Merry Christmas Manchester United supporters! Even though it’s a holiday, there is still plenty of news out there this December 25th, and we’re working here at The Sports Bank to provide you that news this yuletide. Let’s take a look at what’s trending on the internet right now.
This is fascinating, Planet Football has charted out where United would be in the Premier League table for every season in the past quarter century. The point is to illustrate just how dominant Manchester City have been this season, and how unfortunate it is for United that they’re a whopping 13 points behind, despite their impressive run so far this season.
PF writes: “In actuality, 42 points has only been enough to secure top spot at the halfway point of nine of the previous 25 seasons. It would have earned them second in another nine seasons but would have seen them in third in five and way down in fourth in 2009-10 and 2011-12.”
–Paul Pogba made one boy’s holiday wishes come true when he gave him a chance to meet his idol. The Manchester Evening News writes:
Medhi Martin appeared on French television show ‘It’s Only TV’ on C8 when presenter Cyril Hanouna gave him the chance to visit the Theatre of Dreams as part of the programme’s annual Baba Noel segment after his mother, Diana, sent in his Christmas wish.”
–Juan Mata is truly in the holiday spirit, as he took time out of his schedule to give gifts and scarves to underprivileged children.
He also put up a new blog post for Christmas. Here’s an excerpt: “This coming Tuesday is Boxing Day, one of the most special days in the Premiership, and also an extraordinary opportunity to prove that we know how to achieve big things this season and that we want to. And we play at Old Trafford so it will be even better. ”
M.E.N. Sport also did a post showcasing how United players are celebrating Christmas this year.
-Finally, is Jose Mourinho experiencing his infamous “third season syndrome” a year ahead of time? Is he starting to melt down already? There has certainly been plenty of drama at Old Trafford this season, as The Guardian accounts. Ed Aarons documents in his op-ed column:
this has been a month in which the 54-year-old has been involved in a tunnel bust-up at Old Trafford, walked out of a press conference accusing the media of a lack of respect for Bournemouth, and referred to Bristol City as lucky after a cup defeat. He is growing increasingly frustrated as Manchester City sweep all before them.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.