Man Utd
Why Gary Neville Became the Focus of a Salford Protest
Gary Neville faced protests at Salford after comments on politics and the Union Jack’s meaning. Oct.
Gary Neville’s prominence in British football and media has been accompanied by a public life beyond the pitch. The former Manchester United defender has had a varied post-playing career: a failed managerial stint at Valencia, co-ownership of Salford City, work as a property developer in Manchester and an open endorsement of the Labour party.
It is Neville’s political commentary that sparked a recent escalation. In the wake of an attack on a Manchester synagogue earlier this month, Neville posted a video on social media during which he blamed “angry, middle-aged, white men” for engendering division in the U.K. and setting the stage for events such as those that unfolded on Oct. 2. Those remarks provoked debate and prompted some calls for his sacking from Sky Sports.
The controversy surfaced at Salford’s Moor Lane on Saturday. During Salford’s 1–0 victory over Oldham Athletic, two individuals ran onto the pitch and attempted to plant a flag on the centre circle. Three people were arrested at Moor Lane that day in what authorities described as a supposed protest against the club’s co-owner.
Far-right political party Britain First claimed responsibility, saying they “teamed up with local Salford patriots” to protest against the “treachery of Gary Neville.” The protesters also wore clothing bearing the slogan “Gary Neville is a traitor.” Organisers used a flag during the pitch invasion.
Neville has argued publicly that symbols such as the Union Jack have been exploited by the far-right. In his social media post from Oct. 5 he said: “I love my country, I love Manchester, I love England,” and added, “But I’ve been building in this city for 15–20 years and nobody has put a Union Jack flag up, so why do you need to put one up now?”
The episode at Moor Lane underlines how political statements by high-profile figures can spill into the sporting arena and provoke direct action from groups on both sides of the debate.
Man Utd
When Manchester United Last Strung Together Five Straight Wins
United are two wins from a five-game streak that would fulfil Frank Ilett’s haircut wager.
Manchester United are two victories short of a five-game winning run that would deliver on a public promise from Frank Ilett, a.k.a. The United Strand, who offered to get a haircut if the club achieved the streak. A 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break extended United’s current run to three wins and left them sixth in the Premier League table, above Liverpool.
Ilett has not cut his hair for more than a year and suggested his wait may end on November 8. His challenge was a wry response to a difficult period for the club, and it is notable that United had managed a similar sequence only months before his wager began.
Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge produced tangible success. “They won the EFL Cup and returned to the Champions League under the Dutchman,” and Ten Hag then faced a tougher second season. The 2023/24 campaign contained few high points until the FA Cup final victory that persuaded INEOS to retain Ten Hag.
The run that offered hope began in late January. On January 28 United beat Newport County 4-2 in the FA Cup fourth round after the Welsh side had levelled the score at 2-2. Antony and Rasmus Højlund scored in the second half to secure progression. That result preceded a four-game winning sequence in the Premier League during which Højlund found the net in each of the victories.
United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 courtesy of a stoppage-time finish from Kobbie Mainoo, then recorded a 3-0 win over West Ham United with an Alejandro Garnacho brace. A 2-1 win at Aston Villa featured a Scott McTominay winner in the 86th minute. A Højlund brace inside seven minutes produced a fifth successive victory away at Luton Town, but the run ended the following weekend at home to Fulham.
United remain in pursuit of five consecutive wins in all competitions and five straight Premier League wins. They technically began the 2023/24 season with a Premier League victory at Wolves, after finishing the previous season on four successive wins.
Bournemouth
United’s early £50m approach for Semenyo rebuffed as Bournemouth hold firm
United lodged a £50m bid for Antoine Semenyo in early summer but Bournemouth rejected it. Contracted.
Manchester United submitted a reported £50 million approach for Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during the opening stages of the summer window, only for the Cherries to decline the offer. Tottenham Hotspur also made an attempt to sign the winger following his 2024–25 return of 11 goals and six assists, but Bournemouth elected to keep their player.
United had completed a separate £62.5 million move for Matheus Cunha in early June and then moved to sign another attacker, a campaign that ultimately produced Bryan Mbeumo. United appear to have explored Semenyo as an alternative during those discussions, given negotiations with Brentford over the Cameroon international proved to be both long and expensive, ultimately concluding with a handshake over a £71 million fee in late July.
Bournemouth’s refusal was influenced by Semenyo’s stated preference to remain and continue his development on the south coast. His loyalty was rewarded with a new contract and a pay rise in July. While he is now tied to Bournemouth until 2030, Semenyo is still seen as a likely candidate for sale next summer. The Ghana international’s new contract even includes an undisclosed release clause to help facilitate an exit further down the line.
That clause gives United the option to revisit interest next summer if they choose. Any move, however, will have to account for the structure of Ruben Amorim’s squad, where there no longer appears to be an obvious place for another high-cost forward after striker Benjamin Šeško completed a new-look trio which cost over £200 million by the end of the summer.
Recent speculation has also linked Semenyo with Arsenal and Liverpool. Semenyo is a self-confessed fan of the Gunners, a detail that could hand Mikel Arteta’s side a boost should they decide to pursue a deal in the next window.
Man Utd
Man Utd raise concerns with Premier League over midweek home schedule
Man Utd lodged a complaint with the Premier League over a heavy run of midweek home fixtures and TV.
Manchester United have formally notified the Premier League that their upcoming fixture pattern, which contains no home weekend matches until Christmas, is a matter of concern for the club and supporters. United’s 4–2 victory over Brighton on Saturday evening was the team’s last weekend fixture at Old Trafford for the next two months. The next three scheduled home matches will all take place on weekdays, complicating travel and attendance for fans planning to attend Everton, West Ham and Bournemouth.
United CEO Omar Berrada has contacted Premier League CEO Richard Masters to discuss what the club describes as an unfavourable sequence of fixtures and its effect on match-going supporters. The Athletic report the two parties had a “constructive conversation” centred around the “cultural importance” of supporters, who face greater difficulty attending games at Old Trafford on weekdays as opposed to weekends. Man Utd also requested any broadcast-related schedule changes be done with greater advanced notice so fans can properly plan during a time of increased commitments due to the holiday season.
The club’s schedule through to Christmas includes the following fixtures and kick-off times as listed by the club:
Nottingham Forest (A) — Saturday, Nov. 1 — 4 p.m. BST / 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT
Tottenham Hotspur (A) — Saturday, Nov. 8 — 12:30 p.m. BST / 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT
Everton (H) — Monday, Nov. 24 — 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
Crystal Palace (A) — Sunday, Nov. 30 — 12 p.m. BST / 7 a.m. ET / 4 a.m. PT
West Ham (H) — Thursday, Dec. 4 — 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
Wolves (A) — Monday, Dec. 8 — 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
Bournemouth (H) — Monday, Dec. 15 — 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
Aston Villa (A) — Sunday, Dec. 21 — 4:30 p.m. BST / 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT
Next up for Man Utd are consecutive Saturday trips to the City Ground and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils return to Old Trafford on Monday, Nov. 24 to host Everton, then travel to Selhurst Park the following weekend to meet Crystal Palace. Four days later United are due to host West Ham, then face Wolves away before Bournemouth visit on Monday, Dec. 15. The final match before Christmas is away at Aston Villa.
