Henry’s Substack

John McGinn has gone from the Meatball of St Mirren to the heartbeat of Aston Villa. He’s leaner, lasting longer in games, more judicious in his decision-making, more precise in his passing and finishing, yet without losing the risk-taking, passion and fun that has always made him such a popular player. He really is super, John McGinn. John McGinn. Photo: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images In a sport of high stakes and tension, McGinn’s joy in playing the sport should be cherished even more.

Does honesty pay? Voting for Footballer of the Year involves consideration of “precept and example”, a point made by the organisers in an email sent to football writers in this last week of voting (deadline tomorrow). Manchester City’s Erling Haaland will get votes for his prolific season, 25 goals and counting in the league, including last night in the frustrating draw at Everton.

It’s not done, as Declan Rice says, and Arsenal may still land a trophy. Mikel Arteta’s position has come under scrutiny but there are solid reasons why Arsenal will stick with him. Stan Kroenke is a businessman who looks long term and will see the continued financial strength of the club. But the game’s about trophies as well as revenue… where’s the balance?

Anthony Gordon went to Euro 2024, fell off his bike, trained with cuts and bruises and took some ribbing from his England team-mates. Sore ribbing in many ways. The pacy winger, in form at Newcastle United, could also have been sore about not being considered the answer to England’s left-sided problem. He played only six minutes all Euros, replacing Phil Foden against Slovenia in Cologne. Gordon expressed “disappointment” that he didn’t play more but that was it. No complaints.

Accusations that Arsenal are “bottling it” are far too simplistic. It’s a cheap headline term that’s offensive to elite competitors, makes no distinction of individual players’ strengths, and actually misses the point. Arsenal have mentally robust players, including Gabriel, William Saliba, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi. They have enough “winners”. Arsenal’s issue is more a flaw in their approach, namely the time-wasting which exudes caution rather than control.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is entitled to his views even if they are considered offensive to many. What he is not entitled to do is embarrass Manchester United and its hard-working staff. What Ratcliffe is not entitled to do is make Michael Carrick’s job more difficult by upsetting some of his players, guaranteeing the head coach has to answer awkward (but legitimate) questions about his boss, and ensuring opposition fans whip up even more of a hostile atmosphere against United.

We need to talk about Ruben Amorim and Oliver Glasner. Even by the high standards of Manager of the Month curses, Amorim is enduring a frustrating November. Having won all three games in October, including at Anfield, Amorim was rightly garlanded. He then saw United throw away leads at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur but fight back to draw, and now there is last night’s embarrassing home defeat to 10-man Everton.

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When Thomas Tuchel called Elliot Anderson into the England squad for the first time, the head coach told him to “bring the energy”. Tuchel also urged Anderson to bring the commanding form that helped England win the European Under-21 Championships this summer. Anderson played as a 6 for Lee Carsley’s side in Slovakia, and Tuchel needs one to dovetail with Declan Rice. There’s a debate over whether Anderson is a 6 or an 8 when he has qualities for both roles.

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