Manchester United supporters have reason to be excited for the future if these players are anything to go by

Manchester United have a rich history when it comes to promoting players from their academy into the first team. The Class of ’92 will forever be the standard the Reds aspire towards for their young players but in recent years, golden generations have been few and far between.

That being said, we have still seen gems come through the ranks who have contributed to the first team. Kobbie Mainoo is the standout of recent years while Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad have all had varying degrees of success and exposure to the United starting XI.

With Ruben Amorim in charge, the relationship between the first team and academy was strained but, under Michael Carrick’s watch, this is starting to mend. Once again, it seems like the club are united in their approach to development and that pathway from Carrington to Old Trafford is now realistic.

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There are plenty of young players who are impressing but United’s attackers are the ones who are really catching the eye. Even if you are not following the academy regularly, you will have heard of the name JJ Gabriel. The 15-year-old has been the subject of highlight reels aplenty this season.

Despite being in his mid teens, the forward has been excelling in the U18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup. He has scored an astonishing 21 goals in 24 appearances and plays with the elegance of a more seasoned professional. Gabriel has even been invited into first team training sessions this season – a remarkable feat for someone so young.

However, because of his age, Gabriel has been unable to play in the Premier League this season. That ban will lift in the summer and there is already hope he will be able to emulate the success of Max Dowman at Arsenal.

Thanks to the brilliance of Gabriel, Noah Ajayi has floated under the radar this season. However, he is another player who the Reds think highly of.

The 17-year-old German winger has scored a more modest seven goals in 16 appearances this season but has hit red hot form at the right time as United fought their way to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals. That competition is a testing ground for young players and Ajayi is proving more than capable of holding his own.

He is also closer to making that step up to the first team as he has a physical presence that is more suited to senior football. His goal in the victory over Sunderland was a sign of his potential as he showed great awareness to drift through the defence and slot home.

But while Ajayi is progressing nicely away from the limelight, Kai Rooney is having to adapt to senior exposure at just 16.

Of course, his surname has led to this fame but don’t be fooled, Rooney is not simply living off his father’s legacy. The winger has been slowly exposed to the U18s this season and has made his Old Trafford debut in the FA Youth Cup.

He bagged his first U18s goal against Middlesbrough in August and after a spell away from the age group, returned in February to bag a goal and an assist in three U18 Premier League matches. Sadly for Rooney, injury has brought a premature end to his season.

But, those dreaming of another Rooney stealing the headlines for United in the future can take encouragement from the progress he has made this term. All this is incredibly positive for the Reds and should be encouraged for the future.

Continuing to bring players through the academy will allow the Reds to save money in transfer windows. Even if just one of these players becomes a regular United starter, the investment in the academy continues to be worthwhile.

The mum of Fawziyah Javed, who was murdered by her husband in 2021, spoke after a Scottish Government bid to better identify victims of ‘honour-based’ abuse.

The mum of a pregnant wife pushed over a cliff to her death by her husband says it must be Scotland’s last “honour killing”.

Fawziyah Javed was murdered by Kashif Anwar at Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat landmark in September 2021 after he learned she planned to leave him.

The 31-year-old mum-to-be managed to identify her husband as her attacker as she lay dying, having suffered multiple blunt force injuries plunging from the hill.

The tragic case sparked widespread concern over crimes committed to defend the “honour” of a family.

Now the Scottish government has drafted a “long-overdue” definition of the crime which involves physical, emotional, sexual abuse and killings.

It is hoped the move will ensure authorities and support services can better identify victims.

Fawziyah’s mum Yasmin yesterday told the Record her daughter’s harrowing death must be the last of its kind as her “legacy” continues to save lives.

She said: “This must never ever happen again. Another family can not go thorough this.

“He’s (Anwar) got a prison sentence, but we’ve got a life sentence until our last breath on this earth.

“For your only child to be brutally murdered alongside her unborn baby, time is definitely not a healer. It gets more difficult as time goes by.

“Every day is a battle to get through. There are no ways to express something as horrific as this for a family. It can’t happen again. It just can’t.

“It does bring me comfort that this progress is Fawziyah’s legacy and I’m optimistic that lives are going to be saved because authorities will better recognise the signs and be able to better protect women and girls.”

Anwar, from Leeds in Yorkshire, denied killing Fawziyah but was found guilty after a week-long trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in 2023 and was jailed for 20 years.

Chilling CCTV images revealed the pair’s movements as Anwar led his employment lawyer wife to her death, just nine months on from their wedding.

The trial heard how the tragic mum-to-be told a police officer as she lay dying that her husband had pushed her because she “told him I wanted to end (the marriage)”.

Fawziyah had planned not to return to Anwar’s home but to go to her parents’ house and contact police to retrieve her belongings after earlier logging, in secret, abuse she had suffered.

There were several thousand reported cases of honour based abuse (HBA) across the UK last year, but the crime is known to be hugely under reported and often hidden within domestic abuse statistics.

In Scotland, there is not yet a statutory definition of HBA and it has not been a specific crime within Scots’ law.

Scottish Government strategy incorporates the crime within the wider definition of domestic abuse, along with female genital mutilation, forced and child marriages.

Now, as part of the strategy to tackle violence and abuse against women and girls, officials have developed a “clear and robust draft policy definition” to ensure those responding to survivors understand what HBA is.

A progress report published this week said: “This is crucial because stakeholders have raised that when the complexity and nuances of HBA are not fully understood, minority ethnic women can be overlooked by the Police and other services.”

The policy definition has now been tested with mainstream services, including police, social work, the NHS and councils and work is underway to see it applied across services.

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The move follows a tabling of an amendment by the UK Government last month to introduce a statutory definition of honour-based abuse following campaign work by Yasmin and HBA charity Karma Nirvana.

Yasmin said her daughter’s case, which featured in two-part Channel 4 documentary The Push, which re-aired this month, is helping educate the public.

She said: “I get messages from women from all walks of life who have said to me ‘Fawziyah saved our life’. They’ve watched the documentary and realised they’re in that position and taken steps to get out. I’ve also had messages from victims’ families contacting me asking what they can do to help them.

“This definition is a step in the right direction for Scotland but there is still a lot of work to be done. This definition has got to be crystal clear and it has to go deeper into this type of abuse so that people in authority can recognise it and do something about it.

“Not every incident is violent. In Fawziyah’s case in the start it was subtle. There was coercive control and gaslighting. That played a massive part in what happened to her.

“Irrespective of what community you come from, people have this stereotypical type of person in their mind this can happen to. But I know this has happens to highly articulate, confident professional women. Sometimes people may not even realise that they’re being abused in that way. This can happen to some men as well.”

Executive Director at Karma Nirvana, Natasha Rattu, welcomed the Scottish government’s work on HBA but said emotional HBA must be understood as much as physical.

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She said: “It’s always really difficult to get to a point of consensus on what we understand about honour-based abuse.

“This definition is a starting point, which is really welcome. It’s just about making sure that we are absolutely landing it in the experience of victims and survivors.”

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “Our Equally Safe delivery plan progress report reflects that real and meaningful progress is being made to realise our shared ambitions of a Scotland free from violence against women and girls.

“We are now confident that we have a strong draft policy definition of Honour-Based Abuse that reflects the realities of women in Scotland.

“We look forward to continuing to work with partners to explore how the definition can be applied in practice across services, and how it can support better responses for survivors.”

What is honour-based abuse?

Honour-based abuse, according to the Scottish government’s definition, describes “a range of violent incidents or patterns of abuse” committed against a person, mainly women and girls, due to the perception that they have brought, or may bring, “dishonour or shame to their family or community”.

They say it includes physical, emotional, sexual abuse and killings and perpetrators can include partners, family

members and members of the community.

They say the abuse “is not exclusive to any specific racial or religious group” but perpetrated by a “minority of individuals within diverse communities”.

The extent of HBA in Scotland is unknown but several thousands of cases are reported across the UK every year.

Fawziyah’s tragic case is not considered the first honour killing north of the border.

In 2011, police in Pakistan confirmed they were treating the murder of a couple from Glasgow as an honour killing.

Saif Rehman, 31, and his wife Uzma Naurin, 30, were shot after their car was ambushed in Gujrat.

It is understood Mr Rehman was shot dead by a group of men at the scene and his wife was driven away and killed.

The perpetrators remain unknown.

In 2013, a man was found guilty of burning his “westernised” ex-wife to death, after setting fire to her following a bitter divorce in another suspected honour killing.

Ahdeih Khayatzadeh, 46, suffered 95% burns in an attack by Ahmad Yazdanparast at the Venus Hair & Beauty salon in Stirling.

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David Beckham appears to be at odds with England manager Thomas Tuchel over the fate of one England player ahead of the World Cup.

Tuchel is hoping to build on Sir Gareth Southgate’s promising but ultimately trophy-less reign by leading England to their first World Cup trophy since 1966 this summer.

Two March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan gave Tuchel one last chance to get a look at which players will make the plane and be selected in England’s World Cup squad.

Tuchel opted to name an expanded 35-man squad for the games against Uruguay and Japan, with two uncapped players in Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele getting the nod.

There were recalls for Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo and a first pick for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori since 2023.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was perhaps the most high-profile player to miss out, with Tuchel making the ‘tough decision’ to omit the Real Madrid star and ex-Liverpool defender.

‘I know what Trent can give us and I decided still to stick to the players with us,’ Tuchel said. ‘I know it’s difficult to leave out a player like Trent.

‘We spoke on the phone and I explained the situation. He must accept it. It’s a sporting decision.’

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney said it was ‘incredible’ that Alexander-Arnold was left out of England’s squad and suggested there was ‘no way back’ for the talented 27-year-old.

Beckham also appears to disagree with Tuchel’s stance over Alexander-Arnold, insisting he would ‘find it very hard’ not to take him to the World Cup.

Asked about Tuchel’s decision to omit Alexander-Arnold, Beckham told talkSPORT: ‘That’s why I’m not England manager, because I don’t have to make those decisions!

‘But, I’m a massive fan of Trent, I love Trent as a player. I’ve heard so many times over the years when he was at Liverpool, when he’s at Madrid, when he’s playing for England, about, “Well, he’s not as good at defending as he is going forward”.

‘Well, sometimes you have to accept that… Roberto Carlos was an unbelievable defender, but he was also unbelievable going forward.

‘He’d always go forward, and then we’d have to cover him, so those kind of things you expect. But with Trent, would I take him? I’d find it very hard not to take someone like Trent.

‘But then Thomas, he’s come out and said, I think I read it this morning, that there are other players that are ahead of him at the moment. But he said “at the moment”, so that could change.

‘These friendlies might prove that other players are playing that might not get in the squad, so you don’t know.

‘This is very close to picking a final squad, but I still think that Thomas is probably still considering about Trent as well.’

England were held to a 1-1 draw by Uruguay on Friday night and will be looking for a better result – and performance – against Japan on Tuesday.

Tuchel’s side are in Group L for the World Cup and start their campaign against Croatia on June 17 before facing Ghana and Panama for a place in the knockout stages.

Ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel was only expected to be in charge of England until the end of the World Cup but signed a contract extension last month until after Euro 2028.

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Manchester City prospect Floyd Samba speaks to the Manchester Evening News about coming through the ranks at the Etihad, training under Pep Guardiola and his first team ambition

Floyd Samba has an unlikely Manchester City mentor in Abdukodir Khusanov. Samba, 17, has been something of a regular in first-team training for the Blues in recent months, and it’s Khusanov, along with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who have taken the teenager under the wing.

Donnarumma has, of course, been there and done it, tasting success at club and international level prior to his arrival at City. For Khusanov, who is still trying to cement his place in the first team and is still learning English, his willingness to assist Samba and the other youngsters who step into the senior training sessions is commendable.

“He doesn’t speak much English but he is really helpful with the young lads,” said Samba, speaking to the Manchester Evening News of Khusanov. “Donnarumma is very nice and a good guy. He spoke to me quite a bit. A few players helped and are welcoming.”

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Samba is one of the leading lights of City’s Under-18 side who are chasing FA Youth Cup glory this season. The young Blues have a last four tie with Blackburn Rovers next week and could potentially face Manchester United in a mouthwatering final.

And while tangible success on the pitch is important, it’s the development and improvement of the players that is most vital. Spells in first team training play a key role in the line of progression, City don’t gift spots in the senior set-up and when youngsters move across they are treated as though they belong. There is no easing off for academy prospects, no drop in intensity. The message is clear: You’re here on merit, show us what you’ve got.

For Samba, the initial wow moment of training alongside his heroes has passed. He’s been involved with Pep Guardiola’s group on countless occasions this term and is determined to absorb the information and detail to help him on his way.

“I think it is more natural now because I have been there a few times,” he said. “When I first went it was mad just seeing the quality of the players.

“It is surreal, you get to go over there and see the best players and managers in the world. The staff are very welcoming, you don’t feel out of place and you can pick up on all of the basics that the players do and I can take it on and get a bit of experience.”

It’s telling that the words Samba uses to describe the biggest takeaway from Guardiola’s sessions are ‘intensity, demanding and 24/7.’ Samba describes the boss as ‘focussed with whatever is next’. “He treats you the same as any other player,” he adds.

Samba’s Under-18 coach at the Etihad Oli Reiss sees the right traits in the midfielder to believe he can succeed at the highest level. “He is an incredible player,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “His mentality and physicality and the way he is able to play football . . . I think he can have a big future.”

For now the next step for Samba is a City debut. The son of former Premier League football Christopher and brother of fellow City prospect Tyrone, is a progressive midfielder with attacking instincts and an eye for goal.

He could be the next youngster in line for a first team bow, with the likes of Jayden and Reigan Heskey and Charlie Gray having had minutes in the Carabao Cup this season.

Samba was on the bench for the FA Cup win over Salford City in February, another staging post in his fledgling career, and he makes no bones about what the next ambition is.

“Playing in the first team is the next aim and it would be a proud moment for me and my family. I was proud to be on the bench, unfortunately I didn’t get on but hopefully, give it time, and it will happen in the future. I just have to be patient.”

The BBC’s Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega reports from the funerals of three journalists killed by a targeted attack by Israel in southern Lebanon on Saturday 28 March.

Ali Shoeib, a reporter for the Hezbollah-affiliated Al Manar TV station, was killed in the town of Jezzine alongside reporter Fatima Ftouni and her brother, cameraman Mohamed Ftouni, both from the channel Al Mayadeen, according to the stations.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it had killed Shoeib, describing him as a “terrorist”, but provided no evidence to support the claim that he played a military role in the organisation. The Israeli military has not offered any comment on the killings of Fatima and Mahamed Ftoni.

Read more on this story.

Bruno Fernandes’ Manchester United future is still hanging in the balance

Although he has been arguably Manchester United’s best and most reliable performer in recent seasons, Bruno Fernandes‘ long-term future at Old Trafford has seldom seemed completely assured. The 31-year-old is having a standout campaign, having tallied eight goals and 17 assists in all competitions so far.

But regardless of his productivity and close connection with both the club and its fanbase, ongoing talk of a possible exit has continued. That feeling of doubt grew stronger during Ruben Amorim’s spell in charge, when reports suggested the club were willing to consider a high-value transfer to Saudi Arabia, briefly putting strain on the bond between player and team.

However, with the Portugal international returning to peak form and firmly in contention for PFA Player of the Year, things seem to have settled – at least for now.

Here, Mirror Football looks at the broader situation involving Fernandes, including details of a huge contract offer and a little-known release clause in his Unitec contract.

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£700k-a-week offer

Last year, reports indicated that Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal were ready to lodge a £100m bid for Fernandes, along with an eye-watering £700,000-per-week salary that would have made him one of the top earners in global sport.

As the midfielder nears the latter stages of his career and United aim to manage their finances carefully, the club were willing to approve a transfer. However, that position did not sit comfortably with Fernandes, who was said to be “hurt” by United’s openness to letting him go.

In the end, no formal offer was submitted, meaning United kept their captain but also missed out on what could have been a record-breaking sale for the club.

Release clause

Although Fernandes has stated his desire to remain at United, the club technically cannot prevent him from leaving. This is due to a £56.68 million release clause in his contract, which can only be activated by overseas clubs.

While that figure might discourage some European sides from pursuing a player who turns 32 in September and offers limited resale potential, it would not pose an issue for Saudi teams.

Al-Hilal had been willing to bid £100m as they were keen to secure Fernandes ahead of last year’s Club World Cup, which started in June before the clause became active, and fresh interest from the Middle East is anticipated this summer.

If Fernandes remains at the club, United are expected to begin talks over a new deal, with his current contract set to expire in 2027. They also hold the option to extend it by an additional year.

United keen to keep Bruno

Despite earlier speculation linking him with a departure, the club’s position has now clearly shifted toward keeping Fernandes. While there is a continued effort to lower the wage bill – with Fernandes earning £300,000 per week – United are determined to maintain their captain’s influence on the field.

That stance has reportedly been communicated directly to Fernandes to help remove any lingering uncertainty about his future. He is also thought to feel more settled since Michael Carrick assumed control in January.

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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package

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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.

Homan also told CBS, the BBC’s US news partner, that even after the shutdown ended and funding for TSA was restored, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents currently deployed to airports across the country to help with travel disruptions would remain “until the airports feel like they are 100%.”

Manchester United have been linked with an interest in Chesea’s Cole Palmer during the international break

Manchester United will be closely monitoring players on international duty as the club continue to formulate their summer strategy. The team’s resurgence under Michael Carrick has placed United in the running for a Champions League berth and has generated enthusiasm ahead of the forthcoming transfer window.

United have maintained their ability to attract top talent even during more challenging periods but securing a return to Europe’s premier club competition could pave the way for even more distinguished signings. Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been tentatively linked with a potential move to Old Trafford.

The England international has been an exceptional performer since joining the west London outfit but their recent struggles have intensified speculation that Palmer could be considering his future. United have been mentioned as one of several potential landing spots.

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Elsewhere, United loanee Marcus Rashford has impressed while representing England during the international break. MEN Sport examines some of the key stories surrounding the club.

Cole Palmer transfer update

Palmer is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated at Chelsea. The Blues were eliminated from the Champions League by PSG this month, while their disappointing league campaign has left Liam Rosenior’s side sitting six points adrift of the top four.

The Sun has reported that Palmer is primed to depart Stamford Bridge in the summer, with the attacking midfielder valued at £150million. United are cited as a potential suitor but are claimed to be up against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich for his signature.

The 23-year-old is reportedly unhappy with Chelsea’s tactics, while injury issues have frequently hindered him from performing at his peak this season. However, any transfer would require a hefty fee as he is under contract until 2033.

Palmer came through Manchester City’s academy before moving to Chelsea in 2023 but the attacking midfielder was a boyhood United supporter. He has netted 10 goals in 25 appearances across all competitions this season.

Marcus Rashford given hope

Rashford has caught the eye of England manager Thomas Tuchel after starting for the Three Lions against Uruguay on Friday. The 28-year-old has found it challenging to secure a regular spot in Barcelona’s team at club level but Tuchel, who had previously commented on Rashford’s struggle to fulfil his potential, has praised the United loanee’s dedication to the cause.

“He tries. He tries hard,” the England boss stated. “He hasn’t started a game for a long, long time. So we gave him this because I spoke to him.

“I was very impressed with the training yesterday. It was a defensive training and he was very strong with Djed Spence on the side.

“Understanding how to initiate the press for us. He worked hard and I think he worked very hard. He just can’t get the goal that he maybe needs to be in full confidence. I’m happy with the way he tried and it was a constant threat.”

Rashford will be looking to assert himself once again against Japan on Tuesday, with his sights set on securing a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. The forward has been a consistent presence in the England team under Tuchel’s management.

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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Even after President Donald Trump ordered emergency pay for Transportation Security Administration agents to ease long security lines, major U.S. airports on Sunday were still urging travelers to arrive hours early — and federal immigration officers brought in to help may not be leaving anytime soon.

Trump’s executive order on Friday instructed the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers immediately, though it’s unclear how quickly travelers will see an impact. The move comes during a busy travel stretch, with spring breaks underway and Passover and Easter approaching.

Tens of thousands of TSA employees have been working without pay since DHS funding lapsed on Valentine’s Day. The department’s shutdown reached 44 days on Sunday, eclipsing the record 43-day shutdown last fall that affected all of the federal government.

Trump deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to some airports a week ago to help with security as TSA callouts rose nationwide — the same officers who may now remain in place if TSA staffing strains continue.

When will ICE’s deployment at airports end?

Making the rounds on Sunday morning news shows, White House border czar Tom Homan said it depends on how many TSA employees would be returning to work after they start receiving their pay.

“ICE is there to help our brothers and sisters in TSA. We’ll be there as long as they need us, until they get back to normal operations and feel like those airports are secure,” he told CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Homan said it also depends on how many TSA agents “have actually quit and have no plan on coming back to work.” Nearly 500 TSA officers have left the agency since the shutdown started, according to DHS.

On Saturday night, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a post on X that more ICE agents were being deployed to Baltimore-Washington International Airport to assist at TSA security checkpoints to “speed up the clearance process for passengers — not immigration enforcement.”

When will TSA officers get paid?

Homan, in his CNN interview, said he hopes TSA officers will be paid by Monday or Tuesday.

“It’s good news because these TSA officers are struggling,” Homan said. “They can’t feed their families or pay their rent.”

Also on Sunday, Charlotte Douglas International Airport said in a post on X that backpay could arrive for TSA agents beginning Monday.

“While this action provides critical relief, CLT supports long-term solutions to ensure continued stability for this essential workforce,” the airport said.

Johnny Jones, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees’ TSA chapter, said Sunday that he has heard from workers worried they may not receive their full back pay because TSA management was given very short notice to begin processing payments. He also said TSA agents are concerned they could miss pay for time they were unable to work because they couldn’t afford to report for duty.

“It is a disaster in progress,” Jones said.

What’s the current situation on the ground?

Some of the busiest U.S. airports continued to ask travelers to plan ahead in order to get through security lines.

Houston’s main airport, George Bush Intercontinental, warned Sunday evening that TSA wait times could reach four hours or longer. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport also told passengers to arrive at least four hours early for both domestic and international flights.

LaGuardia Airport posted an alert Sunday evening on its website that “TSA lines are currently longer than usual.”

Baltimore-Washington International Airport said Sunday on X that “wait times have greatly subsided on this Spring Break Sunday,” but it still asked passengers to show up several hours early. Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans offered the same guidance.

Also on Sunday, passengers could once again see estimated security wait times at the three main airports serving the New York City area — LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty.

All three had removed that feature from their websites earlier in the week, citing “rapid” changes in passenger volumes and TSA staffing. For the same reason, they cautioned that the restored wait times may not always “reflect current conditions.”

How soon will this help with airport delays?

It’s hard to tell.

Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA officer who runs a travel newsletter called Gate Access, said the staffing crisis won’t improve significantly until officers are confident that they won’t be subjected to more skipped paychecks.

“It has to be an extended pay for them to come back or want to stay there,” he said, estimating longer lines could linger for another week or two.

Jones, the TSA union leader, offered a more optimistic outlook on Sunday, saying he’s hopeful that passengers could see wait times ease closer to typical levels once workers are able to afford basic expenses like gas to get to work.

TSA will also have to decide whether to reopen the checkpoints and security lanes they closed or consolidated at some airports due to inadequate staffing, which led to passengers standing in screening lines that clogged check-in areas or showing up far too early for their flights.

A handful of airports have experienced daily TSA officer call-out rates of 40% or higher in recent weeks.

___

Sedensky reported from New York, Yamat from Las Vegas and Raby from Charleston, West Virginia. Associated Press journalist Julie Walker contributed from New York.

Sean Carr is taking on the 26 mile challenge for the charity that supported his family since before son Andrew, now nine, was born with spina bifida.

A Scottish Premiership referee is swapping jeers for cheers as he prepares to tackle the London marathon in honour of his disabled son.

Sean Carr, 42, is taking on the 26 mile challenge for the charity that supported his family since before son Andrew, now nine, was born with spina bifida.

The dad is used to being unpopular on the pitch as his second job as a referee and linesman can see his decisions criticised by thousands of fans at top table clashes.

But he has committed to running a second marathon for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland after getting a buzz from the “good vibes” brought by the crowds cheering him on at last year’s Edinburgh event.

He said: “When I got to Edinburgh City Centre there were massive crowds cheering you on and I loved that, especially when you can be used to 60,000 people critiquing your decisions.

“It was all positive, good vibes so when I went back to reffing a football match afterwards it took a while for the system to readjust.

“Last year I figured if I ever wanted to do a marathon I needed to do it before my knees and my legs decided I’d had enough so I changed my training to accommodate it.

“I loved the Edinburgh Marathon but my legs were leaden for three or four days and it was about the fourth day, when my legs were finally back to normal, that I got a call from Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBHS) asking me to run the London Marathon for them this year.

“Thankfully the call came at that time because if it had come on the first three days after Edinburgh I don’t think I would have agreed to put my legs through that torture.”

Andrew’s condition was diagnosed at his 16-week scan. With little information available about the condition, Sean and wife Lynne found the charity online and sought advice.

Sean, who works for a bank in his day job, said: “We came across the SBHS centre in Cumbernauld and they invited us along to one of their family days. Lynne was about 20 weeks pregnant when we went.

“Everyone was lovely. They were all really excited because they hadn’t had a brand-new baby join the group for a long time. Some of the older staff still call him Baby Andrew.”

Andrew was born a month early in December 2016. The couple had been told to prepare that he may need surgery from birth but he was born healthy and well.

Andrew also has a scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, and will need a major operation in the future after which he will need to learn to walk again.

He uses a metal frame on his leg to help support him when he walks and sometimes needs to use walking sticks and a wheelchair.

But despite the challenges of his condition he has defied the odds to become a disabled gymnast, with coaches already tipping him for future Paralympic glory.

Sean said: “Andrew has had spina bifida from day one so he has no other idea how to live his life.

“If he sees his friends doing something he wants to do the same. Sometimes it is not always possible but if he can, he will or will try to use some other method.

“He has a brilliant determination. He doesn’t have an ‘I quit’ or ‘I can’t do that’ mentality.”

Andrew started getting into disabled sport as soon as rules allowed when he turned eight and his talent was obvious. He now competes for the City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club.

Sean said: “It was great because the interest in Andrew was phenomenal. He has never had people fighting over him before.

“Andrew is a wee daredevil. If Andrew can do a somersault, a back flip or climb anything, he’ll climb it and he’ll jump. He doesn’t think about the consequences that he might get hurt.

“They said his upper body strength is phenomenal and they really think he has great potential.”

Lawrence Cowan, CEO at Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland, said: “We are so grateful to Sean for all the fundraising he has done so far, and we’ll all be cheering him on as he takes on the London Marathon.

“Everyone with spina bifida and hydrocephalus deserves the chance to feel unstoppable. But it’s only through generous donations that we can make that happen for kids like Andrew, his family and so many other people right across the country.

“The money Sean raises will power our work to provide opportunities for understanding, fun and friendship.”

You can support Sean in his marathon bid here.

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