MANCHESTER UNITED were forced to find a new hotel for their tricky Tranmere trip – after nifty footwork from Strictly Come Dancing stars meant The Lowry was booked up.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men had to get a quickstep on to find a local place as lowly League One Rovers stunned Watford in Thursday’s FA Cup third-round replay.
Stacey Dooley and the rest of the Strictly Come Dancing team nipped in to book the Lowry Hotel on FA Cup weekendCredit: Splash News
YouTuber Saffron Barker exits the Lowry as the celebs launch their tourCredit: Splash News
Arsenal legend Alex Scott beams broadly as she steps out from the hotelCredit: Splash News
Ballroom dancer and tour judge Shirley Ballass is in good spirits as the Strictly stars are feted outside the LowryCredit: Splash News
And The Lowry, United’s favourite pre-match haunt, was out of contention as Strictly presenter Stacey Dooley and the hit BBC show’s dancing pairs had already made their move because Manchester hosts Strictly’s two 2020 tour openers this weekend.
Now Solskjaer and Co must hope a rare stay away from the plush hotel is not another jinx in a season blighted by injuries and erratic form.
United could barely pass a football let alone a Doble in Wednesday’s 2-0 Premier League home defeat against Burnley.
And losing to Tranmere on Sunday could leave Solskjaer close to the exit door, despite Old Trafford chiefs insisting he is there for the long-haul.
United will instead spend the night in Liverpool as they prepare for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round clash.
But it is also thought finding a last-minute alternative venue was also hit by a busy schedule for hotels.
In contrast, the smiling Strictly celebs popped out of the Lowry on Saturday looking as calm and polished as the Clarets’ performance that destroyed United in midweek.
Documentary-maker and show host Dooley, casually dressed in jeans and open-toe shoes gave a thumbs-up sign.
And Arsenal footballer Alex Scott wore a wide grin that perhaps might have been bigger still if she had known the hotel predicament faced by the Gunners’ big rivals United.
Russian Katya Jones, one of Strictly’s best-known professional dancers, gave victory salutes with both hands.
And YouTuber Saffron Barker left holding the type of large bag United players usually depart the Lowry with – albeit hers was a designer number clearly too pristine to carry ghastly objects like football boots.
So while United face the music at Prenton Park – hoping to prove they are not jazz-beens – the Strictly squad are holding their first couple of tour dates at Manchester Arena in much higher spirits.
Katya Jones was with fellow Strictly star Stacey Dooley at the LowryCredit: Splash News
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co stayed at a new venue ahead of their FA Cup clash away to TranmereCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
