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Manchester United stars spread joy at Dream Day event

Helen Greaney
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Manchester United stars spread joy at Dream Day event

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and his first-team squad recently took a break from the pitch to create unforgettable memories with fans at the Manchester United Foundation’s Dream Day.

The event, held at the Carrington training ground, welcomed fans facing serious and life-limiting illnesses for a day filled with joy and inspiration.

Among the stars present were Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, who went above and beyond to make dreams come true for their devoted supporters.

Luke Shaw meets Harlee Jae aged 13 Emma McWilliams scaled e1712827812490Twice a season, supporters from across the UK gather at Carrington to meet their beloved Reds heroes and witness a first-team training session from the balcony of the Jimmy Murphy Visitors’ Centre.

Adding to the excitement, United legend Wes Brown was also on hand to greet guests, providing them with goodie bags and shirts as mementos of the special day.

Captain Bruno Fernandes said: “Dream Days have been part of the club for so many years. We know that football can bring so much joy to the fans, and I hope that today it’s been a special moment for them, and we’ve put smiles on their faces.”

Teammate Rasmus Højlund said: “They are so happy to see us, and we are happy to see them too. That’s what football is all about; it’s been a really positive experience.”

For fans like 13-year-old Harley, the Dream Day was truly magical. Meeting his hero Kobbie Mainoo, Harley said: “It’s been a once-in-a-lifetime experience; today was really fun. I was having surgery in January and now I’m here, it’s crazy.”

Dream Days organized by the Manchester United Foundation continue to spread joy and inspiration to fans facing adversity. To learn more about Dream Days and the impactful work of the Manchester United Foundation, visit www.mufoundation.org

The Masters 2024: Bad weather delays start at Augusta

Jon Fisher
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The Masters 2024: Bad weather delays start at Augusta

The start of the 88th Masters has been delayed due to inclement weather at Augusta.

The honorary starters were scheduled to hit their tee shots at 0745 ET (1245 BST) this morning with the first competitive group out 15 minutes later.

Read our other sports news stories here:
IPL 2024 preview: MI v RCB
Keane doubles down on Haaland criticism
The Masters 2024: Preview, odds and how to watch

However, the dismal weather that was forecast has materialised with rain sweeping through Georgia.

Tournament organisers say play will not now get underway until 0900 ET (1400 BST) at the earliest.

That will, of course, push back the rest of the field. Hideki Matsuyama, Will Zalatoris and Justin Thomas will not now go out at 1018 ET (1518 BST) as planned, likewise the following threesome containing defending champion Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick and Nick Dunlap.

The group after that includes world number one Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele.

It was later announced that play will start at 1030 ET (1530 UK BST) with the honorary starters ceremony getting underway 20 minutes earlier.

Keane doubles down on Haaland ‘League Two player’ jibe

Jon Fisher
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Keane doubles down on Haaland ‘League Two player’ jibe

Roy Keane has repeated his belief that Erling Haaland’s general play is “that of a League Two player”.

Keane initially criticised the Manchester City striker following the goalless draw against Arsenal last month with Haaland failing to make any impact against Gunners central defensive pair William Saliba and Gabriel.

Read our other sports news stories here:
IPL 2024 preview: MI v RCB
Man City star Rodri says he needs a rest
The Masters 2024: Rory McIlroy flattered by Tigers Woods prediction

The subject was brought up on the latest Stick to Football podcast and Keane was not backing down.

He said: “I don’t know what the big deal is, I give Erling Haaland praise every week, I give Manchester City praise, and I think he’s an amazing striker. But his general play is that of a League Two player.

“His general play, week in, week out is nowhere near good enough. As a goal scorer and a striker, the best – and I said that. His link-up play, the way he lays the ball off, sometimes the options he gives his team-mates or the options he doesn’t give them – as a striker and a goal scorer the best in the world, but his other play is that of a League Two player.

“The game against Arsenal was tough because they did well to contain the whole game, but in general, I don’t think what I said was a big deal. He’s a young player and he will improve, and I guarantee you that Pep Guardiola sits with his staff on everything and say that he needs to do more, specifically when he’s not getting chances or loads of goals.”

Haaland has scored 30 goals in all competitions for City this season as they bid to repeat last year’s treble success.

Keane’s colleague Ian Wright agreed the Norway striker needs to improve away from the penalty area but highlighted the fact he is only 23 years of age.

Former Arsenal striker Wright said: “Roy’s critique of Erling Haaland is pretty on point. The only thing that I have an issue with is mentioning the League Two player because that’s what everyone remembers as it’s all about clicks.

“But we need to remember he’s only 23, he’s still learning the game, but you need to be more savvy in how you’re going to make moves to get time on the ball, and what we’re seeing is that he’s not doing that currently.

“If we’re talking about Haaland and that he’s going to be playing for the best teams, he’s going to have to improve.

“The problem he will have is that he will be targeted. My weakness was holding and linking the play, so you have to do more so you can get a bit of time to control the ball. I think as he goes to the top level, he will be targeted because if you can stop the other guys around him, the opposition will turn the ball over.”

Fury v Joshua: Man United star Mainoo ‘not sure’ if Wembley fight would spell defeat for boxing champ

Ben Miller
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Fury v Joshua: Man United star Mainoo ‘not sure’ if Wembley fight would spell defeat for boxing champ

Kobbie Mainoo has told Manchester United that he is a huge boxing fan – and said he is “not sure” if Anthony Joshua would beat Red Devils supporter Tyson Fury in a long-anticipated fight between the British rivals.

England newcomer Mainoo named boxing and basketball as two of the sports he enjoys away from football but would not be drawn when he was asked by the club whether Joshua could prevail over the Mancunian.

“It would definitely be a good scrap,” the 18-year-old told United’s official site. “Fury is very technical, isn’t he?”

The proposed heavyweight contest has frequently fallen by the wayside despite negotiations between Fury and Joshua’s teams, with the WBC champion scheduled to take on unbeaten Oleksandr Usyk in a bout to become undisputed champion in Saudi Arabia on May 18.

Read our other sports news stories here:
IPL 2024 preview: MI v RCB
Man City star Rodri says he needs a rest
The Masters 2024: Rory McIlroy flattered by Tigers Woods prediction

Fury has not been shy to publicly discuss his support for United, including an interview with broadcasters ITV before he watched Erik ten Hag’s side beat Liverpool after extra time at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-finals in March.

The 35-year-old and Usyk are obliged to honour a rematch but Fury’s US promoter, Bob Arum, suggested on Wednesday that the Ukrainian could step aside to allow the fighter known as ‘The Gypsy King’ to face Joshua at Wembley Stadium.

Arum also said it would “really put an exclamation point” on Fury’s “great career” if he beats Usyk twice and fights Joshua at England’s national stadium in what would be one of the most lucrative bouts of all time.

Fury v Joshua: Saudis ‘want Wembley’

Businessman Arum added that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and General Entertainment Authority “can have a tremendous influence on the fighters”.

“Maybe if Fury is successful, they can make it worthwhile to Usyk to step aside to allow a Joshua fight to happen this year,” Arum told Sky Sports.

“The Saudis [have] all this money [and] can dictate the place. [They] are also very intelligent and they would, I think, like nothing more than to do that fight at Wembley with 95,000 people, where they were the promoters.

“I think that would do more for their image than doing that fight, Fury and Joshua, in Saudi. But that’s up to them. That’s what I feel in talking to them briefly about the future.”

Fury made his debut in Saudi Arabia when he beat Francis Ngannou on points in a surprisingly close fight in October, including a knockdown for the boxing debutant and former UFC champion.

Wembley was the setting when Fury stopped Dillian Whyte in front of a European boxing attendance record of 94,000 fans in 2022.

Joshua lost his titles to Usyk in Saudi Arabia in the same year and has fought there on three other occasions, beating Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, Otto Wallin in 2023 and Ngannou via second-round knockout last month.

‘AJ’ knocked out hall-of-famer Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in 2017 in arguably the finest performance of his career.

Manchester City star Rodri: ‘I need a rest’

Harry Carr
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Manchester City star Rodri: ‘I need a rest’

Manchester City midfielder Rodri says he will be rested at some point in the coming weeks as Pep Guardiola’s team chase a second successive treble.

Rodri has played 45 games for club and country this season, the most recent of those being City’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday.

That result made it 65 games without defeat for Rodri with both City and Spain, with his last loss in any competition coming against Tottenham in February 2023.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Man City: Former Real Madrid star Van der Vaart hits out at ‘useless’ Haaland
The Masters 2024: Rory McIlroy flattered by Tigers Woods prediction
The Masters 2024: Preview, odds, how to watch and prediction

Only Phil Foden (2,448) has played more minutes than Rodri’s 2,403 among City players in the Premier League this campaign, and the 27-year-old says his exertions are beginning to take a toll.

“I do need a rest,” Rodri told reporters after Tuesday’s match.

“Let’s see how we speak, how we live the situation. Sometimes it is what it is. I need to adjust. It is something we are planning, yes.”

City sit one point adrift of Arsenal at the Premier League summit and welcome Luton Town to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, ahead of hosting Madrid in the second leg of their European tie four days later.

They then face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on April 20 as they continue to hunt silverware on three fronts.

Should City reach the Champions League semi-finals, they will not have a free midweek until at least the second full week of May, while they are also waiting for a postponed trip to Tottenham to be rearranged.

Talos360 unveils strategies for talent acquisition success in upcoming event

Helen Greaney
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Talos360 unveils strategies for talent acquisition success in upcoming event

The CEO of Talos 360 will inaugurate an event set to give senior HR leaders all the answers to all their burning questions on the future of talent.

Six distinguished industry experts spanning various sectors will deliver insights into the evolving landscape of talent acquisition.

Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the trajectory of the hiring process, strategies for optimisation, and insights into the behaviours of job seekers.

These insights will be drawn from a Talos360 survey of 1,109 UK employees from organisations with 10 or more staff who have actively sought employment within the past year, as well as 251 hiring managers from UK companies with over 100 employees.

Janette Martin, Talos360 CEO, said: “With more and more companies choosing to control their own hiring directly we wanted to get some key insights into what the future will look like for our HR and talent leaders. Our latest research paper delves into AI adoption and acceptance from both a hiring manager and candidate perspective.

“With retention proving a key challenge we also looked into employee expectations and employee engagement to offer data-led insights into how to create and keep a highly motivated workforce. We hope data from this report will help business leaders plan and prioritise their people strategies in a high-change and fast-paced world.”  –

Find out more

Join the event to find out more about:

  • What will be the impact of AI on HR and hiring?
  • How to future-proof your hiring process
  • Why qualified candidates aren’t applying for your roles
  • The future of flexible working
  • What employers can do to get top talent to stay
  • What really motivates employees to be productive
  • How to approach a modern menopause policy

Speakers will include:

  • Dean McGlone, chief revenue officer, Talos360
  • Senda Kavindele, director, ESG, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity / Office senior partner, KPMG
  • Simon Swan, founder, Hiring Hub
  • Simon Gomez, founder and director, GMZ Talent
  • Adam Ward, CEO and co-founder of Airtime Rewards
  • Joy Parkinson, chair Miniml

The event takes place at KPMG’s office, 1 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3AE, at 8am on April 30, 2024.

Following the panel discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the speakers during a Q&A session and network with their fellow participants to further delve into the event’s insights.

To secure your tickets, go to: https://talos360.co.uk/events/the-future-of-talent/

 

The Masters 2024: Rory McIlroy flattered by Tigers Woods prediction

Harry Carr
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The Masters 2024: Rory McIlroy flattered by Tigers Woods prediction

Rory McIlroy was flattered to hear Tiger Woods say it is “just a matter of time” before he completes the career Grand Slam by winning The Masters.

The Masters remains the only major title to elude McIlroy, with a second-placed finish in 2022 – when he was three strokes back of Scottie Scheffler – the closest he has come to glory at Augusta National.

The current world number two has missed the cut at two of the last three editions of The Masters, including doing so last year, though he has made the top 10 on seven of his last 10 trips to Augusta.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Man City: Former Real Madrid star Van der Vaart hits out at ‘useless’ Haaland
The Masters: Faldo rubbishes chances of favourites Rahm and Scheffler
The Masters: Rahm insists competitive edge not reduced after LIV switch

Last year, 15-time major champion Woods – the most recent player to complete the Grand Slam in 2000 – outlined his confidence that McIlroy would repeat his achievement.

He reiterated that belief ahead of 2024’s first major, saying “it’s just a matter of time” before the Northern Irishman completes the final leg of the Grand Slam.

When that quote was put to McIlroy in his own press conference on Wednesday, he said: “It’s flattering.

“It’s nice to hear, in my opinion, the best player to ever play the game say something like that. Does that mean that it’s going to happen? Obviously not.

“But he’s been around the game long enough to know that I at least have the potential to do it. I know I’ve got the potential to do it too.

“It’s not as if I haven’t been a pretty good player for the last couple of decades. It’s nice to hear it when it comes out of his mouth.”

McIlroy finished third at the Valero Texas Open on his most recent outing last week, having opted for a busy start to the year to prepare for this week’s tournament.

Asked how his approach will differ from previous years, McIlroy said: “I would say just not trying to win it from the first tee shot.

“I think that’s something that I’ve tried to learn. It’s a 72-hole golf tournament. I’ve won from 10 strokes back going into the weekend. There’s loads of different ways to do it.

“I think it’s been beneficial to play a little bit more this year. I think I’m a little more in tune with where my game is at and where my misses are.

“I think, once you play a lot, you learn how to manage your game a little bit better than when you haven’t played that much and you’re a little rusty. I think patterns emerge the more that you play.

“I think I can do most things, but sometimes you just have to take the conservative route and be a little more disciplined and patient.

“With a 72-hole golf tournament, you can be patient, you can be disciplined, and you can stick to your gameplan. That’s something that I’ve really tried to learn at this tournament over the years.”

Five things to avoid when making your Grand National selections

Helen Greaney
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Five things to avoid when making your Grand National selections

As the excitement builds for the 2024 Grand National at Aintree on April 13, punters are busy analysing form, studying trends, and scrutinising contenders.

With such a prestigious and unpredictable race, making the right selections if you’re looking for a Grand National 2024 bet can be challenging.

If you’re struggling to break down the field ahead of the latest renewal, here are five things to avoid when picking your Grand National horses.

Horses outside the age range of 7-9

While history shows occasional outliers, the last eight editions of the Grand National have been dominated by horses aged between seven and nine.

With eight-year-olds being the most successful in recent years, winning half of the last eight renewals, it’s prudent to focus on this age group.

Horses at the fore of the betting

Despite the allure of backing the favourite, recent history and the unpredictable nature of the Grand National suggest caution. Only two favourites have triumphed in the last eleven renewals, highlighting the erratic nature of this iconic race.

Additionally, only three of the last eleven winners were in the top three of the betting, emphasising the value of seeking out longer odds.

Horses weighing more than 11 stone

Given that the Grand National is a handicap contest, weight becomes a critical factor in deciphering the field.

Few horses have managed to carry more than 11 stone to victory since 2012, underscoring the challenge of overcoming a hefty burden. Conversely, none of the last eleven winners have carried less than 10-3 — indicating the delicate balance of weight allocation.

Horses with less than three seasonal runs

Consistency and preparation are key in the build-up to the Grand National.
All of the last eleven winners had at least three runs in the season leading up to the race, while nine of those had at least one win — suggesting that race fitness and form are significant predictors of success.

Beware of horses who may lack sufficient conditioning or race experience, but also avoid horses who have potentially been overworked — as nine of the last 11 winners had no more than six runs in the season.

Horses unproven over three miles and beyond

With the gruelling Grand National course stretching beyond a testing four-and-a-quarter miles, stamina is paramount.

Past champions have typically demonstrated proficiency over extended distances, with the majority boasting at least seven runs over three miles or more.

Look for horses with a proven track record of staying power to increase your chances of backing a winner in the Aintree horse betting.

By steering clear of these five pitfalls and focusing on horses that align with these key trends, you’ll be better equipped to make informed selections for the 2024 Grand National.

If we had to pick one horse using these five bits of advice, it would likely be Meeting of the Waters for Willie Mullins and JP McManus.

The horse is seven years of age, just outside the top three of the betting as the 12/1 fourth favourite, carried 10-7, and has raced exactly six times this season with two wins.

However, a potential pitfall would be that he has only raced over three miles on five occasions. That should still be enough to give him a chance.

Manchester City: Former Real Madrid star Van der Vaart hits out at ‘useless’ Haaland

Harry Carr
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0
Manchester City: Former Real Madrid star Van der Vaart hits out at ‘useless’ Haaland

Former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart hit out at Erling Haaland after Los Blancos’ 3-3 Champions League draw with Manchester City, saying the Norwegian is “useless” if he doesn’t score.

Haaland endured a quiet outing as City and Madrid played out a thrilling draw in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

The Premier League’s leading goalscorer forced Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin into one close-range stop early on, but he didn’t manage another shot on target in the match.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Real Madrid 3-3 Man City: Guardiola delighted with ‘personality’ of his players
The Masters: Rahm insists competitive edge not reduced after LIV switch
Manchester United confirm Murtough departure

Speaking in his role as a pundit for Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport, Van der Vaart – who spent two years at Madrid between 2008 and 2010 – was scathing of the striker’s all-round performance.

“Erling Haaland was very bad,” Van der Vaart said. “If he doesn’t score, he’s quite useless. I find him to be a very average player on the ball.”

Haaland scored 52 goals in his first season with City in 2022-23 and has netted 30 times in 36 appearances across all competitions this campaign.

However, this is not the first time his all-round contribution has been questioned, with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane comparing him to a League Two player after City’s recent draw with Arsenal.

“The levels of his general play are so poor, and not just today but in general,” Keane said after that game. “In front of goal he’s best in the world, but his general play is so poor.

“He’s almost like a League Two player. That is the way I look at him. His general play has to improve.

“It will do over the next few years. Being this brilliant striker is fantastic, but he has to improve his all-round game.”

City turn their attention back to the Premier League title race when they host Luton Town on Saturday, before welcoming Madrid to the Etihad Stadium for next Wednesday’s return fixture.

Local authorities have reported which roads will be repaired with reallocated HS2 funding

Helen Greaney
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0
Local authorities have reported which roads will be repaired with reallocated HS2 funding
A programme of pothole repairs and road resurfacing projects has been announced for the region – with £1.2 billion of reallocated HS2 funding being used to foot the North West bill.

Last November, the government announced it would be investing £8.3 billion to tackle badly-surfaced roads across England.

The North West will receive its share from the Northern leg of HS2, over an 11-year period.

Councils in the North West have already been paid more than £19 million to get on with the work and deliver improvements, with another £19 million following in this financial year.

As a condition of this funding, and to make sure money is being spent on pothole repairs, local authorities have been required to publish a two year plan detailing exactly which local roads will benefit.

Today, the Department for Transport has revealed the local authorities receiving funding across the North West which have responded to the Department’s survey request to set out their plans, meaning local people can now check their local council’s websites and scrutinise their plans for themselves.

The reporting requirements have highlighted how emerging techniques and equipment are being used to tackle potholes in the North West, such as in Lancashire, where councils are using materials made of recycled plastics and so-called bio-binders to fill potholes in a low-carbon way.

The Department has already been clear with those local authorities that have failed to publish reports that they could see the withdrawal of future funding to resurface roads.

From Carlisle to Crewe, people can check their authority websites and see which roads are planned to be improved, and routes where work has already taken place, such as the A50 at Knutsford.

Transport secretary Mark Harper said: “Alongside this unprecedented funding, which is already being used to improve local roads, we’re making sure residents can hold their local authority to account and see for themselves how the investment will be spent to improve local roads for years to come.”

Having submitted their first reports last month, councils in the North West will now also be required to submit quarterly reports from June, announcing work which has taken place over three months, meaning residents will now regularly be able to scrutinise the progress their local authority is doing to tackle potholes.
Editorial credit: Patrick Shutterstock / Shutterstock.com
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