Laurie Whitwell

Manchester

Journalist at The Athletic

Journalist for @TheAthleticFC, covering Manchester United. Instagram: lauriewhitwell

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Articles

Former Manchester United manager on Leverkusen shortlist to replace Xabi Alonso

14 hours ago | nytimes.com | Guillermo Rai |Laurie Whitwell

Erik ten Hag is on Bayer Leverkusen's shortlist to become their next head coach, but the former Manchester United manager is also open to a return to the Premier League. Leverkusen are continuing the process to appoint a successor to Xabi Alonso, who last week announced he would be leaving at the end of the season, and Ten Hag, who has been out of management since he was sacked by United in October, is among the candidates.
The real story of their Manchester United takeover, 20 years on

3 days ago | nytimes.com | Laurie Whitwell

The week ahead marks 20 years since the Glazer family acquired a controlling stake in Manchester United, going on to complete one of the most controversial takeovers in football history. To mark such a significant moment, The Athletic will be running a series of articles and podcasts about the takeover and the 20 years since to go deep into what happened, the consequences for Manchester United and what happens next.
Man Utd 4 Athletic Club 1 (7-1 agg)

6 days ago | nytimes.com | Laurie Whitwell |Thom Harris

It really will be Bilbao or bust for Manchester United, who will chance their arm at saving their season against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final later this month. Ruben Amorim's side came from behind to defeat Athletic Club 4-1 at Old Trafford and book a high-stakes showdown with their fellow Premier League underachievers Spurs.
Alejandro Garnacho on adapting to Amorim, Ronaldo comparisons and his United future

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Laurie Whitwell

Alejandro Garnacho is having to get used to playing a different role under Ruben Amorim and on the eve of Manchester United's Europa League semi-final second leg he found himself in another new position. Never before has Garnacho addressed media in a pre-match press conference, which meant that several areas of interest could now be discussed. He handled the questions with composure beyond his 20 years, an age that can be forgotten when he plays week after week for United.
Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt out of Athletic Club, West Ham but injury 'not a big issue'

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Laurie Whitwell

Matthijs de Ligt does not have a serious injury but will miss Manchester United's matches against Athletic Club and West Ham United, Ruben Amorim has said. De Ligt sustained a muscular injury in the 33rd minute of United's 4-3 defeat at Brentford in the Premier League on May 4 and was replaced by Harry Maguire. The Netherlands injury went down in the build-up to Brentford's second goal of the game, leaving United players frustrated that play had not been stopped.
Brentford 4 Manchester United 3: Obi makes history, timely Mount goal

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Laurie Whitwell

Ruben Amorim rang the changes as Manchester United prepared for their crucial Europa League semi-final second leg against Atletico Bilbao with defeat away to Brentford. With a 3-0 lead to protect on Thursday, and little to play for in the Premier League, the starting XI had an average age of 22 years and 270 days - the third-youngest side named for a Premier League match.
Manchester United leadership duo expected to leave in latest club redundancies

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Laurie Whitwell

Two members of Manchester United 's senior leadership team are expected to leave the club as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's second round of redundancies, which is stepping up this week. Richard Hawkins, director of football insights and innovations, and David Harrison, director of football operations, have both been informed that they will no longer have roles in the future and exit terms are being discussed.
Harry Maguire and a Manchester United redemption

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Laurie Whitwell |Mark Critchley

Harry Maguire's career arc at Manchester United has had many undulations but his header in stoppage time of extra time against Lyon is sending his trajectory upwards once more. Such was the bewildering elation that winning goal provoked on a night for the ages, it is possible to detect how Maguire's time at the club, once deemed a failure, will be viewed more positively in retrospect, a sense enhanced if United go on to win the Europa League.
Manchester United's Amad, Matthijs de Ligt return to training before Europa League semi-final

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Laurie Whitwell |Nnamdi Onyeagwara

Amad and Matthijs de Ligt have returned to Manchester United training ahead of Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Club. Amad, 22, sustained an ankle ligament injury in February which the club feared could end his season while 25-year-old De Ligt has been out of action since an ankle injury suffered during the 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on April 1. However, the pair have returned to training ahead of their trip to Bilbao on Thursday.
The pressure of a big week for Ruben Amorim is already telling

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Laurie Whitwell

Considering Manchester United's Premier League campaign has long been consigned to the bin of irrelevance, there was an unmistakable pressure in the air at the Vitality Stadium towards the end of the game against Bournemouth. Ruben Amorim prowled his technical area, by turn imploring his players to alter positions, shaking his head, rubbing his fingers on his brow, and standing with his arms wide apart as a prolonged plea to perform as desired.