Amidst the revelry of the Reds, the cerulean heavens wept. A wave of jubilation reached Manchester while an aura of melancholy descended on the Sky Blues of the West Midlands. Underdogs Coventry City put resilience on display but ultimately saw their fairytale run in the FA Cup end in the semifinal against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
When Bruno Fernandes scored the third goal just before the hour-mark, everyone thought United had already booked their tickets for the finale. Little did we anticipate that the semifinal spectacle had yet to unfold.
Bruno scored United’s third goal of the game.
In football, the final whistle marks the true conclusion; until then, the game remains a canvas for unforeseen drama. How devastating would it have been to hold a three-goal advantage only to surrender it and ultimately lose in extra time or penalties?
United relinquished their grip on the game after securing the third goal. The Red Devils compounded their own challenges by allowing the Sky Blues to capitalise on what seemed like a laughable opening goal.
Coventry City’s Ellis Simms celebrates after scoring their first goal
Had VAR not intervened to save United at the last moment, their fate would have been sealed. With little to salvage from this season, a defeat against a Championship club would have been a humiliating blow for the fans and the club.
Coventry City showed more passion and dedication, truly deserving the win. However, in the end, it is the result that holds sway. Coventry’s disallowed offside goal in extra time forced the game to penalties, providing a reason for celebration that would have otherwise been absent.
Coventry fans celebrate their third goal at 93rd minute
As a United fan, watching our team struggle like this has been tough. Meanwhile, Manchester City have maintained top form in recent years, and United have faced challenges in maintaining their position in the Premier League’s top four.
We just can’t seem to keep up the same level of performance week after week. For years now, we’ve had trouble finding new players to fill important roles. Our scouting hasn’t been finding the talent we need from the grassroots level.
Coventry Boss and Sheaf skieswho missed last penalty giving United much needed victory
Even though we’ve spent a lot of money, we’re still not as successful as our rivals. Aside from a handful of players who consistently deliver strong performances, a complete overhaul of the squad is necessary.
3-0 down then we start to play a little bit. It’s easier to play when you’re 3-0 down. Ellis Simms’ goal looked like it could be a consolation. The second one, it gets everyone’s tails up, the supporters are involved and that was what we were after.
They started to drop away. They were leggy. We tried to exploit that and ended up getting the penalty for 3-3 and that’s where things started to get interesting! They hit the bar, we hit the bar. Then the offside. I think it was a toenail.
-Mark Robins
We must recruit fresh talents who are eager to give their best in every match. It’s imperative to reintroduce a winning mentality to the team. At present, we find ourselves with a collection of players who lack consistent talent and only deliver exceptional performances on rare occasions.
The Reds have worked hard throughout the tournament and they do deserve to be in the finals but were truly lucky to have the win in their favour against Coventry.
Roy Keane rightly said: “You always say you need a bit of luck in football, and United certainly had luck today.” Regardless, United have secured their place in the FA Cup Final for the 22nd time, setting the stage for another exhilarating Manchester Derby for the fans.
The senior women’s national team is all set to start their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 journey today. It is being held in India, Mumbai, and Pune behind closed doors.
Here is all you need to know about the tournament and the team.
This is not the first time India has played in the Asian Cup, the last time India played in the continental competition, was back in 2003. In fact, India have two runners-up finishes in 1980 and 1983.
India will be playing without their two best players Bala Devi and Sangita Basfore.
Bala underwent surgery and is still recovering after she incurred an ACL injury. Sangita, on the other hand, got an ACL injury following a set of friendlies in UAE and Bahrain.
Indian National Team captain feels this tournamentcan put India on the center stage.
“It’s a big challenge for us but playing in this tournament also presents a huge opportunity for us to put Indian football on the center stage,” said Ashalata.
“We are hoping the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will elevate women’s football in our country.
“Of course, it’s a challenge for us but if we get the opportunity to advance into the quarter-finals, then we stand a good chance of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and that will be huge.”
Who has the most titles?
While Japan is the two-time defending champion China remains the most successful team. China has won AFC Women’s Asian Cup eight times. India have two runners-up finishes in 1980 and 1983.
Indian players to watch
Indian National team will be playing without their 2 key Tigresses Bala Devi and Sangita Basfore. Take a look at the key players who were selected for the 23 player squad for the tournament.
Yumnam Kamala Devi in action.
Yumnam Kamala Devi: Plays as a midfielder and an occasional striker for the Indian team. She plays for Gokulam Kerala FC in the Indian Women’s League. She has scored 33 goals for the national team. Kamala Devi was a part of the Indian team that won the SAFF Championships, 2010, And’ SAG South Asian games in 2010, 2012, and 2014. At the 2012 tournament, she was awarded the Best Player of the Final
Indumathi Kathiresan in action
Indumathi Kathiresan: Kathiresan has represented the India women’s national football team since 2014. She scored 6 goals in the 2014 SAFF Women’s Championship. Then she became the regular choice of the national team.
She was part of the India squad that won gold at the 2016 South Asian Games. She was also selected in the squad for the 2016 SAFF Women’s Championship. Where she scored 2 goals for the team. Then she scored 4 goals and become the top scorer of the 2019 SAFF Women’s Championship.
Our Skipper Ashalata.
Loitongbam Ashalata Devi: known as Ashalata Devi, is an Indian professional football player who plays as a defender for the Indian national team and Indian Women’s League side Sethu FC.
She is the current captain of the Indian women’s national football team. Devi is considered one of the finest defenders in Asia.
Aditi Chauhan played for West Ham United Ladies in August 2015.
Aditi Chauhan: Plays as a goalkeeper for Indian club Gokulam Kerala and the Indian national team. As a child, she was very involved in various sports. She participated in karate and basketball. After showing promise in basketball, Chauhan was selected for the youth state team for the sport.
Through basketball, Chauhan developed a good grip of the ball and a good athletic build. She was convinced by her coach to attend trials for the football team as a goalkeeper. Chauhan was successful and eventually, at age 15, appeared on the team for the Delhi women’s football team U19 squad.
In August 2015, Chauhan joined West Ham United Ladies. She made her debut on 16 August 2015 in a 0–5 defeat by Coventry Ladies and in doing so became the first player from the India national women’s team to play competitively in England
Why AFC Women’s Asian Cup is important?
Apart from deciding the continental champions, the tournament will also give the opportunity to the quarterfinalist a stage to qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
How many teams are competing?
A total of 12 teams are competing in the tournament who are further divided into 3 groups of 4 teams each. The top 2 teams will of each group and the two best third-placed teams qualify for the quarter-finals.
Which Group are we in?
India is in group A along with China, Chinese Taipei, and Iran who are ranked 19th, 39th, and 70th in the world respectively.
Group A: India (55), China (19), Chinese Taipei (39), Iran (70)
Group B: Australia (11), Thailand (38), Philippines (64), Indonesia (94)
Group C: Japan (13), South Korea (18), Vietnam (32), Myanmar (47)
Where to watch them?
Since the matches are played behind closed doors we can only watch them live on Euro Sport and will be streamed live on Jio TV.
The red devils are in advance talks with the German manager Ralf Rangnick as an interim manager.
He will sign 6 months contract with the club keeping him till the end of this season.
If things go well United might consider keeping him as/at the permanent role by further giving him a 2-year contract.
Provided the club’s first choice and the ex-Spurs manager Poch is not available to join.
Leipzig’s German headcoach Ralf Rangnick attends the German Cup (DFB Pokal) Final football match RB Leipzig v FC Bayern Munich at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on May 25, 2019. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP via Getty Images).
What do we know about our manager to be- Ralf Rangnick?
Previous Roles
Head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow. The German has also previously coached Hannover, Schalke and Hoffenheim before moving into a management role with RB Leipzig.
In his second spell at Schalke, he won the German Cup, German Super Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League where they were beaten by United.
Style of play
Rangnick has long been recognised as one of the first people to invent the ‘gegenpress’, which translates as ‘counter-press; the high-pressing,Where the team immediately fights to win the ball back after losing the possession.
The style famously adopted and bought to fame by Jürgen Klopp.
Rangnick’s game plans were always meticulously planned while his influence on those around him has been extraordinary and that’s testament to his vast knowledge.
Ralf Rangrick with Jurgen Klopp
Mentor
German coaches who are now considered as one of the top like Jürgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel consider Rangnick as an important figure in their respective managerial paths.
What has he said about his style of play?
“Tactics, fitness, and rules are all hugely important, but they’re only a means to an end. My job – the job – is to improve players. Players follow you as a manager if they feel that you make them better. That’s the greatest, most sincere motivation there is.”
“If you want to increase the speed of your game, you have to develop quicker minds rather than quicker feet,” he said.
“At RB Leipzig, we work on increasing the memory space and the processing pace. We put players into the Soccerbot, for example – a machine that simulates previous games and allows players to relive key moments of matches.
“It’s PlayStation football, but with your feet. The players enjoy it so much we have a hard time getting some of them to stop.
This is what I think
To settle here is way too difficult than it seems. He doesn’t have experience with English football at all. But even if we give him the benefit of the doubt, I do not want the club to stick with him if things don’t work out in the 6-month contract that he will sign.
We will have to be prepared with a good alternative for the next season and I don’t know how much of a difference Pochetino is going to make.
Are you confident about Ralf Rangnick joining United?
Way off pace United has come to a point where it needs a savior, again.
Unfortunately, Ole Gunnar’s reign needs to be cut short, the journey that started on the basis of emotional decision has crumbled.
It was 8th May 2013 when we got the news we had all been dreading to hear. The man who has been with the club for 27 years would retire leaving us with the most decorated Premier League club.
We were so used to the glory we forgot we had a mastermind who has won Premier League with Ashley Young, Tom Cleverly, Danny Welbeck. Yup, He made average players play well and won the league.
Let's dive intoour past and our cluelessness regarding the future.
David Moyes
Some of us knew Moyes was a piece of bad news since the day we heard the rumor cause even though he had a competitive spell at Everton he had not won anything with them and here he was taking on the biggest challenge with the biggest PL team.
SAF had left a legacy behind which Moyes failed to continue miserably. United won 27 games in 51 games under him but unfortunately, he was shown the exit door after just a single season, he left United trailing at seventh position.
And here we were looking for another man the very next season.
Luis Van Gaal
When LVG came on we were quite hopeful- his successful time in Bundesliga was quite tempting. He had the ability to set up foundations and had an eye for young talent. But he was no tactician who could drag United back to where SAF had left us, favorites for every trophy and champions.
His time at United was a total blunder, after 10 league matches United was in ninth place with 13 points and three victories, their worst start to the season since 1987-87.
We were mocked and laughed at and his stunts on the pitch did not help either. Some say he should have given more time and this is something which I believe in as well but passion and aggression to do everything and get the club back on the top is not something that everyone has.
The Jose Mourinho
Enters Mr. Mourinho, the tactical genius. The man who had an amazing spell at Porto, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. To be honest I had a very negative feeling about him. He was constantly falling out with players and fans at his previous clubs. As much as I respect his work I never had much respect for him as a person.
He did manage to win us some titles and at that moment we were relieved to be back on the winning road but it bought in a lot of negativity and instability along.
He was followed by negativity wherever he went and that’s exactly what happened at United as well. When the club denied his request for new defenders, he felt they failed him and turned against the whole system. His disinterest and hopelessness cost him control of the dressing room.
It was time, to get a new boss again.
Ole Gunnar
Ole Gunnar was not a new name at Old Trafford. People adored him. He was our “super-sub” and when there were talks of him replacing Jose, everybody was delighted.
But I somehow did not feel he was ready for the role, from Molde to United? It was a huge responsibility. No doubt he did amazing there but managing United is one of the toughest jobs in World Football
All the doubts and barriers were broken down when he managed to win 14 of his 19 matches in charge, we finally had the guy we have been looking for.
The board was supportive, we got players that we needed and were finally playing the United way.
Ole had been taking us in the right direction, from boring defensive football to proper attacking football in the earlier stages.
But Mountains were to be climbed.
Last year at this stage of the season, we had 19 points in 10 games, and this season with a much stronger squad we have 17 points in 11 games. I totally understand the frustration of the fans, we should be competing for titles this season but it looks like we have regressed, we have fewer points than what we had last season.
But we all know what happens when the new manager comes in, new mentality, fresh squad, and the same old story of waiting 1-2 seasons to actually get good results.
I am not saying Ole is good or that he should continue, he did what no other previous managers could do. We got our old United back, we also were able to get Ronaldo back which is a very big deal. But this is as much he could do, he doesn’t have vision or style of play or tactical flexibility, which we desperately need.
So all in all I think we need to be very careful before choosing Ole’s successor. The board needs to hunt down a person who actually matches the club’s visions because I know we cannot afford to spend another 2 seasons just “experimenting”. We have a very talented squad, just a few changes in the back and we are ready to compete with the top clubs because trust me facing humiliating results week in and out is getting too much and is not good for the club’s reputation.
Ole was perfect to stabilize the team and clear the deadwood, he has done a pretty decent job of getting us back to UCL qualifications, but if we want to get back on road to success we need a mastermind, a different beast of a manager, who can work his way around and get us results every MUFC fan is dying to see. We might have big names in our squad, but we do not know if they will stick around and wait for another few seasons to lift a trophy.
We have to make some serious changes starting with who will lead the ship, before getting lost in the loop again, Glory Glory Manchester United.
Even though the Reds could not sign Jordan Sancho they kept themselves busy on the last day of the transfer window
The red devils managed to complete the signing of Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani and Amad Diallo, as well as young centre-back Willy Kambwala and Uruguayan youngster Facundo Pellistri.
The signings that United made on the deadline day.
The total of five signings before the 11pm deadline window got shut. But the major problem still looms, did they address all the areas they needed to strengthen?
We needed a CB, CDM, RW but we went on to strengthen every other position but these so I would say no, the problem isn’t solved and we did not fill the gaps that were needed to be filled.
The last day signings were clearly a panic buy I would say since non of these signings were properly planned.
The horror show
The current mood of the fans have bubbled up after the horrendous performance against Tottenham Hotspurs.
And on top of that these signings did not make them happy either since the club failed to get in the players that were desired by the manager.
Despite a busy deadline day transfers United failed to fill the CB position, a key position which needed strengthening specially after horrific display from Maguire, Bailly and Shaw against Spurs.
The reds failed to sign a single of their top targets in every area they were looking to buy.
When Maguire thought Shaw was playing for Spurs.
But the fans knew no such thing is gonna happen when Woodward made it clear the club doesn’t wanna splash in the wake of the loss they suffered in the pandemic.
Ole’s ideal plan was to create a young team. He got rid of the dead wood in the first season itself but we went on to sign a 33 year old in the next. This could be a good signing provided he stays healthy.
I would have been jumping with joy if we would have signed Cavani 2 or 3 years ago, I have always admired that player but right now I am having mixed feelings, is he going to be another Falcao? I really hope not.
Cavani has to quarantine and won’t be available before CL games.
Our board is clearly clueless, they did not pre planned for the transfer window. Cavani was free agent since six month and yet we chose to get him in on the last day, why? cause he wasn’t even a part of our plan.
If money was the problem why didn’t we got rid of players like Marcus Rojo, Phil Jones, Romaro to clear out the funds for fresh players?
We needed players for completely different position, we wanted a quick fix so we can compete for the title THIS SEASON. We needed to close the 33 points gap to the leaders.
18 year old Facundo Pellistri.
We cannot wait for our young signings to mature five years down the line till they become worthy of the first team.
If you look at other teams in the Premier League everyone including Arsenal and Everton have made remarkable signing and I won’t be surprised if they finish above us.
The manager is always the scape goat irrespective of weather they had the backing of the board.
I would only urge everyone to not stop pointing out the flaws we have at the club and to not push the manager under the knife.
What do you think about the transfers? Comment down your views.
Manchester United won the Premier League title for the 20th time with nearly a month still left in the season after Robin van Persie’s hat trick sealed a 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
11 points clear of second-place Man City, having secured the title with four games to spare. United won 20th Premier League Title.
The same year Sir Alex Ferguson decided it was time to walk out at Old Trafford for the very last time as Manchester United manager.
An emotional Old Trafford rose to its feet as the great Sir Alex Ferguson walked out as manager of Manchester United for one final time. Following the announcement of his shock retirement days earlier, United’s most successful manager celebrated his 723rd game in charge of United with a dramatic last minute win against Swansea City.
But just before kick-off, the 71-year-old was given the most incredible of tributes as 70,000 red flags waved in unison to the song “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
What an emotional and dramatic way to bow and walk away as the most decorated United manager of all time with the 20th title victory medal around his neck.
Eventually, it took Busby ten years to build a team that could reach the final. It was on 29 May 1968 at Wembley, a little over ten years from the painful Munich disaster, Manchester United led by Bobby Charlton, stepped out with a burning desire to win the trophy for the Busby Babes.
The 1968 European Cup Final was the final match of the 1967–68 European Cup, the premier club football competition in Europe. It was played at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on 29 May 1968, and contested by Benfica of Portugal and Manchester United of England in front of a crowd of 92,225. Both teams had to go through four rounds of two-legged knockout ties to reach the final; it was Benfica’s fifth European Cup final, two of which they had won, and Manchester United’s first.
Both sides went close in a goalless first half, before Manchester United took the lead from Bobby Charlton’s header eight minutes into the second; however, Jaime Graça’s 79th-minute equaliser meant the match went into extra time. Manchester United then scored three times in seven minutes in the extra period; the first was a solo goal from George Best, followed by a header from Brian Kidd on his 19th birthday. Charlton scored his second in the 99th minute, as Manchester United triumphed 4–1 to become the first English club to win the European Cup.
Manchester United Football Club was formed in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club by the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath.
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company granted permission for the employees of its Carriage and Wagon department to start a football team, which was subsequently named Newton Heath LYR, with Frederick Attock appointed as this new club’s president. LYR stood for “Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway” and was used to distinguish the team from their colleagues from the Motive Power Division, who were known as Newton Heath Loco.
The team was funded by the railway company, who paid the lease on its first home ground, a field close to the railway yard on North Road. It is said that the players were “tough, diligent men who formed a powerful side” they initially played games against other teams of railway workers, very few of which were recorded.
During the 1882–83 season, the team played a total of 26 recorded friendly matches, and the following season competed in the Lancashire Cup but lost 7–2 in the first round to the reserve team of Blackburn Olympic.
In 1886, the club began to expand by signing players of national reputation such as Jack Powell, who became club captain, Jack and Roger Doughty, and Tom Burke. In 1886–87 the club entered the FA Cup for the first time and were drawn away to Fleetwood Rangers in the first round; they managed to earn a 2–2 but when club captain Jack Powell refused to play a period of extra time, Fleetwood were awarded the tie. A subsequent unsuccessful protest to the Football Association led to Newton Heath LYR entering a self-imposed exile from the FA Cup, which lasted until 1889.
