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A bomb, gang turf wars and the rise of club culture - poet, author and broadcaster David Scott looks at Manchester in the 1990s

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  1. Opta supercomputer backs Liverpool for the titlepublished at 19:30 11 November

    As the Premier League pauses for the November international break, the Opta supercomputer, external has been looking at each club's chances of winning the title this season.

    Liverpool are flying under new boss Arne Slot, currently sitting five points clear at the summit. They have been given a 60.3% chance.

    Defending champions Manchester City are second after consecutive league defeats and have been given a 34.3% chance of winning a fifth straight title in May.

    Arsenal are third favourites after a tricky spell themselves and Opta say they have a 5% of winning the league from here.

    Chelsea are the only other side given a chance at glory. A first title in eight years has a 0.3% chance according to Opta.

    A graphic listing the chances of clubs winning this season's Premier League title according to the Opta supercomputer. Liverpool 60.3%, Man City 34,3%, Arsenal 5% and Chelsea 0.3%Image source, BBC Sport
  2. 'Terrible decision' or 'what is needed'? Fans on Van Nistelrooy exitpublished at 19:12 11 November

    Your views banner
    Ruud van NistelrooyImage source, Getty Images

    Ruud van Nistelrooy's time at Manchester United is over after it was confirmed he would leave his coaching role as Ruben Amorim arrives.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Mick: Terrible decision by Amorim. Ruud van Nistelrooy has steadied this ship and would have been a valuable asset to the backroom staff. His knowledge of the culture of the club and his obvious tactical knowledge has been dismissed out of hand. It has left me with a uncomfortable feeling about our new manager when he disregards the positive attributes Van Nistelrooy can input.

    Iain: I think this club are masters of treating loyal staff appallingly, Ruud should at least have been given a coaching role for the strikers. Given their performances so far, we need one!

    Christine: Van Nistelrooy was a legend, one of the very best players for Manchester United. I am sure he will want his own manager job, but now is not his time at United and I think he should move on. There will be plenty of big clubs that would want him. Onwards and upwards for Van Nistelrooy and Manchester United - let's hope Amorim has the answers.

    Neil: While it is sad that there is no role for Van Nistelrooy going forward, maybe for too long Manchester United have been living off past glories. The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' is what is needed to take the club back to the top.

    Les: What a joke! After 37 years of supporting this club, enough is enough. They bring in someone who knows nothing about English football and let a legend like Ruud go, someone that all the players and fans would have been much better off with! Shame on them!

    James: Keeping Ruud on, even until the end of the season, would be a smoother move for the players and the fans. He also would have been a great intermediary between new staff and players while relationships are formed over the first few months into Amorim's spell.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  3. Van Nistelrooy's 'stock has risen'published at 18:36 11 November

    Media caption,

    Ruud van Nistelrooy's time in temporary charge at Manchester United has come to an end having won three and drawn one of his four games at the helm.

    Erik ten Hag's permanent successor, Ruben Amorim, arrived at Carrington on Monday to begin his new head coach role, and it has now been confirmed Van Nistelrooy will leave the club.

    In this week's The Devils' Advocate podcast, before the news was revealed, Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath looked back at the Dutchman's short reign and what his future might now hold.

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

  4. Man Utd 'grateful' to Van Nistelrooy as 'legend' leavespublished at 17:30 11 November

    Have your say banner
    Ruud van Nistelrooy applauds fans after final match in temporary charge at Old TraffordImage source, Getty Images

    Ruud van Nistelrooy "will always be very welcome" back at Old Trafford after it was confirmed he would be leaving Manchester United.

    The 48-year-old former striker re-joined the club in the summer as an assistant coach to Erik ten Hag.

    Van Nistelrooy took over as interim head coach following Ten Hag's sacking on 28 October after defeat by West Ham United.

    In his four games in charge, the Dutchman has led the side to three wins and one draw, including Carabao Cup and Premier League wins over Leicester and United's first Europa League victory of the season against PAOK.

    With Ruben Amorim taking over on a permanent basis on Monday, there were question marks over Van Nistelrooy's future with the Red Devils.

    In a statement, the club said: "Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend.

    "We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford."

    It was also confirmed that backroom staff Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel have also departed.

    How do you feel about the club legend leaving, United fans?

    Is it the right decision or should he have been kept?

    Let us know, external

  5. 'You can't stay in the past' - De Ligtpublished at 17:07 11 November

    Erik ten Hag Manager applauds the Manchester United fans with Matthijs de Ligt in the foregroundImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt has conceded it has been "quite difficult" to deal with the departure of Erik ten Hag.

    Ten Hag managed De Light at Ajax for a season and a half between 2018 and 2019 where they won the Dutch Eredivise and reached the Champions League semi-final together.

    "It's always quite difficult in general if a manager gets sacked," De Ligt said after United's 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday.

    "I have a really good relationship with Erik. I really like him as a person as well as a human being. That way I felt the most bad for him because I know what he does every day to get the team performing so that's quite difficult.

    "In the end, you know what football is about. If the results are not there everybody needs to be questioned - the trainer, the players. In the end the trainer gets sacked, the players can stay, so we always have to look at ourselves.

    "So, I feel really bad for him. In the end you have to keep going, you can't stay in the past, it’s over now with him."

    De Ligt has begun to find his feet after his summer move from Juventus, starting each of United's past four Premier League games including helping keep a clean sheet against the Foxes.

    "For me personally, I feel quite well," he said. "I think the last seven games I start to feel really into my rhythm, feeling important for the team. If you combine it with wins,it's really nice."

  6. 🎧 Amorim arrives, Ruud goodbye?published at 16:53 11 November

    The Devils' Advocate podcast graphic

    After caretaker manager Rudd van Nistelrooy signed off his temporary time in charge with a second win over Leicester, The Devils' Advocate team have been reacting to a result that leaves them just four points off the top four.

    They also discuss whether the club legend should stay on as part of incoming boss Ruben Amorim's backroom staff when he begins his new job this week.

    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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  7. 'Guardiola will get zero sympathy from outsiders'published at 16:06 11 November

    Chief football writer Phil McNulty byline banner
    Pep Guardiola puts his hand to his face in frustrationImage source, Reuters

    BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

    Jez asked: Do you still think Manchester City will be Premier League champions at the end of the season?

    Phil answered: I picked Manchester City as my predicted champions before the start of the season so I will not be backing away from them after only 11 games.

    What I will say is that the landscape is very different from what I expected, with City suffering many injuries - Rodri being the most debilitating of all - and looking more vulnerable than I have seen them for a long time.

    Liverpool have also played into this change, looking so efficient and confident under new head coach Arne Slot.

    Pep Guardiola will, of course, get zero sympathy from outsiders should he mention injuries but he has every right to do so, as other managers at the top of the table have when they get problems.

    I was at Brighton on Saturday night and they could have no complaints about their fourth successive defeat. They were overpowered for most of the second half, the midfield provided little protection for the defence and Brighton targeted Kyle Walker relentlessly and successfully.

    So, in answer to your question, I stick with City as champions but I am a lot less confident than I was at the start of the campaign and would now not be surprised if this was the season when their run came to an end.

  8. 'Van Nistelrooy couldn't have done much more'published at 13:59 11 November

    Chief football writer Phil McNulty byline banner
    Ruud van Nistelrooy claps the fans at Old TraffordImage source, Getty Images

    BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

    @CF3Loyal asked: Does Ruud van Nistelrooy’s success at Manchester United as interim manager, in addition to his relationship with the club, fans and players, cause a potential issue for Ruben Amorim when he takes over - assuming that he remains as part of his management team?

    Phil answered: Well, we should find out the answer to whether he will be part of that management team very soon.

    Van Nistelrooy could not have done much more in his spell as interim manager. He clearly loved the role and seems to want to stay at United. The fans who adore him will have no objection to that.

    The problem is that Ruben Amorim has a tried and trusted, very close-knit, support team and it is hard to see where Van Nistelrooy would fit into that.

    It is also difficult to see a powerful, opinionated personality such as Van Nistelrooy wanting to be a silent partner in that group simply to stay at Manchester United.

    It is a very delicate situation and one of the first tasks Amorim has to address.

    Follow Phil's Q&A and the rest of Monday's football news here

  9. Brighton 2-1 Man City - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:34 11 November

    Your views banner
    Danny Welbeck dribbles past Ilkay GundoganImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Manchester City.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Brighton fans

    Chris: That was a fantastic win and every credit to the manager for the changes he made in the second half. The calibre of the substitutes also demonstrated the excellent strength in depth we have now with the likes of Lewis Dunk, Solly March and Yankuba Minteh still to come back. A very exciting few months ahead.

    Mark: Memorable evening at Amex Stadium. City may have dominated the first half but Carlos Baleba dominated City in the second half. He’s putting in man-of-the-match performances week after week in the way that Moises Caicedo used to. The Seagulls legendary player recruitment process strikes again - our next £100m player?

    Chrissy: Unbelievable scenes. Showed no fear against City and stuck to our system. Thoroughly deserved the three points. We played with courage and belief. Absolutely buzzing - loved it.

    Man City fans

    Ian: City started the season playing better than they usually do but too many players are off form. Ilkay Gundogan is a shadow of his former self, as is Phil Foden and to a degree Bernardo Silva. Erling Haaland works off a minimal supply that has now virtually disappeared. Savinho is still adjusting while Matheus Nunes is not City standard. All this on top of critical injuries. It will improve.

    Danny: Dominating possession but not scoring enough goals has been an issue with City. What’s the point of possession if you dont make it count? They need to be more direct and quicker moving forward. The ball needs to be played to Haaland’s feet more and he needs to be demanding of the ball.

    Phillip: Again very disappointing. We didn’t deserve to win unfortunately. Yes we are missing key players , but players like Foden who are now senior players in my opinion are not doing enough . He runs round like a headless chicken . But the fact is we are missing Rodri as he dictates pace and direction of play . We look lost without him .

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  10. Man Utd 3-0 Leicester - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:34 11 November

    Your views banner
    Manuel Ugarte, Jordan Ayew and Casemiro compete for the ballImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Leicester.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Man Utd fans

    Warren: Manuel Ugarte is looking better and better and he made a huge difference to Casemiro, which was also very good. The midfield looked solid but the defence never looked safe with Diogo Dalot poor. Marcus Rashford was sadly anonymous again.

    Eric: We played great, with Amad Diallo as man of the match. We closed them down and were on the attack in the first half. The second half was slack but Leicester didn't score. Two great goals and I enjoyed it. I hope Ruben Amorim keeps Ruud van Nistelrooy.

    Peter: Not the best game ever but three goals and three valuable points will do. Some good performances: Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Ugarte... but poor from Dalot and Rashford. There is much work for Amorim to do but 100% effort is a minimum for every player.

    Leicester fans

    Nigel: Once again we were outplayed. Every Leicester ball was either over hit or passed to no one. It's one thing to play well on the training ground but another when you play your opposition. all in all a very disjointed performance. Feel we might be going down now.

    JC: Passive and disappointing. I didn’t expect us to win but I expected us to compete against a very average Man Utd side. I’ve been a supporter of Steve Cooper but today I could not see what the team were trying to do.

    Stephen: A shocking performance. No fight, no closing down and the defending was shocking. Not doing the basics right.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  11. 'It's been a good season for me'published at 12:02 11 November

    Casemiro of Manchester United applauds the fansImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester United midfielder Casemiro says "it's been a good season" for him personally so far, despite the Red Devils' lowly league position.

    After being urged to leave the club, external by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher after a 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in May, the 32-year-old has bounced back and started seven of United's 11 Premier League games this campaign.

    After Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester City, he said: "Well, everyone can see, can't they? "I only had the Liverpool game, right [the 3-0 home defeat in September]? The whole team was not good in that game, or this season.

    "Individually, when the goals are missed, of course it ends up hurting the team more, but I think it's been a good season for me."

    The win over the Foxes marked the end of interim manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy's time in charge before Ruben Amorim assumes control over the international break.

    "He was a legend at Manchester United, he was a legend at Madrid," Casemiro said. "He is a legend of number nines.

    "It was a pleasure to share that moment with him. We do not know if he will stay or not, but it was a pleasure to share the dressing room with him."

    The five-time Champions League winner believes Amorim can bring success back to Old Trafford, after he secured Sporting's first Portuguese title in 19 years.

    "He has already proved he is a coach that has won a lot," Casemiro added.

    "There is going to be a good template that everyone wants to grow, everyone wants to learn."

  12. 'Guardiola needs to remove player doubts'published at 11:59 11 November

    Pep Guardiola shouts instructions to his players from the touchlineImage source, Getty Images

    Former Premier League manager Martin O'Neill says Pep Guardiola "needs to remove doubts" from his Manchester City squad by clarifying his future.

    Guardiola's contract is due to expire this summer, and he has yet to confirm whether he will stay at the club beyond the end of this season.

    Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, O'Neill said: "If it's something that’s on the minds of the players that their manager is thinking of leaving, then perhaps he should come out now and say: 'Listen, I'm hanging around - I'm not leaving at the end of the season' That might relieve doubts in players' minds.

    "It's very difficult to keep winning."

    The reigning champions are on a four-match losing run, having fallen to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Saturday.

    The loss left the side second in the table, five points adrift of title rivals Liverpool heading into the international break.

  13. 'Ugarte and Casemiro worked as a partnership'published at 11:29 11 November

    Graphic showing Manuel Ugarte's stats for Manchester United against Leicester (Tackles 8, Tackles won 6, Total duels 19, Passes in final third 17)

    On Sunday's episode of Match of the Day 2, ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney highlighted the performances on Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro in central midfield as one area which has been much improved under Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy in recent games.

    "It's been a small tactical tweak of just not allowing the game to be so expansive," said Deeney.

    "They were looking after each other and were right in the middle of the pitch. They were never too far away from each other so if one of them made a mistake, the second one is there to help him out. They worked as a partnership.

    "In weeks gone past they were 30-40m away from one another. Now they're playing little passes with each other and controlling things.

    That's what Casemiro and Ugarte bring to your team. There's a reason they were at the clubs they were at before."

    Watch highlights and analysis on Sunday's Premier League games on BBC iPlayer

  14. 'You take for granted before the season that City will win again'published at 11:19 11 November

    Pep Guardiola looks on dejectedlyImage source, Getty Images

    Manager Pep Guardiola says it is "not true" that Manchester City are "special" after experiencing their fourth successive defeat on Saturday.

    City's 2-1 defeat at Brighton meant four losses in a row for the first time since Guardiola became manager in 2016.

    It was the the defending champions' second successive league defeat and left them sitting five points off leaders Liverpool going into the international break.

    "I was a football player and many times I lost a lot of games - four in a row, five in a row, six in a row," Guardiola said. "I never expect different - the fact we won in the past, that we are special. People can believe that, but it's not true.

    "You can lose four games in different competitions.

    "I know after you win, everything is perfect. Against Fulham, we won and we played miles worse than today [against Brighton], Sporting Lisbon and Spurs. Miles away.

    "But we are not consistent enough to maintain this level that helped us to win what we want for many years. Hopefully in the future we'll come back - and if we don't come back, we'll learn from that."

    Despite the recent poor form, it is not unusual for City to have lean spell at this time of the year, having a run in autumn 2023 that included one win in six before going on to win the title again.

    "Four in a row, but [we won] six titles in seven years, playing against Bournemouth and Brighton. All the teams in this league are important, that puts it in perspective. You take for granted before the season that City will win again," Guardiola added.

    "Right now, we are not in our best - it's obvious. But still, it's November so hopefully we'll come back step by step."

  15. 'He's done everything you'd expect him to do'published at 09:14 11 November

    Ruud van Nistelrooy applaudsImage source, PA Media

    Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about Ruud van Nistelrooy's spell as interim boss of Manchester United:

    "We said before that he had his time in the limelight now and he had to use it wisely, and he's done it. We've seen a completely different Manchester United, playing the same 4-2-3-1 and he hasn't changed them tactically, but we're seeing a response from the players.

    "For the CEOs and directors of football, they should be watching that and saying that what Van Nistelrooy has done at United - a club that was an absolute mess - in such a short time with the same players, means he should be one people may be looking at for potential manager jobs.

    "He's done everything that you'd expect him to do and now it's just who is going to be wise enough to give him a good opportunity at a good club."

    Listen to more analysis on BBC Sounds