What happened when the Manchester United press pack played at Old Trafford
One particular member of the press pack is feeling the pressure...
A new manager was in the home dressing room and home dugout at Old Trafford this week. No, it wasn’t Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino or Kieran McKenna. It was Neil Custis of The Sun.
Neil has been the designated manager of the three press games we have had against United’s media team and it grieves me to write that we have lost all three by an aggregate scoreline of 23-7.
Wednesday morning’s contest was played in relentless rain and the traffic was such a grind some missed the warm ups. My hamstring has been as sore as Luke Shaw’s in recent weeks and the expert exercise tested it more than the weekly five-a-side games at the football and tennis centre a goal kick away from the Etihad.
Just like the previous two years, we were hospitably designated the home dressing room. Unlike last year’s game (staged the day after United beat Fulham on the final day), the names of the players had already been removed. One of the regulars at Old Trafford noticed that. “Perhaps they will sell all of them after all!”
As run down as Old Trafford is (Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s words), it remains the Mecca of English football. The ground is 114 years old and is the biggest in British club football. When it is empty, it is one of the most stirring sports arenas to admire. Wembley, rebuilt and open since 2007, is a more impressive vista from outside rather than inside.