Showing posts with label Billy Meredith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Billy Meredith. Show all posts

Manchester clubs should have Mangnall Cup organized annually

Ernest Mangnall has the only distinction to have managed both Manchester United and Manchester City till date. During his reign both clubs moved their home to Old Trafford and Maine Road to become established clubs in the football league. At United he lured City's 1904 FA Cup winners Billy Meredith, Herbert Burgess and Sandy Turnbull who were auctioned off after a match fixing scandal that banned City from playing, to help the new club United win its first major honours the League in 1907, 1910 and FA Cup in 1908. He is the third most successful manager of all time at Manchester United.

"A great, intricate, almost delicate, and to the vast majority of the public an incomprehensible piece of machinery is the modern, up to date, football club. It is a creation peculiarly by itself. There is nothing like it..."  

The Manchester derby on 7th September, 1912 would be the last match he was officially in charge of United before joining rivals City who won the match 1-0 as rumours were rife about his shock switch before the match. At City he guided them to runners up in league in 1920-21 and FA Cup semi-final in 1924. Twelve years in charge interrupted by war that cut short his tenure to 9 seasons is the third longest serving manager of the Citizens behind Les McDowall and Wilf Wild.

His testimonial on 10th September, 1924 saw the best of Manchester face the best of Liverpool in a combined XI. Best tribute would be to organize a season opening U23 fixture between the two clubs alternately staged at Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium to mirror his crucial role during the incipient years that shaped the two clubs.

Solskjaer will be without Rashford and McTominay that sway the odds to a City win. If the Norwegian manages to win he will join the halcyon company of Mourinho and Klopp to have won two away fixtures against Guardiola and that can be counted as a special company. Without sure shot Lukaku the fulcrum of MUFC's win at PSG any repeat of that heroics seem distant for a club that has still not replaced Herrera and Fellaini let only the big Belgian marksmen. City are hoping to win the League Cup for the 3rd straight year. This match again presents Anthony Martial to hog the limelight but can he pull it of against a top side? Else MUFC need to bring in a striker like Moussa Dembele from Lyon who now have a replacement signed up.

Bruno Fernandes seems to be finally moving to Old Trafford after the protracted deal that consumed United the whole of January when they actually needed 3 or 4 players. After Fernandes signed a new contract last year United still put a #50 million bid expecting it to be concluded was being just blind, now the deal is structured to be #55 million + #10 million easily achievable bonus + #15 million difficult to achieve bonus + 10% of sell-on clause that totals #80 million! Micheal Carrick's shirt 16 is being vacated by the loan of Marcos Rojo to Estudiantes for Bruno Fernandes. MUFC linked to Southend goal keeper Nathan Bishop who has represented England at U20.

The green and white of Sporting Lisbon in Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Bruno Fernandes reminds of the famous Celtic players who chose to come to Manchester United most notably Paddy Crerand who was the missing link to supply Denis Law with the incisive passes that elevated the Reds to title contenders. Marcus Rashford must be particularly delighted by Bruno Fernandes. 

Garnacho, Hojlund, Mainoo

INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe not only met with all staff and players but also fans forum and community groups to stress the same message...

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