England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has made a few handy saves so far at this World Cup, but between waiting around for large parts of a game and then having days between matches, there’s a lot of spare time to fill. Which he has duly done by getting an enormous gaming setup shipped over from home.
Pickford, who plays his club football for Everton, revealed the power move as part of this promotional interview below, which runs for over 20 minutes but which I’ve set to autoplay at the relevant moment:
Pickford Chats GK Union, Gaming Setups and Golf Dream Teams 🎮⛳️ | Ep.20 | Lions’ Den With M&S Food
Seems the guy really likes playing Fortnite, and had previously taken gaming laptops with him while on national duty so he could play on his off days. But switching between those cramped confines and his regular setup had proved too much for the Euro 2021 Golden Glove winner, so for Qatar he just figured, fuck it, and got something more heavy duty shipped over.
Screenshot: YouTube
The monogrammed container it arrived in is, indeed, a “proper bit of kit”. Inside it’s still a laptop, but with a custom-built, full-size TV/monitor/screen included so that the visual experience on the road matched what he was used to at home.
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As for Fortnite, it’s not just Pickford playing; as he says above it’s something he plays with the lads, and four years ago at the last World Cup the England squad were famously, absolutely hooked on it:
Aside from their inspired celebrations, England players have been very forthcoming about their own Fortnite escapades in the camp. It’s no surprise that team youngsters Marcus Rashford and Alli play religiously, or that young-at-heart Raheem Sterling and Lingard log on to Epic Games’ best-seller, but the true revelation has been star striker Kane.
Kane, or should we say “hkane23”, has racked up an astonishing 110 matches while in Russia, closely followed by Tottenham (and evidently Fortnite) teammate Alli, also known as “Delstroyer14”, who has played 82 times, according to reports. The pair have previously livestreamed their matches, including one against defender and teammate Harry Maguire.
This being 2022, and with the World Cup running (for some countries at least) for almost a month, he’s far from the only person there playing Fortnite in his downtime. But he is, surely, the only one “just tryin to get the best frames, trying to get the upper hand” with a monogrammed, armoured computer case.
It’s also lovely to see that, since switching to a PC laptop, he’s having more luck with his power supply.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Goalkeeper David de Gea of Manchester United celebrates the 1-0 … [+] victory during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on October 30, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
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Manchester United come away with another three points at home in the Premier League after their 1-0 win against West Ham United on Sunday evening.
It was not their best performance of the season from an attacking point of view, but certainly up there from a defensive disposition. The back four, plus David de Gea, were exemplary in their efforts of keeping a clean sheet – in which they were successful.
Even though West Ham are treading near the bottom of the table, playing a David Moyes-led side is never an easy task, but Manchester United found a way through and will be delighted with the three points that takes them on the cusp of a top four position.
Here are three talking points from the game:
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United celebrates with goalkeeper … [+] David de Gea and Diogo Dalot of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on October 30, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
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Defensive Unity Coming Together
It has been a long time coming for Manchester United to look defensive assured, but Erik Ten Hag has got them firmly on that path.
This season looked ropey, at best, given the first two games of the Premier League season which ended in humiliating defeats to Brighton and Brentford, but since then, the Red Devils have only conceded twice at home.
Even with the injured Raphael Varane, who has been magisterial in defence for Ten Hag, Man United are beginning to look like a well-oiled machine at the back, which Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot are leading forces of that revitalisation.
The Argentinean centre back has been a revelation under the Dutch manager, who he bought from his former club AFC Ajax for £50 million, and is comfortably one of Europe’s leading defenders on current form.
Dalot looks a man transformed after his season-long loan last year, learning the Italian way of defending and having director Paolo Maldini guiding him. The Portugal international showcased a defensive masterclass on Sunday evening with his spatial awareness and defensive positioning.
Harry Maguire has come back into the team after injury and, apart from a few mistakes in the first half, looked to grow into the game, especially in the second half. It has been a rocky 12 months for the Englishman, with bigger tests to come, but he came through with a positive performance when the scrutiny was firmly on him; as well as being under the eye of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
Ten Hag has this team ticking and that begins with the defensive unit, no matter who comes in and plays.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a … [+] goal to make it 1-0, his 100th goal, during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on October 30, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
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Marcus Rashford Has Found His Swagger
Similarly to a few of the other England players in this Manchester United team, Marcus Rashford did not look himself last season and was playing on empty – completely devoid of any confidence whatsoever.
However, under Ten Hag, who has been using him as either an inside forward off the left or through the middle as an alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo, the England international has stepped up to the plate.
With 10 goal involvements in 15 appearances in all competitions this season, Rashford is looking like his old self and some. With his brilliantly timed headed finish against the Hammers, it was the first time that the Red Devils fans saw that Rashford was capable of being an aerial threat.
Timing could not be better for Rashford with the World Cup exactly 21 days away and Southgate in the stands to watch him closely. England need more direct options in attack and Rashford certainly offers that, even if he has not been involved in the most recent camps.
It would be remiss of Southgate not to call him up to the squad with the current form he is in – with the same being said of Luke Shaw.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Casemiro of Manchester United reacts at the end of the Premier … [+] League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on October 30, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Casemiro Is Essential To Manchester United
While Manchester United fans of course knew of the level Casemiro was playing at for a decade in Spain at Real Madrid, not many expected him to be this commanding and have such a ginormous impact when introduced.
It has been no secret that the Red Devils have been in dire need of a defensive-minded midfielder for many a season, and so the arrival of the Brazil international was a superb signing.
But not many thought that he would produce the level of performances that he is currently doing on a consistent basis as quickly as he has. It is hard to believe that Los Blancos saw Casemiro as surplus to requirements given the quality he possesses, in which he is showing it regularly.
Another reason as to why Manchester United’s defence has been improved is down to Casemiro’s presence. The Brazilian is exceptionally aware of what is around him and when to press the opposition to break up the opposition’s rhythm.
Not only is he clinical in winning the ball back, but having the foresight to see runners up ahead of him and quickly punch it into them to transition on the counter attack.
Casemiro has been a godsend for Ten Hag and Manchester United fans, who hope that the good performances long continue.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United celebrates after victory … [+] in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on August 22, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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While results have picked up for Erik Ten Hag’s new and improved Manchester United, there is always one eye locked on the next transfer window to reinforce the squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo looks more certain than ever to leave the club coming into the winter months, crystallised by his off-field antics and regular cause for disruption.
The Portugal international attempted to leave the club in the summer, hence not turning up once for pre-season, but a lack of suitors and Manchester United not willing to part ways with him forced the centre forward to remain put.
With Ten Hag preferring Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford operating through the middle, the relationship with Ronaldo has strained further, resulting in very public passive aggressive tactics to undermine the new manager – such as walking down the tunnel before the game was finished against Tottenham Hotspur.
Here are three players that Manchester United will pursuing January onwards:
OLIMPICO STADIUM, ROMA, ITALY – 2022/10/23: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli and team mates celebrate at … [+] the end of the Serie A football match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli. Napoli won 1-0 over Roma. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Victor Osimhen
A player that has continually been growing with each season, Victor Osimhen is now one of the most talked about young centre forwards in Europe.
Arriving from LOSC, the Napoli striker was signed for an impressed £65 million as a 21 year old. After an acclimatisation period in the south of Italy, the Nigerian centre forward has become one of the best players in Serie A.
This season, Osimhen has been involved in six goal involvements – five goals, one assist – in nine appearances across all competitions; including the winner last weekend against AS Roma.
With Ronaldo’s inevitable departure, it makes sense for Manchester United to move quickly, fighting off what would be any other potential suitors by trying to poach Osimhen in the January market.
Given the high price that Napoli paid for the Nigeria international, it is likely that the Red Devils will have to fork out more than £70 million to secure his signature.
While Rashford has filled in as the team’s number nine, it has been clear to see that Ten Hag lacks a natural goalscorer with energy in abundance. The Englishman’s finishing has been somewhat wasteful, and so the need to bring in an out-and-out striker is high on the priority list.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 23: Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match … [+] between FC Barcelona v Athletic de Bilbao at the Spotify Camp Nou on October 23, 2022 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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Frenkie de Jong
Manchester United’s coveted pursuit of Frenkie de Jong ultimately ended in disappointment as FC Barcelona kept their star midfielder past the summer window.
It was clearly from the moment Ten Hag took over that his number one priority was De Jong with the club pulling out every stop they had to try and recruit him. Ultimately, there were too many complications in the way over deferred wages that prevented the transfer from going through, but that is not to say Man United will not try again.
In came Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, both of whom have been absolutely excellent for Manchester United and revitalised their midfield. The question is now aimed at squad depth and having multiple world class players among the ranks.
De Jong has been used sparingly in the Champions League, with Xavi preferring to go for a midfield three of Sergio Busquets, Gavi and Pedri, leaving the Dutchman left on the bench.
Barcelona had agreed a deal with Manchester United for the transfer of de Jong, but the player was not to move until his deferred wages had been paid up by the Catalan club.
With de Jong recognising that his minutes have been cut short this season, it might just be the final domino to fall for the Dutch international to find pastures new.
GRONINGEN, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 23: Cody Gakpo of PSV during the Dutch Eredivisie match between FC … [+] Groningen v PSV at the Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion on October 23, 2022 in Groningen Netherlands (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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Cody Gakpo
Arguably Europe’s most talked about player, Cody Gakpo is a player that is in demand this winter.
After nearly signing for both Manchester United and Leeds United on deadline day, Gakpo has started this season with the intent of making that career-defining move sooner rather than later.
He has laid down a serious market both domestically and in the Europa League. The Dutch international has 18 goals and assists in just 11 Eredivisie matches – a quite remarkable effort given he occupies the left wing rather than the centre forward position.
Nailed-on to be in Louis van Gaal’s final squad for next month’s World Cup, Gakpo’s stock is likely to continue to rise, which will be music to PSV Eindhoven’s ears with four years left on his current contract.
A transfer fee is likely to be in-and-around the £50 million mark, which is already at least £15 million more than what Manchester United had all-but agreed with PSV earlier in the summer. The Red Devils pulled out as they had finally secured the services of former Ajax player Antony, but are likely to return in the future.
The only downside of pursuing Gakpo is of course his more natural position of occupying th left wing, which Manchester United are rather stocked up on. If Ten Hag feels he can convert Gakpo to a more natural number nine, then it is a no brainer given his physical profile and goals record to date.
