Manchester United are very much serious Premier League title contenders again for the first time in what seems like an eternity after their impressive 2-1 comeback victory against Manchester City on Saturday.
Marcus Rashford continued his remarkable rise from the depths of despair last season to the most potent goalscorer in the league, boasting a recent record that Erling Haaland would be proud of as he scored for a seventh successive match to settle a pulsating derby clash.
But there were heroes all over the pitch, from Luke Shaw proving to be one of the best makeshift central defenders in the game once more, to Casemiro, the Roy Keane replacement United have been waiting for too long.
Trailing 1-0 to a supreme unit like City would have seen previous post-Sir Alex Ferguson managers dead and buried, but goals from Bruno Fernandes and Rashford kept Erik ten Hag's stars on their path back to the summit of the game as they moved to within a point of the champions.
It would be a monumental effort for Ten Hag to overturn Arsenal’s lead, but the fact they are even in the title conversation is remarkable.
The first half was a defensive masterclass from Ten Hag, a lesson to the rest of the Premier League in how to stifle City and counter their high press.
The United boss was unequivocal in his pre-match programme notes calling for zero complacency, and defensively, that is what he got in the opening period.
A backline that last conceded a home league goal against Arsenal in early September never looked troubled by goalscoring phenomenon Haaland and his teammates.
With Fred as an extra man in midfield, Shaw again looking at home as a centre-back, and Casemiro a near-impenetrable wall ahead of the defence, City did not get a sniff, with all the goalmouth action down the other end.
Rashford should really have opened the scoring when rounding a wayward Ederson midway through the first half, but saw a tame strike blocked on the line by Manuel Akanji.
The in-form England forward was then thwarted by Ederson at his feet as United continue to press.
The second half, however, was a very different story. Even though Antony Martial was ineffective in the extreme in the opening period, his withdrawal at half time left United without a strike focal point, making them much less of a threat. Something City jumped on with relish.
Ten Hag could have done with new loan signing Wout Weghorst, who was only able watch from the stands, as a cross from Kevin De Bruyne landed on the head of Grealish, who could not miss just after the hour mark. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the match, 193 seconds after coming on for the fruitless Phil Foden.
Trailing at home in the league was an unfamiliar feeling for United, and the masses grew restless as the final ball from Fernandes and Christian Eriksen failed to find a target. The options ahead of the pair, in fairness, were conspicuous by their absence.
Ten Hag’s United, however, are a very different beast altogether, complete with players who do not know when they are beaten.
The personification of this new-found grit is Casemiro, who kept United pushing, providing a perfect pass for Fernandes to level with 12 minutes to go, even though Rashford was initially flagged offside.
But there was nothing wrong with Rashford’s winner, as he found the net for the ninth successive match at Old Trafford, on the end of a brilliant low cross from supersub Alejandro Garnacho.
The champions never looked like finding a late leveller, as United held on for only their second home league win over City in eight attempts.
The celebrations were wild, with Raphael Varane the ringleader, throwing the punches to the crowd. The title race, in this part of Manchester, is finally back in the vernacular.
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Wayne Rooney's career
Everton (2002-2004)
- Appearances: 48
- Goals: 17
Manchester United (2004-2017)
- Appearances: 496
- Goals: 253
England (2003-)
- Appearances: 119
- Goals: 53
Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 18' pen)
Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
How Beautiful this world is!
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
Based: Dubai
Industry: e-commerce
Initial investment: Dh10 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month
