Manchester United are dipping towards the drop zone under Ruben Amorim, a head coach who took over on 11 November and forgot to pack the “bounce” often gifted to an employer after sacking the last guy. This is United’s fourth consecutive loss and, after 11 games, the Portuguese coach’s record reads six defeats and four wins. Peer at the table and Amorim’s side are 14th on 22 points after taking the same number, 11, in nine league matches as they did under Erik ten Hag, his predecessor. Yet again the 3-4-3 formation failed and to see Joshua Zirkzee yanked off after the half hour was to witness an encapsulation of United’s disarray. Another was the reinstatement of Marcus Rashford to the squad after the forward said he wanted a “new challenge”. Make sense of the head coach’s thinking on that one, if you can. Three minutes and 30 seconds were all...

CORONATION Street fans are calling for urgent changes as the soap faces plummeting viewing figures and growing concerns over cast cuts. Cast members fear cash-strapped producers may guarantee contracts only until the end of 2025. 2 Just 2.6million viewers tuned in to watch Coronation Street on Christmas DayCredit: ITV 2 As Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, bid farewell to Weatherfield after 50 yearsCredit: ITV The moves come as Coronation Street failed to make the Christmas Day TV top ten. Just 2.6million viewers watched Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, bid farewell to Weatherfield after 50 years. A source said: “The cast of Corrie is huge and some aren’t getting enough episodes. “A few paid per episode are struggling to pay mortgages are having to supplement income with personal appearances and ads on Instagram.” They went on: “A lot of cast members are now on ‘guest contracts’ like Maureen Lipman and Kate Ford. “These are short term,...

Will 2024 really be remembered for brat, brain rot and AI-generated slop? Judging by the Filter recommendations you loved the most, it’s actually been the year of heated blankets, book lights and big coats. An altogether more cuddly vibe. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. It makes perfect sense. When times are toxic, you reach for comfort. You’ve already had your fill of Trump, Musk and Baby Reindeer – not to mention rain, rising bills and the relentless horror of global news – so you’re craving a psychological detox. Finding joy in autumn’s best beauty buys and money-saving products that make life easier is a way of giving your mood a hug. When we crunched the sales data for more than 350 of the products we tested and recommended in 2024, self-soothing emerged as the clear theme....