Manchester United has played three games since the Premier League campaign started and struggled to find their way. The team and the players not only had to go through ramifications on the pitch, but they also had to deal with them off the pitch as well. The Red Devils’ new manager, Erik ten Hag, had to go through some tough press conferences in the past three games and had to answer some tough questions.

It is important to note that Manchester United’s gaffer, Erik ten Hag, has been quite vocal about issues pertaining to the team, but also has always had optimism with issues and answered the questions as they came.

Manchester United vs Brighton

Manchester United started off their campaign against Brighton on 7th August, in the first match of their campaign. The away team, Brighton, was able to pull past the Red Devils at Old Trafford stadium with help of Pascal Grob daunting United’s defense and tallying up 2 goals against them. Whereas, Manchester United, could only get a consolatory goal because of a corner.

The post-match press conference with the new manager had numerous reporters asking a number of questions and Erik Ten Hag was up to the questions as he replied that the team started off well but as the game escalated the team lost its confidence and belief, leading to the loss.

He added that there will always be setbacks, in light of the game, but players have to cope with that and do better. Erik Ten Hag answered with conviction and told the press that the team is full of great players and believes in the lot. The gaffer also stated that he saw a lot of good things happening despite taking the loss.

The Manchester United manager, in the post-match interview, went on to say that the job is a hell of a job.

Manchester United vs Brentford

Matchday 2 of the Premier League came with a lot of disappointment for the Red Devils as the team failed to stop Brentford’s scoring spell, leading them to lose to the home team 0-4. The fans had criticised the team, especially McTominay and Fred, for showcasing a pitiful performance. The team was criticised for the lack of quality displayed by the players and the team.

Brentford eased past the Red Devils with Josh Dasilva finding the net in the 10nth minute and Mathias Jensen, Ben Mee, and Bryan Mbeumo scoring subsequently within the first 40 minutes.

In the post-match press conference, Ten Hag started off by picking up where he left off last press conference and stated that he still feels like being Manchester United’s manager is a hell of a job. He further added that despite the tactical and individual mistakes, he is going to stick with his players as they trace and navigate the solutions for the same. The gaffer also added that he would have substituted all the players if he could as he wanted to bring some fresh energy to the game.

Erik Ten Hag added that the team needs a change in attitude going ahead, as the opponents can’t be more hungrier for the win than the team.

Manchester United vs Liverpool

The Premier League’s 3rd matchday’s last instalment was a clash of giants as Manchester United played Liverpool at the Red Devils’ home, Old Trafford. The game turned out to be a redemption for the Red Devils as United was able to seize the win over Liverpool with a 2-1 lead.

The Red Devils looked sharper and more confident as the playing 11 was a little different than before. Manchester United had better momentum in the game and kept knocking on the doors of the Reds which ultimately resulted in them scoring the first goal in the first half and another in the second half subsequently. Mo Salah was able to get a late consolation goal for the reds.

Erik Ten Hag, in the press conference, told the press that he was satisfied with the team’s performance as they showed conviction and commitment to the game. He further reiterated the need for the right attitude is a must and is the base point of every game.

Eric Ten Hag has been taking the questions as they come and hasn’t shown frustration, but rather disappointment towards the result. However, he has always echoed throughout his last three games that the team’s first need of the hour is the right attitude, which the team showed against Liverpool.

Manchester United will be playing Southampton in week 4 of the Premier League fixture. United also announced the transfer of Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, who is expected to join the team against Southampton.

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Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday suffered his third defeat in ICC events as New Zealand beat India by eight wickets in the final of the World Test Championship in Southampton on Wednesday.

Before this match, India under Kohli had lost in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup which had come two years after India were defeated by Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. India’s next appearance in an ICC tournament will be in the T20 World Cup 2021, which is scheduled to be played in India.

On the other hand, two years after their worrying super over loss to England in the 50-over World Cup final at Lord’s, the Blackcaps on Wednesday enjoyed the greatest triumph in their cricket history as they beat India by eight wickets in the inaugural WTC  final.

Both sides were on the same page till the Day 5 but on the reserve day the New Zealand outplayed India. New Zealand has not only restricted India on the score of 170 but also chased down the target of 139 easily losing their openers. Set a modest target of 139 in 53 overs, New Zealand finished on 140-2 with time to spare in a match extended into a reserve sixth day following two days lost to rain.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed New Zealand to 44-2 by removing openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway to the delight of India fans. But New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, the team’s most-experienced batsmen, settled any lingering nerves in an unbroken stand of 96.

India’s last hope had been washed out when Pujara dropped Taylor at 84-2 on the delivery of Jasprit Bumrah then Bumrah dropped Taylor again when Shami was on attack. Taylor, who hit the winning boundary, was unbeaten on 47.

After his side lost the WTC Final by eight wickets with batting being a major letdown, the Indian captain Virat Kohli didn’t take any names but expressed his displeasure at some players for not showing enough intent to score runs. He said that the right people who have the right mindset to perform will be brought in following a reassessment.

Senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara managed 8 off 54 balls in the first innings and consumed 35 balls for his first run. He then scored just 15 runs off 80 balls in the second essay.

Kohli urged his batsmen to take calculated risks and strike a balance between well-timed strokeplay and holding an end.

He said Rishabh Pant’s aggressive approach didn’t yield results but his repeated attempts to charge down the track against pacers and missing the swinging deliveries raised questions about his game awareness. The skipper, however, seemed fine with his intent to score rather than looking to survive.

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The skipper also said Rishabh’s definitely going to be an expressive player whenever he gets an opportunity, he assesses it really well and when things don’t come off, then it can be an error in judgement, which is acceptable in sport.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the 15-member squad for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand starting from June 18 in Southampton.

For WTC final, Virat Kohli will lead the side while Ajinkya Rahane will be vice captain.

The players to miss out from the original 20-member squad that has toured England are: Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Agarwal, Washington Sundar.

Indian openers Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul and pacer Shardul Thakur are the notable absentees in the 15-member WTC squad.

With Mayank and Rahul missing from the squad, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will be the opening pair for the WTC final against New Zealand  

Hanuma Vihari is also in the squad, after missing the home Tests against England with injury. Both Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha have made the squad as the wicket-keeping options.

Test regulars like Cheteshwar Pujara, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin have all been picked. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who did not play the home series against England due to an injury, has also been picked.

Meanwhile, the five pace options are Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav, the last being preferred over Shardul Thakur. Only two spin options in R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, with Washington Sundar and Axar Patel, who performed exceedingly well on the tours of Australia and in the home series against England respectively, part of the reserves.

In the fast bowling department, India have picked Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav, with Thakur missing out.

Spin bowling all-rounders Washington Sundar and Axar Patel have also missed out.

Axar Patel, who stepped in for Ravindra Jadeja during the home series against England, has no place despite a successful series. Axar picked up 27 wickets in three Tests in that series.Washington Sundar, who too has impressed in his brief Test career, misses out with India having an ace spinner in Ravichandran Ashwin.

New Zealand had also announced their 15-member squad for the WTC final earlier in the day.

The final will begin on Friday at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

The squad has six batsmen, two wicketkeeper-batsman, two spin bowling all-rounders and five pacers.

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India squad: Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin. Ravindra Jadeja. Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Siraj.

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The BCCI President Sourav Ganguly on Monday confirmed that the ICC World Test Championship final, which was originally scheduled to be held at Lord’s in London, would be held in Southampton. He also confirmed that the WTC final between India and New Zealand will be played on June 18, after the completion of the Indian Premier League.

While there have been speculations about the change in venue, the ICC is yet to confirm the move to Southampton but the BCCI President is certain about the new venue for the mega event.

Ganguly told the media that India is looking forward to attend the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand in Southampton. Showering praise on first time introduced World Test Championship, he said every trophy has its own value. The 50-over World Cup is an amazing spectacle while WTC was a bit complicated this time because of the pandemic.

He said India is looking forward to the WTC final and hope to get past New Zealand. Congratulating Rahane, Kohli, everyone involved in winning against Australia and England, he said that the way Pant won India the Brisbane game was excellent.

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A comprehensive 3-1 Test series victory over England has confirmed India’s spot in the WTC final. At the start of this Test series, both India and England were in with a shot of making the final. They both needed to win the series to cross Australia’s points percentage of 69.17. From India’s point of view, a win by at least a 2-1 margin was good enough.

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