ALEX CROOK: Tales of the Unexpected

Our football ambassador ALEX CROOK is back with his latest Tales Of The Unexpected, highlighting five takeaways that might not have been expected from the Premier League weekend and reacting to Reuben Amorim’s departure from Manchester United!

Anything that caught you by surprise over the weekend? Email content@starsportsbet.co.uk and we’ll include the best submissions in next week’s TOTU!

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1⃣ QUICK RETURN TO THE DUGOUT FOR MARESCA?

Manchester United and Chelsea have been falling over themselves to outdo each other as the basket-case club in the Premier League. No sooner had Maresca talked his way out of Stamford Bridge than Amorim had done the same at United.

It is never a good idea to go to war with your paymasters as both bosses have found to their cost, but could Maresca soon be replacing Amorim in the Old Trafford dugout.

That notion may sound far-fetched but Maresca has close links from his Manchester City days with United’s director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. It may also explain why Amorim appeared to take leave of his senses with his post-match attack on Wilcox after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Leeds.

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2⃣ CUNHA DRIVES UNITED TO WELL-EARNED POINT

While it is not really in Manchester United’s DNA to celebrate avoiding defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Leeds, their 1-1 draw at Elland Road on Sunday was a point to be cherished.

Missing a host of attacking players due to injury and with only two senior outfield players on the bench, United boss Ruben Amorim started the game with no fewer than six defenders and two defensive midfielders in his 11.

With Benjamin Sesko spurning one great chance to score it was left to Matheus Cunha to rescue a share of the spoils with his third goal in his last five games. It was not just Cunha’s coolly-taken equaliser that made him the man of the match.

The Brazilian’s bravery in possession and newfound work-rate off the ball, something he was often lamented for at his old club Wolves, were key to United coming away with a positive result.

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3⃣ BURNLEY LOOKING JUST AS DIRE AS TWO SEASONS AGO

In the opening weeks of the campaign, it looked like Burnley would be more competitive than they were under Vincent Kompany when they last graced the top-flight two years ago.

Now six points adrift of safet,y having taken only two points from their last 11 games it is becoming increasingly difficult for manager Scott Parker to make that argument.
I was at the Amex Stadium on Saturday where the Clarets showed a Brighton side without a win in their previous six matches so much respect it was as if they were playing peak Real Madrid.

Parker afterwards accused his players of ‘lacking belief’ and the truth is Brighton strolled to victory as if they were playing a training session. Unless things change drastically and quickly it is going to be another long second half of the season for fans at Turf Moor.

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4⃣ HARRISON REEDS LIVERPOOL THE RIOT ACT

It was some way to end a Premier League goal drought of almost two years.
Harrison Reed’s thunderbolt stoppage-time equaliser in Fulham’s 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool is not only an early contender for the best goal of 2026, but another reminder of how strong the middle order of the Premier League is this season.

The fact that Fulham, in 11th, are only three points behind Manchester United in fifth shows just why this is arguably the most competitive season ever.

With United, Chelsea and Liverpool all struggling for consistency, could we see a Fulham, Brentford or Sunderland do the unthinkable and smash their way into the top five and potential Champions League football?

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Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

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