A slow start to the new year, though the bright and shiny new ownership regime of Sir Jim Ratcliffe is quick to make waves, the man himself gatecrashing the press room before the Tottenham game to say: “I have done a few exciting things, but this caps it all.” Ratcliffe the thrill-seeker may have felt a few jolts as League Two Newport County mount a near-comeback in the FA Cup, only for United to escape south Wales after late goals.
8 Jan, Wigan (a), FA Cup, 2-0 win; 14 Jan, Tottenham (h) 2-2 draw; 28 Jan, Newport County (a), FA Cup, 4-2 win.
Reds bedevilled: Manchester United’s miserable 2024, month-by-month Erik ten Hag salvaged a sorry season with FA Cup glory but Ruben Amorim has so far overseen even worse results.
Meanwhile, as Ratcliffe’s deal is ratified on 20 February, moves to entice Dan Ashworth’s sporting director mastery from Newcastle are made, and Jason Wilcox, a former Manchester City employee, is to join as technical director from Southampton.
Lisandro Martínez’s knee injury against West Ham stretches resources and Erik ten Hag is forced to deny that keeping his former Ajax lieutenant on the field aggravated the problem.
