Manchester United are rubbish: BBC News ticker slams Red Devils with trainee error
Manchester United became the butt of a mistake made by a BBC News employee, as a clip from the Beeb goes viral
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Manchester United fans have had the news that they perhaps suspected all season finally confirmed by BBC News: the club is, in fact, "rubbish".
Viewers of the BBC News Channel were surprised when during a clip of a tennis match earlier today, the ticker at the bottom of the screen displayed the words "Manchester United are rubbish". The words then faded upwards, replaced by "Weather rain everywhere". Which is true, in fairness.
United have finished this season with a record low points tally for a Premier League season, having lost to Crystal Palace on the final day of the season – so though the BBC have later confirmed it as a mistake, it seems at the very least topical.
BBC News later apologised for the gaffe, claiming that a trainee employee was to blame.
According to the Beeb, the employee in question was learning how to write text for the ticker and accidentally published them onto the BBC News Channel.
Manchester United have just welcomed former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag to club as their new permanent boss – and will be hoping to reverse the trajectory that has led to them being mocked as not very good.
The clip has now gone viral on social media.
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Errrr… what is going on with the BBC News ticker? pic.twitter.com/fofbiGyMfsMay 24, 2022
Manchester United transfer stories
New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been speaking to the press as he takes control of the Red Devils. The 52-year-old has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo remains a part of his plans heading into next season, while suggesting that he may need patience to transform Old Trafford in his image.
Rumours are rife that the club are looking to slash the wage bill – with PSG lining up one final attempt to sway Paul Pogba to Paris. There could be plenty of incomings, too: Frenkie de Jong remains a key target at £67.5m, while Raphinha of Leeds is on the radar. Jurrien Timber is one name heavily linked, while United are long-term admirers of Lazio man Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
One slightly leftfield potential buy would be Christian Eriksen from Brentford, who is out of contract following the end of the season.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
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