Red News 17th August 2021

[E.S.]

Varane loved his Old Trafford welcome

"I came here because I wanted new emotions and it was exactly what I expected and bigger. It was massive, a great moment, and I want to say to the fans thank you, and I will do my best to leave everything on the pitch.”

[E.S.]

Varane describes his relationship with Pogba

“I think Paul is very positive and he has a very good energy; he motivates players in the dressing room and on the pitch with his energy. We are different but we are very complementary, and it’s important in the team to have different types of leaders and characters.”

“I’m very happy. I’ve known him for a very long time, we started together with the French national team and he’s a great player. I think he’s ambitious and me too, so we are ready to work hard and to do all we can to win trophies.”

[E.S.]

Varane describes himself as a footballer

“Hard-worker, respectful and ambitious.”

“I think I’m very calm and, with my experience, I know when to shout when it’s necessary for the team. But, in general, I prefer to speak with my team-mates and speak about tactics, and to be comfortable with my team-mates before a game and make sure we are ready to fight and be in a positive mood.”

[E.S.]

Varane explains why he has moved to MUFC

“I think it was a good moment because of a lot of things, but I think the most important one is it’s a new challenge and it’s a big motivation to start in a new league in a big club like Manchester United. This opportunity was amazing for me, so I chose this change for me and my family. They have come with me. You feel when things are a good moment and this was the right moment.”

[E.S.]

Martial thinks Varane will quickly settle into MUFC and English football #NoDrama

"Varane is a big-time player," Martial said of his new team-mate, a fresh addition to United's French contingent which includes Martial and Paul Pogba at first-team level.

"I don't think he [Varane] will need too much time to adapt to his new environment, but I'm there for him for whatever little help or advice he may need."

"He has all his experience, - he's a player who has won a lot during the time of his career at Real Madrid and also in the French national team, so I am sure he will bring all his powers, as he really is a top player and I know things are going to go well for him here at United."

[E.S.]

MUFC confirm Ethan Laird is going on loan again


Manchester United defender Ethan Laird has joined Swansea City on loan for the 2021/22 season.

The 20-year-old embarks on his second temporary move away from the club, having enjoyed a successful loan spell with MK Dons last season, featuring 26 times for the League One side as the Dons finished 13th in the table.

Laird, who has been with United since the age of 10, has featured twice for the first-team and will now further his experience of regular men’s football whilst out on loan.

The full-back will now once again join up with new Swans boss Russell Martin, who managed Laird at MK Dons last season. He could make his debut as early as Tuesday night, in the Championship game against Stoke City, subject to international clearance and registration.

Swansea have started the campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers and 0-0 draw with Sheffield United in the Championship, while beating Reading 3-0 in the Carabao Cup.

Everybody at United would like to wish Ethan the best of luck this term as we follow his progress at the Swansea.com Stadium.

[E.S.]

Sorry for the interuptions to the MUFC news on this website in recent weeks

Sometimes life gets busy and with only so many hours in the day it can be hard to find time to collect all the United news together for you to read. When we do get time we will always get on and update the news feed (like today). Thank you for your patience

[E.S.]

Ole liked having fans back

"Magic, absolutely magic. It does mean a lot for the players. This atmosphere gives you the extra edge and energy. You can’t replicate that from a team-talk or the team spirit it gives you. When you run down that end and you score four goals like we did second half, it’s just the best feeling in the world. The last 18 months have been strange - the only interaction [for fans] has been through media and watching games on TV. You haven’t had that feeling of connection. To be re-united with the fans again is important. This is Man United. This is the real Man United. This is how I sold Man United to Edinson [Cavani] for example. You can’t leave after one season playing with no fans. Man United is fans and players and everyone together.”

[E.S.]

Ole felt the way the team played v Leeds is how he wants his MUFC team to play


"For me, this is the way I want to see my team play. Not just because it's Leeds but I want to see them running, going forward, taking risks. We look fit to be fair and some of these players haven't played for more than 45 minutes."

[E.S.]

Ole talks about Pogba, Scott and Mason v Leeds


"I've had a great relationship with Paul ever since he was a kid. Today was just about 'go out there and enjoy yourself' because he had 45 minutes against Everton, which wasn't his best. We gave him the freedom of roaming wherever you want to go and get on the ball. I can't remember the last time that happened [getting four assists in a single game] but Paul's got that quality and, when you've got runners willing to make runs and create space for others, it opens up."

"Scott running on, that was a big thing. He's not played more than 20 minutes this pre-season and that was at centre-back. It was one of those where we kept him under wraps because we knew this was a big game for him. Scott is a beast physically. He can run all day and now he's a proper man out there. I thought he was excellent."

and on Mason Greenwood

"The way he burst away for that second goal. That's a man compared to a boy that was in the first team two years ago. I'm delighted with what he has done in pre-season to get his fitness up."

[E.S.]

MUFC issue statement to pay tribute to Maurice Watkins who has sadly passed away


Manchester United is deeply saddened by the passing of Maurice Watkins, who served the club with great distinction as a director for more than a quarter of a century.

Having represented the club as a solicitor since 1976, Watkins joined the board in 1984 and became a highly trusted and influential figure behind the scenes at Old Trafford for the next 28 years.

Known as a reliable source of calm and wise advice, even in the most trying of circumstances, Watkins was involved in almost every significant deal done by the club on and off the field during that time. That made him a key actor in some of the most pivotal moments of a tumultuous and ultimately glorious period in United’s history, starting with the appointment of Alex Ferguson as manager in 1986.

Later, after Sir Alex announced plans to retire in 2001, it was Watkins who helped broker the agreement for him to remain in charge after the Scot changed his mind about stepping down. United went on to win a further six Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League before Sir Alex did finally call it a day in 2013.

Paying tribute to Watkins following news of his death, Sir Alex said: “Maurice was really supportive during my time as manager and great company. In my 26 years, there were some rocky moments, and he was always there with wise advice. He had great energy as well – involved in so many organisations.

“He was unflappable. During some tense games, I’d look over and he would be calmly reading the programme.

“His legal experience was invaluable. When I called him to say I wanted to stay at United, he said they had already sorted a new manager but, not to worry, he would dig us out. And he did. He was a true gentleman.”

Perhaps Watkins’s most famous moment as United’s chief legal adviser came in 1995, when he helped the club and Eric Cantona handle the fallout from the Frenchman’s infamous altercation with a Crystal Palace supporter during an away match at Selhurst Park.
Represented by Watkins, Cantona had an initial 14-day custodial sentence for assault reduced on appeal to community service. At a press conference following the verdict, Watkins was sat beside Eric when he made his legendary speech declaring: “When seagulls follow the trawler it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea."

Indeed, Watkins had even helped Cantona draft the enigmatic statement beforehand.
“We sat down and drafted it out,” Watkins once recounted. “Eric wrote it out and he checked the meaning of certain words. ‘What’s the big boat that catches fish? What’s the big bird that flies over the sea?'

“He had a drink of water, said his piece and then left me to explain it."
After stepping down from the United board in 2012, Watkins went on to reinforce his reputation as one of the leading lawyers in world sport with a number of further prominent roles.

As chairman of British Swimming, he oversaw the resurgence of the Great British swimming team, which culminated in their best-ever Olympics medal haul in Tokyo this month. He also had spells as chairman of Barnsley FC and senior positions with the Rugby Football League, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Away from sport, he helped raise over £68 million for hospitals as chairman of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity appeals board, and he was made CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2011 for services to charity.

Everyone at Manchester United sends their deepest condolences to Maurice’s loved ones. He will always be remembered with affection and respect by all of us at Old Trafford.

[E.S.]

The New Red News Podcast 118.

We're back. What a day! 5-1!

The independent, satirical Manchester United supporters' fanzine - for adults only, contains expletives, talks MUFC or not at times as we are very giddy before, during and after the opening day win. And we are back at the game. Magical. #mufc

https://audioboom.com/posts/7924492-...ws-podcast-118



On itunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/...655778894?mt=2

On spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/3rTKJP0ftpl15D5tGUhlAV

On radiorepublic at https://radiopublic.com/red-news-8g5L2n

On tunein (you can listen on Alexa via the App) http://tun.in/pjibU

on Amazon Podcasts at https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/...e4bbd/Red-News

On Google Podcasts at https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed...0uY29tL2NoYW5u ZWxzLzQ5NDk1NjkucnNz

On Soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/user-310232442/rednewspodcast71

And you can now support the growth and development of this small but rather unique fanzine podcast each month at https://www.patreon.com/rednews

Thank you.

[E.S.]

The latest Red News fanzine - order here (RedNews284/285 Double Issue out August 14th)



Print singles at https://rednews.bigcartel.com/produc...ue-august-2021

Print/PDF subs https://rednews.bigcartel.com/produc...l-subscription

App https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/red-...644186396?mt=8

Kindle https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CLDZH...8924456&sr=8-1