Stories By Pete Hall

• Sport

  Man Utd fans might not agree, but Fellaini deserves to be Pogba replacement

  Blamed for Moyes failings Life in Manchester hasn’t been easy for Marouane Fellaini. Chastised as the embodiment of one of the most embarrassing periods of Manchester United’s modern history, David Moyes’ marquee signing remains very much the pantomime villain at M16 – but is such vitriol still justified? The mistakes have been well documented, but does he make more mistakes than others? The difference being that everybody remembers the mistakes of the figure who is easily ridiculed.

• Sport

  Despite £1bn outlay, Premier League clubs take easy option in uninspiring transfer window

  European leagues signings much more exciting The astronomical deal struck between Sky and Premier League was billed as moment the English top flight would resurrect itself after years of stagnation, living in La Liga’s shadow.

• Sport

  Mkhitaryan hasn’t changed style, the style has changed to suit him

  Manchester United looked like a step too far Nothing has come easy for Henrikh Mkhitaryan. In his heartfelt Players’ Tribune post back in November, we learned of his quest to follow in his father’s footsteps after Hamlet Mkhitaryan’s passing when Henrikh was so young, all while being uprooted from his homeland to stay safe.

• Sport

  Danny Rose expressing concerns – or agents at play?

  Walker has lead the way If you have seen a close friend move to another company, doing the same role, doubling his or her salary in the blink of an eye – all while working for a more likely market leader – you’d want some of that.

• Sport

  West Ham optimism is a little premature – transfer strategy may have its flaws

  There has been a shift in the zeitgeist in east London. After a vitriolic first season in their new home, West Ham fans have their swagger back, with some familiar big-money signings increasing the level of optimism ahead of the new Premier League season.

• Sport

  Rooney returns – embrace the feel-good story of the year

  Rooney back where he belongs There are many, many layers to Wayne Rooney’s return to his boyhood club. What legacy does he leave at Manchester United? Despite leading the club’s goalscoring charts, many fans still see Rooney as unfulfilled potential.

• Sport

  Van Dijk primed for a big move, and United fit the bill perfectly

  Liverpool’s woe could open door for Mourinho Gone are the days when it was acceptable for Sir Alex Ferguson to intercept Roy Keane at the airport en route to Blackburn, Roberto Mancini to pester David Platt to join him at Sampdoria or player agents to meet secretly with prospective clubs in London hotels to discuss a move behind their client’s current employer’s backs.

• Sport

  MARTIAL DESERVES CENTRAL ROLE

  Time for mind games is over, Jose, Martial deserves central role Mourinho revels in drama In every walk of life, people go about their day jobs in a completely different manner to their counterparts in exactly the same role, and football management is no different.

• Sport

  SEMI-FINAL SIGNIFICANT FOR AN ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT REASON

  SEMI-FINAL SIGNIFICANT FOR AN ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT REASON Tottenham can put jitters up Chelsea Nobody likes to admit it, but it is true. Yes it is one of the biggest domestic cup competitions in Europe, but that means little when the rest of the continent shares the sentiment; those of a romantic disposition avert your eyes – the FA Cup isn’t what it once was.

• Sport

  STARLESS ENGLAND COULD BE THE WAY FORWARD AFTER ALL

  Long standing English arrogance takes hit For so long, despite a series of setbacks, Britannia will always rule the waves in the football stratosphere for many of us islanders.  Whether it is the sense of schadenfreude many get seeing Pep Guardiola failing to take our unconquerable “best league in the world” by storm, or bringing up the “could he cut it on a wet Wednesday night in Stoke” argument when discussing the credentials of the next exotic superstar talent, the imperialist English arrogance has proven difficult to shake off.

• Sport

  NEW LUKAKU DEAL NO GUARANTEE HE’LL STAY

  NEW LUKAKU DEAL NO GUARANTEE HE’LL STAY – CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LURE IS HARD TO AVOID   Everton progress may not be enough for Lukaku Ronald Koeman is building something rather exciting on the blue half of Merseyside.

More Posts