The songs started an hour before kick-off outside the away end at Cardiff City.
“Ole, Ole, Ole,” chorused the early arrivals among the 3,000 Manchester United supporters as they turned off Sloper Road by the old Ninian Park into Clos Parc Morgannwg towards the away end.
“Who put the ball in the Germans’ net?” they hollered, dark shapes in the fading light on the second shortest day of the year. “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.”
There was an exuberance seldom seen at United games this season and the Norwegian had yet to manage a game.
Their team are well off the pace in the Premier League, but, against Cardiff, United played with a much higher tempo and confidence.
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That freedom and fine goals ensured fans were happy in the haze of a new Norwegian caretaker manager and the songs got louder and louder after the fans got the start they wanted.
United took the lead after two minutes, Marcus Rashford’s free-kick driven through the wall, Nemanja Matic moving to the side to create a space for Rashford to exploit. United’s No 10 slid on his knees in celebration.
“Rash has got a great strike in him,” smiled Solskjaer. “He’s got that swerve. That was a great way to start.”
Rashford appeared in more games for Jose Mourinho than any other player, but, like others, his relationship with the Portuguese had deteriorated as he grew frustrated being deployed out of position.
United were bright, zipping into the game and recovering the ball quickly when they lost it. Several of the players have seen their reputations battered as the team slid under Mourinho. They need to get them back.
United were two up after 29 minutes when Ander Herrera’s shot from 25 yards spun off the back of former Manchester City defender Greg Cunningham and past Neil Etheridge in the Cardiff goal.
On the touchline, Solskjaer opened his legs and bent his knees like he’d scored his 127th goal for the club he served so well.
He did not get to do that often during a pained nine-month spell as Cardiff boss in 2014. His opposite number Neil Warnock shook his head.
It was not all perfect for United though. Rashford was at fault for using his arm to concede a 36th-minute penalty. Victor Camarasa hit a wonderful shot to the right of David de Gea.
United have conceded more goals at this stage of the season than at any time for 56 years and it was not hard to see why in that moment.United quickly struck back, however, ripping through the Cardiff defence. Anthony Martial stayed composed to make it three.
Solskjaer’s side dominated and were four up after 56 minutes, Jesse Lingard winning a penalty after a superb defence splitting ball from Matic. Lingard swept the ball to Etheridge’s left and a ‘20legend’ flag was raised as the players piled towards fans.
“The penalty killed us,” said Warnock. “United will get far sterner tests than us, but if you would have told us we’d be out of the bottom three by Christmas I would have bitten your hand off.”
United were rampant against poor opponents and the performance was a contrast on the last time they were in Cardiff.
In 2014 United drew 2-2 there. David Moyes, the manager at the time who was struggling with replacing Sir Alex Ferguson, said he was satisfied with the result – a comment which alarmed fans who didn’t expect he champions to be happy with a draw against a side about to be relegated.
The mood was buoyant when Lingard doubled his own tally for the season – and got that elusive fifth, the first time since the Ferguson era United had scored that many since the Ferguson era.
“Jingle bells, jingle all the way,” sang the red hoards standing among many Norway flags as they contemplated the long journey home. “Oh what fun it is to see United win away.” Fun sorely missing this season.
“You are my Solskjaer, my only Solskjaer, you make me happy when skies are grey,” they concluded.
“We’re eight points behind the top four but we’ve caught teams up before at this club,” said the manager, who praised the quality and attitude of his players. “Man United always play well in the second half of the season.”
The skies have been grey, but on Saturday the sun broke through.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jawan
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Age: 35
Inspiration: Wife and kids
Favourite book: Changes all the time but my new favourite is Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Best Travel Destination: Bora Bora , French Polynesia
Favourite run: Jabel Hafeet, I also enjoy running the 30km loop in Al Wathba cycling track
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
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
