From the end of the Invincibles and the post-Wenger wilderness years to the steady rise under Mikel ArtetaThe Invincibles were slain in Manchester on Sunday 24 October 2004, when Arsenal’s record 49-match unbeaten run ended in a traumatic, wildly controversial defeat at Old Trafford. It took a month for Arsenal to process their grief and rage; by the time they did, José Mourinho’s remorseless Chelsea had zoomed past them. Though Arsenal were still the most watchable team in England, something had died in them. Continue reading...
One of the notable differences between Manchester United and Liverpool is the different reaction to world-class players leaving this season. Timing is everything in these situations, so as Casemiro walked off at Old Trafford for the last time in the 81st minute against Nottingham Forest, there was a warm glow, many a poignant tribute and a heartfelt hug with the manager. Mohamed Salah is another truly world-class player but it might feel slightly different when he makes his final bow at Anfield against Brentford. The simmering bad feeling between him and Arne Slot became brutally clear in a very unsubtle social media post from the Egyptian.
Elliot Anderson is Manchester United's number one midfield target to replace Casemiro this summer. United know that Manchester City, among plenty of others, are also keen - and they are also unwilling to pay £120m for the England international. Unlike another midfield option Carlos Baleba, who failed to make any impression when he played at Old Trafford for Brighton earlier this season, Anderson shone.
