Karl McLean

Consultant. Mathematics graduate from the University of St Andrews. Interested in Formula One, football, politics, comic books and films. All views my own.

[England @England]

England, it’s time.

🎙️ @stormzy

[Harry Kane @HKane]

Can’t wait to lead our team out at another World Cup! Excited to get on the pitch tomorrow with the boys! I know we’ll have incredible support out here and at home! We will give everything we’ve got! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🦁

[Ian Fleming @TheIanFleming]

“Having warmed up with my Young Bond series, and the short story, On His Majesty’s Secret Service, I’m beyond excited to be writing my first full blown adult Bond adventure. 20 years after first writing “The name’s Bond, James Bond,” it still sends shivers down my spine every time I type it. I'm having a blast with this new novel, which is absolutely set in the modern world, and I hope will sit comfortably on the airport bookshelves alongside other contemporary thrillers. It embraces the worlds of both the literary Bond and the cinematic Bond, and my bad guy has all the elements we expect from a classic Bond villain, with a twist that’s not been done before.” - Charlie Higson​

In case you missed it, the new Bond novel from @monstroso, King Zero, was announced last week!​

Le Chiffre. Dr No. Goldfinger. James Bond has faced them all. But now the world is changing, and even 007 has no idea what’s coming for him...​

Prepare for a villain unlike any before. Prepare for King Zero.​

Releasing 24th September 2026, pre-order your copy now at https://t.co/AqXY8BKMrv

[The Figen @TheFigen_]

They are ants solving a geometric problem and it is mind-blowingly colorful.

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Michael Carrick’s first spell in charge of Manchester United (interim, 3 games 2021): beat Emery (Villarreal), drew with Tuchel (Chelsea), beat Arteta (Arsenal). Carrick’s second spell (head coach, 2 games so far): beat Guardiola (Manchester City), beat Arteta (Arsenal). #MUFC

[Brilliant Maps @BrilliantMaps]

What do you call a small piece of wood under the skin? (1950s vs 2016)

https://t.co/apXmHJ20Fq

[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

[Aidan James @mcandidate]

Kim Jong Un outed as a Sam Fender fan

[Curiosity @CuriosityonX]

The solar system doesn't just spin in a flat circle.

Your science textbooks really failed to mention that we are basically traveling in a massive DNA strand across the universe. Visualizing it like this is absolutely wild. 🧬🚀

[127J_H @127J_H]

Swann: “I wasn’t talking about me”

Cook: “First time for everything”

Perfect.

[Sky Sports Cricket @SkyCricket]

JOE ROOT GETS HIS FIRST TEST TON IN AUSTRALIA! 👑

[Yas Rana @Yas_Cricket]

Alastair Cook faced more balls in his Brisbane double ton in 2010 than England faced in the whole Test here.

[Madeline Grant @Madz_Grant]

People who say Craig is their favourite are usually people who don't enjoy the franchise otherwise. He's the Bond for people who don't like Bond. This makes their opinions on Bond (and therefore about everything else, since nothing is more important than Bond) worth ignoring

[Manchester United @ManUtd]

Knighted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace 🏅

Introducing, *Sir David Beckham* 👏

[Karl McLean @kDMcLean]

Yes

[Transfer News Live @DeadlineDayLive]

🤔 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗘: Should Manchester United change their manager?

[Seabrook Crisps @SeabrookCrisps]

Taylor Swift announcing her engagement just as we were going to announce the return of Spring Onion flavour.

Clearly trying to bury our news. Is she in the pockets of Big Crisp?

[Newcastle Red Bulls @NCL_RedBulls]

𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗘𝗗! ✍️

George McGuigan is returning to Newcastle Falcons, with the hooker signing on a one-year deal.

The 32-year-old scored 48 tries in 165 appearances during his previous two spells at Kingston Park, having come through the academy.

#TrueNorth

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Those men triggered by the Lionesses’ success should at least acknowledge and respect that the women are great role models inspiring more kids to play the game, which is good for their physical and mental health, which is good for the nation…

[Wisden @WisdenCricket]

Chris Woakes has urged a review of DRS rules for deliveries where no shot is offered, after two close calls off his bowling.

#ChrisWoakes #ENGvIND

[Karl McLean @kDMcLean]

@TheIanFleming Great news. Looking forward to reading it earlier than planned. I also think this is a rather good demonstration of how to respond to a situation