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Richard Martin

Northern Football Writer

📝 Bio: I'm a football writer covering Manchester United and Manchester City. I am a regular at Old Trafford and The Etihad Stadium and am often found at the City Football Academy or United's Carrington Training Ground for press conferences. I covered Spanish football for 10 years at the height of the Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi era, witnessing Real Madrid win three consecutive Champions Leagues while Barca scooped multiple La Liga crowns. I moved back to my former home of Manchester in 2023, in time to cover City swooping to the treble and a record-breaking fourth successive Premier League crown, plus the never-ending melodrama unfolding at United. Highlights while working for GOAL include interviewing Julian Alvarez, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot.

⚽ My Football Story: My first game was seeing Manchester United getting destroyed 4-1 by Tottenham in 1996, aged eight. It did not put me off and I have since been to over 700 matches across 16 countries and three continents, from standing on the terraces at River Plate and Napoli to filing match reports from the World Cup final in Moscow or the Europa League final in Bilbao. I live and breathe terrace culture but I equally enjoy analysing the game's top players and coaches.

🎯 Areas of Expertise:

  • Manchester United & Manchester City
  • La Liga
  • Fan culture

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory:

Reporting from the Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors in Madrid, a once-in-a-lifetime event and a privilege to experience live.

 

 

 

Articles by Richard Martin
  1. Yoro praises Amorim for rooting 'bad characters' out of Man Utd

    Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has praised the club for improving the character of the squad, emphasising the importance of all the players pulling in the same direction. Head coach Ruben Amorim has spoken many times of the need to improve the culture at the club and in his year in charge at Old Trafford he has taken high-quality players who he felt did not have the right attitude.

  2. Amad dilemma exposes flaws in Amorim's Man Utd system

    Within the last week, Amad Diallo has pulled off the rather impressive feat of being seen as one of Manchester United's greatest weapons and yet also one of their most obvious weak points. The Ivory Coast international's incredible volley at Nottingham Forest last Saturday grabbed his side a point, while he was a few inches away from snatching the winner in added time. Yet while he was rightly hailed as a difference-maker in United's attack, a lot of the post-match analysis focused on his defensive shortcomings.

  3. Fantastic Foden provides the UCL fireworks for City

    Phil Foden picked up his wand and produced more magic in the Champions League to inspire Manchester City to a 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund. Foden broke the deadlock with a brilliant finish before Erling Haaland struck against his former club. Foden scored a delightful second goal after the break to give City a three-goal cushion, but Pep Guardiola's side then lived dangerously.

  4. Arise, Sir David Beckham! Man Utd & England icon receives knighthood

    Manchester United legend David Beckham has spoken of his pride after being officially knighted by King Charles. The former England captain's long-awaited knighthood was confirmed in the King's Birthday Honours list in June for his services to sport and charity. He received the award at a ceremony on Tuesday in Berkshire, which was attended by his family, including wife Victoria, who will now be known as Lady Beckham.

  5. City's 'free soul' Cherki can be a Pep player after all

    If there was an air of inevitability about Erling Haaland scoring Manchester City's first two goals against Bournemouth on Sunday, the same could not be said of the man who provided both of the assists. Rayan Cherki was making his first Premier League start in 10 weeks due to injury, but even before he picked up a thigh problem in August, there were many questions about his suitability to playing for Pep Guardiola.

  6. Ten Hag being considered for shock Premier League return

    Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could be set to return to English football after being considered for the vacant role at a Premier League club. Ten Hag is a free agent after being sacked by Bayer Leverkusen in September, becoming the first manager in Bundesliga history to lose his job after two games. He was fired by United in October 2024, four months after signing a new contract.

  1. Magical Cherki is Haaland's perfect partner!

    Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki combined to devastating effect as Manchester City comfortably beat Bournemouth 3-1 and provided the perfect response to last week's defeat at Aston Villa. The French playmaker started at No. 10 after impressing against Swansea City in midweek and proved to be the perfect foil to City's insatiable striker, who he provided with two goals.

  2. Amad inists Man Utd players believe in Amorim's system

    Amad Diallo insisted Manchester United's players are fully supportive of Ruben Amorim's style of play after the the Red Devils were held to a 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Amad rescued a point for United with a brilliant late strike but could not hide his disappointment at the fact his side's run of three consecutive wins had come to an end.

  3. Pep gives positive update on Haaland & Rodri injuries

    Pep Guardiola has revealed that both Erling Haaland and Rodri have recovered from their respective injuries and will be fit for Manchester City's Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Sunday. Haaland had an injury scare during City's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last week but the Norwegian is ready to face Andoni Iraola's in-form side, who are second in the table.

  4. Rooney reveals biggest regret involving Ronaldo bust-up

    Wayne Rooney has opened up on the biggest regret of his entire footballing career - and it involves Cristiano Ronaldo. Rooney played at three World Cups for England but has revealed that he wishes he had sat one of them out as he was not fully fit at the time. The legendary striker also admitted he was close to not joining Manchester United after a rival Premier League side enquired about him.

  5. McTominay makes fun of Hojlund at Halloween party

    Former Manchester United team-mates Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay showed how well they are getting on away from Old Trafford at Napoli as they attended a Halloween party together. The pair were reunited when the Serie A champions signed Hojlund on loan in the summer. And McTominay poked fun at the striker's choice of white socks during their night out.