We need to talk about Manchester United. No, we really do. I’m not one to gloat at others’ misfortunes nor use petty rivalries to mock the afflicted, and especially after just one match played so far in this new, fresh-start, begin-as-you-mean-to-go-on, state your intentions, football season.

Though many will find the situation rather amusing. Mainly Liverpool fans but we can all enjoy the schadenfreude as the ‘world’s biggest club’ carry on just where last season ended up for them, which is, sort of, mid-sewer to just around the u-bend.

I caught about 20 minutes of yesterday’s game against Brighton and had to admit that the ‘under new management’ sign hadn’t created any improvement in their play. Their new manager, Eric Ten Hag has only been there about 5 minutes so may need more time to turn a bunch of semi-worthless, uncommitted, lacklustre show-ponies into a cohesive and bonded super-team. Unfortunately, new managers only get 4 minutes in which to win a trophy or they have to go. If the board is prepared to give them longer, the fans aren’t. Or vice versa. Even Alex Ferguson (blessed be His Name) took a good few years for his new system and new players to start bearing fruit. But that was in 1986 when everything was more tolerant, more patient with less of the more modern ethos of ‘win now or FUCK OFF!!’ There is no tomorrow, no next year, no building things slowly, no more. The Glazers are going to have to dig deep to keep things in some kind of order. Something that they’ve consistently been reluctant to do. Unless its digging into the bank of Man United to help themselves.

The other Manchester rabble don’t exactly look worse for having unloaded three world class superstars from their ranks. The absence of Raheem Sterling, Zinchenko and Jesus has seamlessly been absorbed by the arrival of Erling Haaland.

And I know its early days but Spurs looked good on Saturday. Next weekend at Chelsea may prove more difficult but, so far, after a full 90 minutes (plus stoppage time) of the new season, I’m well on board.

Happy Monday

A xxxx