THE NOTEBOOK: Ralf's eyes and ears enjoy return to Old Trafford
THE NOTEBOOK: Two of Ralf Rangnick’s Man United staff return to Old Trafford dugout, Leeds fans are STILL singing their controversial Wilfried Gnonto song… and interim boss Michael Skubala needs to tidy up his handwriting!
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Chris Armas wasn’t the only former Manchester United employee returning to Old Trafford with Leeds on Wednesday night.
Video analyst Ewan Sharp was also brought to the club by Ralf Rangnick last year and was involved in one of the more bizarre stories of the German’s interim spell in charge.
Sharp was said to be in direct contact with Lars Kornetka — Rangnick’s former No 2 at Lokomotiv Moscow — who was analysing United’s games live from Russia even though he wasn’t on the staff.
Kornetka’s information was then relayed by Sharp to Armas, which may explain why he was always sat intently in the dugout wearing ear pods.
Armas, unfairly dubbed Ted Lasso in reference to the US soccer coach played by Jason Sudeikis, left with Rangnick in the summer.
Chris Armas (second lef) with Leeds interim boss Michael Skubala (left) at Old Trafford
The American joined Leeds last month and such is the rivalry between the two Uniteds that a statement from Elland Road merely said that he had spent last season ‘as an assistant at another Premier League club’.
He survived Jesse Marsch’s sacking this week and was assisting caretaker Michael Skubala last night, still wearing an ear pod.
Fans still singing controversial Gnonto song
Wilfried Gnonto’s early goal gave Leeds’ travelling fans an opportunity to treat us to a rendition of their controversial song about the young Italian who ‘eats spaghetti, drinks Moretti’.
The next line can’t be printed in a family newspaper, but they sang that bit as well.
Wilfried Gnonto celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Leeds in the first minute
Now can Skubala tidy up his writing?
A perfect first outing for Leeds interim boss Michael Skubala — but he needs to work on his handwriting! Cameras snooped on the young coach’s notepad with four bullet points.
Two clearly say ‘believe’ and ‘be calm’ — but the top two are anyone’s guess. ‘Transitions’ and ‘close middle’ are the best vote we’ve got.
Meanwhile, news of Marsch’s exit may have broken on Monday, but it came too late to meet the print deadline for the match programme at Old Trafford.
The American featured heavily in pieces covering United’s opponents, appearing in no fewer than three photos.
Injuries force Ten Hag’s hand
Already without stars including Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Antony, Manchester United suffered another setback when Aaron Wan-Bissaka fell ill before the game.
Jadon Sancho had also been ill and couldn’t make his first start since October, so Erik ten Hag played Alejandro Garnacho on the left flank and Marcus Rashford on the right, where he wasn’t nearly as effective.
When Ten Hag sent on Sancho and Facundo Pellistri in the second half, Rashford switched to a central role and promptly scored, before Sancho produced the equaliser.
Leeds have had injury issues of their own and lost Luis Sinisterra and Pascal Struijk inside 23 minutes, which made their display in this excellent spectacle all the more impressive.
It’s just a pity the live TV cameras weren’t there to share it with a wider audience.
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