Press Leaks - What Purpose?

[SparkedIntoLife]

It seems like the press leaks happen at least twice a week at present. The latest, communicated through Rob Dawson (a fairly reputable source IIRC) is that the players supposedly see Rangnick’s coaching as outdated and that Chris Armas is basically Ted Lasso Earlier this week, pretty much every legit news source in the UK shared that the players want Pochettino as the new manager.

Firstly, what a shit show. This doesn’t seem to happen barely ever at Chelsea, City or Liverpool; albeit it's more understandable at frustrated, underperforming clubs. The leaks are published by such good sources and copied elsewhere so widely that they must have some substance and isn't just nonsense Dave up the pub spouted on Reddit.

Do we think this is one or two culprits or a widespread issue among the squad? Isn't it something United should be actively fighting against? Or do United allow, encourage or even leak this stuff themselves for particular narrative reasons?

What is the actual point of it? If it's the players thinking it's winning them sympathy or something, they couldn't be more mistaken and need to get real. It makes the majority of us extremely angry and screams of unprofessionalism, wining and deviousness. Not a good look.

Don't United employ Neil Ashton or someone? Can't he get to the bottom of this through his journalistic network? It's terrible PR and that seems to be his job at United. Also, allegedly Raphael Honigstein is on some sort of interim contract either at United or with Rangnick personally. It isn't like we're lacking allies in the press.

There's a black cloud around the club and this being left to be perpetuated isn't helping in the slightest.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Ever thought it's not actually leaks to the press, just the press making clickbait stories to generate noise and traffic?

We had the same nonsense before only a few weeks ago. Rangnick and his staff are an easy target.

Everybody knows they are only temporary, why would the players really care when they've got 3 months left maximum?

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

Ever thought it's not actually leaks to the press, just the press making clickbait stories to generate noise and traffic?

This isn't an isolated incident. It's widespread. Many of the journalists reporting it are reputable, check their sources thoroughly and these leaks spread across various sources. There's too much to ignore.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Ever thought it's not actually leaks to the press, just the press making clickbait stories to generate noise and traffic?

We had the same nonsense before only a few weeks ago. Rangnick and his staff are an easy target.

Everybody knows they are only temporary, why would the players really care when they've got 3 months left maximum?

If it is the case then they don't care about the fans and I hope their feet don't touch the floor on their way out of the door.

 

[Anustart89]

The Pochettino leak is interesting because there’s one player in the squad who has a good history with him and has incentive to reduce Rangnick’s influence (ie going for ETH) since there’s a video of Rangnick saying he doesn’t rate him as being United quality…





……… It’s Rebekah Vardy

 

[JPRouve]

It seems like the press leaks happen at least twice a week at present. The latest, communicated through Rob Dawson (a fairly reputable source IIRC) is that the players supposedly see Rangnick’s coaching as outdated and that Chris Armas is basically Ted Lasso Earlier this week, pretty much every legit news source in the UK shared that the players want Pochettino as the new manager.

Firstly, what a shit show. This doesn’t seem to happen barely ever at Chelsea, City or Liverpool; albeit it's more understandable at frustrated, underperforming clubs. The leaks are published by such good sources and copied elsewhere so widely that they must have some substance and isn't just nonsense Dave up the pub spouted on Reddit.

Do we think this is one or two culprits or a widespread issue among the squad? Isn't it something United should be actively fighting against? Or do United allow, encourage or even leak this stuff themselves for particular narrative reasons?

What is the actual point of it? If it's the players thinking it's winning them sympathy or something, they couldn't be more mistaken and need to get real. It makes the majority of us extremely angry and screams of unprofessionalism, wining and deviousness. Not a good look.

Don't United employ Neil Ashton or someone? Can't he get to the bottom of this through his journalistic network? It's terrible PR and that seems to be his job at United. Also, allegedly Raphael Honigstein is on some sort of interim contract either at United or with Rangnick personally. It isn't like we're lacking allies in the press.

There's a black cloud around the club and this being left to be perpetuated isn't helping in the slightest.

The bolded part is what you should focus on and realize that it's BS. Footballers aren't all buddies, they don't share all their thoughts with their teammates and it's highly unlikely that they organized a meeting to get on the same page when it comes to which manager they want or not. Journos don't know what the players want, they may know what a couple of players want because an agent, player or friend of player told them something, but they have know idea about what 20+ players want as a group.

 

[Adam-Utd]

This isn't an isolated incident. It's widespread. Many of the journalists reporting it are reputable, check their sources thoroughly and these leaks spread across various sources. There's too much to ignore.

ESPN are clickbait nonsense. They literally exist in football to generate noise.

United are different to other clubs, nobody cares about stories from Chelsea, Tottenham, City blah blah.

United sell, they generate clicks and make headlines. How fecking easy is it to compare Ted Lasso to Chris Armas ffs?

These stories always magically appear when there is nothing else going on in the world.

 

[Tibs]

Need to hire Colleen so she can find the rat

 

[VP89]

The funny thing is our performances have been miles better of late. If players think they need extra help in coaching to put away open goals they should probably find a new club.
For what its worth I Think any link they do have with players is very few, it might only be 1-2 players if any at all. So take it with a bucket of salt.

 

[Adam-Utd]

If it is the case then they don't care about the fans and I hope their feet don't touch the floor on their way out of the door.

I meant more in the sense that the coaching staff are temporary. Why would somebody feel the need to go public about how bad they are, when they know it's a relief attempt?

Ole got sacked and all his staff left, this is the best we could do until a proper coach and staff get appointed in the summer.

Surely nobody can be that daft right?

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

The Pochettino leak is interesting because there’s one player in the squad who has a good history with him and has incentive to reduce Rangnick’s influence (ie going for ETH) since there’s a video of Rangnick saying he doesn’t rate him as being United quality…





……… It’s Rebekah Vardy

Haha, good point. People here were very split on the Shaw interview a month or two ago. Some felt it was honest, refreshing etc. I felt it was passive aggressive and throwing people under the bus.

It's hard because it must be so frustrating to be at United these days. We seem to be making such basic mistakes at board level and there's a real vacuum of decent leadership. Nothing seems to have really changed with Murtough's appointment and early signs aren't promising about Richard Arnold either. I don't blame players for being upset and some of them are bound to be used to higher standards, can perceive where we're falling so short and feel miffed that we're not doing the right things to address it. Leaking to the press isn't the answer though, and comes off as self serving and devious. But ultimately, if we had a stronger and more united, clearer leadership structure, this shit wouldn't fly.

 

[VidaRed]

To set a narrative to get the manager sacked.

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

The bolded part is what you should focus on and realize that it's BS. Footballers aren't all buddies, they don't share all their thoughts with their teammates and it's highly unlikely that they organized a meeting to get on the same page when it comes to which manager they want or not. Journos don't know what the players want, they may know what a couple of players want because an agent, player or friend of player told them something, but they have know idea about what 20+ players want as a group.

Of course. I'm sure it's one or two players painting a picture that reflects their individual feelings but portraying it as being more of a wider squad issue. Even so, it isn't OK. If these players are identified (one has been named by someone who has very close links with the squad and is, indeed, a wantaway player) they should be either disciplined or shipped out.

 

[Paxi]

It’s Luke Shaw

 

[r3idy]

I remember listening to Neil Custiss (The Sun) being on a show with Simon Jordan. He was pretty clear and unrepentant on this point. Press will cover up stories, hide bad news for certain players or positively spin PR for players, if they feed them stories in return. Remember football journalism is more about traffic, clicks, likes and shares rather than reporting on quality impactful stories. Take that to a higher level, would not be surprised if this narrative is being run at club level e.g. one club influencing stories like this to cover shit on their own doorstep.

There is a narrative that has been ongoing by ESPN for a number of years now around the state of United. Usually written by Ogden or streamed by Steve Nicol We are always 48 hours away from the next crisis. We may laugh but when you see TikTok videos of Jack Grealish shit faced and nothing gets reported but if Pogba wears an odd pair of trainers then he's portrayed as the son of the Devil, not focused, flamboyant and only interested in himself etc.

 

[devilish]

The leaks come from reputable sources so I doubt that they are lies. You really have to see it from their eyes. United aren't doing well and the blame is falling right on the player's laps. Unlike Ole, Rangnick has done very little to shield them from criticism as well. So their job is indeed on the line. Thus they are trying to shift the blame to the only person who can take that blame ie the manager.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

To set a narrative to get the manager sacked.

Except he is temporary. They will be getting a new manager in the summer. So who do they expect to manage them if Ralf steps down.

 

[VidaRed]

Except he is temporary. They will be getting a new manager in the summer. So who do they expect to manage them if Ralf steps down.

They don't want him to be renewed and they've already leaked that they want poch and not ten hag.

 

[devilish]

Except he is temporary. They will be getting a new manager in the summer. So who do they expect to manage them if Ralf steps down.

well that's not set on stone yet. Irrespective whether Rangnick stays and leave, most of these player's reputation is in tatters. They had badly performed under Ole and under Rangnick and are hated by both top reds and critics alike. They would want to shift some of the blame on someone else.

 

[JPRouve]

Of course. I'm sure it's one or two players painting a picture that reflects their individual feelings but portraying it as being more of a wider squad issue. Even so, it isn't OK. If these players are identified (one has been named by someone who has very close links with the squad and is, indeed, a wantaway player) they should be either disciplined or shipped out.

Or not. It isn't the mafia, it's not important, people talk and share their feelings. Fans tend to overreact to little things.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

They don't want him to be renewed and they've already leaked that they want poch and not ten hag.

So sabotage our season to get what they want. T*****s. With a capital T.

 

[Mindhunter]

Wanted to make a few points here.

Players are like normal people, they will gossip unless the someone at the club puts their foot down and demands loyalty. Who do we have who can lay down the law? Ragnick is a dead-man walking with his short stint. Under SAF we never had this problem because the club had strong leadership.

This is just a symptom of the actual disease: we are an extremely poorly run club, right from the very top to the bottom. Undeserving players keep getting contracts, players who disrespect the club go unpunished, low performance is tolerated, cronyism is encouraged at the very top level, there is a lack of transparency around our long-term goals, non-footballing people are making footballing decisions etc. Need I keep going?

 

[cyberman]

Sounds made up. Our players have never experienced modern training techniques as a reference point.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Sounds made up. Our players have never experienced modern training techniques as a reference point.

Unless Gareth's are.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Would love Harry Maguire to become a manager and have a CB like Harry Maguire.

 

[JPRouve]

Wanted to make a few points here.

Players are like normal people, they will gossip unless the someone at the club puts their foot down and demands loyalty. Who do we have who can lay down the law? Ragnick is a dead-man walking with his short stint. Under SAF we never had this problem because the club had strong leadership.

This is just a symptom of the actual disease: we are an extremely poorly run club, right from the very top to the bottom. Undeserving players keep getting contracts, players who disrespect the club go unpunished, low performance is tolerated, cronyism is encouraged at the very top level, there is a lack of transparency around our long-term goals, non-footballing people are making footballing decisions etc. Need I keep going?

It has little to do with strong leadership. When you win there is a lot less questions, let alone questions that could make headlines. If you win no one is writing an article about who should be your next manager, which club would be an upgrade for one of your star player or who is unhappy outside of players that lack playing time and in that case you hear that everywhere including United under SAF, Tevez was an example.

 

[Smores]

People need to stop thinking of Sports reporters as actual journalists. They're not getting corroborating statements and confirming validity before they print something.

They have a gap and they fill it with whatever they can. We get clicks and the more negative the more clicks.

 

[Frank Grimes]

The Pochettino leak is interesting because there’s one player in the squad who has a good history with him and has incentive to reduce Rangnick’s influence (ie going for ETH) since there’s a video of Rangnick saying he doesn’t rate him as being United quality…





……… It’s Rebekah Vardy

Even Pochettino spoke ill of .....Rebekah Vardy.

 

[El Jefe]

I suspect if you followed other clubs as closely as you followed us there would be no difference in how often these supposed leaks or stories appear. Relative to the size of club anyway.

If we were playing well the same leaks you speak of will be present only that they'd be positive stories about what's going on behind the scenes.

 

[JPRouve]

People need to stop thinking of Sports reporters as actual journalists. They're not getting corroborating statements and confirming validity before they print something.

They have a gap and they fill it with whatever they can. We get clicks and the more negative the more clicks.

Some do, but it's the ones writing longer articles about more in-depth topics.

 

[elmo]

Or not. It isn't the mafia, it's not important, people talk and share their feelings. Fans tend to overreact to little things.

There's a huge difference between sharing their feelings and hiding behind the press like the gutless coward that they are.

 

[Pronewbie]

It’s Luke Shaw

Source?

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

Lots of very good points in this thread, thanks. The biggest issue seems to be a lack of proper leadership. How can we expect harmony when there isn’t a clear, harmonious strategy/identity/direction from the top? Nothing really seems to change. Murtough was a token appointment, clearly. Rangnick was brought in to convey a sense of progression and strategic conviction but he’s undermined by not actually having any real power. The recent Lingard issue says it all, and I’m beginning to wonder if it was a deliberate ploy to embarrass Ralf and keep him in line.

The concerning thing for me is whether United would actually encourage the negative briefings on Ralf to shape the narrative that allows them to either ditch him or keep him at arms length as a consultant. Everything coming out seems to enforce a notion that he’s old fashioned and clueless which is exactly the opposite view of most of us who have advocated for him.

 

[horsechoker]

I think it's time we start ignoring the press and judge the team by what they do on the pitch.

 

[JPRouve]

There's a huge difference between sharing their feelings and hiding behind the press like the gutless coward that they are.

Hiding from what? People have casual talks, you guys seem to think that they are masterminding something. We are talking about Footballers.

 

[Smores]

Some do, but it's the ones writing longer articles about more in-depth topics.

Yeah but even those ones pad out their content with nonsense. Think that's the mistake that leads to some being trusted more than they should.

If you go back through stories for any of them you'll often find they retrospectively don't add up. Most of it is lazy narratives.

 

[elmo]

Hiding from what? People have casual talks, you guys seem to think that they are masterminding something. We are talking about Footballers.

I don't think undermining your boss through the media is considered casual talk.

 

[JPRouve]

I don't think undermining your boss through the media is considered casual talk.

You are assuming that this mention has an actual source and that the source is directly from a player and on purpose. I will give you an example, I used to have infos about the MHR and what some people thought about the manager, these informations eventually came out but it wasn't directly from the players, some players simply chatted with friends and other employees(not players), and unless you knew personally those people you would never know about it. That's often how journalists with sources get informations, it's not a player texting or calling a journalist, it's not even an agent telling them directly but a friend or an acquaintance of either an employee, player or agent. That's why you don't get regular and reliable streams of informations, actual leaks are often random.

 

[11101]

We have a disconnect between our reputation and our quality. A number of the players are living off our reputation. They think that just by being here that makes them top players, because this is Manchester United. We are a club and a team that has rested on our laurels. When Rangnick puts those players under the kind of pressure that got us our reputation and is needed to maintain it, it's unfamiliar to them. Our standards are not high enough and the players think they can get away with undermining the new manager when he tries to raise them.

We all have a good idea by now of who these players are. I think its a combination of some of the established first teamers who don't like being told they're not as good as they think they are, and the perennial squad players who don't like being on the sidelines. Other clubs also have these hangers on who will not leave but they are usually totally frozen out. We keep letting the likes of Lingard and Jones hang around which has the dual effect of giving them hope, and letting them pollute the others.

 

[dinostar77]

I suspect if you followed other clubs as closely as you followed us there would be no difference in how often these supposed leaks or stories appear. Relative to the size of club anyway.

If we were playing well the same leaks you speak of will be present only that they'd be positive stories about what's going on behind the scenes.

This. Bayern generate huge amounts of stories in germany. Barcelona and Madrid have newspapers dedicated to them specifically. There are sports only newspapers in Italy.

Players, staff, agents, board members, etc all have their own agendas and angles. So will use the jounalists to spin PR on their behalf l, in return they get stories.

Duncan Castles for example is despised on this forum but he does get access to the briefings and stories about Utd (and City).