Back when Manchester Evening News reporters buzzed around the newsroom, the football desk phone rang and I had the dubious privilege of being sat an arm’s length away from it.
The caller was looking to speak to Samuel Luckhurst. I had never spoken to the caller before. A Manchester United player’s unflattering player rating from a goalless draw was mentioned and the caller sought an explanation. Initially presuming it was just a disgruntled reader, it turned out to be a PR adviser for one of the players.
Nearly two years later, the brother of the offended player mentioned my Instagram handle in a Story on his public profile, referring to the rating. It never ceases to amaze how fixated fans become with player ratings but it is a bit of a jolt when it bugs a player or a member of their entourage.
