Pundits have clashed over Ed Sheeran’s gatecrashing of Ruben Amorim’s first post-match interview as Manchester United manager.
The singer’s appearance on Sky Sports’ coverage of the Premier League clash was labelled “uncomfortable” by Rangers hero Ally McCoist – but veteran presenter Jeff Stelling said he couldn’t see the problem, calling Sheeran “a significant player” at the recently promoted side. Amorim’s first game as Manchester United manager got off to a dream start when Marcus Rashford gave them the lead inside the first 80 seconds.
However Omari Hutchinson’s deflected effort levelled before half-time – with no further scoring in the second-half. But it was lifelong Tractor Boys fan Sheeran who grabbed the spotlight following the game, as he gatecrashed Sky Sports’ post-match to embrace Jamie Redknapp. And the move sparked a fiery debate on talkSPORT this morning.
Presenter Shebahn Aherne labelled it “awkward” saying: “Was it just me who didn’t like that? He shakes Redknapp’s hand, stands there smiling, Ruben Amorim doesn’t look entirely happy.”
Agreeing, Ally McCoist said: “It was slightly uncomfortable. When he walks on the first thing you have to do is ask him a question; I know Ruben Amorim’s there and that it’s slightly uncomfortable. But unless you ask him a question it’s going to be even more uncomfortable. I take the point, it was a bit like ‘what’s he doing there, someone ask him a question or something’.”
But veteran Sky presenter Jeff Stelling said he couldn’t see what the fuss was about. The former Soccer Saturday host said: “I didn’t think that there was anything offensive about it at all. It’s his club, he’s a shareholder in it, the club themselves say that he’s massively important to promote Ipswich Town on screen. You don’t know whether he was being encouraged to do that.
“Sky would’ve paid any amount of money to have Ed Sheeran live on TV. They spent the afternoon showing shots of him in the stands all afternoon.
“I’ve got no idea if he was encouraged, but I don’t see what the big issue is. Ruben Amorim knows who Ed Sheeran is, unless he’s come, not from Portugal, but from a different planet. So surely he knows Ed Sheeran’s connection with Ipswich.”
That sparked a feisty exchange between the two presenters, with Aherne saying: “Do you not think that it was Amorim’s moment, it was his first match since taking over at Manchester United. I just think that the moment wasn’t right. Post-match after the game, he was having quite a serious conversation and he gatecrashes the interview. I just thought it was awkward. I wasn’t the only one, it feels like a lot of fans agreed with me on that.”
Stelling responded: “It’s not all about Manchester United. Ipswich were playing as well. It’s at Portman Road, Ed Sheeran couldn’t care less whether it’s Manchester United. It’s his club.
“It’s not all about Ruben Amorim, it’s the complete opposite. Why he (Sheeran) was there, I don’t know. He may well have been encouraged.”
McCoist meanwhile drew parallels between Sheeran’s backing of Ipswich and Rod Stewart’s presence at Celtic games when questioned about his views on celebrities at games. He added: “Rod Stewart sells Celtic and sells Scottish football. Noel Gallagher sells Manchester City, I love it. The more the merrier!”
Manchester United welcome Bodo/Glimt on Thursday evening, in what will be Ruben Amorim’s first match at Old Trafford.