The Manchester United fan who is refusing to cut his hair until the Red Devils win five games in a row has spoken out following the Red Devil’s comfortable 2-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday afternoon. Michael Carrick has overseen four successive victories since taking on the interim role at Old Trafford towards the start of January.
It was Bryan Mbeumo who first made the most of United’s numerical advantage, putting the finishing touches on a well-worked set-piece just nine minutes after Cristian Romero was shown his second Premier League red card of the season for a reckless challenge on Casemiro, following through unnecessarily with his studs. Although Tottenham held on well, Bruno Fernandes arrived at the back post to poke in a second with 10 minutes to go and cement his side’s position in the top four of the table.
United sit inside the Champions League qualification places, above both Liverpool and Chelsea. Ahead of the rest of the weekend’s action, they are also now just three points behind their noisy neighbours Manchester City, who sit second behind Arsenal, with Carrick’s audition for the permanent role in the summer gathering pace.
“The United Strand” Posts After United’s Fourth Successive Win
With victory over Tottenham marking a significant milestone in Frank Illet’s – better known by his online alias ‘The United Strand’ – journey from Afro-wearing social media superstar to just an ordinary United supporter once again, he created a trailer-style short film to celebrate the win. The film opens with him in a therapy room, reflecting on his side’s misfortunes and imagining himself somehow responsible for an upcoming defeat.
In the end, it turns out to be a promotion for YouTuber Niko Omilana’s sweet brand, ‘Shades’, with Omilana appearing at the close of the clip to say the sweets are a good choice for a win and to wish “Mr United Strand” luck in his final game. Illet also shared the post on his Instagram story (see the full post below):
He then posted a follow-up just moments later, hailing the fact that “Carrick is at the wheel” and adding, “this time it’s happening, thank you so much to Carrick.” Clearly, optimism is running high in the Illet household. See the second post below:
United Now Just One Win Away From Approving His Haircut
United’s current run is now their best since February 2024 under Erik ten Hag, and while Frank Illet hasn’t had a haircut since October of that year, 1000 days ago, United are now just one win away from helping him to a long-awaited trip to the barber shop.
Their next match sees the Red Devils take a trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham United. The east Londoners currently sit 18th in the Premier League and in the relegation zone, and so Carrick’s side will surely be optimistic about extending their 100 per cent record since Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.
Jurgen Klopp’s comments about Arsenal after Jonathan Tah had a goal controversially ruled out by VAR in Germany’s World Cup exit vs Paraguay have gone viral.
Germany were easily expected to overcome Paraguay in their last 32 tie at Boston Stadium.
However, despite having the lion’s share of possession in the first 45 minutes, it was the underdogs who took the lead just before half-time through Julio Enciso.
Germany needed to up their game in the second half, and it didn’t take long for them to restore parity as Arsenal’s Kai Havertz found the back of the net.
There were no further goals for the remainder of regulation time as the game went to extra-time. Jonathan Tah thought he had given his side the lead in the 103rd minute, only for his goal to be controversially ruled out.
The decision to rule out Tah’s goal was extremely controversial. Moments before Tah headed home, Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill briefly fell to ground following contact from Germany substitute Waldemar Anton.
Gill had got to his feet by the time the ball reached Tah, but he could not do anything to stop the Bayern Munich defender from finding the back of the net.
Fortunately for Paraguay, VAR deemed that Anton had committed a foul on Gill and disallowed the goal, leaving Germany incensed. Julian Nagelsmann in particular was outraged and was shown a yellow card for his protests.
Former Liverpool manager Klopp was covering the match as a pundit for Magneta TV, and he did not agree with the decision as he made reference to Premier League champions Arsenal. He said:
“If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions. They’ve scored 60 percent of their goals that way. We win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal.”
He added: “There are worse things than defeats in sports. But there was only one goal, one dream, and that has been shattered. It was dramatic. There are 500,000 ways to win a football match. You just have to find one.”
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Alan Shearer Slams Officials
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Winslow Townson
Alan Shearer slammed the decision and claimed that Gill had ‘conned’ the referee. He said, per the BBC: “I don’t agree with that decision at all. The keeper falls to the ground on a slight touch and it’s very soft. I thought it was a terrible decision.
“You have to understand it is a contact sport, the goalkeeper has conned the referee and the VAR. The way he went down was pathetic.”
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann also believed the goal shouldn’t have been ruled out. Just before the decision was made, he said:
“This is soft, in my opinion. But judging by what we’ve seen in the tournament so far, it wouldn’t surprise me if they do rule it out. We’ve seen two or three goals ruled out for very small offences. This is hardly anything.
“It’s a small block on the goalkeeper, but for me, it’s not enough. I suspect they will be ruling this out. We feel this should not be disallowed.”
Paraguay will now take on either France or Sweden in the last 16 of the competition. The match will be played at Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday, July 4.
Manchester United suffered a big blow after it was confirmed Manuel Ugarte has suffered a serious knee injury.
The Red Devils were considering offloading the Uruguayan midfielder, but the injury has hampered their plans to do so.
Ornstein: Man Utd Midfielder Update
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Manchester United’s midfield recruitment plans are unaffected by the injury to Ugarte. West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes remains the immediate priority, and others are also being considered.
Liverpool are looking at some new winger options in the transfer market, according to TeamTalk, alongside a possible switch for Bradley Barcola this summer.
Bradley Barcola is a key target, not least as Diomande’s move to PSG may force an exit as he enters the final two years of his contract with the European champions.
While he may be the most high-profile candidate on the club’s radar, it appears as though another two options are being assessed for a deal this summer.
Liverpool Eye Said El Mala
via Reuters
One of those options, according to TeamTalk, is Koln forward Said El Mala, who appears likely to leave the German club in the coming weeks.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a successful campaign last time out, making 36 appearances, bagging 13 goals and five assists for the Bundesliga outfit.
In that time, the youngster largely featured on the left wing, but also received minutes as a centre-forward, in attacking midfield, and on the right wing.
The Germany youth international continues to receive plenty of interest as a result, and was seemingly close to joining Brentford earlier in the transfer window.
That move fell through, however, and now a switch to Liverpool could be on the cards as they continue to monitor a potential deal to sign El Mala.
A move does appear complicated, however, as his brother, Malek El Mala, is believed to want a move with his brother to wherever his next destination is.
It remains to be seen whether that could be a deal-breaker for Liverpool, while Premier League rivals Newcastle United remain in the hunt for his signature too.
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Liverpool Want Bazoumana Toure
Ulrik Pedersen/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA
The other winger Liverpool have been linked with is Hoffenheim star Bazoumana Toure. The 20-year-old Ivorian star has impressed over the past year, bagging five goals and 12 assists in 32 appearances across all competitions.
The forward largely features on the left wing, but has also received some minutes on the right and as a centre-forward when required for his team.
It’s claimed that Toure, who is currently at the World Cup with the Ivory Coast, is viewed as a “long-term” option for Liverpool to help improve their options.
Liverpool have discussed a move for one of their transfer targets this summer, as they move on from Yan Diomande’s rejection.
He would join Rio Ngumoha in becoming a young development player for the long-term, while Cody Gakpo and Victor Munoz are expected to take up roles as the more experienced options.
It remains to be seen who the Reds will land, as they must now adjust to the blow of missing out on Yan Diomande in the transfer window.
