Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Man City have “publicly embarrassed” rivals Man United by refusing to fly Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo to the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
According to the Daily Mail (26 October), Man United asked rivals City if Garnacho and Mainoo could cadge a lift with their party of eight nominees to the Ballon d’Or – only to be told the flight was full.
The Red Devils have taken cost-saving measures following the investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group earlier this year.
Alternate arrangements had to be arranged for the ceremony in Paris, in which the men’s award was given to City star Rodri.
Man United ’embarrassed’ by Ballon d’Or request, says Wyness
Wyness claimed it was “strange” to see the request become public.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It was very weird.
“If I were United, I wouldn’t have asked for the favour unless I knew it was going to be granted.
“To ask for the favour and then have it thrown in your face, I thought was very strange.
“You don’t ask for a favour like that unless you have a personal relationship with your opposite number, who you’ve sounded out ahead of time.
“For it to then become public, it’s embarrassing.
Man United
“It would’ve made sense for the players to go together, but I think it’s just strange for it to become public.
Manchester United had an incredible performance in the first half of this game as they comfortably led Leicester City 4-2 at halftime thanks to Carlos Casemiro’s brace with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho.
Well, let’s take a look at the three best players for Manchester United in the first half of this game.
1, Alejandro Garnacho.
Alejandro Garnacho was undoubtedly one of the best players for Manchester United in the first half of this game. The Argentine International scored a brilliant goal in the match and also provided an assist to Manchester United’s opening goal against Leicester City
2, Carlos Casemiro.
Carlos Casemiro lightened up the game for Manchester United when he scored that stunning goal from outside the box. The Brazilian International went ahead to score his second goal for Manchester United in the match as he contributed significantly to their massive advantage over Leicester City at halftime.
3, Bruno Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes stepped up his performance for Manchester United in this encounter. Apart from scoring a wonderful goal, the Portuguese International also showed his attacking qualities from the middle of the park by spearheading most of Manchester United’s attacking plays against Leicester City.
For the first time since the sacking of Erik ten Hag, Manchester United will take to the field as they welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford for an EFL Cup fourth-round clash on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils are looking to build some momentum following a loss at West Ham United on Sunday, whilst the Foxes will be ready for much-needed respite from a relegation fight in the Premier League.
After over two years in charge at the Theatre of Dreams, Ten Hag’s era as manager of Manchester United has come to an end, with the Dutchman’s time on the red side of the city characterised by domestic cup joy intertwined with serious struggles on the Premier League and continental stage.
Suffering their worst-ever Premier League campaign during 2023-24, finishing well off the title-chasing pace in eighth – the Red Devils have significantly stuttered during the opening months of the current season, winning just three of their first nine matches at English football’s top table.
Man United wielded the managerial axe on the 54-year-old the morning after another sobering defeat on the road on Sunday afternoon, when goals from West Ham’s summer signing Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen were enough to condemn the visitors from Manchester to a narrow loss at the London Stadium.
Enjoying just the single win during their last eight matches across the Premier League and Europa League, a Ten Hag team that was backed handsomely in the summer with a glut of new arrivals has arguably failed to showcase a clear identity, leaving the club’s hierarchy no choice but to pursue coaching change.
Former Red Devils bagsman Ruud Van Nistelrooy will take interim charge of Man United until a permanent successor is appointed, with the ex-striker experiencing a 12-month spell at the helm of Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven during the 2022-23 term, leading the Dutch outfit to a second-placed finish.
After back-to-back wins over Bournemouth and struggling Southampton earlier in the month, Leicester City couldn’t make it three in a row as they hosted Nottingham Forest on Friday night. Forest returned to the East Midlands with all three points, thanks to a star performance from New Zealand international Chris Wood. Following Jamie Vardy’s equaliser to Ryan Yates’s early goal, Wood’s two second-half strikes sealed the game for Forest, leaving Leicester with a disappointing home loss.
Despite the setback, Leicester’s manager Steve Cooper can take some positives, with six points from their last three league games. The Foxes now prepare to visit Old Trafford, holding a five-point lead over Ipswich Town in 18th place in the Premier League. Leicester has already navigated two EFL Cup rounds to earn their midweek showdown at the Theatre of Dreams, with convincing wins over League Two
Tranmere Rovers and a penalty shootout victory against Walsall.
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