.
Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou is up shortly.
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While we wait for Ruben Amorim, how about some news from Spain?
Diego Simeone will complete 700 games in charge of Atlético Madrid when his club hosts Alaves in La Liga tomorrow, and the Argentinian manager said he was grateful to reach that milestone even as rumours swirl about his future.
Simeone is nearing 13 years in charge of Atlético having taken the job in December 2011 and the 54-year-old has since transformed the side from underdogs to dangerous rivals to Spain’s big two - Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The club has won two league titles, one Copa del Rey and two Europa League trophies while they also reached the Champions League final twice - losing to city rivals Real on both occasions.
However, they remain a force to be reckoned with and Simeone’s record of 326 clean sheets is a testament to his side’s defence.
“First of all, I’d like to thank all the people who worked with me on the coaching staff and who are not with us today, all the players who made it possible for me to be at the club for so long,” Simeone said.
“Miguel Angel (CEO) and Enrique Cerezo (president) for supporting me on the path and trying to follow it together, and our fans for the respect they have always shown me. I am absolutely grateful to Atletico, I am very happy to have been able to enjoy these 700 games.”
However, Atlético’s start to the season has led to questions being raised in the media about his future. Atlético are third in La Liga, seven points behind leaders Barcelona after five draws, while they are 23rd in the Champions League halfway through the new group stage. But Simeone has a contract until June 2027 and is not bothered by speculation, saying: “I think about Alaves, I don’t focus on anything else... I think about how to resolve an important match.”
Atlético went into the international break with four straight wins in all competitions and Simeone said the next eight games would be crucial.
“Alaves is coming, we know them. They play direct, with speed ... and a lot of guys we know because they have been here (at Atletico),” Simeone said. “We need to take the game to where we think we can hurt them. It will be important to play at a high pace and that’s what we’ll be looking for.” (Reuters)
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Ruben Amorim, the new Manchester United gaffer, is due to speak at 1.30pm (His Majesty’s United Kingdom time).
Thanks Taha, hello everyone.
That’ll be all from me. Luke McLaughlin is the man in for the next little while.
Pep Guardiola has been asked why he signed a new two year-deal at Manchester City, not just for one.
“For the weather,” he jokes, before launching properly.
It’s a good question. Mainly I don’t want next season in September, October, November: ‘It’s the last year of Pep.’ That was the main reason. I don’t want to be in that position because at the end, the contract is there. I would like to stay two more years but I know [if] the results are not good, I will not be two years … We have incredible, legendary players here in the team, but we have to perform.
If you don’t perform our owner, chairman, our fans will tell: ‘What’s going on’ and you have to change. Everyone is under pressure, me the first. I have the contract but maybe in a month I’m not here when the situation is not going well.
I think, maybe a little bit arrogant I said yesterday, we deserve to continue. What we have done in the last years I think we deserve to extend the contract. I’m not naive enough to stay for the stay.
I deserve to extend the contract but at the same time we have to do it again. We have to be up there and if not of course the club have to find a solution.
The Premier League has announced dates for the 2025-26 season, beginning on 16 August 2025 and ending on 24 May 2026. A statement from the Premier League said: “The schedule continues to allow more rest time for players over the festive match round period, with no two rounds taking place within 60 hours of each other. This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule.”
The FA has announced thats England’s Women’s Nations League tie with Spain in February will be played at Wembley. The 8pm kickoff will be a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final – should be a proper event.
An exclusive from Matt Hughes: Rodrigo Bentancur has not been fined by Tottenham despite receiving a seven-game ban and £100,000 penalty by the FA for using a racial slur against Son Heung-min.
Scotland to face Greece in Nations League playoffs
The draw for the Nations League quarters and various playoffs has taken place. Scotland, who got their act together in the nick of time, finished third in group A1 and will take on Greece in their bid to stay at the top of the competition.
The quarter-finals are appetising:
Netherlands v Spain
Croatia v France
Denmark v Portugal
Italy v Germany
And here’s the rest:
League A/B play-offs ✅#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/j7M8PNFmIN
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 22, 2024
League B/C play-offs ✅#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/kbVDbuLV0J
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 22, 2024
League C/D play-offs ✅#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/GyBvAmlkqM
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 22, 2024
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There’s some good news for Newcastle, with Callum Wilson getting closer to a first appearance this season. They’re up against West Ham on Monday evening.
“He’s doing well, we anticipate he’s going to train with the group today,” said Eddie Howe, as quoted by PA. “Whether he’s quite there for West Ham let’s see. There is a chance he could be involved but we need to get through the next few days in training first. The most important thing is that Callum does come back and when he does come back he’s in a good place to contribute and make a difference.”
Wilson has had plenty of injuries but he adds some important depth up front and has a very solid goalscoring record: he’s a dozen shy of 100 Premier League goals.
This is a great interview with Nottingham Forest’s Ryan Yates by Ben Fisher. Particularly enthralled by this bit:
When it’s you and the hotel room, what can you conjure up? I’d buy half a chicken from Tesco, a packet of rice, some spinach – I couldn’t boil broccoli because I just had a kettle – so I would pour a bit of water into the bag of spinach, squeeze it out, so it became wilted spinach. God, those were the days. I remember just thinking: ‘It’s all going to be worth it.’
Slot’s contenders against Klopp’s champions? Andy Hunter weighs it up.
Worth remembering just how ridiculous that Klopp side were: they won 26 of the first 27 league games of the season, the outlier a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Suzanne Wrack and Tom Garry had their eyes on the WCL action last night, with victories for Manchester City and Arsenal.
Some news from last night: Manchester City have announced a new two-year deal with Pep Guardiola. Here’s what he had to say:
I want to be honest, I thought this [season] should be the last one. But the problems we had in the last month, I felt now was not the right time to leave.
I didn’t want to let the club down. I felt I could not leave now, simple as that. Don’t ask me the reason why. Maybe the four defeats was the reason why I felt I cannot leave.
Arne Slot has been offering some injury updates ahead of Liverpool’s meet with Southampton.
Virgil [van Dijk] is all good, he’s training with us today. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] isn’t training with us yet but he’s getting there so we expect him to be back with us soon. Harvey [Elliott] is training with us again so that’s the positive thing. He’s been out for many weeks but he’s on a training ground again with the team so that’s a positive thing for him.
[Diogo] Jota is still apart from the group, same as Federico [Chiesa] who’s coming back into the session, maybe in one exercise today, so they’re all expected to be back within now and a few weeks. The last part of recovery is always the most difficult one so let’s wait and see. But Virgil is completely OK.
Alisson is back in training but won’t feature on Sunday, Slot added.
Here’s the full story from Paul MacInnes on the Premier League APT vote:
And on to the actual football … here’s what to look out for this weekend:
On a more serious note, the vote stands as a blow to Manchester City. Here’s Paul MacInnes' reporting from Thursday:
City have declared their opposition to the rule changes – having previously taken the league to arbitration over its APT rules. They have lobbied clubs strongly for support, including two league-wide letters from their chief legal officer, Simon Cliff, which challenged the validity of the plans. The league has spent weeks negotiating with clubs over their concerns, citing independent legal analysis from the KC Daniel Jowell to support its case.
Premier League clubs vote through APT amendments
And we have the result of the vote … clubs have approved changes to the APT rules. In a statement the Premier League said:
“At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs approved changes to the League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules. The Premier League has conducted a detailed consultation with clubs - informed by multiple opinions from expert, independent Leading Counsel - to draft rule changes that address amendments required to the system.
“This relates to integrating the assessment of Shareholder loans, the removal of some of the amendments made to APT rules earlier this year and changes to the process by which relevant information from the League’s ‘databank’ is shared with a club’s advisors.”
What does this all mean?
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Preamble
Hello, hello, hello and welcome to my attempts at hyping up the weekend: after some international interruption, the Premier League is back! And it’s live! And there’s some key admin stuff to sort out!
Yes, there’s been a league vote today on some associated party transaction stuff – I can sense your excitement. For Manchester United fans there’s a chance to hear from their new messiah, Ruben Amorim, ahead of his first game in charge.
Let’s get into it. Share your thoughts, queries, weekend plans, whatever you fancy.
