With the 2015/16 English Premier League season a matter of weeks away, Richard Jolly provides his thoughts on each of the 20 teams and predicts their final league finish. Here he looks at Manchester United.
Louis van Gaal achieved his first goal by restoring United to the top four at the first time of asking.
That, however, was the easy part, considering he spent £152 million (Dh866m). The harder part will be making them champions again.
Trophies are on the agenda and United may find them easier to come by in the domestic cups.
Van Gaal now has to balance Uefa Champions League participation with weekend fixtures and use the squad.
He has a stronger group this season. United’s first four signings all look excellent. They required a right-back, and Italy international Matteo Darmian has arrived. Winger Memphis Depay promises more penetration in attack. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin offer experience and energy respectively in midfield.
Yet the concern lies in the issues that are unresolved. David de Gea seems likely to stay but is shrouded in uncertainty while the unsettled Angel Di Maria could go.
Meanwhile, United are still to sign the top-class centre-back they require. With Robin van Persie going, Van Gaal seems short of a striking alternative to Wayne Rooney. United, who were mediocre away from home last season and were not prolific enough, still look a work in progress. Such sides rarely become champions.
Key Man: Memphis Depay — The 22-goal top scorer in the Dutch league last season. United have not had a prolific winger since Cristiano Ronaldo. The £25m winger has the potential to change that.
Pivotal Signing: Bastian Schweinsteiger — The World Cup winner brings the intelligence that Louis van Gaal values. United should have a midfield controller who could offer the direction they lacked at times last season.
Crucial Factor: How quickly they gel. Van Gaal has a raft of new signings but his first season at Old Trafford showed United only found their best form and formation for a few weeks in spring. They will need to be more convincing earlier this year.
Prediction: 4th
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Review: Tomb Raider
Dir: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins
two stars
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Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
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GIANT REVIEW
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Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
