Home Blog Page 229

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024: Formula One race preview, how to watch and predictions

Harry Carr
-
0
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024: Formula One race preview, how to watch and predictions

The big story

As the Jeddah Corniche Circuit prepares to host the second grand prix of the Formula One season, fans and organisers alike will simply be hoping the main storylines emerge from the race itself.

It would be understating things to say it has been a challenging start to 2024 for F1.

While Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was cleared of allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague last week, he subsequently came under renewed pressure as material purporting to be the alleged evidence in the investigation was leaked to several figures in the sport.

That prompted Jos Verstappen – father of world champion Max Verstappen – to say the team was in danger of being “torn apart” if Horner remained in his position.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Jude Bellingham banned for two games for expletive-laden blast at referee
Cristiano Ronaldo signing caused complications for Man Utd, admits Solskjaer
Manchester United let Haaland slip through their fingers – Solskjaer

Red Bull didn’t let the noise affect their performance at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix, with Sergio Perez following Verstappen home in yet another one-two for the constructors’ champions.

Another controversy surfaced in the aftermath of the race, however, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem facing an investigation over alleged interference in the result of last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, while he is also accused of attempting to prevent the Las Vegas street circuit from being certified ahead of its debut last November.

The FIA was forced to acknowledge the existence of a report “detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing body” on Tuesday. Amid this concerning backdrop, F1’s powerbrokers will be desperate to refocus minds on racing this weekend.

Unless the civil war engulfing the team has an unforeseen impact, Red Bull’s dominance looks unlikely to be threatened on F1’s fastest street track. The focus of fans, then, will be the battle for the third spot on the podium.

Carlos Sainz took the honours last time out, while Charles Leclerc protected a fourth-place finish despite issues with his brakes as Ferrari marked themselves out as the best of the rest.

Mercedes and McLaren both endured challenging weekends in Bahrain, but the Jeddah track, featuring plenty of the high-speed corners where Mercedes thrived last year, might be something of a leveller.

An early overheating issue thwarted George Russell’s hopes of challenging the Ferraris, but both he and Lewis Hamilton will be targeting a better effort on Saturday.

The subplots

Fernando Alonso is the driver at the heart of the Ben Sulayem controversy relating to last year’s race in Jeddah, with the FIA boss accused of intervening to have the Spaniard’s much-debated 10-second penalty overturned, handing him a podium finish.

Aston Martin were tipped by many to compete with Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren after a promising 2023 campaign, but Alonso said the team were in “no man’s land” after he dropped from sixth on the grid to ninth in Bahrain.

A failure to respond to rivals’ tweaks was Aston Martin’s main issue over the back half of 2023. This weekend’s race looks likely to provide a more accurate picture of the pecking order behind Red Bull, and Aston Martin have work to do if they wish to be involved in the battle for silver in the constructors’ standings.

Elsewhere, it has been a week of change for Alpine after Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly finished 17th and 18th, respectively, in the first race of the year. Technical director Matt Harman, head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer and advisory engineer Bob Bell have all departed in recent days – how will a newly diversified team handle their first race weekend?

The track

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix made its first appearance as the penultimate race of the 2021 season, with Hamilton recording his most recent win just one week before Verstappen claimed his first world title in controversial circumstances at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The race has occupied an earlier slot on the calendar since then, and no major alterations have been made to the 6.174-kilometre track since last year’s event.

Known for its banked corners and multiple chicanes, the ultra-fast circuit will present a different challenge to that faced in Bahrain, with softer tire compounds coming into consideration.

Some teams opted against looking at Pirelli’s C4 tires in testing entirely, so a few unknowns could play a part over the course of the weekend.

What they said

Jos Verstappen on the unrest affecting Red Bull, to The Daily Mail:

“There is tension here while he [Horner] remains in position. The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode.”

Team principal Toto Wolff on Mercedes’ poor showing in Bahrain:

“We were far off. Max was in a different galaxy. We need to look at ourselves, why we lost so much performance on the harder tyre.

“It’s weird, because we had some pace in the car, and on the hard tyre we didn’t. I think there’s many mistakes we’ve made, but at the end we’re still learning, we have a brand-new car. We’ve seen glimpses of performance but couldn’t materialise any of that, so I’m really keen to look at the data and see what we can do in Saudi.”

Gasly on Alpine’s approach after a difficult week for the team:

“We don’t expect any magic tricks, we won’t have any upgrades on the car but mid- to long-term we know the direction we want to head into and what we want to improve, and patience will be key.”

When and how to watch

F1 fans in the UK will be able to watch every race of 2024 on Sky Sports F1 or via the Sky Go app. The full schedule for the race weekend is as below.

Full schedule (all times UK)

Thursday 7th March

First practice 13:30

Second practice 17:00

Friday 8th March

Third practice 13:30

Qualifying 17:00

Saturday 9th March

Race 17:00

Predictions

Red Bull have had plenty of noise to deal with this week, with Verstappen even being linked with a shock move to Mercedes as Horner’s future continues to dominate the back pages.

However, the world champion was 22 seconds clear of the competition last time out and that gap won’t be bridged on Saturday. Given the Red Bulls’ sheer pace, we’re also backing Perez to make it another one-two.

We do foresee a possible change on the podium, however. Mercedes tend to fare well on this track and an excellent start put Russell second in Bahrain before his engine overheated. Russell’s development has to be Mercedes’ priority for 2024 and we fancy him to battle the Ferraris for third here.

Detego Global Champions England Police Rugby Union’s South African Tour

News Desk
-
0
Detego Global Champions England Police Rugby Union’s South African Tour

Detego Global, renowned for its advancements in digital forensics and cybersecurity, is delighted to announce its role as sponsor for the England Police Rugby Union Football Club’s forthcoming tour to South Africa. This partnership embodies the fusion of innovative technology with the dynamic spirit of rugby, underscoring a commitment to community and sportsmanship.

The club, which stands as a cornerstone in the policing community for promoting wellness and unity through sport, is poised for its next adventure in Cape Town, South Africa, in May 2024. This follows the team’s successful tours in destinations like Hong Kong and Canada.

Detego Global’s founder, Dave Kirk, a dedicated rugby fan, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “We’re thrilled to support the England Police Rugby Union Football Club as they mark a significant milestone in their sporting journey. At Detego Global, our commitment to community spirit is unwavering, and we seize every opportunity to contribute positively to the incredible clients we serve in the law enforcement, military and corporate sectors.”

Highlighting the personal resonance of the sponsorship, he added, “Sharing a passion for rugby with my South African wife makes this sponsorship personally significant. Supporting a sport that embodies discipline, respect and integrity—values at the heart of Detego Global—goes beyond mere sponsorship. It reflects our shared principles and dedication to making a positive impact.”

Detego Global is at the forefront of providing cutting-edge technology solutions, aiding in the resolution of serious crimes with its acclaimed Unified Digital Forensics Platform, among other tools.

Andy Lister, Managing Director of Detego Global, highlighted the value of the collaboration, stating, “We are honoured to strengthen our ties with the law enforcement community through this strategic alliance with the England Police Rugby Union Football Club. Our dedication transcends the provision of advanced technological solutions; it involves building enduring partnerships that empower and provide unwavering support to the wider law enforcement community.”

The company’s dedication to “Progress through Purpose” is evident in its broad CSR initiatives, with this sponsorship furthering Detego Global’s mission to effect positive change.

Expressing appreciation for the partnership, Andy Ward, Vice-President of the England Police RUFC, remarked, “We’re excited to be working with Detego Global on this exciting stage of our journey. Their strong presence in the UK’s law enforcement landscape makes them an ideal partner, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

bet365 Launches Exciting Super Boost TV Campaign for the Cheltenham Festival

News Desk
-
0
bet365 Launches Exciting Super Boost TV Campaign for the Cheltenham Festival

Are you set for the Cheltenham cheer?

With the festival just around the corner, bet365 has unveiled its latest Never Ordinary TV advertisement this week, infusing the races with even more excitement through a daily Super Boost.

At bet365, the ordinary just doesn’t cut it; we offer over 20,000 boosts every month. However, at 10am daily during Cheltenham, we’re taking things up a notch!

Our Super Boost promotion is designed to suit bettors of all levels, from the seasoned aficionados to those new to horse racing betting. Offering enhanced odds on select races throughout the event, now is the perfect time to elevate your betting experience.

Remember, time is of the essence – this opportunity is fleeting! Ensure no one misses the chance to amplify their Cheltenham winnings with bet365. Customers are encouraged to check the website at 10am each festival day to learn more and dive into the excitement of improved odds.

bet365 has also put together the following helpful pages.

T&Cs: Maximum stake applies. Single bets only. Subject to availability. New and eligible customers only.

18+, begambleaware.org, T&Cs Apply

What to do if you have a Gambling Problem?

We acknowledge that gambling can be enjoyable, but it is crucial to gamble in a responsible manner. If you are facing challenges due to a gambling addiction, do not hesitate to seek assistance. There are those that can assist you in beginning the journey towards recovery.

Here are some resources that can help you:

source: https://www.feast-magazine.co.uk/

Jon Rahm: Official World Golf Ranking not fit for purpose

Harry Carr
-
0
Jon Rahm: Official World Golf Ranking not fit for purpose

Former world number one Jon Rahm believes the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is no longer fit for purpose, with LIV Golf having formally withdrawn its application to issue ranking points.

LIV Golf has long targeted recognition from the OWGR, first applying for ranking points to be awarded through its events in July 2022.

However, the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway circuit was denied accreditation last year, due to its events only featuring 54 holes with no cuts.

LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman formally abandoned their bid this week, writing in a letter to players that the OWGR did not represent “the best way forward” for the circuit.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Six Nations 2024: Wales drop Tompkins and North for France clash
Jude Bellingham banned for two games for expletive-laden blast at referee
Manchester United let Haaland slip through their fingers – Solskjaer

Masters champion Rahm joined LIV in one of the breakaway league’s biggest coups to date in December, and he believes the current system does not reflect golf’s new reality.

“I’m going to be honest, I didn’t know they were still trying to get world ranking points,” the Spaniard said ahead of LIV’s next event in Hong Kong, which begins on Friday.

“The one thing I can say is I’m going back to what I said two years ago at the DP World Tour Championship, I didn’t think it was a good system back then.

“If anything, the more time that goes on, the more it proves to be wrong.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A POST SHARED BY JON RAHM RODRIGUEZ (@JONRAHM)

With LIV Golf players deprived of regular opportunities to pick up ranking points, many have slid down the standings since joining the tour, with Rahm one of just four LIV players inside the current top 50.

Rahm cited the example of Joaquin Niemann – who is ranked 76th by the OWGR but won LIV’s most recent event in Saudi Arabia and has received invitations to The Masters, The Open and the PGA Championship – as evidence of the system working against LIV players.

“I’m very happy to see Joaco get invites. While we don’t have a clear path to majors through LIV yet, I think they should be taking everybody under consideration,” Rahm added.

“If anybody in this world doesn’t think Joaco deserves to be in the top 10 or doesn’t know that he’s a top player in the world, I don’t know what game you’re watching.

“We can tell. I think anybody who watches golf can tell who the best players in the world are. I don’t think the ranking is reflective of that right now.”

Jeremy Hunt lays out plans in Spring Budget

Helen Greaney
-
0
Jeremy Hunt lays out plans in Spring Budget

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has revealed the details of this year’s Budget during his address in the House of Commons.

This marks the final planned Budget before the upcoming general election, anticipated to occur later this year.

Mr Hunt was reportedly considering a cut to income tax but avoided one. Tax cuts will be paid for through a mix of tax increases including on business class airfares, vapes, tobacco, and on owners of short-term holiday lets.

Here’s a summary:

Taxes and income

  • A reduction of 2p per pound in National Insurance, a payroll tax, applicable to both employees and the self-employed.
  • Replacement of the non-dom tax regime, which applies to UK residents with a permanent home overseas, with new regulations effective from April 2025.
  • Introduction of a £5,000 tax allowance under the “British ISA” scheme, enabling individual savers to invest in UK-listed companies.
  • Extension of the repayment period for individuals receiving benefits who take out emergency budgeting loans from the government.
  • Elimination of the £90 fee for obtaining a debt relief order.
  • Continuation of the government fund aimed at assisting individuals facing challenges with the cost of living pressures for an additional six months.

Transport

  • Fuel duty frozen again, with the 5p cut in fuel duty on petrol and diesel, due to end later this month, kept for another year.
  • Air passenger duty, the tax paid on flights, to go up for business class tickets.

Energy

  • £160m deal for UK government to purchase site of planned Wylfa nuclear site in North Wales.
  • “Windfall” tax on the profits of energy firms, which had been scheduled to end in March 2028, extended until 2029.

Cigarettes and alcohol

  • The freeze on alcohol duty, originally set to conclude in August, will now persist until February 2025.
  • A fresh tax on vaping products is scheduled to commence in October 2026, subsequent to a consultation process.
  • Current tax on tobacco will undergo an increment to uphold the “financial encouragement towards opting for vaping instead of smoking.

Property

  • Instead of relief from stamp duty, the government promised to abolish stamp duty relief.
  • Multiple Dwellings Relief, which was introduced to those buying more than one house in a single transaction, has been removed.

More measures

  • High Income Child Benefit Charge to be assessed on a household-basis by April 2026, and immediate support for working families by increasing the threshold to £60,000 and halving the rate at which Child Benefit is repaid – representing a £1,260 boost on average for around half a million working families.
  • The NHS will receive an additional £3.4 billion as part of this to invest in new tech and digital transformation, including making the NHS app a single front door for patients, piloting new AI to halve form-filling times for doctors, rolling out universal electronic patient records, and over one hundred upgraded AI-fitted scanners so doctors can read MRI scans more accurately and quickly.
  • Threshold at which small businesses must register to pay VAT raised from £85,000 to £90,000 from April.
  • £1m for a memorial to honour Muslims who fought for Britain during World War One and Two.

Reaction

Sir Keir Starmer has blasted Jeremy Hunt’s Budget as the “last desperate act” of a dying government.

Following the chancellor’s speech, Starmer referred to Hunt and PM Rishi Sunak as the “Chuckle Brothers of decline”.

The Labour leader added that the country was stuck in a “downward spiral” of chaos and demanded the prime minister confirms May 2 as the date for the next general election.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The chancellor deserves some credit for extending the Household Support Fund in today’s Budget. As Metro Mayors we joined more than 170 councils in calling for an extension to the Fund, which has been a lifeline for thousands of people in Greater Manchester during the cost-of-living crisis.

“There were also further positive announcements on devolution, with a trailblazer deal for the North East and steps towards devolution in regions in the South.

“But this Budget failed to acknowledge or address the national emergency in the state of local government finances. Instead, the chancellor chose tax cuts that will ultimately be paid for by further drastic cuts to public services. The consequences are severe – for communities both in Greater Manchester and across the UK – and our most vulnerable residents will be hardest hit.”

Read more

Mike Thompson, chief operating officer at Leasing Options said: “The extension of the fuel duty freeze is a positive development for motorists, the motoring industry, and the broader economy. We welcome this decision and look forward to continuing to support our customers with flexible leasing options.”

Roger Mortlock, CEO of CPRE, said: “The government’s plan to scrap tax breaks for short-term lets is a step in the right direction. But these changes should be applied to all second homes – a major cause of the rural housing affordability crisis. Air-BnB-style short-term lets have led to ghost towns and villages in some parts of the country, driving people out of the communities that depend on them. A secure and healthy home is a foundation for a decent life and one that many people in rural communities are being denied.  

“Much more is needed to fix a crisis that is tearing the soul out of rural communities. We call on the government to redefine ‘affordable’ in line with local incomes, not market rates, set and deliver ambitious targets for new, genuinely affordable and social-rent rural housing, and urgently bring forward its new regulations on short-term lets.”

Daniel Burton, CEO of Wondrwall, said: “Hunt’s spotlight on AI and energy is a surge in the right direction, but the sector needs greater reassurance on the longer-term plan on connecting renewables to the grid. For now, more cash for green energy production, noting the £120m of extra funding to the Green Industries Growth Accelerator to build supply chains for new technology such as offshore wind and carbon capture, is a good thing.  Though Hunt gave a nod to a faster connections process by January 2025, an upcoming general election and lack of needed detail could potentially unplug efforts rapidly.”

Six Nations 2024: Tompkins and North dropped as Wales change centre pairing for France clash

Harry Carr
-
0
Six Nations 2024: Tompkins and North dropped as Wales change centre pairing for France clash

Warren Gatland has made four changes to his Wales lineup for their penultimate Six Nations clash with France on Sunday, with centres Nick Tompkins and George North both dropped.

Joe Roberts and Owen Watkin will replace the experienced duo, who have a combined 155 caps, in a shock move following Wales’ comprehensive 31-7 defeat to Ireland last time out.

It is understood Tompkins and North were fit and available for selection, but both have been left out of the matchday squad completely as Gatland gives others a chance to impress.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Jude Bellingham banned for two games for expletive-laden blast at referee
Cristiano Ronaldo signing caused complications for Man Utd, admits Solskjaer
Manchester United let Haaland slip through their fingers – Solskjaer

Elsewhere, captain Dafydd Jenkins moves from the second row to start at blind-side flanker for the first time, while Will Rowlands and Ryan Elias have been promoted to start, with the former partnering Adam Beard in the second row while Elias replaces hooker Elliot Dee.

Wales are still awaiting their first win of this year’s tournament but have two home games left to get on the board, with Italy following France in visiting the Principality Stadium next week.

Explaining the alterations to his XV, Gatland said: “There are a few changes to the team this week as there are some players that deserve an opportunity.

“It’ll be a tough, physical challenge from France on Sunday, particularly up front.

“We know they will start hard and it’s about us staying in the fight, having good line speed defensively and keeping our discipline. We’re looking for an 80-minute performance.

“We’re excited to be back at home for our last two matches and we’re looking forward to getting out in front of a passionate Welsh crowd this weekend.”

Assistant coach Mike Forshaw offered further insight on the changes at centre, saying: “Nick and George have been spoken to.

“They were disappointed, which I get, but they firmly believe in what we are doing. There is always a risk in every selection but we need to look at Joe.

“He’s a really promising young 13 and was unlucky not to go to the World Cup, and Owen Watkin has a lot of experience. We just felt if we were going to have a look, this was the game to do it.”

Wales team to face France: Cameron Winnett, Josh Adams, Joe Roberts, Owen Watkin, Rio Dyer, Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Keiron Assiratti, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins (c), Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin, Gareth Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady.

Jude Bellingham banned for two games for expletive-laden blast at referee

Jon Fisher
-
0
Jude Bellingham banned for two games for expletive-laden blast at referee

Jude Bellingham has been banned for two games following his red card at the end of Real Madrid’s controversial 2-2 draw at Valencia on Saturday.

Referee Gil Manzano blew the final whistle as Brahim Diaz’s cross came in with Bellingham rising to head it into the left corner of the net.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Manchester United could have signed Haaland – Solskjaer
India v England: Fifth Test – preview, how to watch and prediction
Ronaldo signing complicated matters for Manchester United – Solskjaer

The England international joined his Madrid team-mates in surrounding the official but Manzano felt Bellingham had gone too far and promptly sent him off.

In his report, Manzano said: “After the end of the game and while still on the pitch, he came running over to me in an aggressive way shouting, repeatedly: ‘It’s a f*****g goal’.”

Bellingham, who is the top scorer in La Liga with 16 goals following his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund, will now miss the games against Celta Vigo and Osasuna, although Real Madrid are likely to appeal.

The sanction only applies to league games, meaning Bellingham can play for Madrid in the Champions League tonight against RB Leipzig.

The Spanish giants go into the second leg of the last 16 tie with a 1-0 advantage following the first game in Germany.

Women in Property welcomes Rachael Cunliffe as new North West chair

Helen Greaney
-
0
Women in Property welcomes Rachael Cunliffe as new North West chair

Women in Property (WiP) – the influencing and networking organisation for the property and construction industry – has announced that Rachael Cunliffe from Harley Haddow and Engage 5, will become its next North West chair.

Rachael (pictured) who is director at Engage 5, has taken the post until March 1, 2025.

Women in Property uses its platform to influence government, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women in Work.

Amongst the issues that the APPG is influencing are Women Returners, Making the Industrial Strategy Work for Women, How to Recruit Women for the 21st Century, Inclusivity and Intersectionality, The Impact of COVID-19 on women in the workplace, and the recruitment and retention of women in construction for the 7th Inquiry for Excellence in the Built Environment.

Women in Property also works to encourage girls and young women to consider a career in property and construction through school outreach projects and the National Student Awards.

Delighted

Rachael said:  “I’m delighted to have been appointed this year’s Northwest chair for Women in Property, building on the success of previous years. My passion lies in developing confidence to attend functions alongside nurturing connections and friendships through our extensive events programme.

“As we challenge the traditional view that gender is the main barrier in our industry, our goal is to create an environment that supports the career growth of all our members”

Ian Chalk, director of Harley Haddow’s Manchester office said: “We are so proud of Rachael and what she’s done with Women in Property over the last seven years. She is a vital part of our team and all the work she is doing to highlight representation of women in the industry is truly inspiring. 

 With recruitment challenges across the board in the property industry, it is vital we encourage more entrants into the sector, and she has done a fantastic job in ensuring girls and young women know the paths they can take. We look forward to seeing Rachael thrive in driving forward what WIP is all about.”

Since joining Women in Property in 2017, Rachael has been on WIP committee for three years organising CPDs and events.

Supporting Rachael in her role is Steph Cox who has become branch vice chair. She is a director at E3P, Environmental Consultancy.

Women in Property is holding its second national conference – the People|Innovation|Place Summit – on November 14, at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, under the theme “Rethinking Places”.  Open to all genders, visit the website for details.  Tickets will go on sale on March 11.

Manchester United let Haaland slip through their fingers – Solskjaer

Jon Fisher
-
0
Manchester United let Haaland slip through their fingers – Solskjaer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer twice tried to persuade Manchester United to sign Erling Haaland before he made his name at Borussia Dortmund.

Solskjaer gave Haaland, then 16, his professional debut during their time together at Norwegian side Molde. He quickly realised he had a star on his hands and called his former club to try to persuade them to steal a march on their rivals.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Indian Wells: Emma Raducanu prioritising development over results
India v England: Fifth Test – preview, how to watch and prediction
Ronaldo signing complicated matters for Manchester United – Solskjaer

He explained on the Stick to Football podcast: “I had him in Molde, for two seasons.

“I rang the club [United] and said ‘You’ve got to sign this boy – he’ll be top class’. That was June/July 2018, and they said no – they had enough reports on players.”

Solskjaer then moved to Old Trafford, where he enjoyed a trophy-laden spell as a player, in December 2018 as caretaker manager.

A month later Haaland moved to Salzburg on a deal that contained a small release clause that Solskjaer was eager to activate.

He added: “We had sold Haaland to Salzburg. I tell the club [United] straight away to buy him while he has a release clause.

“We knew that then, and no-one else would’ve paid the money – €20m (£17m), it would’ve been a bargain even though [he had] his links with Alfie [Haaland], and Manchester City and Leeds.

“It was the club’s decision to not go for it then.

“We never made bids or went in for him, until after he started scoring for Salzburg. By then, Borussia Dortmund were there, Juventus were there, everyone was there.”

Haaland moved to Dortmund – a club renown for developing young talent – in December 2019 and made an immediate impact, scoring five times in his first 56 minutes on the field.

A move to City followed in the summer of 2022 and the goals continued to flow. His 52 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions last season fired Pep Guardiola’s men to the treble while he has also contributed 27 this term.

“He’s got more than just being a great lad,” added Solskjaer.

“He’s such a team player, and one-on-one with a keeper, he doesn’t think about his own stats.

“He passes if someone else is through and it’ll be a 100% goal. He’s a gem.”

Cristiano Ronaldo signing caused complications for Man Utd, admits Solskjaer

Harry Carr
-
0
Cristiano Ronaldo signing caused complications for Man Utd, admits Solskjaer

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United in 2021 muddled the team’s approach and proved to be the wrong decision, admits former Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford upon leaving Juventus in August 2021, when senior figures at United were targeting a Premier League title push after Solskjaer led them to a second-place finish in 2020-21.

While the Portugal great scored 24 goals across all competitions that season, United slumped to sixth in the table, with Solskjaer sacked in November and interim boss Ralf Rangnick failing to arrest their slide.

Ronaldo then fell out of favour when Erik ten Hag took charge in 2022, being released by the club after he hit out at the Dutchman in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

Read our other sports news stories here:
Indian Wells: Emma Raducanu prioritising development over results
India v England: Fifth Test – preview, how to watch and prediction
Halep to return to tennis after ban reduced to nine months by CAS

Reflecting on his final few months in charge of United, Solskjaer insisted the decision to re-sign Ronaldo was the right one to take at the time, though he admits the move was rushed.

“It was a very quick decision,” Solskjaer said on the Stick to Football show for The Overlap. “We didn’t think Cristiano was available and that he was going to move.

“When it became apparent that he was leaving Juventus, obviously there were other clubs that wanted him, but I was excited.

“They asked me, ‘would you want us to try this?’ I said yes. We know Cristiano is quality, he’s 37, but he’s the best goalscorer in the world. It didn’t work out for me, it didn’t work out for Cristiano, but it was the right decision at the time.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A POST SHARED BY CRISTIANO RONALDO (@CRISTIANO)

Solskjaer claims Ronaldo had agreed to sit out a quarter of United’s games, only to express his frustration on the rare occasions where he was left out of the starting lineup.

The biggest challenge presented by Ronaldo’s return, however, was the disruption it caused to United’s out-of-possession approach, which Solskjaer accepts was difficult to overcome.

“Cristiano, when you know him and speak to him, he wanted to play three out of four games, he realised he’s getting older as well,” Solskjaer said.

“But then when you leave him out once, he’s not happy, or Sir Alex [Ferguson] isn’t happy.

“With the ball, with him in the team, it was no problem. Without the ball, we had to change the different roles we’d gotten used to. We were one of the highest pressing teams before.

“We let Dan James go when Cristiano came in, and they’re two different types of players. It was the right decision to make for me, but it didn’t turn out to be the right one.”

1...228229230...1,058Page 229 of 1,058