On a wall under the main stand at Newcastle United, near a board recording the club’s top scorers and appearance makers, is a framed photo. It shows a full stadium from a game in 2001 with the scoreline underneath: Newcastle United 4 Manchester United 3.
These victories were once so rare that they were worth memorialising and displaying next to the most esteemed names in the Geordies’ history. Manchester United were the top dogs, the giants seldom slayed, a club so influential that they could take some of the best players raised on Newcastle United’s doorstep and help them become serial winners. Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Michael Carrick, Ray Wood and Steve Bruce - all of them Geordies.
Not now, when an ascendant Newcastle regularly beat United. Sunday’s 4-1 hammering was the first time that Newcastle have done a league double over them since 1930-31, back at a time when United's all-time top goalscorer was another man born and raised on the banks of the River Tyne near Blaydon, Joe Spence.
Newcastle are fourth in the Premier League, 18 points ahead of Manchester United, who sit 14th. The last time the Red Devils finished lower than 13th, the team was relegated in 1974.
Ruben Amorim’s side won’t go down this season since there is the insurance of the teams who have been promoted immediately being relegated from the Premier League, but this season can only be saved by victory in the Europa League in Bilbao next month.
It’s hard to put too much hope on to a team who are so poor, so early in Amorim's project. But Manchester United’s European form has been one positive from this season. The only unbeaten side of the 72 who played group stage football in the Champions League or the Europa League, Lyon await at Old Trafford on Thursday in the quarter-final second leg after a 2-2 draw by the Rhone last week.
The English team were seconds away from a notable victory, but a 2-2 draw in noisy Lyon is as creditable as a 1-1 draw in San Sebastian in the previous round. If Joshua Zirkzee, who left the St James’ Park pitch with a hamstring injury, is to miss the game then it’s a blow. But players were rested ahead of Thursday as cup takes precedence over the league.
It happened before in 2017 when Jose Mourinho ruthlessly and successfully targeted victory in the competition.
United’s season has been Bilbao or bust for a while now, with a triumph in the continent’s secondary cup competition hugely attractive. It would give direct access to the Champions League next season, and with some much needed financial boost. It would also bring the glory of a trophy.
Playing in the top competition is enticing to potential summer recruits, not that this Old Trafford side are close to being able to win it. It would also end this season, like the last one, on a high.
However, Lyon are competent. Paulo Fonseca’s side are fourth behind PSG, Monaco and Marseille. They are in better form than two of those above them too, with Sunday’s 3-1 win at Auxerre their latest triumph. They feel confident and emboldened coming to Old Trafford, and their fans will be as loud as any visiting French team. PSG, Saint Etienne and Marseille have been among the loudest and most impressive to visit in recent years.
So what can United do? Keep calm and carry on as they have been doing all season in Europe, unbeaten in 11 games. And doing so with the proper backing of their supporters, just as United fans roared their team to success at the same stage against Barcelona in 1984. Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the Old Trafford crowd helped them to a 3-0 triumph and a place in the semi-finals in the second.
There wasn’t a United fan who didn’t leave the stadium with a sore throat that night; they’d done their bit. Players feed off the crowd, for better or worse. If the crowd is tense, those on the pitch feel it.
United fans have frozen like their team for some bigger European games – notably against Sevilla in 2018 when two Spanish goals stunned supporters into near silence. Elimination followed.
At their best, the fans are the 12th man that Amorim said it could be in Lyon, the one Lyon’s Nemanja Matic fears can hit his teammates with a visceral vocal punch more primal than the choreographed noise of any French stadium.
The noise that accompanied the team even in defeat, as on Sunday in Newcastle, must be replicated at Old Trafford.
What’s the alternative? Criticise a goalkeeper who is making mistakes and is suffering in a low moment, or get behind him? Arrive 10 minutes before the game, groan and moan – and there’s much to moan about right now - and go home with the season over?
It’s easy to support a team when they are successful and revel in its glow. It’s harder when the team are as poor as the current Manchester United side. This team needs support more than ever.
Sunday at Newcastle was another season low for Amorim’s team; a 14th league defeat, another four goals conceded, another injury, another hour of bewilderment after 30 positive minutes of football.
Of the 21 league games under Amorim, United have won only six – and four of those were against bottom of the table teams. But things have been better in Europe.
Thursday is a huge game, Manchester United’s biggest of the season. For one night, this battered old club which is down on its knees needs a helping hand from the many thousands off the pitch.
MATCH INFO
Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)
Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
INVESTMENT PLEDGES
Cartlow: $13.4m
Rabbitmart: $14m
Smileneo: $5.8m
Soum: $4m
imVentures: $100m
Plug and Play: $25m
THREE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HAJJAN
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ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)
Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)
Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
The%20specs
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Cashew%0D%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202020%0D%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Ibtissam%20Ouassif%20and%20Ammar%20Afif%0D%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%0D%3Cbr%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%2410m%0D%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Mashreq%2C%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
MATCH INFO
Southampton 0
Manchester City 1 (Sterling 16')
Man of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
THE CARD
2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m
3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m
3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m
4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m
4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.4-litre%2C%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E617hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E750Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh630%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Glossary of a stock market revolution
Reddit
A discussion website
Redditor
The users of Reddit
Robinhood
A smartphone app for buying and selling shares
Short seller
Selling a stock today in the belief its price will fall in the future
Short squeeze
Traders forced to buy a stock they are shorting
Naked short
An illegal practice
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The years Ramadan fell in May
