RINSE AND REPEAT?

Following the conclusion of this weekend’s round of Premier League fixtures, football fans have what promises to be an exceptionally long, uninspiring and largely inconsequential international break to endure. In most parts of the world, various nations have nothing more exciting than friendlies scheduled. In Europe, it’s the return of the Nations League. A competition apparently conceived for no other reason than to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to spuriously claim he has won two major international trophies, this Uefa wheeze is about to kick off for the fifth time. Almost unique among tournaments that have enjoyed such longevity, its format remains fairly baffling to many of those who will actually be playing in it and all but the keenest students of the game. In truth, hardly anyone cares about the Nations League and quite literally nobody gives two hoots about its opening games.

As is customary in the absence of anything more interesting to report on, hacks will be keeping their ears cupped towards the continent in the hope that some loose-lipped South American Premier League star cuts a promo about a perceived dissatisfaction with their lot. Otherwise, the first top-flight head coach whose club is deemed to be “in crisis” will be lined up in the collective media crosshairs and, as things stand, it is Michael Carrick who is in the box seat.

“Under pressure?” he replied to assorted reporters in the wake of Manchester United’s dismal capitulation after going 2-0 up against Brighton in the Milk Cup. “That doesn’t bother me one bit.” As words of defiance go, they may have sounded more convincing if they hadn’t been uttered by a man who appears to have aged 20 years across his first six games in proper charge, only two of which have been won. “I understand what goes on and how the world works,” he added with a sigh.

In recent years there has been a recurring rinse-and-repeat cycle as far as what goes on and how the world works at United. Specifically one involving the dismissal of head coaches following widespread media speculation regarding their abilities to paper over the giant chasms caused by boardroom penny-pinching, dismal player recruitment and ongoing fan dissatisfaction, for which somebody – anybody but the owners and their besuited yes-men – must carry the can. Whether it’s Ole, Erik, Ruben, or the new incumbent, the story only ever seems to end one way, and just six games into the new season, it already seems the die has been cast for the cycle to begin again. Outwitted by Fabian Hürzeler, while his players were torn apart out on the field, Carrick can’t be absolved of all blame for United’s many shortcomings on and off the field. Anything but a win in Sunday’s crisis klaxon derby at Fulham and his future, or lack of one at Old Trafford, will be a tedious but unavoidable talking point for what promise to be 16 already very long days.

LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE

Join Michael Butler from 7.30pm for hot Milk Cup minute-by-minute updates from Manchester City 3-1 Norwich, while Scott Murray will be your guide at 8pm for the night’s Bigger Vase action in his clockwatch, featuring Real Sociedad 1-1 Bournemouth, plus Crystal Palace 1-0 Lech Poznan.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“You can try to kill me here. But it’s my scar, it’s not your scar. No one is more hurt than me, no one wanted it more. They can endlessly torture you and think: ‘If I had done different substitutions, then we would have won the match.’ You just don’t know it” – Thomas Tuchel stands by his heavily criticised defensive regression during the Geopolitics World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, adding that the opposition tactics forced his hand: “Sorry for the language, [they played eff]-it football: ‘We have nothing to lose. Let’s [eff] it.’”

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

I met Ludek Miklosko once. In fact, shaking my hand was one of the first things he had to endure after signing for West Ham in the summer of 1990. (The history books say he signed earlier, but he wasn’t officially unveiled until the summer.) I was working in the club shop at Upton Park (a cabin by the gates). He seemed baffled that now he was finally here and had escaped the communist regime, he was being introduced to a child as ‘our new goalkeeper’. He was very nice about it, though; I showed him the new kit, and he went on to meet the groundsman and have a look at the pitch. My lasting memory was of his truly massive hands. Lovely fella” – Jimmy O’Brien.

I was struck by the phrase that Madrid’s Carlos Espí ‘dug his side out of a hole’ (yesterday’s Football Daily). Surely, one cannot dig oneself out of a hole? Digging, by definition, takes you further into the ground. Unless the goal was to arrive in China, climbing out of a hole would be more appropriate” – Christopher D’Cruz.

Amalgamating the themes of yesterday’s three letters, Spurs fans can at least be hopeful about one thing. Since a player who spends much of the time rolling around knacked near the corner flag can’t be interfering with play, then at least none of their forward line will be caught offside much this year” – Jon Millard.

If you have any, please send letters to [email protected]. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day goes to … Jimmy O’Brien. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here. 

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