Miguel Delaney
@migueldelaney.bsky.social
Chief football writer at the Independent. Author of 'States of Play'
Pinned
‘States of Play’ is out today in paperback, featuring new material and a brand new chapter on football in the age of autocracy and billionaires, with focus on Gianni Infantino’s relationship with Donald Trump and the new Manchester United.
geni.us/StatesOfPlay
geni.us/StatesOfPlay
In my free Monday newsletter today: whether Liverpool made the unFerguson and unBoot Room sentimental decision in not letting Salah go
Also:
- a re-energised Guardiola
- Andrews' fine work
- questions of Howe
- Arsenal positive and negative
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Also:
- a re-energised Guardiola
- Andrews' fine work
- questions of Howe
- Arsenal positive and negative
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
www.independent.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
In my free Monday newsletter today: whether Liverpool made the unFerguson and unBoot Room sentimental decision in not letting Salah go
Also:
- a re-energised Guardiola
- Andrews' fine work
- questions of Howe
- Arsenal positive and negative
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Also:
- a re-energised Guardiola
- Andrews' fine work
- questions of Howe
- Arsenal positive and negative
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
For anyone in or near Gibraltar on Friday, I’ll be speaking about ‘States of Play’ at the literary festival. Tickets here:
www.buytickets.gi/events/gibun...
www.buytickets.gi/events/gibun...
Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival 2025
BuyTickets is Gibraltar's only ticket website. Your home for tickets to events, attractions and great deals in Gibraltar and the surrounding area. Event organisers can sell their tickets online via ou...
www.buytickets.gi
November 10, 2025 at 11:38 AM
For anyone in or near Gibraltar on Friday, I’ll be speaking about ‘States of Play’ at the literary festival. Tickets here:
www.buytickets.gi/events/gibun...
www.buytickets.gi/events/gibun...
City have been very good but this feels weirdly worse for Liverpool than the bad run (which this of course now revives). It feels less explainable, and like a new set of problems have just come up.
November 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
City have been very good but this feels weirdly worse for Liverpool than the bad run (which this of course now revives). It feels less explainable, and like a new set of problems have just come up.
Amorim: "We need to be more aggressive. The three points were there. The space was there. We were too comfortable... the game was there to take."
November 8, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Amorim: "We need to be more aggressive. The three points were there. The space was there. We were too comfortable... the game was there to take."
Amorim: "We have a lot of problems. I know people see results and think we are improving."
November 8, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Amorim: "We have a lot of problems. I know people see results and think we are improving."
Thomas Frank: "On any other day, we win it."
November 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Thomas Frank: "On any other day, we win it."
A game hard to make sense of. Felt United had general superiority in play, and should have really wrapped up a win. Spurs should impressive resolve amid personnel absences, but have obvious (and fixable) issues. Felt it was more dictated by a United complacency - then response.
November 8, 2025 at 2:27 PM
A game hard to make sense of. Felt United had general superiority in play, and should have really wrapped up a win. Spurs should impressive resolve amid personnel absences, but have obvious (and fixable) issues. Felt it was more dictated by a United complacency - then response.
I know it's sung ironically (although, at this point, for some, is it!) but singing "champions of Europe" for a winning a European competition that isn't the European Cup/Champions League leaves me shaking my head.
November 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I know it's sung ironically (although, at this point, for some, is it!) but singing "champions of Europe" for a winning a European competition that isn't the European Cup/Champions League leaves me shaking my head.
Striking how Spurs sort of just... stop beyond the United halfway. United have so much more to hurt them with.
November 8, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Striking how Spurs sort of just... stop beyond the United halfway. United have so much more to hurt them with.
United finding their feet a bit, after I think they were surprised by Spurs' formation.
November 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
United finding their feet a bit, after I think they were surprised by Spurs' formation.
In my newsletter today
Also:
- how a position type spread
- some of Madrid squad put out by Alonso
- more player welfare/calendar tension re Fifa
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Also:
- how a position type spread
- some of Madrid squad put out by Alonso
- more player welfare/calendar tension re Fifa
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
www.independent.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 10:21 AM
In my newsletter today
Also:
- how a position type spread
- some of Madrid squad put out by Alonso
- more player welfare/calendar tension re Fifa
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Also:
- how a position type spread
- some of Madrid squad put out by Alonso
- more player welfare/calendar tension re Fifa
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Wolves have approached Middlesbrough over Rob Edwards.
November 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Wolves have approached Middlesbrough over Rob Edwards.
Honoured to be nominated for @thefsa.bsky.social writer of the year, given the work they do
You can vote for me or any of the other fine writers on the list below - with a shout to fellow @the-independent.com nominee (different category!) @adamclery.bsky.social
www.surveymonkey.com/r/fsa-awards...
You can vote for me or any of the other fine writers on the list below - with a shout to fellow @the-independent.com nominee (different category!) @adamclery.bsky.social
www.surveymonkey.com/r/fsa-awards...
The FSA Awards 2025
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Honoured to be nominated for @thefsa.bsky.social writer of the year, given the work they do
You can vote for me or any of the other fine writers on the list below - with a shout to fellow @the-independent.com nominee (different category!) @adamclery.bsky.social
www.surveymonkey.com/r/fsa-awards...
You can vote for me or any of the other fine writers on the list below - with a shout to fellow @the-independent.com nominee (different category!) @adamclery.bsky.social
www.surveymonkey.com/r/fsa-awards...
In my newsletter today, everyone talks about how good the data that Brighton and now Hearts use is, but with little explanation as to *why* it's so good
I spoke to some of the few who know, as Jamestown Analytics are now a major force
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
I spoke to some of the few who know, as Jamestown Analytics are now a major force
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
www.independent.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 9:55 AM
In my newsletter today, everyone talks about how good the data that Brighton and now Hearts use is, but with little explanation as to *why* it's so good
I spoke to some of the few who know, as Jamestown Analytics are now a major force
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
I spoke to some of the few who know, as Jamestown Analytics are now a major force
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Disrupting a social media break from a two-week holiday in Japan (recommendations welcome) to say it’s an honour for my book ‘States of Play’ to be shortlisted for the prestigious William Hill sports book of the year - especially given the list of nominees
October 30, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Disrupting a social media break from a two-week holiday in Japan (recommendations welcome) to say it’s an honour for my book ‘States of Play’ to be shortlisted for the prestigious William Hill sports book of the year - especially given the list of nominees
Video piece
There’s already one big change from Manchester United last season, and it’s how they’re flooding the opposition box
youtu.be/2F8khVVk0IY?...
There’s already one big change from Manchester United last season, and it’s how they’re flooding the opposition box
youtu.be/2F8khVVk0IY?...
Harry Maguire’s perseverance and character shines spotlight on Liverpool struggles
YouTube video by Independent Sport
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Video piece
There’s already one big change from Manchester United last season, and it’s how they’re flooding the opposition box
youtu.be/2F8khVVk0IY?...
There’s already one big change from Manchester United last season, and it’s how they’re flooding the opposition box
youtu.be/2F8khVVk0IY?...
Why Liverpool need to drop Mo Salah
YouTube video by Independent Sport
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Reposted by Miguel Delaney
My newsletter will still be sent both Fridays with BIG discussions - including why exactly Brighton’s data is so good for recruitment - but taking a break for two Mondays
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
www.independent.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 9:36 AM
My newsletter will still be sent both Fridays with BIG discussions - including why exactly Brighton’s data is so good for recruitment - but taking a break for two Mondays
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Sign up here
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
I complete a run of THREE successive @liberopodcast.bsky.social before a two-week break
This week, with @rorysmith.bsky.social and @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social on Postecoglou, coaching choices and the main character energy of Premier League managers
pod.fo/e/3415bc
This week, with @rorysmith.bsky.social and @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social on Postecoglou, coaching choices and the main character energy of Premier League managers
pod.fo/e/3415bc
Libero: Libero 063: Ange Postecoglou’s Main Character Energy
Ange Postecoglou was sacked as Nottingham Forest manager on Saturday, after just 39 days in charge. On today’s episode, Miguel Delaney, Rory Smith and Jack Pitt-Brooke discuss his brief tenure an...
pod.fo
October 21, 2025 at 9:32 AM
I complete a run of THREE successive @liberopodcast.bsky.social before a two-week break
This week, with @rorysmith.bsky.social and @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social on Postecoglou, coaching choices and the main character energy of Premier League managers
pod.fo/e/3415bc
This week, with @rorysmith.bsky.social and @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social on Postecoglou, coaching choices and the main character energy of Premier League managers
pod.fo/e/3415bc
On my free Monday newsletter today - what's eating Salah? Why is it going badly?
Also how United exposed a particular issue that rival clubs have noticed in Liverpool, and Forest's latest thinking
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Also how United exposed a particular issue that rival clubs have noticed in Liverpool, and Forest's latest thinking
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
www.independent.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
On my free Monday newsletter today - what's eating Salah? Why is it going badly?
Also how United exposed a particular issue that rival clubs have noticed in Liverpool, and Forest's latest thinking
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Also how United exposed a particular issue that rival clubs have noticed in Liverpool, and Forest's latest thinking
Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Reposted by Miguel Delaney
Once lampooned, Maguire is a model of perseverance, a quality United needed at Anfield
They got the luck that has deserted them in other games, amid positive signs
Liverpool created so much but the whole still isn't right
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
They got the luck that has deserted them in other games, amid positive signs
Liverpool created so much but the whole still isn't right
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Harry Maguire’s perseverance and character shines spotlight on Liverpool struggles
The 32-year-old scored a late winner to give Man Utd their first victory at Anfield in nine years
www.independent.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Once lampooned, Maguire is a model of perseverance, a quality United needed at Anfield
They got the luck that has deserted them in other games, amid positive signs
Liverpool created so much but the whole still isn't right
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
They got the luck that has deserted them in other games, amid positive signs
Liverpool created so much but the whole still isn't right
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Once lampooned, Maguire is a model of perseverance, a quality United needed at Anfield
They got the luck that has deserted them in other games, amid positive signs
Liverpool created so much but the whole still isn't right
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
They got the luck that has deserted them in other games, amid positive signs
Liverpool created so much but the whole still isn't right
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Harry Maguire’s perseverance and character shines spotlight on Liverpool struggles
The 32-year-old scored a late winner to give Man Utd their first victory at Anfield in nine years
www.independent.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Once lampooned, Maguire is a model of perseverance, a quality United needed at Anfield
They got the luck that has deserted them in other games, amid positive signs
Liverpool created so much but the whole still isn't right
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
They got the luck that has deserted them in other games, amid positive signs
Liverpool created so much but the whole still isn't right
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
First time Amorim has successive Premier League wins at Manchester United - which may be psychologically significant as much as anything, especially given where it came.
October 19, 2025 at 6:36 PM
First time Amorim has successive Premier League wins at Manchester United - which may be psychologically significant as much as anything, especially given where it came.
Of Liverpool's five fit major signings (Leoni, who looked good, now injured), only one of them has looked even close to settled, and he's on the bench.
October 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Of Liverpool's five fit major signings (Leoni, who looked good, now injured), only one of them has looked even close to settled, and he's on the bench.
Entertaining if slightly shapeless match. United matching the intensity of their first half against Chelsea, and look so much better than, say, the Brentford game two weeks ago
October 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Entertaining if slightly shapeless match. United matching the intensity of their first half against Chelsea, and look so much better than, say, the Brentford game two weeks ago