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.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
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PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Singham Again
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Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
How Alia's experiment will help humans get to Mars
Alia’s winning experiment examined how genes might change under the stresses caused by being in space, such as cosmic radiation and microgravity.
Her samples were placed in a machine on board the International Space Station. called a miniPCR thermal cycler, which can copy DNA multiple times.
After the samples were examined on return to Earth, scientists were able to successfully detect changes caused by being in space in the way DNA transmits instructions through proteins and other molecules in living organisms.
Although Alia’s samples were taken from nematode worms, the results have much bigger long term applications, especially for human space flight and long term missions, such as to Mars.
It also means that the first DNA experiments using human genomes can now be carried out on the ISS.
