The Prophet

"Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their attempts to appoint a new head of academy recruitment. Daily Mail Sport can reveal that Newcastle’s Paul Midgley has turned down their offer and will be staying on Tyneside. The 38-year-old held talks with Manchester United last month and, having worked with director of football Jason Wilcox at Manchester City, there was an expectation he would become the club’s new recruitment chief below first-team level. But Midgley has told staff inside St James’ Park that he will remain as head of youth recruitment, meaning Manchester United must pick up their extensive search, which had involved 10 serious candidates before Midgley emerged as the frontrunner following a series of interviews. United have been looking to replace Luke Fedorenko, who is on gardening leave as he prepares to depart Carrington to take up a new job with an agency. Midgley joined Newcastle from Manchester City three years ago, where he worked as UK scouting manager alongside Wilcox and Manchester United’s new academy chief Stephen Torpey. News of him turning down United comes on the back of a difficult 48 hours for the club’s hierarchy, after head coach Ruben Amorim was sacked amid tensions with Wilcox."

Given how guarded Howe usually is, I'd be interested to know his reason for making this public. Which ever way you slice it, it's not a positive for Gordon.

Still think that's highly unlikely for a few years yet.

Impossible, Howe wants total control over these things.

I bet there's a few at the club who regret not cashing I in him when Liverpool were paying up £70 - £80 million. Wouldn't have had to sell Anderson or Minteh either.

The cricket episode is excellent.

Fair.

He's also got a small, injury hit squad, trying to guide them through their first European campaign mind. They looked knackered again yesterday.

Decided by Twitter users.

Mad that 15% are gasping for this kind of instability.

He went early and incorrectly with Fletcher until the end of the season.

Orstein mudded.

A door creaks open. TCD appears...

What a mess. Succulent.

His disdain for Ryder won't ever be not funny (skip to 09:48)

Lovely.

4 points between 5th and 14th.

Better today, but still not at his best on the ball.

He was good, buy I laughed when he pulled the ball down on his chest with no Palace player him and just slid it straight to one of them.

We've had plenty of recent snoozefests with Palace. It's usually a biannual thing.

Very low quality game so far. We've probably just about shaded it, but not much in it. The ref has been abysmal.

I don't think anyone disputes it's under the laws of the game, its mow that the laws are utter shite.