At Manchester United’s penultimate pre-season game in Oslo 10 days ago, one United player was adamant.
“Trust me, we’re going to smash Chelsea,” he said to this writer with a surprising confidence.
Was he really so sure that his side would destroy a team which had finished above them in the league last season, and which also boasted a superb record against United in recent seasons?
He was. He wanted to remain anonymous, but his prediction gave an insight into the state of mind of United’s men against a backdrop of severe criticism following their dire end to last term when they went their final six games without a win.
United fans would have laughed if they had heard his words. Their belief in their team needed picking up off the floor after last season and what many – though not the club itself - considered to be a disappointing transfer window.
But the consensus can be wrong. And the player was right.
United did defeat Chelsea, a 4-0 opening match victory on Sunday which may have flattered Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men but saw the many positive signs of pre-season continue into the genuine competition of the Premier League.
“As we said to the boys before the game, we have found the way we want to play and a way we believe in,” said United’s manager.
“You’ve just got to go out and do the same. We took risks but that’s the way here, you have got to go for it. It’s risk and reward and today we were rewarded.”
His young United side has got a long, long way to go in their development. With an average age of 24 it was the youngest to take the field in the Premier League’s opening weekend.
They were nervy and shaky and made mistakes. Chelsea could and should have been two up while United’s defenders were penned back in their own half.
Chelsea were the better side for the first hour, but United won by four goals and with a clean sheet.
There will be bumps along the way, but it was the best possible start with Solskjaer’s two main strikers, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, both scoring.
His two costly new defenders, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan Bissaka, settled in immediately.
“Harry was very calm and composed,” said teammate Andreas Pereira. “And Aaron was brilliant. I don’t think anyone can get past him one versus one.”
“Maguire’s done exactly what we’ve signed him for, his presence in both boxes, his calmness and composure on the ball,” enthused Solskjaer.
“He’s a leader and with him, David de Gea and Victor Lindelof they marshalled that back line really well. It is important to have strong personalities at the back.”
Solskjaer in addition described Wan Bissaka as a “proper Manchester United defender”.
The Norwegian’s third new signing, fleet-heeled substitute Dan James, scored on his debut and celebrated with abandon and emotion in front of his friends and family.
“The boy is exactly what you want from a professional,” said his manager. “He’s got skills and his pace but he’s worked so hard.
"He had a summer of ups and downs (James’ father passed away just before he signed for United from Swansea) as we know, but to score on a debut at the Stretford End was a very good moment for him.”
It was Solskjaer’s biggest win since his side bagged five in his opening game at Cardiff City in December and one achieved with a team where five of the starting line-up, as well as two of the substitutes, coming from the club’s academy.
United were fast, they counter attacked from box to box with pace. Paul Pogba, deployed as a deep lying midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation, made defence splitting passes, one of which led directly to Rashford scoring United’s third.
The huge crowd helped players who were exhausted after implementing Solskjaer’s energetic high pressing game, roaring their young players forward in an open game.
By the end, the Stretford End was interspersing chant of ‘Ole, Ole, Ole’ with every touch of the ball. It was as unexpected as the 4-1 opening day win against Arsenal 30 years ago.
Then, the optimism was misplaced as the team began to slump and finished 13th.
Nobody expects this team to finish 13th, nor challenge for the title, but there was so much to be positive about as they gave Frank Lampard a shock in his first game as Chelsea manager.
“We know it’s just the start,” said Solskjaer of his young charges. “we know we have relationships to work on. The more we understand each other the more we will improve.”
United needed to start this season with a win – and just as the player I spoke to said – they smashed Chelsea to begin with a bang.
MATCH INFO
Everton 0
Manchester City 2 (Laporte 45 2', Jesus 90 7')
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
THE DETAILS
Deadpool 2
Dir: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Four stars
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat
Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press
Company%20profile
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Naga
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMeshal%20Al%20Jaser%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdwa%20Bader%2C%20Yazeed%20Almajyul%2C%20Khalid%20Bin%20Shaddad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
if you go
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The%C2%A0specs%20
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Smart words at Make Smart Cool
Make Smart Cool is not your usual festival. Dubbed “edutainment” by organisers Najahi Events, Make Smart Cool aims to inspire its youthful target audience through a mix of interactive presentation by social media influencers and a concert finale featuring Example with DJ Wire. Here are some of the speakers sharing their inspiration and experiences on the night.
Prince Ea
With his social media videos accumulating more half a billion views, the American motivational speaker is hot on the college circuit in the US, with talks that focus on the many ways to generate passion and motivation when it comes to learning.
Khalid Al Ameri
The Emirati columnist and presenter is much loved by local youth, with writings and presentations about education, entrepreneurship and family balance. His lectures on career and personal development are sought after by the education and business sector.
Ben Ouattara
Born to an Ivorian father and German mother, the Dubai-based fitness instructor and motivational speaker is all about conquering fears and insecurities. His talk focuses on the need to gain emotional and physical fitness when facing life’s challenges. As well managing his film production company, Ouattara is one of the official ambassadors of Dubai Expo2020.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
