Big decisions and big stories coming to a head

The Independent’s football newsletter [View in browser]( [The Independent]( October 22, 2021 [The Independent]( Reading the Game Written by Miguel Delaney Dilemmas, group therapy and putting family first Solskjaer's selection dilemma In the build-up to Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been mulling a big decision. He already dropped Paul Pogba for the match with Atalanta, and may have to do similar for the visit of Liverpool. Solskjaer is well aware his usual set-up will leave Manchester United vulnerable to Jurgen Klopp’s wing-backs, which could well create the kind of momentum in the game that makes defeat - and maybe a heavy defeat - inevitable. The problem is just coming up with the solution to address that, which is going to require a fair bit of tactical imagination. United’s squads and strengths aren’t even that suited to the kind of defend-and-counter approach that has served him well in such matches in the past. The obvious solution would seem to be three in midfield and sitting deep - but what three, and who will that mean gets left out? This is also one of the consequences of signing Cristiano Ronaldo. He demands the team is set up in a certain way. Saying hello to the circus Depending on who you speak to, Newcastle United are on the brink of appointing Paolo Fonseca or Lucien Favre, or still don’t have a clue which way they are going. Different parties have been saying different things. One well-connected former player was convinced on Thursday it would be Favre. It is indicative of the indecision at the club, and the various different influences. That is the type of process that comes with three different ownership groups, and a total lack of football expertise at present. The kindest word most in the game are using is “chaotic”. Others have been much more damning. It illustrates how, for all the seriousness of the Newcastle story in terms of sportswashing and questions about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and plans for the club, a lot of it is an absolute soap opera. There doesn’t currently appear to be any football plan there, despite having so long to prepare for this. Some of the figures they have spoken to are talking about how two weeks have already been lost. There’s also a lack of appreciation for the situation. Newcastle are currently aiming for coaches who play a progressive brand of football, but may need the kind of space and time their position in the league doesn’t necessarily allow. The death of a controversial plan? The increasing feeling around the game is that the idea behind the biennial World Cup is losing all momentum. Gianni Infantini struck a much more conciliatory tone on Wednesday’s media calls. Many in the game had long expected this given the potentially destructive effects on the game, and that Infantino and Aleksander Ceferin would eventually come to a truce. It just may not be quite as smooth as that. Many believe the key moment was that Uefa made it clear that their federations would consider pulling out of Fifa if this idea was to be pushed through. In other words, have your biennial World Cup, but see how commercially attractive it is without the biggest stars. That is a potent weapon, and an illustration of where the real power lies. Much still has to be sorted, of course. December’s meetings will be indicative. But the likeliest outcome now is that Fifa creates a new, more “democratic” event for the years between World Cups. Group therapy for the Champions League Those at the top level of European football are noting how compelling the Champions League group stage has been. It has reminded many of the glory days of the mid-90s, where there were exacting matches with a lot of jeopardy. That’s quite the timing given that we are now entering the final days of these group stages, with the “Swiss system” set to be brought in by 2024. Levy puts family first Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy did not attend Sunday’s match at Newcastle United. While this was initially interpreted as a snub, given his reported feelings on the deal, there was an innocent explanation. Levy’s son Josh got married the day before, for what was a full weekend celebration. It is entirely understandable and anything less would have been perceived as a much more serious snub of his son. Some at Newcastle did comment that helicopters could have been made available. Top stories [The new trend influencing Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah contract decision]( [Big ideas must wait as the new Newcastle go back to basics]( Miguel's Dispatches As journalists from outside the north west filed into Old Trafford on Wednesday, one regular staff member quipped “the sharks are in!” It was much the same at St James’ Park the previous Sunday. Just as a routine Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur turned into a huge media event, so did an otherwise typical Champions League group game between Manchester United and Atalanta. The latter was of course seen as a potential end-of-era match for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, only heightenig the tension around it all. From a journalist’s perspective, it can be why we often chuckle about ourselves being cast as “vultures”. It is difficult to argue, given that many of us turn up just as situations are about to become crises or more sensational. The defence is that’s just the nature of the job, to go where the story is. Quote of the day “Newcastle United is kindly asking supporters to refrain from wearing traditional Arabic clothing or Middle East-inspired head coverings at matches if they would not ordinarily wear such attire.'” Newcastle warn supporters about their attire coming to games, after consultation with Kick It Out. Reading the game quiz There are 12 players who won the modern Champions League (post 1992) before moving to Liverpool or Manchester United, without ever winning it at either of those two clubs. As an example, Raphael Varane won with Real Madrid before moving to Old Trafford. Name the other 11 like this. (Last week's answers: Dave Bassett, Nigel Pearson, Brendan Rodgers) Essential reading [Don’t expect more protests as Manchester United meet Liverpool again]( [Steven Gerrard swats away ‘silly’ questions about Newcastle job]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. 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