Self-inflicted problems have been a theme of Manchester United's season. Whether strange selections or defensive difficulties, their slip-ups can generally be traced to their own failings.
So, too, can a traumatic week. The initial reaction to Wayne Rooney's decision to sign a new contract may be one of relief, but when the internal inquest commences there are questions to be answered. What, for instance, were the reasons for the impasse between August, when Rooney informed United of his reluctance to re-sign, and October? Was the delay in offering terms that were deemed satisfactory - which prompted fears that if Rooney were to go, it would be for a cut-price fee because his contract was expiring - part of a desire to keep the wage bill as low as possible for as long as possible? And, most importantly, what are the club's ambitions and budget?
Because, canny PR move as it definitely was by Rooney's representatives, his statement on Wednesday reflected the concerns of supporters. The last two summers have not featured the world-class recruits they wanted, largely, although Sir Alex Ferguson has never acknowledged it, because of the budgetary black hole caused by the ownership of the Glazers.
In the process, United created the monster that Rooney became.
His importance mushroomed after the departures of big names such as Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
His agent, the avaricious Paul Stretford, realised it. This particular instance of player power was aided by the reliance of United's marketing and footballing departments upon him.
In the process, United misjudged his character. The presumption was that he was a happy inheritor of the mantle of the position of figurehead and that his allegiance to the cause was enough to give the club a secure bargaining position. Instead, an unseemly process damaged Rooney's reputation. Despite retaining the services of their prize asset, it hardly enhanced United's, either.
sports@thenational.ae
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The specs
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
South Africa squad
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
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