Marcus Rashford reward reflects Erik ten Hag's Manchester United challenge for run-in

BreAnna Bell Apple TV+ has renewed “The Big Door Prize” for a second season, the streamer announced on Wednesday. According to the official description, “The Big Door Prize” follows the story of a small town that changes after a mysterious machine appears in the local general store, promising to reveal each resident’s true life potential. Christopher O’Dowd stars as Dusty Hubbard, a seemingly content, cheerful family man and high school teacher, watches everyone around him reevaluate their life choices and ambitions based on the machine’s printouts which leaves him questioning his own happiness. Though he remains skeptical of the machine, his wife Cass (Gabrielle Dennis) starts to dive into the idea that she could have something bigger in store for her. Up until the arrival of the Morpho machine, the couple lived a seemingly easy and safe life. But all of that changes when the community is forced to take stock of their unfulfilled achievements in pursuit of a better future. The series is based on M.O. Walsh’s novel of the same name.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Bob Lee, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, investor and executive who created Cash App, died Tuesday after he was fatally stabbed in San Francisco, according to reports. He was 43. Lee was formerly CTO of Jack Dorsey’s payments company Square (which is now called Block) and most recently was the chief product officer at cryptocurrency company MobileCoin, which he joined in late 2021. The San Francisco Police Department said in an announcement that it responded to a report of a stabbing near the 300 block of Main Street on April 4 at about 2:35 a.m. SFPD did not identify the victim. NBC Bay Area and other outlets subsequently reported that the victim of the stabbing was Lee.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Maïwenn’s historical drama, “Jeanne du Barry,” starring Johnny Depp as Louis XV, is slated to world premiere on opening night of the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, Variety has learned. The movie marks Depp’s acting comeback after a three-year hiatus following his long legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard which culminated in a defamation trial won by Depp in December. Maïwenn’s sixth feature, the period movie revolves around the tumultuous relationship of the French king Louis XV and his lover, Jeanne du Barry (played by Maiwenn), whom he brought into the Versailles Palace to live near him even though she wasn’t a noble. Louis XV, who was nicknamed “the beloved,” ultimately died as an unpopular king after being accused of corruption. He reigned for 59 years, the longest in the history of France after that of Louis XIV. Depp barely spoke French before the start of filming so it will be interesting to see how he pulls it off without an accent.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor The Los Angeles LGBT Center is organizing a rally on Easter Sunday, April 9, in Los Angeles to protest anti-LGBTQ legislation. Billed as Drag March LA, the event kicks off at 11 a.m. PT at West Hollywood Park. “The center’s Drag March is a nod to the origins of the LGBTQ+ movement, when the very first demonstrations started in opposition to moral policing and anti-crossdressing laws designed to impose a singular ideal of gender and sexuality onto citizens,” center CEO Joe Hollendonor said in statement Wednesday. “It is no mistake that today’s ‘Drag Bans’ are accompanied by a sweeping movement to ban access to gender-affirming care; we are fighting for our right to privacy, bodily autonomy, self-determination, and freedom of expression.” 

Murtada Elfadl In the pleasantly amusing “Praise This,” Chloe Bailey is the self professed nonreligious Sam, a musical artist in the making who finds her niche in Atlanta’s competitive gospel youth choir scene. Director Tina Gordon crafts a musical that’s carried through by a charming cast and highly entertaining ensemble performances. “Praise This” adds a mostly delightful entry to the genre, even if it doesn’t offer a unique take. More successfully it acts as a winning introductory calling card to the acting and musical talents of its rising star, the slightly-older sister of upcoming “The Little Mermaid” actor Halle Bailey and one-half of the sibling R&B duo Chloe x Halle. The story starts with Sam forced to leave Los Angeles by her dad because of some rebellious behavior. He entrusts her care to her aunt and uncle (Kendrick Cross and Janora McDuffie), but the person who takes full charge of Sam’s new life in Atlanta is her cousin Jess (Anjelika Washington). Immediately calling her a sister-cousin and introducing Sam to her life, friends and choir practice, Jess is the type of relative most people try to avoid, driven away by their too boisterous enthusiasm. Ever the smart person, it doesn’t take long for Sam to realize that joining Jess’ praise team in the lead-up to a national championship competition might be her way out of Atlanta and into a successful musical career. And so an odd-couple friendship is born.

BreAnna Bell Showtime has announced its forthcoming spy drama, “Ghosts of Beirut,” will make its debut on Friday, May 19, on Showtime’s streaming site and will air on linear on May 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The four-part limited series tells the origin story of 21-year old Mughniyeh (who is also referred to as “The Ghost”), an elusive Lebanese terrorist who evaded capture from the CIA and Mossad for two decades. He was responsible for more American deaths than any other individual prior to 9/11. “Told from the American, Israeli and Lebanese perspectives, the series traces Mughniyeh’s origins from the Shiite slums of South Beirut to his masterminding of the concept of suicide bombers, a deadly tactic that led to his swift rise as the world’s most dangerous terrorist. Based on extensive research of still-classified events, the drama spans decades and weaves in first-hand, real-life interviews with prominent officials from the CIA and Mossad, connecting the turmoil of 1980s Beirut with the spy games of the modern Middle East,” reads Showtime’s official description.

Kate Aurthur editor Sam Page, he of “The Bold Type” and “Mad Men,” has joined the cast of “Grey’s Anatomy” in a recurring role. Page will make his first appearance during the May 4 episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” playing Sam Sutton. According to the character description provided by ABC, Sam is “an Air Force pilot who is seriously injured in a base-jumping accident. Although he’s coping with trauma, he somehow maintains his sense of humor and charm.” The episode is titled “Come Fly With Me,” and in the logline, it says the character of Link (Chris Carmack) willl be wrestling “with his own self-doubt as he preps for a massive surgery.” Will that massive surgery be performed on Sam? Perhaps!

Naman Ramachandran Director Mike Newell (“Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) has set an August shoot at U.K. locations for “China Court.” The film will be directed by Newell from a script by Brian Kinsey, based on the 1961 novel “China Court: The Hours of a Country House” by Rumer Godden.  The film centers around a house, China Court, and the family that inhabits it. The film follows generations of the family over a century, up to the death of the matriarch in 1961. Characters move seamlessly in and out of each other’s timelines as they grow up, fall in love, fall out with each other and – always – pass on to those who follow them the consequences of their actions.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has praised Manchester United midfielders Scott McTominay and Fred ahead of his side's visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

When Manchester United completed the signing of Christian Eriksen last July almost everyone pondered where he would fit into Erik ten Hag's plans.

Manchester United have an immediate opportunity to respond after being beaten by Newcastle United over the weekend when Brentford arrive at Old Trafford this midweek.

England captain Harry Kane is revered as one of the best goal-getters on the planet and yet there are still a select few who seemingly need to be convinced he is the right fit for Manchester United. But not so Erik ten Hag as he gets ready to pursue the England captain this summer.

Eddie Howe has suggested the 'game management stuff' has been 'massively overblown' after Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag previously claimed Newcastle United were a team who 'try to annoy you'.

Erik ten Hag has hinted Wout Weghorst will continue to lead the line for Manchester United despite the return of Anthony Martial.

Erik ten Hag is hopeful Marcus Rashford will be fit for Manchester United's Premier League fixture at Newcastle on Sunday.

Manchester United ambassador Andy Cole believes the club's players can showcase their skills in this summer's pre-season friendly against Wrexham.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's approach to dealing with stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford has been compared to how Sir Alex Ferguson chose to keep order in his squad.

Manchester United are preparing to make their move for Harry Kane in the hope of agreeing an £80million deal, according to reports.

Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes are both in agreement about Scott McTominay’s quality after the Manchester United star netted twice in Scotland’s historic win over Spain on Tuesday evening.

Denmark striker Rasmus Højlund is the leading scorer after the opening set of qualifying matches for Euro 2024.

Here are your latest Manchester United morning headlines on Wednesday, March 29.