Phil Neville, left, the former United full-back, was on the United coaching staff last term as they struggled under David Moyes before finishing the campaign seventh in the Premier League. Agency
Phil Neville, left, the former United full-back, was on the United coaching staff last term as they struggled under David Moyes before finishing the campaign seventh in the Premier League. Agency
Phil Neville, left, the former United full-back, was on the United coaching staff last term as they struggled under David Moyes before finishing the campaign seventh in the Premier League. Agency
Phil Neville, left, the former United full-back, was on the United coaching staff last term as they struggled under David Moyes before finishing the campaign seventh in the Premier League. Agency

Phil Neville says Louis van Gaal has easier job than David Moyes at Man United


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Phil Neville accepts responsibility for his part in Manchester United’s “disaster” last season but has suggested the club’s new coach Louis van Gaal has an easier job on his hands than predecessor David Moyes.

Neville, the former United full-back, was on the Red Devils’ coaching staff last term as they struggled under Moyes before finishing the campaign seventh in the Barclays Premier League - a year after being crowned champions in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge.

Neville told the BBC’s Test Match Special: “I’ve had sleepless nights thinking about what happened last year.

“There is part of me that thinks it was an impossible job to follow Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I think Louis van Gaal has an easier task now, following the man that followed Sir Alex Ferguson.

“It was a really difficult job for David Moyes and I think rather than blame him, there has to be collective responsibility taken throughout the whole club.

“Last year was a complete failure, and a disaster from my point of view.

“But David Moyes is an outstanding manager and will go on to be one for another club - it just didn’t work out last season.”

It emerged this week that Neville, who played under Moyes at Everton from 2005 to 2013 after concluding his 10-year United playing career, will no longer be part of the coaching staff at Old Trafford.

The 37-year-old former England international has signed up to be a pundit for the BBC this season, and while talking about that on Twitter on Wednesday, he responded “no” to a question asking: “Phil, are you still on the coaching team at United?”

Follow our sports coverage on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE

TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Mobile phone packages comparison
Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

In Praise of Zayed

A thousand grains of Sand whirl in the sky
To mark the journey of one passer-by
If then a Cavalcade disturbs the scene,
Shall such grains sing before they start to fly?

What man of Honour, and to Honour bred
Will fear to go wherever Truth has led?
For though a Thousand urge him to retreat
He'll laugh, until such counsellors have fled.

Stands always One, defiant and alone
Against the Many, when all Hope has flown.
Then comes the Test; and only then the time
Of reckoning what each can call his own.

History will not forget: that one small Seed
Sufficed to tip the Scales in time of need.
More than a debt, the Emirates owe to Zayed
Their very Souls, from outside influence freed.
No praise from Roderic can increase his Fame.
Steadfastness was the Essence of his name.
The changing years grow Gardens in the Sand
And build new Roads to Sand which stays the same.
But Hearts are not rebuilt, nor Seed resown.
What was, remains, essentially Alone.
Until the Golden Messenger, all-wise,
Calls out: "Come now, my Friend!" - and All is known

- Roderic Fenwick Owen

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The biog

Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza

Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine 

France is her favourite country to visit

Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family

Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter

Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country

The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns

Her motto is to never stop working for the country

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Transmission: ten-speed

Power: 420bhp

Torque: 624Nm

Price: Dh325,125

On sale: Now

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

What is type-1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.

It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.

Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.

Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.