08/01/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | JAN 8, 2026

30

Fletcher got Fergie’s blessings before stepping in as United caretaker

DARREN FLETCHER revealed Tuesday he asked for former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson’s advice before accepting the role of interim head coach. Former United midfielder Fletcher has stepped in on a caretaker basis following Ruben Amorim’s sacking on Monday. Amorim was axed after a turbulent 14 months in charge at Old Trafford culminated with his scathing criticism of the United hierarchy last weekend. United have lurched from one crisis to another since the legendary Ferguson retired after win

comforting for me for him to say that.” Fletcher has been unable to speak to Amorim since becoming United’s sixth caretaker appoint ment since Ferguson retired. Amorim often appeared rattled by criticism from former United players, but Fletcher believes managers have to embrace such scrutiny at “the biggest club in the world”. “You can’t ask them to go easier because they’re passionate guys and I think they have a right to have their opinion and they’re really good,” he said of the likes of Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. – AFP

with Sir Alex, so he’s probably the first person that phoned actually, so I wanted to speak to him first and ultimately to get his blessing, to be perfectly honest with you. “I think he deserves that respect. “I wanted to run it by him, what he thought, and he was supportive of it and he echoed my thoughts which I’ve always said – it’s your job to do the best for Manchester United. “When you’re an employee of the club, it’s your job to do your best for Manchester United and it’s amazing when he says something that I try and live and believe every day, so it was

ning their most recent English title in 2013. Well aware of the club’s numerous issues, Fletcher spoke to his former boss, who is still a regular at United matches, before temporarily stepping up from U-18s coach for the overnight trip to Burnley in the Premier League. “I have (spoken to him). I don’t like to make any major decisions or things without speaking to Sir Alex and that’s something I’ve done since I’ve been at the club and since I’ve left the club in eve rything I do,” Fletcher told reporters yester day. “I’ve got a really good relationship

Forest snatch late win

6072/2026

07/01/2026 (WED)

Gibbs-White Hammers in

seals crucial win to plunge

deep trouble

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Draw Date: 07/01/26 (Wed)

Draw No: 6019/26 Venue: WISMA GENTING, KL

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Forest’s Murillo (left) and Neco Williams (right) leap to head the ball above West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen during yesterday’s Premier League clash at the London Stadium. – AFPPIC

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N OTTINGHAM FOREST eased away from the Premier League relegation zone and left West Ham United in deep trouble as Morgan Gibbs-White slotted a late penalty for a priceless 2-1 victory at the London Stadium yesterday. Billed as a relegation six-pointer between the sides 17th and 18th in the table, West Ham took the lead thanks to a Murillo own goal but their hopes of ending a nine-match winless run faded in the second half. Nicolas Dominguez headed an equaliser for Forest in the 55th minute, shortly after West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville had seen a goal ruled out for a marginal offside decision. In a nervous finale, West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola clattered into Gibbs-White trying to deal with a ball into the area and referee Tony Harrington awarded a spot-kick after viewing a pitch-side VAR monitor. Gibbs-White stepped up to convert in the 89th minute and Forest hung on for a crucial win that lifted them seven points above the drop zone. Forest have 21 points from 21 games with third-from-bottom West Ham on 14 after a 10-game run without a League win and pressure piling up on manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The previous meeting between the two clubs ended with West Ham scoring three late goals in a 3-0 win at the City Ground in August, a result that effectively ended Nuno’s reign as Forest manager. Four months on, having replaced Graham Potter as West Ham manager in September, the Portuguese coach looked crestfallen in the rain after a damaging result that means he has won only two of his 16 league games in charge.

At half-time, West Ham were on course to cut the gap to Forest to one point. By the end it was a seven-point margin and their survival hopes are looking bleak. “It wasn’t a nice game, we knew it was going to be a battle because of the position of both teams,” Gibbs-White said. “But what I liked is that we fought right to the end. “When the (West Ham) goal was disallowed it changed the momentum of the game and gave us belief.” Nuno blamed the two controversial VAR decisions for leaving Hammers staring down the barrel of relegation from the Premier League. “The offside decision was the crucial moment of the game, a two goal lead. We were playing good, creating problems for Forest,” said Nuno. “All the stadium felt the pain of the goal ruled out. Forest scored but we had chances to change it around.” As for the penalty decision, Nuno said: “I was a goalkeeper and you cannot stop your movement, you go for the ball – it has a trajectory and a line. “How many times you see this happen and nothing given. Not in my days and not today, it should not be given. “That is how I see it. We have the referee, the VAR and we have to accept. For me it is not a penalty.” Tomas Soucek, who headed the ball clear before Areola caught Gibbs White, fumed on Sky Sports : “It’s a joke, I just saw it. “I came to the Premier League because it was the best League in the world and it’s more like basketball. Areola went for the ball and we didn’t know why VAR were looking at it.” – AFP/The Independent

RM382,157.40

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