It was a bit surprise to me that Messi got the Ballon d’Or over Erling Haaland.
The World Cup is no small thing, obviously, and he dragged Argentina to that, so I could never stand here and dismiss the idea of him winning another accolade like this.
He’s also been the best player of our generation and the best player that I’ve ever seen – he’s better than Ronaldo, Messi just the man for me by far.
But, if you think about it from Erling Haaland’s point of view, you’d wonder what more could you do?
He’s won every competition he could, he’s scored over 50 goals in his first season in the Premier League, and he’s not won it.
Man City were obviously team of the year too, and so many of their players got votes in the poll as well.
It felt like a nostalgic decision to go for Messi.
And with the World Cup, it was amazing, he did perform at the very highest level to win it, which probably sealed this for him,
So I couldn’t deny him it, because he’s been such an incredible player,
But, if you’re looking at the club season, there’s no doubt it was Erling Haaland. And If I’d scored as many goals and won as much as he did I would not be happy.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, speaks to the media during the UEFA Champions League Press Conference at Carrington Training Ground on October 02, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)
Ten Hag hanging on
Man United have had so many different managers by now and no one’s been able to change it. You have to look at other things, don’t you?
It would’ve been nice for United fans to have a completely fresh start with the Glazers selling and getting out. It would’ve helped the mood around the place. It ‘d feel like a new beginning, let’s give this a chance.
Now, it feels like the same old story.
The signings also have not been up to it. The players they’ve brought in have been miles off it.
They were still relying on Anthony Martial up-front against Newcastle, which says so much.
And you’re still looking to players like Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes to go and win games. There are players there who are capable, you just wonder how it’s gotten so bad.
But it is, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
And you can’t see them near the top 4 the way it’s going. Look at it now, Tottenham are stronger, Arsenal, Liverpool and City, who are all better teams at the moment, and you’ve Newcastle and others too who are going to be up their competing.
Newcastle have the Know-Howe to compete
Newcastle benefited from Man United’s struggles in midweek. Combining the Champions League with the pushing for top 4 isn’t easy, but they look to be coping with it.
The most important thing for a club at that level is to consistently qualify for it – that they prove it’s not a fluke and keep going back again and again.
Those big nights are amazing, but you want it to become standard, that you’re there every year.
Part of it is down to experience. At Liverpool, sometimes we’d play a big Champions League game midweek and the next Saturday you’d have a 12:30 kick-off and it’d feel a bit like the crowd was still hungover from the previous game.
BORDEAUX, FRANCE – OCTOBER 18: Peter Crouch of Liverpool celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Bordeaux and Liverpool on October 18, 2006 at the Jacques Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
We had characters who made sure we won those games.
They almost felt more important to win because it’s easy to get up for a big game in Europe, but then you’d have Sunderland or Wolves at home on a Saturday and the crowd could be a bit quiet.
You’d think then that you really have to dig out those games. Players have to find that from within.
And Eddie Howe won’t rest on his laurels. He is experienced enough to know what the team needs, and they have the right kind of players too – Kieran Trippier stands out a real leader to me.
They might want to make one or two additions, but they’ve built their squad well, they haven’t gone for the flashy signings and have brought in the right players to fit. They are coping pretty well with the challenge so far.
And the manager is getting more out of some of the players they’ve had their already. Look at Sean Longstaff, for example. He’s playing out of his skin at the moment. That’s shows the difference Eddie Howe and his coaches are making.
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