Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League this month with a wretched record and too many players are out of form. Getty
Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League this month with a wretched record and too many players are out of form. Getty
Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League this month with a wretched record and too many players are out of form. Getty
Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League this month with a wretched record and too many players are out of form. Getty

Sport

Football

Ratcliffe investment: Man United in dire need of Cantona-like spark to lift dark mood

Erik ten Hag's side are going through their worst goal-drought since 1992

Andy Mitten
Andy Mitten

December 25, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

The last time Manchester United went four games without a goal in all competitions was in November 1992. It was as big a surprise then as it is now.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had been pipped to the title the previous May and 1992/93 was supposed to be the year United pushed on. Yet after 15 games they were 10th in the table. United had scored only 14 goals while league leaders Norwich City had 27. Crystal Palace, in 21st, had scored more goals than United.

New signing Dion Dublin picked up a serious injury leaving the old faithfuls Mark Hughes and Brian McClair up front. These days, McClair is lauded wherever he goes by United fans – at least by those who recognise him. He’s a fine person, yet in November 1992 he bore the brunt of fan criticism since he was no longer a prolific goalscorer.

Before the game against Oldham Athletic, now a non-league team in England’s fifth tier, I asked fans outside the stadium what they wanted to happen. Most wanted a new striker. Others were against panic buying and called for United’s very promising class of ’92 youth team to be promoted.

But an established striker was seen as a priority. Sheffield Wednesday’s David Hirst was the favourite. Wednesday wouldn’t sell. Brian Deane, Duncan Ferguson and Dalian Atkinson were other names mentioned.

It wasn’t only in the league that United struggled. Ferguson’s team had been knocked out of Europe long before Christmas having failed to beat Torpedo Moscow over two legs in the Uefa Cup. The team went out of the League Cup too, to Aston Villa.

United fans were fuming. Increased ticket prices added to that anger and Old Trafford was struggling to sell out, despite the reduced 32,000 capacity because the Stretford End was being rebuilt.

At an Annual General Meeting where the board had to face shareholders (which included many fans) one fan stood up and said: “Why pay £15 to watch this rubbish at Old Trafford when I can save £4 and watch the same rubbish at Maine Road [then home of Manchester City]?” At least that raised a laugh.

United’s chief accountant really was called Robin Launders while chairman Martin Edwards, when asked why he didn’t consult fan opinion on match day, replied: “Because it’s too dangerous.”

And then United signed Eric Cantona for £1 million from champions Leeds United. There was no transfer window then, no Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules to comply with.

West Ham 2 Manchester United 0: Player ratings

WEST HAM RATINGS: Untroubled for the most part in dealing with shots from the visitors. Great block with his legs from Garnacho on the half-hour. Made a hash of a tame shot from Mainoo shortly afterwards to concede a corner. AFP
WEST HAM RATINGS: Untroubled for the most part in dealing with shots from the visitors. Great block with his legs from Garnacho on the half-hour. Made a hash of a tame shot from Mainoo shortly afterwards to concede a corner. AFP
Good defensive header to clear danger on 40. Put in a pretty solid shift against Garnacho, who was the greatest threat in a generally toothless Man United attack. AFP
Good defensive header to clear danger on 40. Put in a pretty solid shift against Garnacho, who was the greatest threat in a generally toothless Man United attack. AFP
Unflappable and unfancy. Showed good strength to hold up Hojlund when he tried to make a break in box. Clever clearance to deny Garnacho a chance when the Man United forward well-placed in the six-yard box. AFP
Unflappable and unfancy. Showed good strength to hold up Hojlund when he tried to make a break in box. Clever clearance to deny Garnacho a chance when the Man United forward well-placed in the six-yard box. AFP
Crucial interception to cut out a pass to Hojlund and prevent a one-on-one with the keeper. Poor positioning at times and caught ball-watching when Garnacho made a dangerous break. Action Images
Crucial interception to cut out a pass to Hojlund and prevent a one-on-one with the keeper. Poor positioning at times and caught ball-watching when Garnacho made a dangerous break. Action Images
Stinging drive straight at Onana early on. Surging break on 51 minutes. Might have done better with his pass when freed by Bowen in the box on 54 minutes. Kept Antony pretty quiet. EPA
Stinging drive straight at Onana early on. Surging break on 51 minutes. Might have done better with his pass when freed by Bowen in the box on 54 minutes. Kept Antony pretty quiet. EPA
Good defensive header to clear danger on 40 minutes. Solid shift to keep things tight in the middle for the Hammers. AP
Good defensive header to clear danger on 40 minutes. Solid shift to keep things tight in the middle for the Hammers. AP
His buzzing energy was a constant threat. He seemed to pop up everywhere on the pitch. Electric running really unsettled Man United and his beautifully taken goal was just reward for his performance. AP
His buzzing energy was a constant threat. He seemed to pop up everywhere on the pitch. Electric running really unsettled Man United and his beautifully taken goal was just reward for his performance. AP
Good work to put Fernandes under pressure as he attempted a header at goal from the edge of the box just after the break. Great effort to snuff out a dangerous Garnacho break. Snuffed out danger and distributed the ball well. AFP
Good work to put Fernandes under pressure as he attempted a header at goal from the edge of the box just after the break. Great effort to snuff out a dangerous Garnacho break. Snuffed out danger and distributed the ball well. AFP
His switch from the left to the false-nine role changed the game. Vision and quality to dink a beautiful left-footed ball to tee up Bowen for the opener. His perfectly weighted pass freed Kudus for the second. AP
His switch from the left to the false-nine role changed the game. Vision and quality to dink a beautiful left-footed ball to tee up Bowen for the opener. His perfectly weighted pass freed Kudus for the second. AP
Always getting into dangerous areas. Nearly scored from a corner with a fierce header. Poacher's goal for the opener to continue his fine vein of goal-scoring form. AFP
Always getting into dangerous areas. Nearly scored from a corner with a fierce header. Poacher's goal for the opener to continue his fine vein of goal-scoring form. AFP
His precise delivery was always a danger at set-pieces. Lovely, curling long pass to set Kudus free wide on right in first half. Great corner that Bowen connected with to force a fine save from Onana. AFP
His precise delivery was always a danger at set-pieces. Lovely, curling long pass to set Kudus free wide on right in first half. Great corner that Bowen connected with to force a fine save from Onana. AFP
SUBS: (For Bowen 88') PA
SUBS: (For Bowen 88') PA
(For Kudus 90+4') Reuters
(For Kudus 90+4') Reuters
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Three attempts on his goal in the first seven minutes, though only one save needed. Pressed aggressively by Ward Prowse. Tipped Bowen’s header but nervy moments when he tried to play ball out. Didn’t come out aggressively enough for West Ham’s opener. Getty Images
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Three attempts on his goal in the first seven minutes, though only one save needed. Pressed aggressively by Ward Prowse. Tipped Bowen’s header but nervy moments when he tried to play ball out. Didn’t come out aggressively enough for West Ham’s opener. Getty Images
Neat interactions and defended well alongside a debutant. Little going forward, like his non-scoring team. Action Images
Neat interactions and defended well alongside a debutant. Little going forward, like his non-scoring team. Action Images
The teen was one of United’s best players on his debut. Handled the ball well, fantastic block on Paqueta. Helped by the lads alongside him. PA
The teen was one of United’s best players on his debut. Handled the ball well, fantastic block on Paqueta. Helped by the lads alongside him. PA
Mature head needed among the youngsters and cut a cross out on 35 to stop an excellent West Ham chance. Taken out by Zouma. On a yellow when he wrapped his body around Paqueta. Got away with a risky back pass to Onana. PA
Mature head needed among the youngsters and cut a cross out on 35 to stop an excellent West Ham chance. Taken out by Zouma. On a yellow when he wrapped his body around Paqueta. Got away with a risky back pass to Onana. PA
More involved than any player on the pitch and played through West Ham’s press comfortably. At the other end, whipped a dangerous ball into a well-defended box. Booked after 95 minutes. Getty Images
More involved than any player on the pitch and played through West Ham’s press comfortably. At the other end, whipped a dangerous ball into a well-defended box. Booked after 95 minutes. Getty Images
Quiet, despite the fact his side controlled possession and the tempo of the game for an hour. But what does that mean when the team plays terribly and loses for the 13th time this season? Action Images
Quiet, despite the fact his side controlled possession and the tempo of the game for an hour. But what does that mean when the team plays terribly and loses for the 13th time this season? Action Images
A rare United shot on target after 39 minutes fumbled away. Lovely ball to Shaw on 48 – he can pick a pass. But big mistake for West Ham’s second goal. AFP
A rare United shot on target after 39 minutes fumbled away. Lovely ball to Shaw on 48 – he can pick a pass. But big mistake for West Ham’s second goal. AFP
Errant passing and poor overall, though he twice found Garnacho to set up the first half’s best chances. He’s looking like a colossal waste of money. AFP
Errant passing and poor overall, though he twice found Garnacho to set up the first half’s best chances. He’s looking like a colossal waste of money. AFP
Captain of a side who played terribly. Moaned much. Played in Hojlund on 20. Yellow carded. Getty Images
Captain of a side who played terribly. Moaned much. Played in Hojlund on 20. Yellow carded. Getty Images
Best chances of the first half, but couldn’t sort his feet out and dragged his shot. Hit a shot that was deflected on to the roof of the net. Has to do better. Ran at pace, dropped his shoulder, but he’s playing in a team who don’t score. EPA
Best chances of the first half, but couldn’t sort his feet out and dragged his shot. Hit a shot that was deflected on to the roof of the net. Has to do better. Ran at pace, dropped his shoulder, but he’s playing in a team who don’t score. EPA
Didn’t get in the game. It’s not just the Dane who doesn’t score, United haven’t scored in four games now and have only 18 in 18 league games. EPA
Didn’t get in the game. It’s not just the Dane who doesn’t score, United haven’t scored in four games now and have only 18 in 18 league games. EPA
SUBS: (For Hojlund 57'). Did little. AFP
SUBS: (For Hojlund 57'). Did little. AFP
(For Antony 73'). Came on just after his team had gone behind. United’s response was limp. AFP
(For Antony 73'). Came on just after his team had gone behind. United’s response was limp. AFP
(For Kambwala 84'). Reuters
(For Kambwala 84'). Reuters
(For Garnacho 85'). It’s good that he’s back. AFP
(For Garnacho 85'). It’s good that he’s back. AFP

Cantona made his competitive debut in a 2-1 derby win over Manchester City on December 6. “His presence illuminated Old Trafford,” said Ferguson.

United started to win, eight wins and two draws from 10 league games. Tenth on November 9 became first on January 9. Goals came in abundance. In successive matches, United scored three at Hillsborough, five at home to Coventry, four against Tottenham, three against QPR. The league title would be won by 10 points from Aston Villa, a first title in 26 years.

Such a reverse in fortunes seems inconceivable now, although Sunday's announcement that Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has acquired a 25 per cent stake in the club for £1.25 billion could change that. As part of the deal, Ineos will invest $300 million into United's infrastructure to redevelop Old Trafford and will oversee football operations.

And a change is what's needed. The competition is much stronger and United are much weaker. There’s FFP and United’s money has been spent, a lot of it badly, for years.

But what should Ineos do? Sack the manager? Should Ferguson have been dismissed having finished 11th in 1989 and 13th in 1990, three and four years into his United tenure. Most fans thought so. Should Sir Matt Busby have been sacked having finished 15th in 1962 or 19th in 1963? Or 11th in 1969 when United were European champions?

History says not in any of these cases, but at the time views were different. And attitudes have changed. The news cycle has sped up, patience is no longer a virtue, at least in football. Glory attracted many converts to United and those converts have struggled to get their heads around a lack of it.

It’s tough right now for Manchester United. This season has been a miserable one. United aren’t playing well and one win from six Champions League games in a group which was far from difficult was shocking.

There’s a whole raft of negative statistics: 13 defeats before Christmas – United's worst numbers since 1930 – the most damning.

It’s true, but United had also played 20 games before that Christmas (against 26 this) and won only two of them en route to relegation. United are nowhere near that bad, but fans have legitimate concerns about the players, the recruitment and the manager.

Eric ten Hag, who did well in his first season, accentuates any positives from games. He remains emotionally balanced in victory or defeat, but while the eyes of the fans who woke up at 4am to travel to West Ham on Saturday were tired and some distance from the pitch, those fans knew what they saw, and it was awful.

United may have had 65 per cent of possession, but have stopped scoring and are boring to watch. There were only three shots on target in 99 minutes at West Ham – and one should have put United ahead.

Ten Hag, like fans, keeps hoping that this season will turn. At some point there will be no time left for it to turn. It will be over just like any European campaign already is, but there’s still a lot of football to be played until then.

There’s been little appetite for another managerial change but is there a way out of this? The biggest negative this season has been the injuries. United have not fielded the same team in 24 consecutive games. There have been 18 different defensive combinations.

Up front, it’s OK to apportion some blame to the forwards, yet a rural rail line gets better service on a holiday. The bench looks shorn of suitable talent because so many players are out.

Injured players will return, several in January. Out-of-form players can’t stay out of form forever, but how this team needs a spark, a Cantona-like talisman to lift the dreadful mood around Old Trafford.

WWE Evolution results
  • Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
  • Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
  • Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
  • Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match​​​​​​​
  • Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
  • Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
  • Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
While you're here
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
While you're here

The Florida Project

Director: Sean Baker

Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe

Four stars

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Huroob Ezterari

Director: Ahmed Moussa

Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed

Three stars

Six tips to secure your smart home

Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.

Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.

Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.

Set up a separate guest network for acquaintances and visitors to ensure the privacy of your IoT devices’ network.

Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.

Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.

Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday Benevento v Atalanta (2pm), Genoa v Bologna (5pm), AC Milan v Torino (7.45pm)

Sunday Roma v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Udinese v Napoli, Hellas Verona v Crotone, Parma v Lazio (2pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (9pm), Juventus v Sassuolo (11.45pm)

Monday Spezia v Sampdoria (11.45pm)

The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

The biog

Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists. 

Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.

Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic 

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

UK’s AI plan
  • AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
  • £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
  • £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
  • £250m to train new AI models
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More coverage from the Future Forum
More from this package
Our commentary on Brexit
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7%22%20Super%20Retina%20XDR%20OLED%2C%202796%20x%201290%2C%20460ppi%2C%20120Hz%2C%202000%20nits%20max%2C%20HDR%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%2C%20always-on%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20A17%20Pro%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%206-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20iOS%2017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Triple%3A%2048MP%20main%20(f%2F1.78)%20%2B%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20(f%2F2.2)%20%2B%2012MP%205x%20telephoto%20(f%2F2.8)%3B%205x%20optical%20zoom%20in%2C%202x%20optical%20zoom%20out%3B%2010x%20optical%20zoom%20range%2C%20digital%20zoom%20up%20to%2025x%3B%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20HD%20%40%2030fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2060fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%20TrueDepth%20(f%2F1.9)%2C%20Photonic%20Engine%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%2C%20Smart%20HDR%204%2C%20Portrait%20Lighting%3B%20Animoji%2C%20Memoji%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2024%2F25%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2025%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20slo-mo%20%40%20120%2F240fps%2C%20ProRes%20(4K)%20%40%2030fps%3B%20night%2C%20time%20lapse%2C%20cinematic%2C%20action%20modes%3B%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%204K%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204441mAh%2C%20up%20to%2029h%20video%2C%2025h%20streaming%20video%2C%2095h%20audio%3B%20fast%20charge%20to%2050%25%20in%2030min%20(with%20at%20least%2020W%20adaptor)%3B%20MagSafe%2C%20Qi%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%2C%20second-generation%20Ultra%20Wideband%20chip%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Face%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP68%2C%20water-resistant%20up%20to%206m%20up%20to%2030min%3B%20dust%2Fsplash-resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20eSIM%20%2F%20eSIM%20%2B%20eSIM%20(US%20models%20use%20eSIMs%20only)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Black%20titanium%2C%20blue%20titanium%2C%20natural%20titanium%2C%20white%20titanium%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EiPhone%2015%20Pro%20Max%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20woven%20cable%2C%20one%20Apple%20sticker%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh5%2C099%20%2F%20Dh5%2C949%20%2F%20Dh6%2C799%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:

  • Former first lady Hillary Clinton
  • Former US president Barack Obama
  • Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
  • Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
  • Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
  • California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
Company Profile

Company name: Fine Diner

Started: March, 2020

Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and food delivery

Initial investment: Dh75,000

Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp

Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000

Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months

Transgender report
UAE currency

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

'Skin'

Dir: Guy Nattiv

Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Match info

Costa Rica 0

Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')

Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

more from Janine di Giovanni
While you're here
Towering concerns

UAE squad

Rohan Mustafa (captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SE%20(second%20generation)
%3Cp%3EDisplay%3A%2040mm%2C%20324%20x%20394%3B%2044mm%2C%20368%20x%20448%3B%20Retina%20LTPO%20OLED%2C%20up%20to%201000%20nits%3B%20Ion-X%20glass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EProcessor%3A%20Apple%20S8%2C%20W3%20wireless%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ECapacity%3A%2032GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMemory%3A%201GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPlatform%3A%20watchOS%209%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EHealth%20metrics%3A%202nd-gen%20heart%20rate%20sensor%2C%20workouts%2C%20fall%2Fcrash%20detection%3B%20emergency%20SOS%2C%20international%20emergency%20calling%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EConnectivity%3A%20GPS%2FGPS%20%2B%20cellular%3B%20Wi-Fi%2C%20LTE%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDurability%3A%20Water%20resistant%20up%20to%2050m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBattery%3A%20269mAh%20Li-ion%2C%20up%20to%2018h%2C%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ECards%3A%20eSIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFinishes%3A%20Aluminium%3B%20midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%20Watch%20SE%2C%20magnetic-to-USB-C%20charging%20cable%2C%20band%2Floop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPrice%3A%20Starts%20at%20Dh999%20(40mm)%20%2F%201%2C119%20(44mm)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

Updated: December 25, 2023, 7:59 AM
Premier LeagueManchester United