Thariq Amir | United Rant

The teenage riot of United’s sonic youth

Thariq Amir March 1, 2016 Tags: Transfers, Youth players Opinion 3 comments

Four goals in two starts, a pair of braces no less, represents a fairytale start to life in Manchester United’s first team for Marcus Rashford. The 18-year old enjoyed a dream Premier League début against Arsenal, to quote an oft-used cliché. Rashford’s strikes were predatory; his movement sharp, while his hold-up play and awareness to set-up Ander Herrera displayed maturity beyond his years. The Fletcher Moss Rangers graduate deservedly picked up the man of the match award for a sensational performance at Old Trafford. What happens next is up to him, but Rashford could become a key player should his progress continue. Read More

The Wilted Tulip – Louis van Gaal’s United Legacy

Thariq Amir February 21, 2016 Tags: Louis van Gaal Opinion 7 comments

Ever heard of a short story called “Den lille Pige med Svovlstikkerne”? It’s the Danish title for Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale commonly known in English as “The Little Match Girl.” It’s the tale of a poor girl trying, unsuccessfully, to sell matches on the cold streets of Denmark. Eventually, as the temperature drops, she makes her way to a nook and keeps herself warm by lighting the matches she was supposed to sell. With each match struck the girl sees visions of happier places and times. It’s a story that ends in tragedy as the cold finally claims the little match girl. Read More

‘Don Patricio’ – the Patrick O’Connell story

Thariq Amir February 16, 2016 Tags: Patrick O'Connell Opinion No comments

1959. He was discovered dead in his brother’s attic, pneumonia having claimed another penniless soul. Buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard, in an unmarked grave, Patrick Joseph O’Connell was gone and seemingly forgotten. It was an unremarkable end to a man who led a colourful and sometimes controversial life. He was the Manchester United captain embroiled in scandal, a title-winning manager for Real Betis and FC Barcelona’s saviour. O’Connell was many things – in Spain he was affectionately dubbed “Don Patricio.” Read More

Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs managing down the wing?

Thariq Amir February 7, 2016 Tags: Ryan Giggs Opinion 7 comments

Hey, I heard René Meulensteen was on the radio the other day, hope he didn’t fall off. Ba-dum-tish!
Sorry. Was he standing on some monstrously big boom box? Tell you what don’t quit your day job. Read More

United unwinds in Wile E. Coyote country

Thariq Amir February 2, 2016 Tags: Louis van Gaal, Pep Guardiola Opinion 6 comments

The winter transfer window has come and gone with a few departures and no Old Trafford arrivals. Ordinarily the headlines might have focused on the fact that United failed to bring in a fresh face in winter window for the first time since 2005. These are no ordinary times though as Manchester City confirmed football’s worst kept secret: Pep Guardiola will take charge of the Blues next season. Read More

Jorge Mendes: United’s would-be kingmaker

Thariq Amir January 25, 2016 Tags: Jorge Mendes, José Mourinho, Louis van Gaal Opinion 11 comments

There are many ways to describe Manchester United’s latest performance in a season littered with setbacks. “As timid as a mouse,” comes to mind, but that might be disrespectful to the little critter that made its way onto the pitch at Old Trafford this past Sunday. It certainly moved with more purpose and adventure than United’s players. Read More

Dr. Fax-love or: How the fallout from Real and Atlético Madrid’s transfer ban could affect United’s summer window

Thariq Amir January 19, 2016 Tags: Atletico Madrid, FIFA, Real Madrid, Transfers Opinion 1 comment

Okay, so what’s the deal here?
Well, Atlético Madrid and the club’s illustrious neighbour, Real, have been hit with transfer bans that span two windows. Read More

Marouane Fellaini: a symptom not the cause

Thariq Amir January 13, 2016 Tags: Marouane Fellaini Opinion 11 comments

Misery, so the saying goes, loves company. If that’s the case Manchester United fans can take solace that theirs isn’t the only sporting entity being mismanaged by the Glazer family. Stateside, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL franchise is going through a period of turmoil too, after firing the head coach in rather haphazard circumstances. Read More

Michael Carrick – from coach’s dream to coaching dream

Thariq Amir January 6, 2016 Tags: Michael Carrick Opinion 6 comments

“I changed Herrera because I wanted to waste time – what Swansea were doing the whole match,” admitted Louis van Gaal after his side’s 2-1 defeat of the Swans. Manchester United’s was a welcome, if nervy victory on Saturday, but lost among all that was the fact that Michael Carrick, the Spaniard’s replacement, was making his 400th appearance for the club. Read More

United’s sporting dilemma

Thariq Amir December 30, 2015 Tags: Ed Woodward, Louis van Gaal Opinion 8 comments

“Until the club understands what it stands for, and how it operates beyond making deals with regional noodle vendors, any manager will struggle.” – United Rant Twitter feed, 22 December 2015

Manchester United is now a fully blown Glazer entity, a cash cow being milked to the nth degree and then some. The club can boast a total of 21 global, 16 regional, 15 media and 14 financial partners; more than 60 partners in total. Talk about leveraging an asset. Read More

Author Thariq Amir