Jacques Sharkey

Just a young soul at heart

[Romzy @RomzyUnited]

🚨 Lisandro Martínez reveals what he told Kobbie Mainoo "The biggest players are built through the moments that hurt the most."

🗣️ Lisandro Martínez

I saw Kobbie hurting after the final whistle, and I stayed with him because I understand him, I told him Kobbie, don't let this tournament define who you are. Sometimes football doesn't reward talent the way it should. If someone couldn't see what you bring to the team, that's not a reflection of your ability.

Don't carry this disappointment with you. You're still one of the brightest young midfielders in football. There will be other World Cups, other finals and other moments. What matters is how you respond when things don't go your way.

Look at it another way you've come back to Manchester United fresh, hungry and with something to prove. Use this as fuel. The club believes in you, your teammates believe in you, and I believe in you. Next season is another opportunity to show the world exactly who Kobbie Mainoo is. Keep your head up, little brother. Your story is only just beginning.

[Jacques Sharkey @Sharkster1965]

@AndyMitten I hope he doesn't play so he's injury free for the new United season. United 》England

[Scott Patterson @R_o_M]

When England lose on penalties this summer remember who they left at home https://t.co/Bvv1LA7TIk

[Manchester United @ManUtd]

That's what we like to see 👌

🇵🇹 @B_Fernandes8 x @TheOfficialFWA 🏅

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨 Not only Carrick: Steve Holland has also signed new contract at Manchester United.

Seen as crucial figure into Carrick’s backroom staff, Holland stays and puts pen to paper until June 2028 plus option until 2029.

[Sky Sports Premier League @SkySportsPL]

Roy Keane, NEVER change! 🤣🤣🤣

[Jacques Sharkey @Sharkster1965]

@SkylarSkye3 GGMU

[Jacques Sharkey @Sharkster1965]

@Aku_700 let the blue hair brigade get their knickers in a twist.

[Laurie Whitwell @lauriewhitwell]

🚨 Michael Carrick in line for permanent Manchester United head coach job, with recommendation being made by football leaders to executive committee, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Set to pave way for talks on new contract ⬇️ #MUFC

https://t.co/zud9EkIAr5

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Michael Carrick has restored Manchester United to the Champions League. He has restored hope and pride. He has just won a huge game against ancient rivals. Carrick now has 10 wins, two draws and only two defeats in 14 games in charge. A team that bordered on a distressed asset … looking a force again. An academy that could have worried about the pathway for prospects being blocked…have hope again.

A fanbase frustrated by a team drifting … energised again. A club together again, Manchester United. As job auditions go, Michael Carrick could hardly have done much more. Deserves the job. United have tried bigger names and not fared as well. Carrick wants the job. He cares about the club. He has good coaches like Steve Holland supporting him. It’s Carrick, you know how hard he’ll work to make it work. #MUNLIV

[Jacques Sharkey @Sharkster1965]

@AlternativeMUFC 6pm tomorrow please.

[Jacques Sharkey @Sharkster1965]

@SaeedTV_ Spurs please

[Plamen Najdenov @NajdenovPlamen]

@JayinKyiv Trump is either a complete idiot or a Russian agent... 🫤

[GlazerOut Jerseys @Glazeroutjersey]

What a Win, Carrick at The Wheel 🎵

Fancy Getting Your Hands On This Beauty for £20 Only…?

👉https://t.co/FBtmRUlONY👈

Giving 3 Shirts Away To People Who Retweet This tweet 🔁

[BloodyLoveLeh @No2ofTheBLB]

Proper Aussie Lads Watt 😉👌#aussiemates

[One Norman Whiteside @WhitesideOne]

***** GOAL OF THE DAY *****

23rd February 1985 - League division One

ARSENAL 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 1
@NormanWhiteside 31'

Highbury 48,612

[Adam McKola @AdamMcKola]

They spent all week trying to tell us they'd beat 2008 Manchester United and couldn't even beat 2026 Manchester United. 😭

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

“Football is currently at a crossroads; while the introduction of VAR was intended to correct 'clear and obvious' errors, it has inadvertently ushered in an era of 'microscopic officiating' that is draining the joy and spontaneity from the world’s most popular sport.”

Important letter sent to IFAB by broadcaster Dave Johnson urging Law-makers to adopt Arsene Wenger’s offside law (allowing daylight) to “protect the spirit of the game”. Johnson, who covers D.C. United in Major League Soccer, continues…

“The Problem: Accuracy at the Expense of Atmosphere. We have reached a point where goals - the most precious commodity in football - are being disallowed because a player’s toe, elbow, or armpit is a millimeter ahead of a defender. These 'toenail offsides' do not reflect the spirit of the Law, which was originally designed to prevent goal hanging' and unfair advantages.

"In the current climate: Strikers are penalized for being faster or better positioned by margins invisible to the human eye. Fans are hesitant to celebrate, waiting for a three-minute geometry lesson on a screen rather than reacting to the beauty of a goal. The 'benefit of the doubt' - historically given to the attacker - has been effectively abolished.

“The Solution: The Wenger Proposal. The proposed change - stating that a player is onside if any part of their body that can score a goal is level with the second-last defender - is the logical evolution of the game. By requiring a 'clear daylight' gap between the attacker and the defender for an offside offense to occur, we return the advantage to the attacking side. This would virtually eliminate the agonizing delays caused by drawing pixelated lines to determine if a player’s shoelace was offside.

“A Historic Precedent: The Lessons of Italia 90. This would not be the first time the IFAB has acted to save the game from stagnation. Following the 1990 World Cup in Italy - a tournament marred by defensive cynicism and a record-low goals-per-game average - the IFAB showed great courage by: amending the offside Law (1990), declaring an attacker 'level' as onside and introducing the back-pass rule (1992), forcing goalkeepers to use their feet.

“Those changes revolutionized the sport, leading to the high-tempo, attacking football we have enjoyed for the last three decades. We find ourselves at a similar tipping point today. The game has become too clinical, and the balance has tilted too far in favor of the defending team and the video booth.

“Conclusion: Football is a game of emotion, not a game of millimeters. I urge the IFAB to prioritize the 'spirit of the game' over the 'perfection of the technology'. Adopting the Wenger proposal will restore the flow of the match, encourage attacking intent, and ensure fans remain at the heart of the experience. It is time to let the players play and the fans celebrate once again."

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Manchester United used to be synonymous with leadership. In the dug-out, on the pitch, in the boardroom. Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, David Gill and many others, revered, even feared, authority figures, rated, adored, never ignored. Leaders who thought about the team and the club and fought for them.

Football (society?) has fewer real leaders generally currently. At United, this great club changed the moment the Glazers arrived in 2005. United gradually came more about what could be taken out (£) rather than put in (commitment). The leadership principle was eroded, and that accelerated when Ferguson and Gill stood down in 2013. United lost expertise, experience and wisdom. They lost leaders.

David Moyes and others tried but the culture had changed under the Glazers. They didn’t know enough, didn’t appoint well enough. They spent money - fans’ money - on the football side but not judiciously enough. They seemed more focused on the business side. The brand played on. The tills were alive with the sound of revenue, the distant Glazers were happy.

But the football drifted. The squad cried out for more players with the right character, and proper investment in training ground and stadium. The Old Trafford leaky roof summed up the lack of attention – and a lack of love and leadership.

New co-owners Ineos promised better. They promised strong leadership. They have delivered some good things, investment in the training ground, but the team continue to slide. How many United players would get into Arsenal’s XI? Arsenal showed leadership and judgement in appointing Mikel Arteta, and backing him because they could see his leadership qualities. Arteta has authority as well as his obvious coaching strengths.

United keep appointing managers and they don’t last. Ruben Amorim – an Ineos appointment - was Manchester United’s fourth manager in their four most recent trips to Elland Road on Sunday following Glazer appointees Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 2021, Ralf Rangnick 2022 and Erik ten Hag 2023. Pay as you churn. How much will Amorim get in his pay-off? Millions. For failure. In a period when Ineos culled good staff – people who care about the club - to save a few quid. Poor leadership. And where was the judgement and leadership in recruiting a head coach committed to wing-backs? United are about wingers.

Amorim deserved to depart for his stubborn commitment to a formation and philosophy that didn’t suit United’s squad or their DNA. Good managers adapt. Good managers also don’t talk like Amorim did in too many press conferences. Nice guy, but naïve, a headline waiting to happen, rarely positive.

“Maybe the worst team in the history of Manchester United” – not great for players' morale? “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United not the head coach” – his job title from the word go was head coach. “That’s going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on” – basically predicting his departure. No wonder Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada and Ineos had had enough. At least they’ve showed leadership in taking action. At least they’ve appointed a leader in Darren Fletcher to take the team for the trip to Burnley.

Amorim never felt like a leader. A Manchester United head coach should sound the part – defiant, always positive about his players – and carry some aura. Also be appreciative of the great privilege of leading this great club. Look at United’s remarkable and patient travelling support. Total commitment to the cause. The biggest club in the country deserves to be properly led.

And so to the pitch. Where are the leaders? Bruno Fernandes is captain, United’s best player, but not a natural leader. Moans too much on the pitch (but an admirable ambassador for the club off the pitch). Harry Maguire’s a good leader but not certain of his place (or pace). Bryan Mbeumo in a quiet way. Casemiro’s ageing. Too few leaders. Under Ferguson, there would be 5-6 you could give the armband to. Where are the standard-setters now?

Any complaints about the criticism of pundits Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Keane should be dismissed. Neville, Scholes and Keane represent the standards that United players should aspire to. The levels of commitment. All of them responsibility-takers, winners, and, in different ways, leaders.

Manchester United need to recruit more leaders and for those already at the club, from dressing-room to board-room, to show greater leadership. Amorim was a symptom of the malaise as well as a cause. #MUFC

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